Topical Encyclopedia The concept of "withheld" in the Bible often pertains to the idea of restraining, holding back, or not granting something that might otherwise be expected or desired. This term can be applied in various contexts, including divine action, human behavior, and spiritual principles.Divine Withholding In Scripture, God sometimes withholds blessings, judgment, or revelation according to His sovereign will and purpose. For instance, in the book of Genesis, God withholds rain from the earth during the time of Noah until the appointed time for the flood (Genesis 7:4). This act of withholding serves as a demonstration of God's control over creation and His timing in executing judgment. Similarly, in the context of blessings, God may withhold prosperity or success as a means of discipline or to draw His people back to Himself. In Deuteronomy 11:17, Moses warns the Israelites that if they turn away from God, "the anger of the LORD will be kindled against you, and He will shut the heavens so that there will be no rain and the ground will yield no produce, and you will soon perish from the good land that the LORD is giving you." Human Withholding Humans are also depicted as withholding in various ways, often reflecting moral or ethical decisions. In the book of Proverbs, wisdom literature advises against withholding good from those to whom it is due: "Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is within your power to act" (Proverbs 3:27). This instruction emphasizes the importance of generosity and justice in human relationships. In the New Testament, the concept of withholding is illustrated in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30). The servant who withholds the use of his talent, burying it instead of investing it, is rebuked by his master. This parable underscores the expectation that believers should actively use the gifts and resources God has entrusted to them. Spiritual Withholding Spiritually, the idea of withholding can relate to the condition of the heart and one's relationship with God. In Psalm 66:18, the psalmist acknowledges, "If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened." Here, the withholding of divine response is linked to unconfessed sin, suggesting that spiritual barriers can impede communication with God. Moreover, the New Testament speaks to the withholding of forgiveness as a hindrance to spiritual growth and community harmony. Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:14-15, "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours." This passage highlights the reciprocal nature of forgiveness and the spiritual consequences of withholding it. Conclusion The theme of withholding in the Bible serves as a multifaceted concept that encompasses divine sovereignty, human responsibility, and spiritual integrity. Whether it is God withholding rain, humans withholding good, or the spiritual consequences of withholding forgiveness, the Bible provides a comprehensive view of how withholding can impact both earthly and spiritual realms. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (imp.) of Withhold.Greek 879b. aphustereo -- to be late, spec. to keep back ... to be late, spec. to keep back. Transliteration: aphustereo Short Definition: withheld. ... to keep back NASB Word Usage withheld (1). 879a, 879b. ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/879b.htm - 5k Strong's Hebrew 4513. mana -- to withhold, hold back... 4512, 4513. mana. 4514 . to withhold, hold back. Transliteration: mana Phonetic Spelling: (maw-nah') Short Definition: withheld. Word Origin a prim. ... /hebrew/4513.htm - 6k 2820. chasak -- to withhold, refrain 3607. kala -- to shut up, restrain, withhold Library Whether Favors Should be Withheld from the Ungrateful? Why was the Fact of Our Lord's Return Presented in the Language of ... Why Death, the Punishment of Sin, is not Withheld from those who ... Grace is Given to Some Men in Mercy; is Withheld from Others in ... Sovereignty and Human Responsibility The Gift that Brings all Gifts Come Rest, and be Still in the Bosom of Thy Mother, Son of the ... Appendix. Whether the Bodies of the Damned Will be Incorruptible? Whether the Punishment of Sacrilege Should be Pecuniary? Thesaurus Withheld (32 Occurrences)... 2. (pp) of Withhold. Multi-Version Concordance Withheld (32 Occurrences). ... Now nothing will be withheld from them, which they intend to do. (WEB). ... /w/withheld.htm - 16k Reply (61 Occurrences) Services (12 Occurrences) Solemn (100 Occurrences) Nabal (18 Occurrences) Weary (77 Occurrences) Mystery (31 Occurrences) Selah (76 Occurrences) Humblest (5 Occurrences) Kindled (83 Occurrences) Resources What can we learn from the account of Potiphar's wife? | GotQuestions.orgWhy is every sin ultimately a sin against God? | GotQuestions.org Why doesn't GotQuestions.org give the names of the authors of its articles? | GotQuestions.org Withheld: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Withheld (32 Occurrences)Matthew 25:45 James 5:4 Genesis 11:6 Genesis 20:6 Genesis 22:12 Genesis 22:16 Genesis 30:2 Genesis 39:9 Numbers 9:7 Numbers 22:16 1 Samuel 25:26 1 Samuel 25:34 1 Kings 20:7 Nehemiah 9:20 Job 22:7 Job 31:16 Job 38:15 Job 39:17 Job 42:2 Psalms 21:2 Psalms 40:9 Psalms 66:20 Psalms 77:9 Ecclesiastes 2:10 Isaiah 63:15 Jeremiah 3:3 Jeremiah 5:25 Ezekiel 18:16 Ezekiel 20:22 Joel 1:13 Amos 4:7 Haggai 1:10 Subtopics Related Terms |