The term "forbad" is an archaic past tense of "forbid," meaning to command someone not to do something. In the context of the Bible, it often refers to divine prohibitions or instructions given by God, Jesus, or the apostles to prevent certain actions or behaviors. These prohibitions are significant as they reflect God's will and the moral and spiritual boundaries set for His people.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, God frequently forbade certain actions to maintain the holiness and distinctiveness of His people, Israel. For example, in the Mosaic Law, God forbade the Israelites from engaging in idolatry, as seen in the Ten Commandments: "You shall have no other gods before Me" (Exodus 20:3). This prohibition was crucial in maintaining the covenant relationship between God and Israel.

Another significant instance is found in the dietary laws, where God forbade the consumption of certain unclean animals (Leviticus 11). These laws served to set Israel apart from other nations and to instill a sense of purity and obedience.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, Jesus and the apostles also issued prohibitions, often expanding on the moral teachings of the Old Testament. Jesus, in His Sermon on the Mount, forbade not only the act of murder but also harboring anger against a brother, thus deepening the understanding of the commandment (Matthew 5:21-22).

The apostle Paul, in his letters, often forbade behaviors that were contrary to the Christian life. For instance, in Ephesians 5:18, Paul instructs, "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit" . This prohibition highlights the call to live a life controlled by the Holy Spirit rather than by fleshly desires.

Examples of Apostolic Prohibitions

The early church faced numerous challenges as it spread across diverse cultures. The apostles, guided by the Holy Spirit, provided instructions to maintain doctrinal purity and moral integrity. In Acts 15, during the Jerusalem Council, the apostles and elders forbade Gentile believers from certain practices associated with paganism, such as eating food sacrificed to idols and sexual immorality (Acts 15:28-29).

Theological Significance

The prohibitions found in Scripture are not arbitrary but are rooted in God's character and His desire for His people to reflect His holiness. They serve as boundaries that protect believers from spiritual harm and guide them toward a life that honors God. Understanding these prohibitions within their biblical context helps believers discern how to apply them in their own lives, striving to live in obedience to God's revealed will.

A Caution against Bigotry
... "And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in Thy name:
and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 38 a caution against.htm

The Wordless Book
... He was, therefore, familiar with the commandment which expressly forbad that sin;
so that, when he sinned in this way, he sinned as one does who takes a ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 57 1911/the wordless book.htm

The Bible Canon from the Fourth Century to the Reformation.
... The Council of Laodicea (AD363), at which there was a predominant semiarian
influence, forbad the reading of all non-canonical books. ...
/.../davidson/the canon of the bible/chapter vii the bible canon.htm

"But" Say I "In Such a Slaughter-Heap of Dead Bodies...
... [2718] Psalm 116:15. [2719] Luke 16:19-22. [2720] Lucan vii. 819, speaking of the
slain in the battle of Pharsalia, whose bodies Caesar forbad to burn or inter. ...
/.../augustine/on care to be had for the dead /4 but say i in.htm

Receiving and Forbidding
... And John answered Him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in Thy name,
and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.39. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/receiving and forbidding.htm

Matt. xxvi. 26-28.
... But Christ forbad him not, although He knew all things, that thou mightest learn
that He omits none of the things that pertain to correction. ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxxxii matt xxvi 26-28.htm

Matt. xxvi. 51-54.
... But another saith, that they moreover asked, "Shall we smite?" [3003] but that He
forbad it, and healed the man, and rebuked His disciple, and threatened, that ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxxxiv matt xxvi 51-54.htm

That Pious Parents have Reason to Hope it is Well with those Dear ...
... He was much displeased with those who forbad their being brought to him; and said,
Suffer them to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the Kingdom ...
/.../iv that pious parents have.htm

The Baptism of Jesus
... baptized of him.14. But John forbad Him, saying, I have need to be baptized
of Thee, and comest Thou to me? 15. And Jesus answering ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the baptism of jesus.htm

October 26 Evening
... Take heed to your spirit."MAL.2:15. Master, we saw one casting out devils in
thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. ...
/.../anonymous/daily light on the daily path/october 26 evening.htm

Forbad (11 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Forbad (11 Occurrences). Matthew 3:14 But John forbad
him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? ...
/f/forbad.htm - 9k

Strictly (19 Occurrences)
... Mark 8:30 And He strictly forbad them to tell this about Him to any one. ... Luke 9:21
And Jesus strictly forbad them to tell this to any one; (WEY WBS NIV). ...
/s/strictly.htm - 11k

Followeth (18 Occurrences)
... Mark 9:38 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in
thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth ...
/f/followeth.htm - 11k

Devils (48 Occurrences)
... Mark 9:38 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in
thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth ...
/d/devils.htm - 31k

Urgently (8 Occurrences)
... Urgently (8 Occurrences). Matthew 3:14 but John urgently forbad him, saying, I
have need to be baptised of thee; and comest thou to me? (DBY). ...
/u/urgently.htm - 8k

Loudly (31 Occurrences)
... Luke 4:41 Demons also came out of many, loudly calling out, "You are the Son of
God." But He rebuked them and forbad them to speak, because they knew Him to be ...
/l/loudly.htm - 15k

Forbade (3 Occurrences)

/f/forbade.htm - 7k

Follows (65 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Luke 9:49 And John answering said, Master, we saw some one casting out demons
in thy name, and we forbad him, because he follows not with us. (DBY). ...
/f/follows.htm - 25k

Foray (1 Occurrence)

/f/foray.htm - 7k

Trying (68 Occurrences)
... there again?" (WEB WEY). Acts 5:28 "We strictly forbad you to teach in
that name--did we not?" he said. "And see, you have filled ...
/t/trying.htm - 24k

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