In biblical times, the concept of being "locked" often carried both literal and metaphorical significance. The act of locking something was a means of protection, security, and privacy. It also symbolized exclusion or separation, whether for safety or judgment.

Literal Uses:

1. Protection and Security: In ancient Israel, doors and gates were locked to protect inhabitants from intruders and to secure possessions. The practice of locking doors is mentioned in several passages, highlighting the importance of security in daily life. For instance, in Judges 3:23-25, Ehud locks the doors of the upper room after assassinating King Eglon, which delays the discovery of the king's death: "Then Ehud went out through the porch, closing and locking the doors of the upper room behind him."

2. Privacy: Locking doors also served to ensure privacy. In 2 Kings 4:33, Elisha shuts the door to pray over the Shunammite woman's son: "So he went in, closed the door behind the two of them, and prayed to the LORD."

Metaphorical Uses:

1. Spiritual Separation: The concept of being locked out can symbolize spiritual separation or exclusion from God's presence. In the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13), the foolish virgins find themselves locked out of the wedding feast because they were unprepared: "Later, the other virgins arrived and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’ But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’"

2. Judgment and Finality: Being locked out can also represent divine judgment. In Revelation 3:7, Jesus is described as the one "who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens," emphasizing His authority over access to the kingdom of heaven.

3. Security in Christ: Conversely, the idea of being locked in can symbolize security and assurance in Christ. Believers are secure in their salvation, as depicted in John 10:28-29, where Jesus assures that no one can snatch His sheep from His hand.

Cultural Context:

In the cultural context of the Bible, locks and keys were rudimentary compared to modern standards but served essential functions in daily life. The use of locks was a practical necessity in a world where community and family life were central, and the protection of one's home and loved ones was paramount.

Theological Implications:

Theologically, the imagery of locking and unlocking is rich with meaning. It speaks to the authority of Christ, the preparedness required for His return, and the security found in a relationship with Him. The act of locking can denote both the protective care of God over His people and the sobering reality of judgment for those who are unprepared or unfaithful.

In summary, the concept of "locked" in the Bible encompasses themes of security, privacy, judgment, and spiritual readiness, reflecting both the practical and spiritual dimensions of life in biblical times.(imp. & p. p.) of Lock.2808. kleio -- to shut
... Word Origin of uncertain origin Definition to shut NASB Word Usage close (1),
closed (1), closes (1), locked (1), shut (11), shuts (1). shut. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2808.htm - 7k

4928. sunoche -- a holding together, fig. distress
... close ("hard") tension; (figuratively) tension from difficult circumstances that
"won't move" which produces () -- causing someone to feel "locked in" (tightly ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4928.htm - 7k

2623. katakleio -- to shut up
... shut up, confine. Word Origin from kata and kleio Definition to shut up
NASB Word Usage lock (1), locked (1). shut up. From kata ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2623.htm - 6k

1719. emphobos -- terrible, in fear (used of godly fear)
... full of fear, terrified. 1719 (from 1722, "" and 5401 , "fear") -- properly,
locked a of fear, ie in of a . Word Origin from en ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1719.htm - 7k

1693. emmainomai -- to rage against
... 1693 (from 1722 , "in" and 3105 , "behave as a maniac") -- properly, locked
in the frenzy of rage (fury), and used only in Ac 26:11. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1693.htm - 7k

1689. emblepo -- to look at, fig. to consider
... 1689 (from 1722 , "engaged " and 991 , "look") -- properly, stare (look) at with
a "locked-in gaze"; look at in a , way, ie with special "interest, love or ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1689.htm - 7k

1788. entrepo -- to turn about, to reverence, to put to shame
... 1788 (from 1722 , "in" and , "to turn") -- properly (a state of) , ie to
turn one's attention to in a riveted ("locked-in") way. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1788.htm - 7k

5274a. naal -- to bar, bolt, lock
... to bar, bolt, lock. Transliteration: naal Short Definition: locked. Word Origin
a prim. root Definition to bar, bolt, lock NASB Word Usage lock (1), locked (5). ...
/hebrew/5274a.htm - 5k

5462. sagar -- to shut, close
... deliver (5), delivered (6), gave over (2), given (1), given over (1), hand over
(1), hands over (1), imprison (1), imprisons (1), isolate (7), locked (1), pure ...
/hebrew/5462.htm - 6k

And Nicodemus Stood Up, and Stood Before the Sanhedrin...
... of this we secured thee in a room where there was no windows: and we put locks and
seals upon the doors and guards kept watching where thou wast locked in. ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of nicodemus /chapter 15 and nicodemus stood.htm

The House of Offense
... "Cruel obstacle! But that two hundred talents is locked away safely, out of your
reach. ... "I sleep with my door locked," she answered, "and I ever face you. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the city of delight/chapter xi the house of.htm

Brother Hugh
... But temptation is not to be kept out by the diet of Adam and of Esau, by
locked doors, spades, and inkpots. The key had hardly turned ...
/.../marson/hugh bishop of lincoln/chapter ii brother hugh.htm

And the Jews, Hearing that Joseph had Begged the Body of Jesus...
... And the Jews, hearing these words, were embittered in their souls, and seized Joseph,
and locked him into a room where there was no window; and guards were ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of nicodemus /chapter 12 and the jews.htm

"Where is the Parson?"
... twenty full-mouthed oaths and curses, demanded, "Where is the parson?" Robert Griffith
came up and desired me to go into another room, where he locked me in. ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/where is the parson.htm

Christ's Witnesses
... Shut it up, and it will be like some wild creature put into a cellar, fast locked
and unventilated; when you open the door it will be dead. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/christs witnesses.htm

Conflagration
... being forced away from them, than they endeavoured to force their way into the church,
of which they found that the western gates had now been locked and barred ...
/.../chapter lii conflagration.htm

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners.
... be willing to receive Him. The trouble with us is that we have locked the
doors of our hearts against Him. There is a story that ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/moody/sovereign grace/chapter iv grace abounding to.htm

As the Terrors of Imagined Suffering are Always Worse than Actual ...
... "The doors are always locked at night, my child," returned the Cardinal, recovering
from his momentary stupor and bewilderment, "But I can give you shelter. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/corelli/the master-christian/iv as the terrors of.htm

Meanwhile Cardinal Bonpre had once More Reached his Own Apartments ...
... is very strange! Her studio is locked at both entrances- -yet the servants
swear she has not passed out of the house! Besides she ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/xxx meanwhile cardinal bonpre had.htm

Locked (19 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Locked (19 Occurrences). ... Jesus came, the doors being locked,
and stood in the midst, and said, "Peace be to you." (WEB WEY NIV). ...
/l/locked.htm - 11k

Doors (149 Occurrences)
... John 20:19 When therefore it was evening, on that day, the first day of the week,
and when the doors were locked where the disciples were assembled, for fear ...
/d/doors.htm - 39k

Lock (6 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). 2 Samuel 13:17 Then he gave a cry to the servant who was waiting on him
and said, Put this woman out, and let the door be locked after her. ...
/l/lock.htm - 11k

Week (18 Occurrences)
... John 20:19 When therefore it was evening, on that day, the first day of the week,
and when the doors were locked where the disciples were assembled, for fear ...
/w/week.htm - 13k

Ehud (12 Occurrences)
... He locked the doors of the upper chamber after him, made his escape, and with the
Israelites overcame Moab at the fords of the Jordan, slaying some 10,000. ...
/e/ehud.htm - 11k

Parlor (5 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS). Judges 3:23 Then Ehud went forth through the porch, and shut the
doors of the parlor upon him, and locked them. (KJV WBS). ...
/p/parlor.htm - 9k

Inside (185 Occurrences)
... was with them. Jesus came, the doors being locked, and stood in the midst,
and said, "Peace be to you." (WEB NAS). Acts 5:23 "We ...
/i/inside.htm - 36k

Bride (31 Occurrences)
... (WEB JPS ASV NAS RSV NIV). Song of Songs 4:12 A locked up garden is my sister, my
bride; a locked up spring, a sealed fountain. (WEB JPS ASV BBE NAS RSV NIV). ...
/b/bride.htm - 17k

Sealed (31 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Song of Songs 4:12 A locked up garden is my sister, my bride; a locked
up spring, a sealed fountain. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/s/sealed.htm - 16k

Roof (55 Occurrences)
... (DBY NAS RSV). Judges 3:23 Then Ehud went out into the vestibule, and closed the
doors of the roof chamber upon him, and locked them. (DBY NAS RSV). ...
/r/roof.htm - 24k

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