Topical Bible: Cling

Jump to: Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of "cling" in the Bible often conveys a sense of deep attachment, loyalty, and steadfastness. It is used both in a literal and metaphorical sense to describe the relationship between individuals, as well as between humans and God. The Hebrew word often translated as "cling" is "dabaq," which means to adhere, stick, or cleave.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, "cling" is frequently used to describe the covenantal relationship between God and His people. 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." Here, "hold fast" is synonymous with clinging to God, emphasizing a commitment to remain faithful and obedient to Him.

The book of Ruth provides a poignant example of personal loyalty and devotion. Ruth 1:14 states, "Then they wept aloud again, and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her." Ruth's decision to cling to Naomi signifies her unwavering loyalty and determination to remain with her, despite the uncertain future.

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, the concept of clinging is often related to spiritual perseverance and faithfulness. In Romans 12:9 , Paul exhorts believers, "Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good." This instruction highlights the importance of adhering to moral and spiritual goodness in the life of a believer.

The idea of clinging to Christ is also central to the New Testament teachings. In John 15:4 , Jesus uses the metaphor of the vine and branches to illustrate the necessity of remaining in Him: "Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me." This abiding relationship is akin to clinging, where believers are called to maintain a close and continuous connection with Christ.

Theological Implications

Theologically, clinging to God is an expression of faith and trust. It signifies a believer's reliance on God's strength, guidance, and provision. In times of trial and uncertainty, clinging to God becomes a source of comfort and assurance. The act of clinging is not passive but involves an active pursuit of God's presence and will.

Practical Application

For Christians, the call to cling to God and His teachings is a daily commitment. It involves regular prayer, study of Scripture, and obedience to God's commands. Clinging to God also means rejecting worldly influences that draw one away from Him and instead, seeking to live a life that reflects His character and love.

In relationships, clinging can be seen in the context of marriage, where spouses are called to leave their parents and "be united" to each other, as described in Genesis 2:24 : "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." This union is a profound example of the commitment and intimacy that clinging entails.

Overall, the biblical concept of clinging underscores the importance of steadfastness, loyalty, and faithfulness in one's relationship with God and others.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (v. i.) To adhere closely; to stick; to hold fast, especially by twining round or embracing; as, the tendril of a vine clings to its support; -- usually followed by to or together.

2. (v. t.) To cause to adhere to, especially by twining round or embracing.

3. (v. t.) To make to dry up or wither.

4. (n.) Adherence; attachment; devotion.

Greek

2853. kollao -- to glue, unite
... Word Origin from kolla (glue) Definition to glue, unite NASB Word Usage associate
(3), cling (1), clings (1), hired (1), join (1), joined (2), joins (2), piled ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2853.htm - 7k

Strong's Hebrew

1692. dabaq -- to cling, cleave, keep close
... 1691b, 1692. dabaq. 1693 . to cling, cleave, keep close. Transliteration: dabaq
Phonetic Spelling: (daw-bak') Short Definition: cling. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/1692.htm - 6k

1693. debeq -- to cling
... 1692, 1693. debeq. 1694 . to cling. Transliteration: debeq Phonetic Spelling:
(deb-ak') Short Definition: adhere. Word Origin (Aramaic ...
/hebrew/1693.htm - 6k

2836. chashaq -- to be attached to, love
... A primitive root; to cling, ie Join, (figuratively) to love, delight in; elliptically
(or by interchangeable for chasak) to deliver -- have a delight, (have a ...
/hebrew/2836.htm - 5k

Library

My Prayer to the Promise Shall Cling --
... My prayer to the promise shall cling ". 8,8,8,8a "If ye shall ask anything in my
name, I will do it." " John 14:14. My prayer to the promise shall cling ". ...
/.../waring/hymns and meditations/my prayer to the promise.htm

Johnny, Cling Close to the Rock
... Johnny, Cling Close to the Rock. ... The train came thundering along, and as it passed,
the sister cried out: "Johnny, cling close to the rock! ...
/.../moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/johnny cling close to the.htm

How one Can Cling to and Seek Christ Alone, Disdaining Everything ...
... Chapter 2 How one can cling to and seek Christ alone, disdaining everything
else. Certainly, anyone who desires and aims to arrive ...
//christianbookshelf.org/albert/on cleaving to god/chapter 2 how one can.htm

Of the Fact that Two Angels Always Cling to Every Man.
... Of the fact that two angels always cling to every man. For Holy Scripture bears
witness that two angels, a good and a bad one, cling to each one of us. ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xvii of the fact.htm

Whence the Contentions of Philosophers have Sprung. Against those ...
... Philosophers Have Sprung. Against Those Who Catch at Everything that Meets
Them, and Give It Credence, and Cling to It. Origen Was ...
/.../argument xiv whence the contentions of.htm

Draw Me to Thee.
... (668) O holy Savior! Friend unseen, Since on thine arm thou bid'st me lean, Help
me, throughout life's changing scene, By faith to cling to thee! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lorenz/the otterbein hymnal/279 draw me to thee.htm

The Answer to Trust
... God delights in us when we cling to Him. ... Let us cling to Him in our thoughts, hour
by hour, moment by moment, amidst all the distractions of daily life. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/the answer to trust.htm

The Creed Chasm
... "Cling thou to that which He to Whom nought clings hath bid thee cling, Cling
to that bond, to get thee free from every clinging thing.". ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter x the creed chasm.htm

The Realization of Selfless Love
... Human loves cling to a particular object to the exclusion of all else, and when
that object is removed, great and deep is the resultant suffering to the one ...
/.../allen/the way of peace/the realization of selfless love.htm

Holding Fast and Held Fast
... us, in regard to three things, which I may put as being the object, the nature,
and the issues of faith; or, in other words, to whom we are to cling, how we ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/holding fast and held fast.htm

Thesaurus

Cling (35 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Cling (35 Occurrences). ... Mark 10:7 For this reason a man
shall leave his father and his mother, and shall cling to his wife, (WEY). ...
/c/cling.htm - 16k

Robbery (18 Occurrences)
... not a prize to be on an equality," etc., ie, "did not look upon equality with God
as a prize which must not slip from his grasp" = "did not cling with avidity ...
/r/robbery.htm - 16k

Fasten (28 Occurrences)
... 4. (vi) To fix one's self; to take firm hold; to clinch; to cling. Multi-Version
Concordance ... I hate the deeds of faithless men. They will not cling to me. ...
/f/fasten.htm - 14k

Lizard (3 Occurrences)
... Version (British and American) "land-crocodile" (which see); (6) leTa'ah, English
Versions of the Bible "lizard"; compare Arabic laTa', "to cling to the ground ...
/l/lizard.htm - 16k

Fast (157 Occurrences)
... For either he will hate one and love the other, or else he will cling fast to one
and scorn the other. ... Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good. ...
/f/fast.htm - 49k

Possess (193 Occurrences)
... you already possess. (WEY). Revelation 2:25 Only that which you already
possess, cling to until I come. (WEY). Revelation 3:11 I am ...
/p/possess.htm - 42k

Victory (71 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Revelation 3:11 I am coming quickly: cling to that which you already possess,
so that your wreath of victory be not taken away from you. (WEY). ...
/v/victory.htm - 27k

Na'aman (15 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 5:27 Therefore the leprosy of Naaman will cling to you and to your seed
forever." He went out from his presence a leper, as white as snow. (See RSV). ...
/n/na'aman.htm - 10k

Utensils (72 Occurrences)
... come from market they will not eat without bathing first; and they have a good many
other customs which they have received traditionally and cling to, such as ...
/u/utensils.htm - 28k

Learnt (12 Occurrences)
... (WEY). 2 Timothy 3:14 But you must cling to the things which you have learnt and
have been taught to believe, knowing who your teachers were, (WEY). ...
/l/learnt.htm - 10k

Resources

What does the Bible say about optimism? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to be a fruitful Christian? | GotQuestions.org

Can a Christian woman consider getting breast implants / breast augmentation? | GotQuestions.org

Cling: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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

Concordance

Cling (35 Occurrences)

Mark 7:4
and when they come from market they will not eat without bathing first; and they have a good many other customs which they have received traditionally and cling to, such as the rinsing of cups and pots and of bronze utensils, and the washing of beds.)
(WEY)

Mark 10:7
For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall cling to his wife,
(WEY)

Luke 16:13
"No servant can be in bondage to two masters. For either he will hate one and love the other, or else he will cling fast to one and scorn the other. You cannot be bondservants both of God and of gold."
(WEY)

John 20:17
"Do not cling to me," said Jesus, "for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But take this message to my brethren: 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'"
(WEY NAS)

Romans 12:9
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good.
(WEB WEY NAS NIV)

2 Corinthians 12:21
and that upon re-visiting you I may be humbled by my God in your presence, and may have to mourn over many whose hearts still cling to their old sins, and who have not repented of the impurity, fornication, and gross sensuality, of which they have been guilty.
(WEY)

2 Corinthians 13:2
Those who cling to their old sins, and indeed all of you, I have forewarned and still forewarn (as I did on my second visit when present, so I do now, though absent)
(WEY)

2 Timothy 3:14
But you must cling to the things which you have learnt and have been taught to believe, knowing who your teachers were,
(WEY)

Revelation 2:14
Yet I have a few things against you, because you have with you some that cling to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling-block in the way of the descendants of Israel--to eat what had been sacrificed to idols, and commit fornication.
(WEY)

Revelation 2:15
So even you have some that cling in the same way to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
(WEY)

Revelation 2:25
Only that which you already possess, cling to until I come.
(WEY)

Revelation 3:11
I am coming quickly: cling to that which you already possess, so that your wreath of victory be not taken away from you.
(WEY)

Deuteronomy 4:4
But you who did cling to Yahweh your God are all alive this day.
(WEB)

Deuteronomy 10:20
You shall fear Yahweh your God; you shall serve him; and you shall cling to him, and you shall swear by his name.
(WEB NAS)

Deuteronomy 13:4
You shall walk after Yahweh your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and you shall serve him, and cleave to him.
(See NAS)

Deuteronomy 13:17
There shall cleave nothing of the devoted thing to your hand; that Yahweh may turn from the fierceness of his anger, and show you mercy, and have compassion on you, and multiply you, as he has sworn to your fathers;
(See NAS)

Deuteronomy 28:21
Yahweh will make the pestilence cling to you, until he has consumed you from off the land, where you go in to possess it.
(WEB NAS)

Deuteronomy 28:60
He will bring on you again all the diseases of Egypt, which you were afraid of; and they shall cling to you.
(WEB NAS NIV)

Joshua 23:8
but hold fast to Yahweh your God, as you have done to this day.
(See NAS)

Joshua 23:12
"But if you do at all go back, and hold fast to the remnant of these nations, even these who remain among you, and make marriages with them, and go in to them, and they to you;
(See NAS)

1 Samuel 26:19
Now therefore, please let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If it is so Yahweh that has stirred you up against me, let him accept an offering. But if it be the children of men, they are cursed before Yahweh; for they have driven me out this day that I shouldn't cling to Yahweh's inheritance, saying,'Go, serve other gods!'
(WEB)

2 Kings 5:27
Therefore the leprosy of Naaman will cling to you and to your seed forever." He went out from his presence a leper, as white as snow.
(WEB NAS NIV)

Job 8:15
He shall lean on his house, but it shall not stand. He shall cling to it, but it shall not endure.
(WEB NIV)

Job 24:8
They are wet with the showers of the mountains, and embrace the rock for lack of a shelter.
(See RSV)

Job 41:17
They are joined one to another. They stick together, so that they can't be pulled apart.
(See NIV)

Psalms 31:6
I hate those who regard lying vanities, but I trust in Yahweh.
(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. I hate the deeds of faithless men. They will not cling to me.
(WEB NIV)

Psalms 102:5
By reason of the voice of my groaning, my bones stick to my skin.
(See NAS)

Psalms 119:31
I cling to your statutes, Yahweh. Don't let me be disappointed.
(WEB NAS)

Psalms 137:6
If I let you go out of my thoughts, and if I do not put Jerusalem before my greatest joy, let my tongue be fixed to the roof of my mouth.
(See NAS NIV)

Jeremiah 8:5
Why do these people of Jerusalem go back, for ever turning away? they will not give up their deceit, they will not come back.
(See NIV)

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 Yahweh; that they may be to me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory: but they would not hear.
(See NAS RSV)

Ezekiel 29:4
I will put hooks in your jaws, and I will make the fish of your rivers stick to your scales; and I will bring you up out of the midst of your rivers, with all the fish of your rivers which stick to your scales.
(See NAS)

Daniel 2:43
Whereas you saw the iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men; but they shall not cling to one another, even as iron does not mingle with clay.
(WEB)

Subtopics

Cling

Related Terms

Clings (6 Occurrences)

Cling (35 Occurrences)

Vapor (6 Occurrences)

Refute (6 Occurrences)

Eliphaz (14 Occurrences)

Creep (8 Occurrences)

Camel's (3 Occurrences)

Creeping (43 Occurrences)

Adherent (1 Occurrence)