The term "prevented" in the context of the Bible often carries a meaning that differs from its modern usage. In contemporary English, "prevent" typically means to stop something from happening. However, in the King James Version and other older translations, "prevent" is used in the sense of "to go before" or "to precede."

Biblical Usage and Meaning

1. Old Testament Context: In the Old Testament, the concept of being "prevented" is often associated with God’s providence and His ability to go before His people, preparing the way or intervening in their lives. For example, in Psalm 79:8 (KJV), the psalmist pleads, "O remember not against us former iniquities: let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low." Here, "prevent" is understood as God's mercies coming before or meeting the needs of the people.

2. New Testament Context: In the New Testament, the term is used similarly. In 1 Thessalonians 4:15 (KJV), Paul writes, "For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep." In this passage, "prevent" means to precede or go before. The Berean Standard Bible translates this verse as, "By the word of the Lord, we declare to you that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who have fallen asleep."

Theological Implications

The use of "prevent" in its biblical sense underscores the sovereignty and foreknowledge of God. It reflects the belief that God is actively involved in the lives of His people, often working ahead of them to fulfill His purposes. This understanding aligns with the broader biblical theme of divine providence, where God is seen as the one who orchestrates events and guides history according to His will.

Practical Application

For believers, the concept of being "prevented" by God can be a source of comfort and assurance. It suggests that God is not only aware of future events but is also actively preparing the way for His people. This can encourage Christians to trust in God's timing and His plans, even when the path ahead seems uncertain.

Related Concepts

· Providence: The protective care and guidance of God over His creation.
· Foreknowledge: God's knowledge of future events, which is perfect and complete.
· Sovereignty: The attribute of God that denotes His supreme power and authority over all things.

Scriptural References

· Psalm 79:8 (KJV)
· 1 Thessalonians 4:15

Understanding the biblical use of "prevented" enriches the study of Scripture by highlighting the depth of God's involvement in the world and His intimate care for His people.(imp. & p. p.) of Prevent.2902. krateo -- to be strong, rule
... 1), held (1), hold (4), hold fast (4), holding back (1), holding fast (1), holds
(1), laid hold (1), observe (1), observing (1), prevented (1), retain (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2902.htm - 9k

2967. koluo -- to hinder
... NASB Word Usage forbid (2), forbidden (1), forbidding (1), forbids (1), hinder
(5), hindered (1), hindering (1), kept (1), prevent (3), prevented (2), prevents ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2967.htm - 7k

1465. egkopto -- to cut into, ie fig. impede, detain
... Word Origin from en and kopto Definition to cut into, ie fig. impede, detain NASB
Word Usage hindered (3), prevented (1), weary (1). hinder, be tedious unto. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1465.htm - 7k

6113. atsar -- to restrain, retain
... 2), bond (5), checked (3), closed fast (1), confined (3), could (1), detain (2),
detained (1), held back (2), kept (1), prevail (1), prevented (1), recover (1 ...
/hebrew/6113.htm - 6k

Objections Prevented. ...
... AN INTERNAL CONTEMPLATIVE LIFE. CHAPTER IX. Objections prevented.? Sec.
1. Objections prevented. Sec. Sec. 2, 3. Difference between ...
/.../chapter ix objections prevented .htm

Another Wreck Prevented.
... Book VII. Chapter XXXIII."Another Wreck Prevented. "But we adhered, for
friendship's sake and boyish companionship, to one Simon ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter xxxiii another wreck prevented.htm

Of the Diversity of Languages, by which the Intercourse of Men is ...
... Book XIX. Chapter 7."Of the Diversity of Languages, by Which the Intercourse of
Men is Prevented; And of the Misery of Wars, Even of Those Called Just. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 7 of the diversity of.htm

Koph.
... 145. "I have prevented in midnight," he saith, "and have cried: In Thy
words have I trusted" (ver.147). If we refer this to each ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/koph.htm

A Relation of My Imprisonment in the Month of November 1660
... for the blessing of God upon our opportunity, intending to have preached the word
of the Lord unto them there present: but the constable coming in prevented us ...
/.../grace abounding to the chief of sinners/a relation of my imprisonment.htm

Though in Order to Establish this Suitable Difference Between the ...
... present state is such, that the natural order of things in this world is an event
manifestly perverted, and virtue and goodness are visibly prevented in great ...
/.../iv proposition iv though in.htm

On the Righteousness and Efficacy of the Providence of God ...
... Thus Jeroboam was prevented from apprehending the prophet of the Lord, by "the drying
up of his own hand." (1 Kings 13, 4.) Thus, sin is hindered, so as not to ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 9 on the righteousness.htm

How John Tyrannized Over the Rest; and what Mischiefs the Zealots ...
... at this time they overran the neighboring countries, aiming only to procure to
themselves necessaries; for the fear they were then in prevented their further ...
/.../chapter 7 how john tyrannized.htm

The Clean and the Unclean
... round Palestine, were the most likely people with whom the Jews would associate,
and this command about what they should and should not eat prevented them for ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/the clean and the unclean.htm

Sovereignty and Human Responsibility
... The chief difficulties might be expressed thus: first, How is it possible for God
to so bring His power to bear upon men that they are prevented from doing ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter eight sovereignty and human.htm

Prevented (19 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Prevented (19 Occurrences). ... And when he was come into the
house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? ...
/p/prevented.htm - 11k

Prevent (32 Occurrences)
... In the New Testament prophthano, with same meaning, is translated "prevent" (Matthew
17:25, "Jesus prevented him," the Revised Version (British and American ...
/p/prevent.htm - 17k

Sorrows (37 Occurrences)
... your thousands. (BBE). 2 Samuel 22:6 The sorrows of hell compassed me about;
the snares of death prevented me; (KJV WBS). Job 9:28 ...
/s/sorrows.htm - 17k

Compassed (52 Occurrences)
... WBS YLT NAS RSV). 2 Samuel 22:6 The sorrows of hell compassed me about;
the snares of death prevented me; (KJV WBS). 1 Kings 7:15 ...
/c/compassed.htm - 22k

Hell (53 Occurrences)
... mountains. (KJV WBS). 2 Samuel 22:6 The sorrows of hell compassed me about;
the snares of death prevented me; (KJV BBE WBS). Job 11 ...
/h/hell.htm - 29k

Notable (7 Occurrences)
... a notable example," the Revised Version (British and American) "noble"; notably,
only in 2 Maccabees 14:31 (gennaios), "notably prevented," the Revised Version ...
/n/notable.htm - 10k

Nicolaitans (2 Occurrences)
... Such a restriction, though seemingly hard, in that it prevented the Christian
communities from joining in public festivals, and so brought upon them suspicion ...
/n/nicolaitans.htm - 10k

Unavoidable (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Incapable of being prevented; inevitable;
necessary; as, unavoidable troubles. 2. (a.) Not voidable ...
/u/unavoidable.htm - 6k

Lock (6 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) A place from which egress is prevented, as by a lock. 5. (n.) The barrier
or works which confine the water of a stream or canal. ...
/l/lock.htm - 11k

Ladder (1 Occurrence)
... A natural barrier is thus formed which prevented the histories of Israel and Tyre
from ever touching one another except in peaceful relations. WM Christie. ...
/l/ladder.htm - 10k

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