The concept of being "enclosed" in the Bible often carries significant spiritual and symbolic meanings, reflecting themes of protection, separation, and divine presence. The term can be understood both in a literal and metaphorical sense, appearing in various contexts throughout the Scriptures.

Protection and Safety

One of the primary connotations of being enclosed in the Bible is that of protection and safety. In Psalm 139:5, the psalmist declares, "You hem me in behind and before; You have laid Your hand upon me." This verse illustrates the protective nature of God's presence, surrounding the believer on all sides. The imagery of being "hemmed in" suggests a divine enclosure that offers security and comfort, emphasizing God's omnipresence and intimate involvement in the lives of His people.

Similarly, the concept of a fortified city or a walled enclosure is used to depict safety from external threats. In the ancient Near Eastern context, cities were often enclosed by walls to protect inhabitants from invaders. This imagery is used metaphorically in the Bible to describe God's protection over His people. Proverbs 18:10 states, "The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe." Here, the "strong tower" serves as an enclosure that provides refuge and safety for the righteous.

Separation and Sanctification

Enclosure also signifies separation and sanctification. In the Song of Solomon 4:12, the bride is described as "a garden locked, a spring enclosed, a fountain sealed." This imagery conveys the idea of purity and exclusivity, where the beloved is set apart and reserved. The enclosed garden symbolizes a place of beauty and sanctity, untouched by outside influences, reflecting the believer's call to holiness and separation from the world.

The concept of enclosure as separation is further illustrated in the practices of the Israelites. The Tabernacle and later the Temple were enclosed spaces where God's presence dwelled, and only those who were consecrated could enter. This physical enclosure represented the spiritual separation required to approach a holy God, underscoring the importance of purity and reverence in worship.

Divine Presence

The idea of being enclosed also relates to the divine presence of God among His people. In Exodus 25:8, God instructs Moses, "Then have them make a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them." The Tabernacle, an enclosed space, was constructed as a dwelling place for God, signifying His desire to be present with His people. This enclosure was not just a physical structure but a representation of God's covenant relationship with Israel.

In the New Testament, the concept of enclosure takes on a spiritual dimension with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Believers are described as temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19), indicating that God's presence now encloses and resides within them. This spiritual enclosure signifies a personal and intimate relationship with God, where the believer is both protected and sanctified by His presence.

Conclusion

The biblical theme of being enclosed encompasses protection, separation, and divine presence, offering rich insights into the nature of God's relationship with His people. Whether through the imagery of a fortified city, a locked garden, or the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the concept of enclosure underscores the security, sanctity, and intimacy found in a life devoted to God.833. aule -- a courtyard, a court
... 833 -- a building with an ; an , area that is enclosed but without a roof;
an open-air (interior) courtyard of a mansion or palace. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/833.htm - 7k

5564. chorion -- a place, property
... of 5561 , "a field") -- a limited , a of a larger area; a confined piece of ground;
"a definite portion of space that is viewed as enclosed, or complete in ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5564.htm - 7k

4788. sugkleio -- to shut together, ie enclose
... Word Origin from sun and kleio Definition to shut together, ie enclose
NASB Word Usage enclosed (1), shut (3). enclose, shut up. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4788.htm - 6k

4142. musabbah -- being changed, enclosed, be set, turning
... being changed, enclosed, be set, turning. Transliteration: musabbah or musabbah
Phonetic Spelling: (moo-sab-baw') Short Definition: changed. ...
/hebrew/4142.htm - 6k

3883. lul -- a shaft or enclosed space with steps or ladder
... 3882, 3883. lul. 3884 . a shaft or enclosed space with steps or ladder.
Transliteration: lul Phonetic Spelling: (lool) Short Definition: stairs. ...
/hebrew/3883.htm - 6k

5480b. suk -- to hedge or fence about, shut in
... 5480a, 5480b. suk. 5481 . to hedge or fence about, shut in. Transliteration:
suk Short Definition: enclosed. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/5480b.htm - 5k

7000. qatar -- perhaps to shut in, enclose
... 6999, 7000. qatar. 7001 . perhaps to shut in, enclose. Transliteration: qatar
Phonetic Spelling: (kaw-tar') Short Definition: enclosed. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/7000.htm - 5k

6696a. tsur -- to confine, bind, besiege
... bind, besiege NASB Word Usage barricade (1), besiege (3), besiege* (1), besieged
(1), besieged* (10), besieging* (5), bind (2), bound (1), enclosed (1), laid ...
/hebrew/6696a.htm - 5k

3823. labab -- to get a mind or to encourage
... A primitive root; properly, to be enclosed (as if with fat); by implication (as
denominative from lebab) to unheart, ie (in a good sense) transport (with love ...
/hebrew/3823.htm - 5k

July 5. "A Garden Enclosed" (Song of Solomon iv. 12).
... JULY 5. "A garden enclosed" (Song of Solomon iv. 12). "A garden enclosed" (Song
of Solomon iv.12). The figure here is a garden enclosed, not a wilderness. ...
/.../simpson/days of heaven upon earth /july 5 a garden enclosed.htm

A Garden Enclosed is My Sister Spouse; a Garden Enclosed, a ...
... CHAPTER IV. 12. A garden enclosed is my sister Spouse; a garden enclosed,
a fountain sealed. The holy Bridegroom becomes the eulogist ...
/.../guyon/song of songs of solomon/12 a garden enclosed is.htm

Letter cxvi. (Enclosed in the Foregoing Letter. )
... Letters of St. Augustin Letter CXVI. (Enclosed in the Foregoing Letter.).
(Enclosed in the Foregoing Letter.) To Generosus, My Noble ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter cxvi enclosed in the.htm

Persecution of the Egyptian Monks, and of the Disciples of St. ...
... of St. Antony. They were enclosed in a Certain Island on Account of their
Orthodoxy; the Miracles which they Wrought. Lucius went ...
/.../chapter xx persecution of the egyptian.htm

"Faith is Nought Else but a Right Understanding, with True Belief ...
... of the Trinity is our Father: for He made us and keepeth us in Him; and the deep
Wisdom of the Trinity is our Mother, in Whom we are all enclosed; the high ...
/.../julian/revelations of divine love/chapter liv faith is nought.htm

"In Christ Our Two Natures are United"
... same [219] time that God knitted Himself to our body in the Virgin's womb, He took
our Sensual soul: [220] in which taking He, us all having enclosed in Him ...
/.../julian/revelations of divine love/chapter lvii in christ our.htm

Business Phrases
... A telegram is enclosed for your use, as this matter is urgent. ... Agreeable to our
conversation. An addressed envelope is enclosed for your convenience. ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section vi business phrases.htm

"God is Nearer to us than Our Own Soul"
... love: and therefore if we will have knowledge of our Soul, and communing and dalliance
therewith, it behoveth to seek unto our Lord God in whom it is enclosed. ...
/.../julian/revelations of divine love/chapter lvi god is nearer.htm

Chapter iv.
... A garden enclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed.12.
A garden enclosed is my sister spouse; a garden enclosed, a fountain sealed. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/chapter iv.htm

Other Passages from the Song of Songs are Considered with Relation ...
... But what is meant by the gardens He Himself points out, saying: "A garden enclosed
is My sister, My spouse, a garden enclosed, a fountain sealed;" [3203 ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter ix other passages from.htm

Enclosed (16 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Enclosed (16 Occurrences). Luke 5:6 This they did, and
enclosed a vast number of fish; and their nets began to break. ...
/e/enclosed.htm - 10k

Filigree (9 Occurrences)
... the engravings of a signet, you shall engrave the two stones, according to the names
of the children of Israel: you shall make them to be enclosed in settings ...
/f/filigree.htm - 9k

Settings (19 Occurrences)
... the engravings of a signet, you shall engrave the two stones, according to the names
of the children of Israel: you shall make them to be enclosed in settings ...
/s/settings.htm - 12k

Court (172 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) An enclosed space; a courtyard; an uncovered area shut in by the walls of
a building, or by different building; also, a space opening from a street and ...
/c/court.htm - 47k

Sanctuary (250 Occurrences)
... TEMPLE. kort, sank'-tu-a-ri: By "court" (chatser) is meant a clear space
enclosed by curtains or walls, or surrounded by buildings. ...
/s/sanctuary.htm - 63k

Onyx (16 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:20 and the fourth row a chrysolite, an onyx, and a jasper: they shall
be enclosed in gold in their settings. ... They were enclosed in gold settings. ...
/o/onyx.htm - 12k

Figure (19 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) A diagram or drawing; made to represent a magnitude or the relation of two
or more magnitudes; a surface or space enclosed on all sides; -- called ...
/f/figure.htm - 19k

Park (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A piece of ground enclosed, and stored with beasts
of the chase, which a man may have by prescription, or the king's grant. ...
/p/park.htm - 9k

Jasper (8 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:20 and the fourth row a chrysolite, an onyx, and a jasper: they shall
be enclosed in gold in their settings. ... They were enclosed in gold settings. ...
/j/jasper.htm - 10k

Issue (59 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The act of passing or flowing out; a moving out from any enclosed place;
egress; as, the issue of water from a pipe, of blood from a wound, of air from ...
/i/issue.htm - 29k

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Enclosed: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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