The term "seizeth" is an archaic form of the verb "seize," which appears in various contexts throughout the Bible. In the Berean Standard Bible , the concept of seizing is often associated with taking hold of something with force or urgency, whether it be physical, spiritual, or metaphorical.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, "seizeth" is frequently used to describe the act of capturing or taking possession. For example, in the context of warfare, it often refers to the capture of cities or territories. In Deuteronomy 20:19, the Israelites are instructed on how to conduct themselves during a siege: "When you lay siege to a city for a long time, fighting against it to capture it, do not destroy its trees by putting an ax to them, because you can eat their fruit. Do not cut them down. Are the trees people, that you should besiege them?"

The term also appears in the context of divine judgment or intervention. In Job 18:9, Bildad the Shuhite describes the fate of the wicked: "A trap seizes him by the heel; a snare grips him." Here, "seizeth" conveys the sudden and inescapable nature of God's judgment upon those who do evil.

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, the concept of seizing is often used metaphorically to describe spiritual truths or realities. For instance, in John 10:12, Jesus speaks of the hired hand who does not own the sheep: "The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it." The wolf "seizes" the sheep, illustrating the danger and destruction that false shepherds and spiritual threats pose to the flock of God.

Additionally, the idea of seizing is used in the context of the Kingdom of God. In Matthew 11:12, Jesus states, "From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subject to violence, and the violent lay claim to it." The phrase "lay claim" can be understood as a form of seizing, indicating the fervent and determined pursuit of the Kingdom by those who recognize its value.

Theological Implications

The use of "seizeth" in Scripture often underscores the urgency and decisiveness required in spiritual matters. It highlights the need for vigilance against spiritual threats and the importance of actively pursuing righteousness and the Kingdom of God. The term also serves as a reminder of the power and authority of God, who can seize and judge with perfect justice.

In a broader theological context, "seizeth" can be seen as a call to action for believers. It encourages Christians to take hold of their faith with determination and to be proactive in their spiritual walk, recognizing that the forces of evil are ever-present and that the Kingdom of God is of immeasurable worth.

How to Make Use of Christ as the Life, when the Believer is So ...
... 5. Through their not stirring up themselves, and shaking off that spirit of laziness
and drowsiness, when it first seizeth upon them; but, with the sluggard ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter xxi how to make.htm

The Testament of Naphtali Concerning Natural Goodness.
... And behold Isaac, the father of my father, saith to us, Run and lay hold of them,
each one according to his strength; and he that seizeth them, his shall be ...
/.../viii the testament of naphtali concerning.htm

2 Cor. I. 23
... naming it, getting advantage. For he no more takes his own, but violently
seizeth ours, for he [543] is reformed [544] . And tell me ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily iv 2 cor i.htm

The Good Shepherd' and his one Flock' - Last Discourse at the ...
... What a contrast to a mere hireling, whose are not the sheep, and who fleeth at sight
of the wolf (danger), and the wolf seizeth them, and scattereth (viz., the ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter x the good shepherd.htm

Colossians iv. 5, 6
... He that seizeth all things for spoil as he will, he that hath the first place in
the kingdom of heaven, he that was crowned, he that ascended into the third ...
/.../homily xi colossians iv 5.htm

the Legendary History of Egypt
... matter?' but he could make them no answer so much did his lips tremble, his limbs
shake, and the venom take hold upon his flesh as the Nile seizeth upon the ...
/.../chapter iii -the legendary history of.htm

1 Cor. xi. 2
... For as he that desireth other men's goods and seizeth what is not his own, hath
not gained any thing more, but is diminished, having lost even that which he had ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxvi 1 cor xi.htm

Reprobation Asserted: Or, the Doctrine of Eternal Election and ...
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/reprobation asserted or the doctrine.htm

A Book for Boys and Girls Or, Temporal Things Spritualized.
... She makes no noise, but stilly seizeth on The flower or herb appointed for her food,
The which she quietly doth feed upon While others range and glare, but ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a book for boys and.htm

The Saints' Privilege and Profit;
... By thunders, I understand that powerful discovery of the majesty of God by the word
of truth, which seizeth the heart with a reverential dread and awe of him ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the saints privilege and profit.htm

Seizeth (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Seizeth (5 Occurrences). ... Job 9:12 Behold, he seizeth 'the
prey', who can hinder him? Who will say unto him, What doest thou? (ASV). ...
/s/seizeth.htm - 7k

Seizes (16 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 5:29 Its roaring 'is' like a lioness, It roareth like young lions, And it
howleth, and seizeth prey, And carrieth away safely, and there is none ...
/s/seizes.htm - 10k

Seizing (7 Occurrences)

/s/seizing.htm - 8k

Asshur (133 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 16:9 And hearken unto him doth the king of Asshur, and the king of Asshur
goeth up unto Damascus, and seizeth it, and removeth 'the people of' it to Kir ...
/a/asshur.htm - 46k

Roareth (9 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 5:29 Its roaring 'is' like a lioness, It roareth like young lions, And it
howleth, and seizeth prey, And carrieth away safely, and there is none ...
/r/roareth.htm - 9k

Removeth (27 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 16:9 And hearken unto him doth the king of Asshur, and the king of Asshur
goeth up unto Damascus, and seizeth it, and removeth 'the people of' it to Kir ...
/r/removeth.htm - 14k

Carrieth (10 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 5:29 Its roaring 'is' like a lioness, It roareth like young lions, And it
howleth, and seizeth prey, And carrieth away safely, and there is none ...
/c/carrieth.htm - 9k

Snatcheth (3 Occurrences)
... This is he that was sown by the way side. (ASV). Job 9:12 Behold, he seizeth the
prey , who can hinder him? Who will say unto him, What doest thou? (See JPS). ...
/s/snatcheth.htm - 7k

Seized (118 Occurrences)
... Kings 18:13 And in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah hath Sennacherib king of
Asshur come up against all the fenced cities of Judah, and seizeth them, (See ...
/s/seized.htm - 34k

Delivering (35 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Isaiah 5:29 Its roaring 'is' like a lioness, It roareth like young lions,
And it howleth, and seizeth prey, And carrieth away safely, and there is none ...
/d/delivering.htm - 16k

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