The term "bindest" is an archaic form of the verb "bind," which appears in older English translations of the Bible, such as the King James Version. In the context of Scripture, to "bind" often refers to the act of tying or securing something physically, but it also carries significant metaphorical and spiritual implications.

Biblical Usage and Context

1. Physical Binding: In its most literal sense, "bind" refers to the act of tying or fastening with cords or chains. This is seen in various narratives throughout the Bible, such as the binding of Isaac (Genesis 22:9) and Samson being bound by the Philistines (Judges 16:21).

2. Spiritual and Symbolic Binding: The concept of binding is also used metaphorically to describe spiritual authority and the power to restrict or permit actions. This is particularly evident in the New Testament.

· Authority in the Church: One of the most significant uses of "bind" in the New Testament is found in the teachings of Jesus regarding the authority given to His disciples. In Matthew 16:19, Jesus tells Peter, "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven" . This passage is often interpreted as granting the apostles, and by extension the Church, the authority to make binding decisions in matters of doctrine and discipline.

· Binding and Loosing: The concept is reiterated in Matthew 18:18, where Jesus extends this authority to all His disciples: "Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven" . This authority is understood to involve the power to forgive sins, excommunicate, and make doctrinal declarations.

3. Binding of Satan: In eschatological contexts, binding is used to describe the restriction of Satan's power. Revelation 20:2-3 speaks of an angel binding Satan for a thousand years, preventing him from deceiving the nations during this period.

4. Binding in Prayer and Spiritual Warfare: The concept of binding is also prevalent in discussions of prayer and spiritual warfare. Believers are often encouraged to "bind" evil forces or influences in the name of Jesus, invoking the authority given by Christ to His followers.

Theological Implications

The act of binding, particularly in the spiritual sense, underscores the authority and responsibility bestowed upon believers. It reflects the belief in the power of the Church to influence both earthly and heavenly realms through faith and obedience to Christ's teachings. The authority to bind and loose is seen as a profound trust given by God, requiring discernment and alignment with divine will.

Cultural and Historical Considerations

In the cultural and historical context of the Bible, binding was a common practice, whether in legal, religious, or everyday life. The metaphorical use of binding in Scripture would have resonated deeply with ancient audiences, who understood the significance of binding agreements, covenants, and the physical act of securing something firmly.

Overall, "bindest" and its related forms in Scripture convey a rich tapestry of meanings, from the literal to the deeply spiritual, reflecting the multifaceted nature of God's interaction with humanity through His Word.

1 Timothy ii. 4-Feb
... Why bindest thou thy head too? For thou art not content with hands and
feet, but bindest thy head and thy neck with many chains. ...
/.../homily vii 1 timothy ii.htm

Of True Meekness and Adversity: and of the Example of the Saints ...
... and art busy to follow Christ in poverty, be busy to know thyself; for truly if
thou forsakest the deeds and desires of the world, thou bindest thyself to ...
/.../rolle/the fire of love/chapter xxvii of true meekness.htm

The Church Apostrophised as Teacher of all Wisdom. Doctrine of the ...
... a godly rule. Thou bindest brothers to brothers in a religious tie stronger
and closer than that of blood. Without violation of ...
/.../chapter 30 name church apostrophised.htm

Sorely Distressed by Weeping at the Death of his Friend, He ...
... But he was not then my friend, nor, indeed, afterwards, as true friendship is; for
true it is not but in such as Thou bindest together, cleaving unto Thee by ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter iv sorely distressed by weeping.htm

Psalm LVIII.
... "Iniquities your hands do knit together." So long as thou knittest together,
thou bindest sin upon sin. Loose thyself from sins. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lviii.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xviii. 15, "If Thy Brother Sin ...
... in heaven; and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven."
[2742] Thou hast begun to hold thy brother for a publican; "thou bindest him on ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xxxii on the words.htm

A Sermon Made by M. Hugh Latimer, at the Time of the Insurrection ...
... new made bright and scoured. What a rusty truth is this, Quodcumque ligaveris,
"Whatsoever thou bindest," &c. This is a truth spoken ...
/.../latimer/sermons on the card and other discourses/a sermon made by m.htm

Book I to Pleasant Songs My Work was Erstwhile Given, and Bright ...
... Founder of the star-studded universe, resting on Thine eternal throne whence Thou
turnest the swiftly rolling sky, and bindest the stars to keep Thy law; at ...
/.../boethius/the consolation of philosophy/book i to pleasant songs.htm

Healing for the Wounded
... his mighty power; and were our hearts broken now, we would not stop a moment, but
go at once to his feet, and we would cry, "O thou that bindest the broken in ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/healing for the wounded.htm

Knox -- the First Temptation of Christ
... takes no care for Me, but thou art a deceitful and false corrupt sophister, and
thy argument, too, is vain, and full of blasphemies; for thou bindest God's love ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume i/knox the first temptation.htm

Bindest (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Bindest (1 Occurrence). ... Surely all of them as an ornament
thou puttest on, And thou bindest them on like a bride. (YLT). ...
/b/bindest.htm - 6k

Bindeth (25 Occurrences)

/b/bindeth.htm - 13k

Puttest (18 Occurrences)
... I live, an affirmation of Jehovah! Surely all of them as an ornament thou
puttest on, And thou bindest them on like a bride. (YLT). ...
/p/puttest.htm - 12k

Binders (2 Occurrences)

/b/binders.htm - 6k

Affirmation (335 Occurrences)
... I live, an affirmation of Jehovah! Surely all of them as an ornament thou
puttest on, And thou bindest them on like a bride. (YLT). ...
/a/affirmation.htm - 39k

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