In biblical terms, the concept of being "shut-in" can refer to both physical and spiritual states of confinement or seclusion. This term is not explicitly used in the Bible, but the idea is present in various narratives and teachings.

Physical Shut-in:

1. Leprosy and Isolation: In the Old Testament, those afflicted with leprosy were often isolated from the community. Leviticus 13:46 states, "As long as he has the infection, he remains unclean. He must live alone in a place outside the camp." This physical separation was a form of being "shut-in," as lepers were confined to areas away from the general population to prevent the spread of disease.

2. Noah and the Ark: Noah and his family experienced a form of being "shut-in" when God commanded them to enter the ark. Genesis 7:16 says, "So they entered, male and female of every creature, just as God had commanded him. Then the LORD shut him in." This act of God closing the door of the ark symbolizes divine protection and provision during the flood.

3. Imprisonment: Various biblical figures experienced imprisonment, which can be seen as a form of being "shut-in." For example, Joseph was confined in an Egyptian prison (Genesis 39:20), and the Apostle Paul spent time in prison for his faith (Acts 16:23-24).

Spiritual Shut-in:

1. Spiritual Isolation: The Bible also speaks of spiritual isolation or separation from God due to sin. Isaiah 59:2 states, "But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear." This separation can be seen as a spiritual "shut-in," where individuals are cut off from the presence and blessings of God.

2. Prayer and Solitude: On a more positive note, being "shut-in" can also refer to times of intentional solitude for prayer and communion with God. Jesus often withdrew to solitary places to pray, as seen in Luke 5:16: "Yet He frequently withdrew to the wilderness to pray." This practice highlights the importance of seeking God in quiet and secluded moments.

3. Divine Protection: The concept of being "shut-in" can also symbolize God's protection over His people. Psalm 91:1-2 declares, "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'" Here, the imagery of dwelling in God's shelter conveys a sense of being enclosed in His care and safety.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Israel, the idea of being "shut-in" carried significant social and religious implications. Those who were physically isolated due to illness or impurity faced not only health challenges but also social stigma and exclusion from religious practices. However, the Bible also emphasizes God's compassion and provision for those who are isolated, as seen in the laws concerning the care of the sick and the marginalized.

Overall, the concept of being "shut-in" in the Bible encompasses a range of experiences, from physical confinement to spiritual solitude, each with its own implications and lessons for believers.4788. sugkleio -- to shut together, ie enclose
... shut together, ie enclose. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: sugkleio Phonetic
Spelling: (soong-kli'-o) Short Definition: I enclose, shut in Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4788.htm - 6k5480b. 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

5462. sagar -- to shut, close
... close up, deliver up, give over up, enclose, pure, repair, shut in, self,.
A primitive root; to shut up; figuratively, to surrender ...
/hebrew/5462.htm - 6k

4231. machoz -- a city
... haven. From an unused root meaning to enclose; a harbor (as shut in by the shore) --
haven. 4230, 4231. machoz. 4232 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/4231.htm - 5k

7753. suk -- to hedge or fence up or about
... fence, make an hedge up. A primitive root; to entwine, ie Shut in (for formation,
protection or restraint) -- fence, (make an) hedge (up). 7752, 7753. ...
/hebrew/7753.htm - 6k

The Trysting Place.
... dishwater,"where not. But you are not likely to unless you have been off
in some quiet place shut in alone with God. The Master ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on prayer/the trysting place.htm

Touching the Hidden Keys.
... That is, she would not die at once, so far as he could judge, but she would
be shut in her home for years. And she lay there trying ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on prayer/touching the hidden keys.htm

Such are the Doctrines which are to be Found in These Works of ...
... see so sharply, and are so hard upon the moles that have no eyes: you seem to have
got yourself into a most impossible position, where you are shut in on every ...
/.../27 such are the doctrines.htm

The Property of Widows or of all the Faithful...
... guardianship could be preserved. Women with breasts girded, and virgins
who usually were shut in, knocked at the doors. Some ran to ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xxix the property of.htm

A Strain of Jonah the Prophet.
... Cohered, and with a train caliginous. Shut in the cheated day. ... A wave: his sails
the intestines of the fish,. Inspired with breath ferine; himself, shut in; ...
/.../fathers of the third century tertullian appendix/1 a strain of jonah.htm

The Place of the Old Testament in Divine Revelation
... Canaan, on the contrary, is shut in, with no good harbors along the Mediterranean;
and its largest river system leads to the Dead Sea, far below the surface of ...
/.../the origin and permanent value of the old testament/iv the place of the.htm

The Heart-Road to the Head.
... Calvary. And there it seemed to have succeeded. At last the light was shut
in and down; the door was shut and barred and bolted. And ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/the heart-road to the head.htm

Entangled in the Land
... Newly-emancipated one, thou art shut in with doubts and difficulties suggested
by carnal reason; but, I pray thee, believe thy God. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/entangled in the land.htm

Pray to Thy Father which is in Secret or Alone with God.
... Dwell much in the inner chamber, with the door shut"shut in from men, shut up with
God; it is there the Father waits you, it is there Jesus will teach you to ...
/.../murray/lord teach us to pray/pray to thy father which.htm

Living Broad Lives in Narrow Alleys.
... We have hearts big enough to hold a world, and brains able to plan for a
planet, even while our feet tread the same old shut-in path. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks with world winners/living broad lives in narrow.htm

Shut-in (1 Occurrence)
Shut-in. Shuthelahites, Shut-in. Shuts . Multi-Version Concordance
Shut-in (1 Occurrence). Numbers 32:36 And Beth-nimrah ...
/s/shut-in.htm - 6k

Walled (63 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Numbers 32:36 And Beth-nimrah and Beth-haran: walled towns and shut-in places
for sheep. (BBE). Deuteronomy 1:28 Whither shall we go up? ...
/w/walled.htm - 25k

Attackers (41 Occurrences)
... food in the land, or if there is disease, or if the fruits of the earth are damaged
through heat or water, locust or worm; if their towns are shutin by their ...
/a/attackers.htm - 20k

Shut (237 Occurrences)
... (WEY). 2 Corinthians 4:8 Troubles are round us on every side, but we are not shut
in; things are hard for us, but we see a way out of them; (BBE DBY). ...
/s/shut.htm - 39k

Damaged (44 Occurrences)
... food in the land, or if there is disease, or if the fruits of the earth are damaged
through heat or water, locust or worm; if their towns are shutin by their ...
/d/damaged.htm - 20k

Worm (22 Occurrences)
... food in the land, or if there is disease, or if the fruits of the earth are damaged
through heat or water, locust or worm; if their towns are shutin by their ...
/w/worm.htm - 21k

Shuts (12 Occurrences)

/s/shuts.htm - 9k

Armies (361 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 20:19 If in war a town is shutin by your armies for a long time, do
not let its trees be cut down and made waste; for their fruit will be your food ...
/a/armies.htm - 38k

Fruits (109 Occurrences)
... food in the land, or if there is disease, or if the fruits of the earth are damaged
through heat or water, locust or worm; if their towns are shutin by their ...
/f/fruits.htm - 37k

Veiled (23 Occurrences)
... might be veiled from my eyes. (BBE). Job 3:23 To a man whose way is veiled,
and who is shutin by God? (BBE). Job 13:24 Why is your ...
/v/veiled.htm - 12k

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