The term "compasseth" is an archaic form of the verb "compass," which means to surround, encircle, or encompass. This term is found in various passages throughout the Bible, often used to describe God's protective and encompassing presence, as well as the actions of individuals or groups in a physical or metaphorical sense.

Biblical Usage:

1. Divine Protection and Presence:
· In the Psalms, "compasseth" is frequently used to describe God's protective nature over His people. For instance, Psalm 32:10 states, "Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but loving devotion surrounds him who trusts in the LORD." Here, the term illustrates the encompassing love and protection that God provides to those who place their trust in Him.

2. Encircling of Enemies:
· The term is also used to describe the encircling presence of adversaries. In Psalm 17:9 , David speaks of his enemies: "from the wicked who assail me, from my mortal enemies who surround me." This usage highlights the sense of being besieged or surrounded by those who seek harm.

3. God's Omnipresence:
· "Compasseth" can also reflect the omnipresence of God, as seen in Job 22:14 : "Thick clouds veil Him so He does not see us as He traverses the vault of heaven." This passage suggests the all-encompassing nature of God's presence, even when it seems hidden from human sight.

4. Symbolic and Ritualistic Uses:
· In the context of ritual and worship, "compasseth" can describe the act of encircling as part of a religious observance. For example, in Joshua 6:3-4 , the Israelites are instructed to march around the city of Jericho: "March around the city with all the men of war, circling the city one time. Do this for six days." This act of encircling was a demonstration of faith and obedience to God's command.

5. Moral and Spiritual Implications:
· The term can also carry moral and spiritual implications, as seen in Proverbs 14:18 : "The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge." While not directly using "compasseth," the idea of being surrounded by wisdom or folly is implicit in the choices one makes, reflecting the broader biblical theme of walking in righteousness versus folly.

Theological Significance:

The use of "compasseth" in Scripture underscores the comprehensive nature of God's involvement in the world. It serves as a reminder of His protective care, His omnipresence, and the moral boundaries that encircle the lives of believers. The term invites reflection on the ways in which God surrounds His people with love, guidance, and protection, while also acknowledging the reality of opposition and the need for spiritual vigilance.

In summary, "compasseth" is a multifaceted term that enriches the biblical narrative by illustrating the encompassing nature of divine and human actions. It calls believers to recognize the protective and omnipresent nature of God, while also being mindful of the encircling threats of sin and opposition.

The Scriptural Account of Paradise.
... The name of the first is Pison: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah,
where there is gold; and the gold of that land is good, and there is ...
/.../theophilus/theophilus to autolycus/chapter xx the scriptural account of.htm

Ezekiel's Discourse
... let the sword be doubled the third time; The sword of the deadly wounded: It is
the sword of the great one that is deadly wounded Which compasseth them about. ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/vi ezekiels discourse.htm

The Unity of the Divine Essence, and the Trinity of Persons.
... familiarly invites us to come,"what he earnestly presseth us to search and
know,"that we despise as trivial and common, and what he compasseth about with a ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture xii the unity of.htm

Psalm XXXII.
... "But he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy compasseth him about" (ver.10); but he
that trusteth in the Lord, and submitteth himself to His rule, mercy shall ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xxxii.htm

Letter cxlvii. To Sabinianus.
... Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.
Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxlvii to sabinianus.htm

Psalm 73
... nor plagu'd, as others be. ^6Therefore their pride, like to a chain,. them compasseth
about; And, as a garment, violence. doth cover them throughout. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/scottish psalter and paraphrases/psalm 73.htm

Letter cxxv. To Rusticus.
... Then India is reached and the river Ganges"called in holy scripture Pison""which
compasseth the whole land of Havilah" [3412] and is said to carry down ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxxv to rusticus.htm

Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount
... moment endues us with power from on high, without which it is impossible to please
him; as our help, our only help in time of trouble, who compasseth us about ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 29 upon our lords.htm

"Thou Shall Keep Him in Perfect Peace, Whose Mind is Stayed on ...
... we have no might against this great company, neither know we what to do." O Lord,
I have an army of iniquities against me, a great company compasseth me about ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xiii thou shall keep.htm

Further Use Made of the System of the Phrygians; Mode of ...
... "But the name of the second river is Gihon: this is that which compasseth the land
of Ethiopia." This, he says, is hearing, since Gihon is (a tortuous stream ...
/.../hippolytus/the refutation of all heresies/chapter iv further use made of.htm

Compasseth (8 Occurrences)
...Compasseth (8 Occurrences). ... Genesis 2:13 And the name of the second river is Gihon:
the same is it that compasseth the whole land of Ethiopia. (KJV JPS ASV WBS). ...
/c/compasseth.htm - 8k

Compasses (1 Occurrence)
... The verb "to compass" occurs frequently in the senses of "to surround" and "to go
round about," eg Genesis 2:11, "which compasseth the whole land of Havilah ...
/c/compasses.htm - 10k

Compass (51 Occurrences)
... The verb "to compass" occurs frequently in the senses of "to surround" and "to go
round about," eg Genesis 2:11, "which compasseth the whole land of Havilah ...
/c/compass.htm - 26k

Compassing (6 Occurrences)

/c/compassing.htm - 8k

Outgoings (21 Occurrences)
... Joshua 19:14 And the border compasseth it on the north side to Hannathon: and the
outgoings thereof are in the valley of Jiphthahel: (KJV YLT). ...
/o/outgoings.htm - 12k

Jiphthahel (2 Occurrences)
... Joshua 19:14 And the border compasseth it on the north side to Hannathon: and
the outgoings thereof are in the valley of Jiphthahel: (KJV). ...
/j/jiphthahel.htm - 7k

Wayward (14 Occurrences)
... Hosea 11:12 Ephraim compasseth me about with falsehood, and the house of Israel
with deceit; but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the Holy One. ...
/w/wayward.htm - 9k

Ruleth (21 Occurrences)
... Hosea 11:12 Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with
deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the saints. ...
/r/ruleth.htm - 12k

Pison (1 Occurrence)
... Pison (1 Occurrence). Genesis 2:11 The name of the first is Pison: that is it which
compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold; (KJV DBY WBS YLT) ...
/p/pison.htm - 7k

Compassest (2 Occurrences)

/c/compassest.htm - 6k

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