In the biblical context, "clinging" often refers to a deep, unwavering attachment or adherence to God, His commandments, or His people. This concept is illustrated through various narratives and teachings throughout the Scriptures, emphasizing the importance of loyalty, faithfulness, and devotion.

Old Testament References

1. Deuteronomy 10:20 · "You are to fear the LORD your God and serve Him. Hold fast to Him and take your oaths in His name." This verse underscores the importance of clinging to God as an expression of reverence and commitment. The Hebrew word often translated as "hold fast" or "cling" is "dabaq," which conveys a sense of sticking closely or remaining steadfast.

2. Ruth 1:14 · "Then they lifted up their voices and wept again. Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her." Ruth's decision to cling to Naomi, her mother-in-law, is a profound example of loyalty and devotion. Ruth's commitment to Naomi and her God is a model of faithfulness and love.

3. Joshua 23:8 · "Instead, you shall hold fast to the LORD your God, as you have done to this day." Joshua's exhortation to the Israelites to cling to the LORD highlights the necessity of remaining faithful to God amidst the temptations and challenges of life in the Promised Land.

New Testament References

1. John 15:4 · "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." While the term "cling" is not used directly, the concept of abiding in Christ reflects a similar idea of maintaining a close, life-giving connection with Him.

2. Romans 12:9 · "Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good." Here, the Apostle Paul instructs believers to adhere firmly to what is good, suggesting a moral and ethical steadfastness that reflects one's commitment to God's standards.

Theological Implications

Clinging to God and His ways is a recurring theme that signifies a believer's trust and reliance on the divine. It involves a conscious decision to remain faithful and obedient, even in the face of adversity or temptation. This concept is foundational to the covenant relationship between God and His people, where loyalty and devotion are expected and rewarded.

Practical Application

For believers today, clinging to God involves regular prayer, study of the Scriptures, and active participation in the life of the church. It requires a heart posture of dependence on God and a commitment to live according to His will. In relationships, clinging can also mean showing steadfast love and loyalty, as exemplified by Ruth's devotion to Naomi.

In summary, the biblical notion of clinging encompasses a profound commitment to God and His principles, urging believers to remain steadfast in their faith and relationships.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Cling.2902. krateo -- to be strong, rule
... Word Origin from kratos Definition to be strong, rule NASB Word Usage arrested
(3), attained (1), clinging (1), held (1), hold (4), hold fast (4), holding back ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2902.htm - 9k

681. hapto -- to fasten to, lay hold of
... root haph- Definition to fasten to, lay hold of NASB Word Usage clinging (1), handle
(1), kindled (1), light (1), lighting (2), touch (13), touched (19 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/681.htm - 6k

1695. dabeq -- a clinging, cleaving
... 1694, 1695. dabeq. 1696 . a clinging, cleaving. Transliteration: dabeq
Phonetic Spelling: (daw-bake') Short Definition: attached. ...
/hebrew/1695.htm - 6k

6632. tsab -- a litter
... From an unused root meaning to establish; a palanquin or canopy (as a fixture);
also a species of lizard (probably as clinging fast) -- covered, litter ...
/hebrew/6632.htm - 5k

Clinging to God.
... DEVOUT EXERCISES. 497. " Clinging to God. 497. LM JF Oberlin. Clinging
to God. 1 O Lord, thy heavenly grace impart, And fix ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/497 clinging to god.htm

Consecration and Dedication
... are not sinners. We would not be proper candidates for sanctification
if we were clinging to anything sinful. Everything sinful ...
/.../byers/sanctification/chapter iii consecration and dedication.htm

The Realization of Selfless Love
... Divine Love embraces the whole universe, and, without clinging to any part, yet
contains within itself the whole, and he who comes to it by gradually purifying ...
/.../allen/the way of peace/the realization of selfless love.htm

Entering into the Infinite
... From the beginning of time, man, in spite of his bodily appetites and desires, in
the midst of all his clinging to earthly and impermanent things, has ever ...
//christianbookshelf.org/allen/the way of peace/entering into the infinite.htm

In the Course of this Crude Study we Shall have to Touch on what ...
... It is surely quite clear that this modern notion that woman is a mere "pretty clinging
parasite," "a plaything," etc., arose through the somber contemplation ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 8 in the course.htm

Saved and Saving.
... and I bought it. It was a picture of a woman coming out of the water, and
clinging with both arms to the cross. There she came out ...
/.../moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/saved and saving.htm

What May be Discovered to Him by God.
... [1094] O blessed one,"if any such there be,"in clinging unto Thy Blessedness;
blest in Thee, its everlasting Inhabitant and its Enlightener! ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter xi what may be discovered.htm

Every Day and Hour. PM
... PM. Nearness to Christ. Savior, more than life to me, I am clinging, clinging close
to thee; Let thy precious blood applied, Keep me ever, ever near thy side. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lorenz/the otterbein hymnal/309 every day and hour.htm

He Argues against Adversaries Concerning the Heaven of Heavens.
... Do you deny this, that there is a certain sublime creature, clinging with so chaste
a love with the true and truly eternal God, that although it be not co ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter xv he argues against adversaries.htm

On the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
... gratifications. This casting off is a weary Cross, and the heavier and stronger
the clinging is, the heavier the Cross will also be. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/sermon xxi on the exaltation.htm

Clinging (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Cling. Multi-Version Concordance
Clinging (4 Occurrences). John 20:17 Jesus said to ...
/c/clinging.htm - 7k

Clings (6 Occurrences)

/c/clings.htm - 8k

Cling (35 Occurrences)

/c/cling.htm - 16k

Vapor (6 Occurrences)
... In the mountains, however, especially in Lebanon, mists are of frequent occurrence,
appearing to those below as clouds clinging to the mountains. ...
/v/vapor.htm - 11k

Refute (6 Occurrences)
... Titus 1:9 clinging to the faithful word according to the doctrine taught, that he
may be able both to encourage with sound teaching and refute gainsayers. ...
/r/refute.htm - 9k

Eliphaz (14 Occurrences)
... Their error is in their inveterate presupposition of Job's wickedness, their
unsympathetic clinging to theory in the face of fact, and the suppressing of the ...
/e/eliphaz.htm - 15k

Creep (8 Occurrences)
... 6. (vt) To grow, as a vine, clinging to the ground or to some other support by
means of roots or rootlets, or by tendrils, along its length. ...
/c/creep.htm - 10k

Camel's (3 Occurrences)
... Zechariah 13:4). Of that we cannot be sure, for in the East today the hairy garment
is usually goat's hair or wool either woven or still clinging to the skin. ...
/c/camel's.htm - 8k

Creeping (43 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Crawling, or moving close to the ground. 3. (a.) Growing along, and clinging
to, the ground, or to a wall, etc., by means of rootlets or tendrils. Int. ...
/c/creeping.htm - 21k

Adherent (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Sticking; clinging; attached; adhering.
2. (a.) Attached as an attribute or circumstance. 3. (a ...
/a/adherent.htm - 7k

How can I know what to pray for? | GotQuestions.org

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Clinging: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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