The term "cleaves" in the Bible is derived from the Hebrew word "dabaq" and the Greek word "kollao," both of which convey the idea of adhering closely, joining, or sticking firmly. This concept is significant in various contexts throughout Scripture, illustrating both physical and spiritual unions.

Old Testament Usage

1. Marriage Union: One of the most notable uses of "cleaves" is found in the context of marriage. Genesis 2:24 states, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." Here, "cleaves" signifies the deep, covenantal bond between husband and wife, emphasizing the permanence and exclusivity of the marital relationship.

2. Loyalty and Devotion: The term is also used to describe loyalty and devotion to God. In Deuteronomy 10:20, the Israelites are commanded, "Fear the LORD your God and serve Him. Hold fast to Him and take your oaths in His name." This usage underscores the importance of unwavering faithfulness and adherence to God's commandments.

3. Clinging to God: In Joshua 23:8, the Israelites are exhorted to "hold fast to the LORD your God, as you have done to this day." This reflects a call to remain steadfast in their relationship with God, resisting the temptation to follow other gods or practices.

New Testament Usage

1. Spiritual Union with Christ: In the New Testament, the concept of cleaving is often associated with the believer's union with Christ. Romans 12:9 encourages believers to "Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good." This highlights the call for Christians to adhere to the teachings and example of Christ, maintaining a close relationship with Him.

2. Unity in the Body of Christ: The idea of cleaving is also present in the context of the Church. In Ephesians 4:16, Paul describes how the body of Christ is "joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." This illustrates the interconnectedness and unity that believers are to maintain within the Church.

3. Separation from Sin: The New Testament also uses the concept of cleaving to emphasize the need for separation from sin and adherence to righteousness. In 1 Corinthians 6:17, Paul writes, "But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with Him in spirit." This signifies the believer's call to live a life that is distinct from the world, cleaving to the holiness and purity found in Christ.

Theological Implications

The concept of cleaving in the Bible carries profound theological implications. It reflects the covenantal nature of relationships ordained by God, whether in marriage, the believer's relationship with God, or the unity within the Church. Cleaving denotes a commitment that is both exclusive and enduring, requiring faithfulness and devotion. It serves as a reminder of the steadfast love and loyalty that God desires from His people, as well as the unity and purity that should characterize the body of Christ.1692. dabaq -- to cling, cleave, keep close
... root Definition to cling, cleave, keep close NASB Word Usage cleaves (4), cling
(14), clings (3), closely pursued (1), closer (1), clung (4), deeply attracted ...
/hebrew/1692.htm - 6k

Since the Apostle Exclaims that He who Cleaves to the Lord is one ...
... The Sixth Ecumenical Council. Canon LX. Since the Apostle exclaims that
he who cleaves to the Lord is one spirit? Since the Apostle ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon lx since the apostle.htm

Whether Venial Sin is Fittingly Condivided with Mortal Sin?
... Objection 3: Further, whoever cleaves to a thing by love, cleaves either as enjoying
it, or as using it, as Augustine states (De Doctr. Christ. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether venial sin is fittingly.htm

Whether Sin Causes a Stain on the Soul?
... Now, when the soul cleaves to things by love, there is a kind of contact in the
soul: and when man sins, he cleaves to certain things, against the light of ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether sin causes a stain.htm

For Temporal and Eternal Welfare.
... That all our sins it washes. Who to Him cleaves, He soon relieves Of burdens,
and refreshes. I come, Lord! as the best I may, Take ...
/.../gerhardt/paul gerhardts spiritual songs/for temporal and eternal welfare.htm

Appendix xvi. On the Jewish views About Demons' and the Demonised ...
... xviii.12, and reads thus: He who joins himself (cleaves) to uncleanness, on him
rests the spirit of uncleaness; but he who cleaves to the Shechinah, it is meet ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix xvi on the jewish.htm

No Addition Can be Made to the Nature of God.
... For although he who cleaves to his wife is one body; yet it is a greater body
than if it were that of the husband alone, or of the wife alone. ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 8 no addition can be.htm

But if we Apprehend at Last the Perfection of this Grace...
... That soul indeed which in virginity cleaves to the true Bridegroom will not remove
herself merely from all bodily defilement; she will make that abstension ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/chapter xiv but if we.htm

Whether Certain Definite Counsels are Fittingly Proposed in the ...
... Now man is placed between the things of this world, and spiritual goods wherein
eternal happiness consists: so that the more he cleaves to the one, the more he ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether certain definite counsels are.htm

Whether Consent is an Act of the Appetitive or of the Apprehensive ...
... the act of an appetitive power is a kind of inclination to the thing itself, the
application of the appetitive power to the thing, in so far as it cleaves to it ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether consent is an act.htm

Original Sin
... In sin did my mother conceive me.' Psalm 51:1. Adam's leprosy cleaves to
us, as Naaman's leprosy did to Gehazi.2 Kings 5:57. This ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/3 original sin.htm

Cleaves (11 Occurrences)
...Cleaves (11 Occurrences). ... Genesis 34:8 And Hamor spoke to them, saying, My son Shechem's
soul cleaves to your daughter: I pray you, give her to him as wife. ...
/c/cleaves.htm - 9k

Cling (35 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Psalms 44:25 For our soul is bowed down to the dust. Our body cleaves
to the earth. (See NIV). Psalms 101:3 I will set no vile thing before my eyes. ...
/c/cling.htm - 16k

Cleaveth (26 Occurrences)

/c/cleaveth.htm - 13k

Cleave (52 Occurrences)
... 5. (vt) To part or open naturally; to divide. 6. (vi) To part; to open; to crack;
to separate; as parts of bodies; as, the ground cleaves by frost. Int. ...
/c/cleave.htm - 25k

Cleaved (36 Occurrences)

/c/cleaved.htm - 16k

Quarries (4 Occurrences)
... These great blocks he skillfully cleaves by inserting several wedges in a line in
holes made by a pick, and driving the wedges in with a heavy hammer. ...
/q/quarries.htm - 11k

Visage (4 Occurrences)
... Lamentations 4:8 Their visage is blacker than a coal; they are not known in the
streets: Their skin cleaves to their bones; it is withered, it is become like a ...
/v/visage.htm - 7k

Nursling (3 Occurrences)
... Lamentations 4:4 The tongue of the sucking child cleaves to the roof of his mouth
for thirst: The young children ask bread, and no man breaks it to them. ...
/n/nursling.htm - 7k

Waistcloth (9 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 13:11 For as the belt cleaves to the waist of a man, so have I caused to
cleave to me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah, says ...
/w/waistcloth.htm - 9k

Waistband (15 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 13:11 For as the belt cleaves to the waist of a man, so have I caused to
cleave to me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah, says ...
/w/waistband.htm - 11k

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