The concept of being "circled" or "encircled" appears in various contexts throughout the Bible, often symbolizing protection, encampment, or the presence of God. This imagery is used to convey both divine protection and the encroachment of enemies, depending on the context.

Divine Protection

One of the most profound uses of the term "circled" in the Bible is to describe God's protective presence around His people. In Psalm 34:7, it is written, "The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and he delivers them." This verse highlights the belief that God’s angels form a protective circle around the faithful, offering divine security and deliverance from harm.

Similarly, in Psalm 125:2, the psalmist declares, "As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people, both now and forevermore." Here, the imagery of mountains encircling Jerusalem serves as a metaphor for God's enduring protection over His chosen people, emphasizing His steadfast and unchanging nature.

Encirclement by Enemies

Conversely, the Bible also uses the imagery of being circled to describe the encroachment of adversaries. In Psalm 22:12, David laments, "Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me." This vivid depiction of being surrounded by enemies conveys a sense of vulnerability and desperation, often leading the psalmist to cry out to God for deliverance.

In the prophetic literature, the encirclement by enemies is sometimes portrayed as a consequence of Israel's disobedience. For instance, in Jeremiah 6:3, it is stated, "Shepherds and their flocks will come against her; they will pitch their tents all around her, each tending his own portion." This passage warns of impending judgment and the siege of Jerusalem due to the nation's unfaithfulness.

Symbolism in Warfare

The act of encircling is also significant in biblical warfare narratives. In Joshua 6, the Israelites are instructed to march around the city of Jericho once a day for six days and seven times on the seventh day. Joshua 6:3-4 states, "March around the city with all the men of war, circling the city one time. Do this for six days. Have seven priests carry seven rams’ horns in front of the ark." This strategic encirclement, commanded by God, leads to the miraculous fall of Jericho's walls, demonstrating God's power and the importance of obedience to His commands.

Spiritual Implications

The concept of being circled also carries spiritual implications for believers. It serves as a reminder of God's omnipresence and His ability to protect and deliver His people from spiritual and physical threats. The encirclement by divine forces reassures believers of God's constant vigilance and care, encouraging them to trust in His providence and sovereignty.

In summary, the imagery of being "circled" in the Bible encompasses themes of divine protection, the threat of enemies, and the execution of God's plans. Whether depicting the encampment of angels or the siege of adversaries, this concept underscores the dynamic relationship between God and His people, highlighting His role as both protector and judge.1. (imp. & p. p.) of Circle.

2. (a.) Having the form of a circle; round.

5437. sabab -- to turn about, go around, surround
... 1), bring back (1), bring...over (1), brought (2), brought around (2), brought about
(1), change (1), changed (5), circle around (2), circled (2), circled ...
/hebrew/5437.htm - 7k

Source
... that every man ought to be allowed to own "three acres and a cow." Though not known
as a political thinker, his political influence has circled the world. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/heretics/source.htm

The City of Gold
... look, and gazing at the barren Roman campagna, he remembered the laughing Carthage
suburbs, with gardens, villas, vineyards, olivets, circled everywhere by the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/i the city of gold.htm

The Monk of Thagaste
... Far off the AEolian isles were gloomed in the impending shadows, the smoky crater
of Stromboli was no more than a black point circled by the double blue of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/iii the monk of thagaste.htm

How Three Sunday School Children Met their Fate
... upon the floor. A few moments more and the fire circled around them, and
their souls were taken into the bosom of Christ. Yes, let ...
/.../how three sunday school children.htm

Lii. "Come, Ye Blessed!"
... 8,7,8,7,4,7. Lo! He comes on clouds of glory,. Circled by an angel-throng. Who proclaim
His lofty titles. With their trumpets, loud and long. Halleluiah,. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/morris/favourite welsh hymns/lii come ye blessed.htm

The Third Beatitude
... But it is our business to meet evil with good; and the more we are depreciated,
the more we are harmed, the more we are circled about by malice and by scorn ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the third beatitude.htm

The Passing and the Permanent
... so that the ancient hills in many places are the newest of all things, and the world's
form has changed many and many a time since first it circled as a planet ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the passing and the permanent.htm

To Master Raimondo of Capua of the Order of the Preachers
... For the pain in my heart was so great, that the tunic which clothed me burst, as
much as I could clasp of it; and I circled around in the chapel like a person ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to master raimondo of capua 2.htm

How Three Sunday School Children Met their Fate.
... upon the floor. A few moments more and the fire circled around them and
their souls were taken into the bosom of Christ. Yes, let ...
/.../moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/how three sunday school children.htm

The Two Worlds
... Which made Thy blood to flow; Its joys are but the treacherous thorns. Which
circled round Thy brow. And thus, when we renounce for Thee. ...
/.../palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/ccclxviii the two worlds.htm

Circled (12 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Having the form of a circle; round. Multi-Version Concordance Circled (12
Occurrences). Acts 28:13 From there we circled around and arrived at Rhegium. ...
/c/circled.htm - 10k

Apples (11 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 25:17 One of the pillars was eighteen cubits high, with a crown of brass
on it; the crown was three cubits high, circled with a network and apples all ...
/a/apples.htm - 11k

Circle (32 Occurrences)

/c/circle.htm - 17k

Rhegium (1 Occurrence)
... George H. Allen. Multi-Version Concordance Rhegium (1 Occurrence). Acts
28:13 From there we circled around and arrived at Rhegium. ...
/r/rhegium.htm - 8k

Effected (19 Occurrences)
... Habakkuk 1:4 For this reason the law is feeble and decisions are not effected: for
the upright man is circled round by evil-doers; because of which right is ...
/e/effected.htm - 12k

Bases (80 Occurrences)
... Exodus 36:38 And five pillars for the curtain, with their hooks; the heads of the
pillars were of gold and they were circled with bands of gold; and their five ...
/b/bases.htm - 29k

Circles (2 Occurrences)

/c/circles.htm - 7k

Sprang (23 Occurrences)
... What if a spirit has spoken to him, or an angel----! WEY). Acts 28:13 From
there we circled around and arrived at Rhegium. After ...
/s/sprang.htm - 13k

Puteoli (1 Occurrence)
... Ant., 122; Tab. Peut.). George H. Allen. Multi-Version Concordance Puteoli (1
Occurrence). Acts 28:13 From there we circled around and arrived at Rhegium. ...
/p/puteoli.htm - 11k

Sailed (28 Occurrences)
... with the Dioscuri for its ensign. (DBY). Acts 28:13 From there we circled
around and arrived at Rhegium. After one day, a south wind ...
/s/sailed.htm - 14k

What should we learn from the walls of Jericho falling down? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that love never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8)? | GotQuestions.org

Circled: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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