The term "shutteth" is an archaic form of the verb "shut," which appears in various contexts throughout the Bible, primarily in the King James Version (KJV) and other older translations. It is used to describe the action of closing or sealing something, often with a sense of finality or authority. In the Berean Standard Bible , the equivalent modern term "shuts" is typically used.

Biblical Usage:

1. Divine Authority and Sovereignty:
The concept of God "shutting" is often associated with His sovereign power and authority over creation and human affairs. In Revelation 3:7 , it is written: "To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of the One who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What He opens, no one will shut, and what He shuts, no one will open." This passage emphasizes the ultimate authority of Christ, who alone has the power to open and shut doors, symbolizing opportunities, destinies, and divine decrees.

2. Protection and Judgment:
The act of shutting can also signify protection or judgment. In Genesis 7:16 , during the account of Noah's Ark, it is stated: "The animals going in were male and female of every living thing, as God had commanded Noah. Then the LORD shut him in." Here, God's action of shutting the door of the ark serves as protection for Noah and his family from the impending flood, while simultaneously marking the finality of judgment on the rest of humanity.

3. Human Actions and Consequences:
In the context of human actions, "shutting" can refer to the closing of one's heart or mind to God's truth or to others in need. In 1 John 3:17 , it is written: "If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him?" While the term "shutteth" is not used here, the concept of closing one's heart is evident, highlighting the moral and spiritual implications of such actions.

4. Symbolism in Prophetic Literature:
The imagery of shutting is also present in prophetic literature, often symbolizing the closing of a period of grace or the sealing of a vision. In Daniel 12:4 , the prophet is instructed: "But you, Daniel, shut up these words and seal the book until the time of the end. Many will roam to and fro, and knowledge will increase." This directive to "shut up" the words signifies the concealment of divine mysteries until the appointed time of revelation.

Theological Implications:

The use of "shutteth" in Scripture underscores themes of divine control, the finality of God's decisions, and the moral responsibility of individuals. It serves as a reminder of God's ultimate authority over the cosmos and human history, as well as the importance of aligning one's actions with His will. The act of shutting, whether by God or humans, carries significant spiritual weight, often marking moments of transition, judgment, or revelation.

Philadelphia
... things saith he... that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man
shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth.". The reference ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bullinger/commentary on revelation/philadelphia.htm

Whether There Should be Keys in the Church?
... But this belongs to Christ alone, "Who openeth and no man shutteth, shutteth and
no man openeth" (Apoc.3:7). Therefore the Church has no keys in the hands of ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether there should be keys.htm

God's Law Immutable
... But "He that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth," had
declared: "Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 25 gods law immutable.htm

God's Law Immutable.
... But "He that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth," had
declared, "Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /25 gods law immutable.htm

How to Dwell in the Fire of God
... he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of
bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/how to dwell in the.htm

The Saviour's Many Crowns
... He hath the key of heaven; he openeth, and no man shutteth; he shutteth, and no
man openeth; he calleth, and the stubborn heart obeys; he willeth, and the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the saviours many crowns.htm

'They Also Serve who Only Stand and Wait'
... The hands that were nailed to the Cross turn the keys of death and Hades. 'He openeth
and no man shutteth; He shutteth and no man openeth.'. II. ...
/.../they also serve who only.htm

The Baptism
... "These things saith He that is holy, He that is true, He that hath the key of David,
He that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; . ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 11 the baptism.htm

All Fulness in Christ
... disposal. "He shutteth and no man openeth, he openeth and no man shutteth."
He has received gifts for men; yea, for the righteous also. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/all fulness in christ.htm

Letter Liii. To Paulinus.
... are a sealed book to them, and one which they cannot open save through Him who has
the key of David, "he that openeth and no man shutteth; and shutteth and no ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter liii to paulinus.htm

Shutteth (17 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Shutteth (17 Occurrences). 1 John 3:17 But whoso
hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need ...
/s/shutteth.htm - 11k

Openeth (48 Occurrences)
... in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that
hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth...
/o/openeth.htm - 20k

Perverse (55 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV). Job 16:11 God shutteth me up unto the perverse,
And to the hands of the wicked turneth me over. (YLT). ...
/p/perverse.htm - 22k

Holds (67 Occurrences)
... write: These things saith he who is holy, he who is true, he who is having the key
of David, he who is opening and no one doth shut, and he shutteth and no one ...
/h/holds.htm - 26k

Shutting (43 Occurrences)

/s/shutting.htm - 19k

Froward (21 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS WBS YLT). Proverbs 16:30 He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things:
moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass. (KJV JPS DBY WBS YLT). ...
/f/froward.htm - 11k

Fundament (1 Occurrence)
... Judges 3:22 and the haft also goeth in after the blade, and the fat shutteth on
the blade, that he hath not drawn the sword out of his belly, and it goeth out ...
/f/fundament.htm - 6k

Two-leaved (6 Occurrences)
... bar, Alone they do dwell. (YLT). Malachi 1:10 Who 'is' even among you, And
he shutteth the two-leaved doors? Yea, ye do not kindle ...
/t/two-leaved.htm - 8k

Dwelleth (142 Occurrences)
... 1 John 3:17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and
shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God ...
/d/dwelleth.htm - 35k

Despiseth (23 Occurrences)
... he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of
bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes ...
/d/despiseth.htm - 13k

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