The term "adjoin" refers to the act of being next to or in contact with something else. In biblical contexts, this concept often relates to geographical locations, tribal territories, or structures that are positioned next to one another. The idea of adjoining can also extend to relationships and associations between people or groups.

Geographical and Tribal Contexts

In the Old Testament, the concept of adjoining is frequently used to describe the boundaries and territories of the tribes of Israel. For instance, in the division of the Promised Land, specific instructions were given regarding the borders of each tribe, often noting which territories adjoined one another. In Joshua 19:34 , the description of the territory of Naphtali includes, "Then the border turned westward to Aznoth-tabor and went from there to Hukkok; it touched Zebulun on the south, Asher on the west, and the Jordan on the east." Here, the term "touched" implies an adjoining relationship between the territories.

Structures and Sacred Spaces

The concept of adjoining is also significant in the context of sacred spaces and structures. In the construction of the Tabernacle and later the Temple, specific instructions were given regarding how different parts of the structure were to be connected or adjoined. For example, in Exodus 26:3 , the instructions for the Tabernacle's curtains state, "Five of the curtains are to be joined together, and the other five curtains joined as well." This joining or adjoining of curtains was essential for the integrity and function of the sacred space.

Relationships and Associations

Beyond physical proximity, the idea of adjoining can metaphorically extend to relationships and associations. In the New Testament, the early Christian communities are often described in terms of their close-knit relationships and mutual support. While the term "adjoin" is not explicitly used, the concept is evident in passages that describe the unity and fellowship among believers. Acts 2:44 states, "All the believers were together and had everything in common." This sense of togetherness and shared life reflects an adjoining of hearts and purposes.

Symbolic and Spiritual Implications

The notion of adjoining can also carry symbolic and spiritual implications. In Ephesians 2:21-22 , the Apostle Paul uses the imagery of a building to describe the church: "In Him the whole building is fitted together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. And in Him you too are being built together into a dwelling place for God in His Spirit." Here, the idea of being "fitted together" suggests an adjoining of believers into a unified spiritual structure, emphasizing the interconnectedness and unity of the body of Christ.

In summary, the concept of adjoin in the Bible encompasses physical proximity, structural connections, relational associations, and spiritual unity. Whether describing the borders of ancient Israel, the construction of sacred spaces, or the fellowship of believers, the idea of adjoining underscores the importance of connection and unity in the biblical narrative.1. (v. t.) To join or unite to; to lie contiguous to; to be in contact with; to attach; to append.

2. (v. i.) To lie or be next, or in contact; to be contiguous; as, the houses adjoin.

3. (v. i.) To join one's self.

4927. sunomoreo -- to border on
... adjoin. From sun and a derivative of a compound of the base of homou and the base
of horion; to border together, ie Adjoin -- join hard. see GREEK sun. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4927.htm - 6k

A Postscript to the Reader.
... To the said Approbations I will adjoin a short discourse written for the satisfaction
and encouragement of the Religious Dames of Cambray, by the foresaid most ...
/.../a postscript to the reader.htm

Earliest Heretics:
... Of the Sadducees I am silent, who, springing from the root of this error, had the
hardihood to adjoin to this heresy the denial likewise of the resurrection of ...
/.../tertullian/against all heresies/chapter i earliest heretics .htm

The Angel's Greeting
... the less it abides in me. Thus I and all creatures abide in the Father.
Hereto I adjoin a parable. There were a certain man and ...
/.../eckhart/meister eckharts sermons/iii the angels greeting.htm

Of the Persons to Whom, and the Time When, Baptism is to be ...
... engaged on the divine Scripture, was thus suitably discovered"to whom God had, unasked,
sent an apostle, which one, again, the Spirit bade adjoin himself to ...
/.../tertullian/on baptism/chapter xviii of the persons to.htm

Preface to Third Edition
... (According to the best I understood,). By Thy good grace assisting, which I do.
Most humbly beg for: O adjoin it to. My longing ardent soul; and have respect. ...
/.../neale/hymns of the eastern church/preface to third edition.htm

How a Soul is to Exercise Meditation. ...
... of good affections; 6. that thereupon she should draw petitions; 7. that afterwards
she should make purposes; 8. that thereto she should adjoin thanksgiving; 9 ...
/.../chapter iii how a soul.htm

Of the Obligation of the English Benedictines to the Mission...
... 1. It will not be amiss to adjoin to this section concerning a religious state certain
considerations and advices touching a subject which, though it pertain ...
/.../chapter x of the obligation.htm

Advices to Novices. ...
... I will therefore content myself to adjoin here a few directions and cautions,
addressed particularly to beginners or novices in religion. ...
/.../chapter ix advices to novices .htm

That the Love which is in Hope is Very Good, Though Imperfect.
... is a love of cupidity, but of a holy and well-ordered cupidity, by means whereof
we do not draw God to us nor to our utility, but we adjoin ourselves unto him ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter xvii that the love.htm

Bishops, Presbyters, Deacons, and Widows Ordained at Tripolis.
... to the faith, at the last he ordered me to fast; and after the fast he conferred
on me the baptism of ever-flowing water, in the fountains which adjoin the sea ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter xv bishops presbyters deacons and.htm

Adjoin (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (vi) To lie or be next, or in contact; to be contiguous; as, the houses adjoin.
3. (vi) To join one's self. Multi-Version Concordance Adjoin (1 Occurrence). ...
/a/adjoin.htm - 6k

Neighbor (123 Occurrences)
... 4. (a.) Near to another; adjoining; adjacent; next; neighboring. 5. (vt) To adjoin;
to border on; to be near to. 6. (vt) To associate intimately with. ...
/n/neighbor.htm - 41k

Geology
... Relatively small areas of Paleozoic rocks (P) adjoin the Crystalline rocks
in Sinai and Arabia and East of Caesarea in Asia Minor. ...
/g/geology.htm - 16k

Back (5096 Occurrences)
... 19. (vi) To make a back for; to furnish with a back; as, to back books.
20. (vi) To adjoin behind; to be at the back of. 21. (vi ...
/b/back.htm - 11k

Adjacent (4 Occurrences)

/a/adjacent.htm - 7k

Adjoined (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Adjoin. Multi-Version Concordance
Adjoined (1 Occurrence). Acts 18:7 And departing thence ...
/a/adjoined.htm - 6k

Sojourning (35 Occurrences)
... (ASV). Acts 2:10 both Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt, and the parts of Libya which
adjoin Cyrene, and the Romans sojourning here, both Jews and proselytes, (DBY). ...
/s/sojourning.htm - 18k

Palestine (1 Occurrence)
... Relatively small areas of Paleozoic rocks (P) adjoin the Crystalline rocks
in Sinai and Arabia and East of Caesarea in Asia Minor. ...
/p/palestine.htm - 89k

Adjoining (16 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Adjoin. 2. (a.) Joining to;
contiguous; adjacent; as, an adjoining room. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/a/adjoining.htm - 10k

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