Topical Bible: Surrounded

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The concept of being "surrounded" in the Bible often carries significant spiritual and emotional connotations, reflecting both divine protection and the presence of adversaries. This theme is woven throughout Scripture, illustrating the multifaceted experiences of God's people.

Divine Protection and Presence

One of the most comforting aspects of being surrounded in the biblical narrative is the assurance of God's protective presence. In Psalm 125:2, the psalmist declares, "As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people, both now and forevermore." This imagery of mountains encircling the holy city serves as a powerful metaphor for God's enduring protection and care for His people, suggesting stability, security, and divine oversight.

Similarly, in 2 Kings 6:17, the prophet Elisha prays for his servant's eyes to be opened, revealing a heavenly army: "And Elisha prayed, 'O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.' And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw that the hills were full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha." This passage underscores the reality of divine forces surrounding and safeguarding God's servants, even when human eyes cannot perceive them.

Encircled by Enemies

Conversely, the Bible also speaks of being surrounded by adversaries, a situation that often tests the faith and resolve of God's people. In Psalm 22:12-13, David laments, "Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me. They open their jaws against me like lions that roar and maul." Here, the psalmist vividly describes the overwhelming presence of enemies, using animal imagery to convey the intensity of the threat.

The experience of being encircled by foes is not limited to physical enemies but can also represent spiritual battles. Ephesians 6:12 reminds believers, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world's darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." This passage highlights the spiritual dimension of being surrounded, urging Christians to remain vigilant and equipped with the armor of God.

Community and Fellowship

In a more positive light, the concept of being surrounded can also refer to the fellowship and support of the faith community. Hebrews 12:1 encourages believers with these words: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us." This "cloud of witnesses" refers to the faithful who have gone before, whose lives and testimonies provide encouragement and inspiration for those currently in the race of faith.

Conclusion

The theme of being surrounded in the Bible encompasses a range of experiences, from divine protection and the presence of enemies to the supportive fellowship of believers. Each context invites reflection on God's sovereignty, the reality of spiritual warfare, and the importance of community in the life of faith.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

(imp. & p. p.) of Surround.

Greek

4029. perikeimai -- to lie around
... to lie around. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: perikeimai Phonetic Spelling:
(per-ik'-i-mahee) Short Definition: I surround, am surrounded with Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4029.htm - 6k

2943a. kukleuo -- to encircle
... to encircle. Transliteration: kukleuo Short Definition: surrounded. Word Origin
from the same as kuklo Definition to encircle NASB Word Usage surrounded (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2943a.htm - 5k

4045. peripipto -- to fall around
... a place. 4045 (from 4012 , "all-around" and 4098 , "fall") -- properly,
fall around, ie totally surrounded by. Word Origin from ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4045.htm - 7k

2944. kukloo -- to encircle
... Word Origin from the same as kuklo Definition to encircle NASB Word Usage encircled
(1), gathered around (1), stood around (1), surrounded (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2944.htm - 6k

295. Amphipolis -- Amphipolis, a city in Macedonia
... Amphipolis. From the base of amphoteros and polis; a city surrounded by a river;
Amphipolis, a place in Macedonia -- Amphipolis. see GREEK amphoteros. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/295.htm - 6k

Strong's Hebrew

5437. sabab -- to turn about, go around, surround
... sabab. 5438 . to turn about, go around, surround. Transliteration: sabab Phonetic
Spelling: (saw-bab') Short Definition: surrounded. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/5437.htm - 7k

5439. sabib -- circuit, round about
... direction (2), every side (34), form (2), one surrounding (1), places around (1),
round about (29), surround (10), surround* (2), surrounded (1), surrounding ...
/hebrew/5439.htm - 6k

2691. chatser -- enclosure, court
... (masculine and feminine); from chatsar in its original sense; a yard (as inclosed
by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded with walls) -- court ...
/hebrew/2691.htm - 5k

5470. sohar -- perhaps roundness
... prison. From the same as cahar; a dungeon (as surrounded by walls) -- prison. see
HEBREW cahar. 5469, 5470. sohar. 5471 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/5470.htm - 6k

3803. kathar -- to surround
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to surround NASB Word Usage crowned
(1), encircled (1), surround (2), surrounded (1), wait (1). ...
/hebrew/3803.htm - 6k

661. aphaph -- to surround, encompass
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to surround, encompass NASB Word Usage encompassed
(4), surrounded (1). compass. A primitive root; to surround -- compass. ...
/hebrew/661.htm - 5k

5362b. naqaph -- to go around
... encircling (1), encompassed (3), go around (1), gone around (1), observe on schedule
(1), round (1), surround (1), surround* (2), surrounded (1), surrounding (1 ...
/hebrew/5362b.htm - 5k

Library

Sacred Head Surrounded
... No. 22 Sacred Head Surrounded. LENT AND PASSIONTIDE Sacred Head
Surrounded "O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden". St. Bernard ...
/.../the st gregory hymnal and catholic choir book/no 22 sacred head surrounded.htm

The Order of Thought which Surrounded the Development of Jesus.
... CHAPTER IV. THE ORDER OF THOUGHT WHICH SURROUNDED THE DEVELOPMENT OF JESUS.
As the cooled earth no longer permits us to understand ...
//christianbookshelf.org/renan/the life of jesus/chapter iv the order of.htm

O Sacred Head Surrounded
... II. THE CHRISTIAN YEAR Holy Week 158. O sacred head surrounded. 7.6.7.6 D ... Tr. Henry
W. Baker, 1861. O sacred head surrounded. By crown of piercing thorn! ...
/.../holy week 158 o sacred.htm

Solomon in the Beginning of his Reign Surrounded the City with a ...
... Solomon in the beginning of his reign surrounded the city with a wall.? Solomon
in the beginning of his reign surrounded the city with a wall. ...
/.../life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter xxxix solomon in the.htm

Believing on Jesus, and Its Counterfeits
... OUR LORD, on this occasion, was surrounded by cavillers. We must not be astonished
if the like should happen to us when declaring the gospel. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/believing on jesus and its.htm

Concerning a Stratagem that was Devised by the Jews, by which they ...
... So when they perceived themselves surrounded with the flames, some of them threw
themselves down backwards into the city, and some among their enemies [in the ...
/.../chapter 3 concerning a stratagem.htm

In Jerusalem when Herod Reigned
... The four companion-like' hills on which the city was built, [529] the deep clefts
by which it was surrounded, the Mount of Olives rising in the the east, were ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter i in jerusalem when.htm

The Night of Resurrection.
... The sacred body of our Blessed Redeemer was wrapped in the winding-sheet, and
surrounded with light, while two angels sat in an attitude of adoration, the one ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter lxii the night of.htm

Last Journey of Jesus to Jerusalem.
... Jesus had for a long time been sensible of the dangers that surrounded him.[1] During
a period of time which we may estimate at eighteen months, he avoided ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/renan/the life of jesus/chapter xxi last journey of.htm

The African Rome
... It comprised, besides the actual [Greek: hieron], where stood the image of the goddess,
gardens, sacred groves, and courts surrounded with columns. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/ii the african rome.htm

Thesaurus

Surrounded (51 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Surrounded (51 Occurrences). Luke 21:20 "But when you
see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is at hand. ...
/s/surrounded.htm - 21k

Surround (39 Occurrences)
... RSV). Revelation 20:9 They went up over the breadth of the earth, and
surrounded the camp of the saints, and the beloved city. Fire ...
/s/surround.htm - 17k

Assur (2 Occurrences)
... The city was found to have been surrounded on the land side by a double
wall. ... It consisted of two courts surrounded by chambers. ...
/a/assur.htm - 13k

Sherghat
... The city was found to have been surrounded on the land side by a double
wall. ... It consisted of two courts surrounded by chambers. ...
/s/sherghat.htm - 12k

Asshur (133 Occurrences)
... The city was found to have been surrounded on the land side by a double
wall. ... It consisted of two courts surrounded by chambers. ...
/a/asshur.htm - 46k

Asmoneans
... He succeeded in defeating the left wing of the Syrians under Bacchides,
but was in turn surrounded and defeated by the right wing. ...
/a/asmoneans.htm - 27k

Canaan (102 Occurrences)
... bronze makes its appearance; high-places formed of monoliths are erected, and
inhumation of the dead is introduced, while the cities are surrounded with great ...
/c/canaan.htm - 64k

Ungodliness (9 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 22:5 For the waves of death surrounded me. The floods of ungodliness made
me afraid. (WEB ASV). Psalms 18:4 The cords of death surrounded me. ...
/u/ungodliness.htm - 9k

Overwhelmed (33 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 22:5 For the waves of death surrounded me. The floods of ungodliness made
me afraid. (See NAS NIV). ... (DBY). Psalms 18:4 The cords of death surrounded me. ...
/o/overwhelmed.htm - 15k

Floods (37 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS RSV). 2 Samuel 22:5 For the waves of death surrounded
me. ... (DBY). Psalms 18:4 The cords of death surrounded me. ...
/f/floods.htm - 17k

Resources

Who are "the cloud of witnesses" mentioned in Hebrews 12:1? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to 'run the race set before us' (Hebrews 12:1)? | GotQuestions.org

What is the correct translation of Psalm 22:16? | GotQuestions.org

Surrounded: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus

Concordance

Surrounded (51 Occurrences)

Luke 21:20
"But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is at hand.
(WEB YLT NAS RSV NIV)

John 5:2
Now in Jerusalem by the sheep gate, there is a pool, which is called in Hebrew, "Bethesda," having five porches.
(See NIV)

John 10:24
The Jews therefore surrounded him, and said to him, Until when dost thou hold our soul in suspense? If thou art the Christ, say so to us openly.
(DBY)

Acts 14:20
and the disciples having surrounded him, having risen he entered into the city, and on the morrow he went forth with Barnabas to Derbe.
(YLT)

Hebrews 5:2
The high priest can deal gently with those who are ignorant and going astray, because he himself is also surrounded with weakness.
(WEB)

Hebrews 11:30
Through faith the walls of Jericho fell to the ground after being surrounded for seven days.
(WEY YLT)

Hebrews 12:1
Therefore let us also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
(WEB WEY RSV NIV)

Revelation 20:9
They went up over the breadth of the earth, and surrounded the camp of the saints, and the beloved city. Fire came down out of heaven from God, and devoured them.
(WEB WEY DBY NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 19:4
But before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, surrounded the house, both young and old, all the people from every quarter.
(WEB DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 28:11
According to the work of an engraver in stone, as the engravings of a seal, shalt thou engrave the two stones with the names of the sons of Israel; surrounded by enclosures of gold shalt thou make them.
(DBY)

Deuteronomy 32:10
He found him in a desert land, in the waste howling wilderness. He surrounded him. He cared for him. He kept him as the apple of his eye.
(WEB)

Judges 16:2
It was told the Gazites, saying, "Samson is here!" They surrounded him, and laid wait for him all night in the gate of the city, and were quiet all the night, saying, Let be until morning light, then we will kill him.
(WEB DBY NAS RSV NIV)

Judges 19:22
As they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, certain base fellows, surrounded the house, beating at the door; and they spoke to the master of the house, the old man, saying, "Bring out the man who came into your house, that we may have sex with him!"
(WEB NAS NIV)

Judges 20:5
The men of Gibeah rose against me, and surrounded the house by night. They thought to have slain me, and they forced my concubine, and she is dead.
(WEB WBS NAS NIV)

Judges 20:43
They surrounded the Benjamites, chased them, and trod them down at their resting place, as far as over against Gibeah toward the sunrise.
(WEB NAS NIV)

1 Samuel 23:26
Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain: and David made haste to get away for fear of Saul; for Saul and his men surrounded David and his men to take them.
(WEB)

2 Samuel 18:15
Ten young men who bore Joab's armor surrounded and struck Absalom, and killed him.
(WEB DBY RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 22:5
For the waves of death surrounded me. The floods of ungodliness made me afraid.
(WEB)

2 Samuel 22:6
The cords of Sheol were round about me; The snares of death came upon me.
(See JPS DBY YLT NAS)

1 Kings 5:3
"You know how that David my father could not build a house for the name of Yahweh his God for the wars which were about him on every side, until Yahweh put them under the soles of his feet.
(See NAS RSV)

1 Kings 7:12
The great court around had three courses of cut stone, and a course of cedar beams; like as the inner court of the house of Yahweh, and the porch of the house.
(See NIV)

2 Kings 3:25
They beat down the cities; and on every good piece of land they cast every man his stone, and filled it; and they stopped all the springs of water, and felled all the good trees, until in Kir Hareseth only they left its stones; however the men armed with slings went about it, and struck it.
(See RSV NIV)

2 Kings 6:14
Therefore he sent horses, chariots, and a great army there. They came by night, and surrounded the city.
(WEB DBY NAS RSV NIV)

2 Kings 6:15
And when the attendant of the man of God rose early and went forth, behold, an army surrounded the city, with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?
(DBY NIV)

2 Kings 8:21
Then Joram passed over to Zair, and all his chariots with him: and he rose up by night, and struck the Edomites who surrounded him, and the captains of the chariots; and the people fled to their tents.
(WEB DBY NAS RSV NIV)

2 Kings 17:15
They rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified to them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the nations that were around them, concerning whom Yahweh had commanded them that they should not do like them.
(See NAS)

1 Chronicles 29:30
with all his reign and his might, and the times that went over him, and over Israel, and over all the kingdoms of the countries.
(See NIV)

2 Chronicles 18:31
And it came to pass when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, That is the king of Israel; and they surrounded him to fight; and Jehoshaphat cried out, and Jehovah helped him; and God diverted them from him.
(DBY)

2 Chronicles 21:9
Then Jehoram passed over with his captains, and all his chariots with him: and he rose up by night, and struck the Edomites who surrounded him, along with the captains of the chariots.
(WEB DBY RSV NIV)

Job 19:6
know now that God has subverted me, and has surrounded me with his net.
(WEB DBY)

Psalms 17:11
They have now surrounded us in our steps. They set their eyes to cast us down to the earth.
(WEB NAS)

Psalms 18:4
The cords of death surrounded me. The floods of ungodliness made me afraid.
(WEB)

Psalms 18:5
The cords of Sheol were round about me; The snares of death came upon me.
(See JPS DBY YLT NAS)

Psalms 22:12
Many bulls have surrounded me. Strong bulls of Bashan have encircled me.
(WEB YLT NAS)

Psalms 22:16
For dogs have surrounded me. A company of evildoers have enclosed me. Like a lion, they pin my hands and feet.
(WEB DBY YLT NAS NIV)

Psalms 40:12
For innumerable evils have surrounded me. My iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to look up. They are more than the hairs of my head. My heart has failed me.
(WEB NAS)

Psalms 88:17
They have surrounded me all the day like water; they have compassed me about together.
(DBY YLT NAS)

Psalms 109:3
They have also surrounded me with words of hatred, and fought against me without a cause.
(WEB NAS)

Psalms 116:3
The cords of death surrounded me, the pains of Sheol got a hold of me. I found trouble and sorrow.
(WEB)

Psalms 118:10
All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of Yahweh, I cut them off.
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 118:11
They surrounded me, yes, they surrounded me. In the name of Yahweh I indeed cut them off.
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 118:12
They surrounded me like bees. They are quenched like the burning thorns. In the name of Yahweh I cut them off.
(WEB NAS RSV)

Psalms 119:61
Cords of the wicked have surrounded me, Thy law I have not forgotten.
(YLT)

Ecclesiastes 9:14
A little city, and few men in it, and a great king hath come unto it, and hath surrounded it, and hath built against it great bulwarks;
(YLT NAS NIV)

Lamentations 3:5
He has built against me, and surrounded me with gall and travail.
(WEB NIV)

Ezekiel 1:4
I looked, and behold, a stormy wind came out of the north, a great cloud, with flashing lightning, and a brightness around it, and out of its midst as it were glowing metal, out of the midst of the fire.
(See NIV)

Ezekiel 1:27
I saw as it were glowing metal, as the appearance of fire within it all around, from the appearance of his waist and upward; and from the appearance of his waist and downward I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness around him.
(See NIV)

Ezekiel 27:32
In their wailing they shall take up a lamentation for you, and lament over you, saying, Who is there like Tyre, like her who is brought to silence in the midst of the sea?
(See NIV)

Ezekiel 32:22
Asshur is there and all her company; her graves are all around her; all of them slain, fallen by the sword;
(See NIV)

Hosea 11:12
Ephraim surrounds me with falsehood, and the house of Israel with deceit. Judah still strays from God, and is unfaithful to the Holy One.
(See NIV)

Jonah 2:5
The waters surrounded me, even to the soul. The deep was around me. The weeds were wrapped around my head.
(WEB NIV)

Subtopics

Surrounded

Related Terms

Surrounded (51 Occurrences)

Perverseness (46 Occurrences)

Surroundest (1 Occurrence)

Surround (39 Occurrences)

Covereth (61 Occurrences)

Shouting (83 Occurrences)