In the context of the Bible, "bounds" often refers to the limits or boundaries set by God or by human authorities. These boundaries can be physical, moral, or spiritual, and they serve to define the scope of behavior, territory, or divine law.

Physical Bounds

The concept of physical boundaries is evident in the allocation of land and territories. In the Old Testament, God set specific boundaries for the land of Israel. In Numbers 34:2, God instructs Moses, "Command the Israelites and say to them: When you enter the land of Canaan, it will be allotted to you as an inheritance with these boundaries." These divinely ordained borders were meant to establish the nation of Israel within a specific geographical area.

Similarly, in Deuteronomy 32:8, it is stated, "When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, when He divided the sons of man, He set the boundaries of the peoples according to the number of the sons of God." This verse highlights God's sovereign role in determining the limits of nations and peoples.

Moral and Spiritual Bounds

Beyond physical boundaries, the Bible also speaks of moral and spiritual limits. God's commandments and laws serve as moral boundaries for His people. In Exodus 19:12, God instructs Moses to set bounds around Mount Sinai, saying, "You are to set up a boundary for the people around the mountain and tell them, ‘Be careful not to go up on the mountain or touch its base. Anyone who touches the mountain must surely be put to death.’" This boundary was a physical manifestation of the spiritual and moral separation between a holy God and sinful humanity.

Proverbs 22:28 advises, "Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your ancestors." This proverb underscores the importance of respecting established limits, both in terms of property and moral conduct. The removal of boundary stones was not only a violation of property rights but also a metaphor for disregarding moral and ethical standards.

Divine Bounds

God's sovereignty is also expressed in the setting of bounds for creation itself. In Job 38:10-11, God declares, "When I fixed its boundaries and set in place its bars and doors, and I declared: ‘You may come this far, but no farther; here your proud waves must stop.’" This passage illustrates God's control over the natural world, establishing limits for the sea and other elements of creation.

In the New Testament, the concept of spiritual boundaries is further developed. Acts 17:26 states, "From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands." This verse emphasizes God's providential role in the history and geography of nations, underscoring His ultimate authority over human affairs.

Conclusion

The concept of bounds in the Bible serves as a reminder of God's authority and the order He establishes in the world. Whether through physical territories, moral laws, or spiritual principles, these boundaries are intended to guide humanity in accordance with divine will.BOUNDS

boundz: gabhal = "to twist" (as a rope), "to make an enclosure" (as by a line) occurs in Exodus 19:12, 23 Psalm 104:9; gebhul = "a cord," hence, "a boundary," "territory" (Exodus 23:31 the King James Version), with its feminine form gebhulah (Deuteronomy 32:8 Isaiah 10:13); choq = "enactment," "appointment" (of time, space, quantity, labor, or usage), hence, "commandment," "decree," "ordinance" (Job 14:5; Job 26:10 the King James Version); in the Greek, horothesia, in the sense of "a limit," "boundary line," occurs in Acts 17:26.

3734. horothesia -- a setting of boundaries
... Spelling: (hor-oth-es-ee'-ah) Short Definition: a setting of boundaries, definite
limit Definition: a setting of boundaries, definite limit; plur: bounds. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3734.htm - 7k1379. gabal -- to bound, border
... 1378, 1379. gabal. 1380 . to bound, border. Transliteration: gabal Phonetic
Spelling: (gaw-bal') Short Definition: bounds. ... be border, set bounds about. ...
/hebrew/1379.htm - 6k

Introduction
... Rev. Edward McKendrie Bounds was passionately devoted to his beloved Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ. ... Bounds is easily the Betelguese of the devotional sky. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/prayer and praying men/introduction.htm

This Document is from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library at ...
... 1.:file://localhost/ccel/b/bounds/necessity/cache/necessity.html3?scrBook=Deut&scrCh=
5&scrV=29#x-p2.1 2.:file://localhost/ccel/b/bounds/necessity/cache ...
/.../bounds/the necessity of prayer/this document is from the.htm

Foreword
... FOREWORD. EDWARD McKENDREE BOUNDS did not merely pray well that he might write well
about prayer. He prayed because the needs of the world were upon him. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the necessity of prayer/foreword.htm

The Reality of Prayer
... heavenly host. The first was Edward McKendree Bounds, author of this present
volume and the other "Spiritual Life" Books. The second ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the reality of prayer/title page.htm

Foreword
... The work of editing the Bounds Spiritual Life Books (of which the present volume
is the sixth) has been a labour of love which has brought great profit and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the essentials of prayer/foreword.htm

The Possibilities of Prayer
... <. The Possibilities of Prayer Edward M. Bounds. Title Page. The
Possibilities of Prayer by. EM Bounds. [ Prev] [Top] [Next ]. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the possibilities of prayer/title page.htm

Chapter i
... its power. Edward McKendree Bounds (1835-1913) practiced law for three years
until he was called to preach the gospel. While serving ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the possibilities of prayer/chapter i.htm

Purpose in Prayer
... <. Purpose in Prayer EM Bounds. Title Page. PURPOSE IN PRAYER by. EM Bounds. [
Prev] [Top] [Next ]. Purpose in Prayer Christian Bookshelf. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/purpose in prayer/title page.htm

Chapter ii
... life of our living, the sound of our hearing, the growth of our growing." Prayer
in its magnitude is length without end, width without bounds, height without ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the possibilities of prayer/chapter ii.htm

The Necessity of Prayer
... The Necessity of Prayer Edward M. Bounds. The Necessity of Prayer. Edward M. Bounds. [
Prev] [Top] [Next ]. The Necessity of Prayer Christian Bookshelf. ...
/.../bounds/the necessity of prayer/the necessity of prayer.htm

Bounds (21 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia BOUNDS. boundz: gabhal = "to twist ... 17:26.
Multi-Version Concordance Bounds (21 Occurrences). Acts 17 ...
/b/bounds.htm - 13k

Exceed (14 Occurrences)
... 2. (vi) To go too far; to pass the proper bounds or measure. 3. (vi) To be more
or greater; to be paramount. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ...
/e/exceed.htm - 11k

Presumption (5 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) The act of venturing beyond due beyond due bounds; an overstepping of the
bounds of reverence, respect, or courtesy; forward, overconfident, or ...
/p/presumption.htm - 9k

Boundless (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Without bounds or confines; illimitable; vast;
unlimited. Multi-Version Concordance Boundless (3 Occurrences). ...
/b/boundless.htm - 7k

Border (233 Occurrences)
... north by a forest. 9. (vt) To confine within bounds; to limit. Int. Standard
Bible Encyclopedia. BORDER; BORDERS. bor'-der: Indicating ...
/b/border.htm - 40k

Solomon (277 Occurrences)
... the previous reign. Joab, David's nephew, who had brought the house within
the bounds of blood revenge, was executed. Adonijah, as ...
/s/solomon.htm - 101k

Zerah (22 Occurrences)
... There is so little known from this era "that it is not beyond the bounds of probability
for an Ethiopian invader to have made himself master of the Nile Valley ...
/z/zerah.htm - 19k

Unlimited (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Unconstrained; having no bounds; boundless;
as, an unlimited expanse of ocean. 2. (a.) Undefined ...
/u/unlimited.htm - 7k

Overflow (43 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To flow over the brim of; to fill more than full. 3. (vi) To run
over the bounds. 4. (vi) To be superabundant; to abound. ...
/o/overflow.htm - 19k

Out (29154 Occurrences)
... 6. (a.) Beyond the bounds of what is true, reasonable, correct, proper, common,
etc.; in error or mistake; in a wrong or incorrect position or opinion; in a ...
/o/out.htm - 9k

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Bounds: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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