Definition and Usage:
The term "compassing" in biblical context generally refers to the act of surrounding, encircling, or encompassing something or someone. It is often used in both literal and metaphorical senses throughout the Scriptures. The concept of compassing can denote physical movement, strategic military actions, or divine protection and judgment.

Biblical References:

1. Physical Movement and Encirclement:
· In the Old Testament, "compassing" is frequently associated with the Israelites' journey and military strategies. A notable instance is the fall of Jericho, where the Israelites, under Joshua's leadership, compassed the city as part of God's divine plan for its conquest. "So Joshua son of Nun called the priests and said to them, 'Take up the ark of the covenant, and have seven priests carry seven trumpets in front of the ark of the LORD.' And he said to the people, 'Advance and march around the city, with the armed troops going ahead of the ark of the LORD.'" (Joshua 6:6-7).

2. Divine Protection and Presence:
· The Psalms often use the imagery of compassing to describe God's protective presence around His people. Psalm 32:10 states, "Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but loving devotion surrounds him who trusts in the LORD." . Here, the term conveys the idea of God's encompassing love and faithfulness as a shield for the righteous.

3. Judgment and Wrath:
· Compassing can also signify the encirclement of judgment. In prophetic literature, it is sometimes used to describe the impending doom surrounding a nation or people due to their disobedience. For example, in Habakkuk 1:4, the prophet laments, "Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted." . This reflects the encircling influence of wickedness and its impact on justice.

4. Spiritual Warfare:
· The New Testament also reflects the concept of compassing in the context of spiritual warfare. Believers are encouraged to be vigilant and aware of the spiritual forces that seek to encircle and attack. Ephesians 6:11 exhorts, "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes." . This passage implies a need for spiritual readiness against the encircling threats of evil.

Theological Implications:
The act of compassing in the Bible often highlights the sovereignty and omnipresence of God. Whether it is through His protection, judgment, or guidance, the imagery of encirclement serves as a powerful reminder of God's active role in the lives of His people. It underscores the importance of faith and obedience, as those who trust in the Lord are assured of His encompassing love and protection, while those who rebel face the encircling consequences of their actions.

Conclusion:
The concept of compassing in the Bible is multifaceted, illustrating both the protective and judgmental aspects of God's character. It serves as a vivid reminder of the spiritual realities that surround believers and the need for reliance on God's strength and guidance in all circumstances.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Compass.

2. (a.) Curved; bent; as, compassing timbers.

But when Ye See Jerusalem with the Army Compassing it About...
... The Text of the Diatessaron. Section XLII. But when ye see Jerusalem with
the army compassing it about? [1] [2881] But when ye ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section xlii but when ye.htm

The Seven Seas According to the Talmudists, and the Four Rivers ...
... A Chorographical Century. Chapters 1-10 Chapter 4 The seven Seas according
to the Talmudists, and the four Rivers compassing the Land. ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 4 the seven seas.htm

Psalm LX.
... thereof in another Psalm, [2329] wherein hath been said, "And they shall go around
the city." For the city of standing round is the compassing around of the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lx.htm

The Diatessaron of Tatian
... unto you prophets? Section XLII. But when ye see Jerusalem with the army
compassing it about? Section XLIII. Simon Cephas said ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/

The Folly of Slander. Part 1.
... sensual goods; violent passions, urging the prosecution of what men affect; wrath
and displeasure against those who stand in the way of compassing their desires ...
/.../barrow/sermons on evil-speaking by isaac barrow/the folly of slander part.htm

On the Advisableness of Improving Natural Knowledge.
... But that the one thing needful for compassing this end was, that the people of England
should second the efforts of an insignificant corporation, the ...
/.../huxley/lay sermons addresses and reviews/i on the advisableness of.htm

Angelic Comforters.
... We strive in vain to realise the truth of Angelic Beings compassing our earthly
path, joying with us in our joys"aiding us in our perplexities, and mingling ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/xxii angelic comforters.htm

How Christ is Made Use of as the Life, by one that is So Dead and ...
... This proceedeth (which is the second particular) partly from God's hiding of his
face, and changing his dispensations about them, and compassing them with ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter xxv how christ is.htm

Preface to the First Edition.
... the Evangelists did not intend to give a full record of even the outward events
in that History; far less could they have thought of compassing the sphere or ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/preface to the first edition.htm

The Court of the Gentiles. The Mountain of the House, in the ...
... In the wall compassing this space were five gates: and within, joining to the wall,
were "double galleries" or "halls," which yielded delightful walks, and ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 28 the court of.htm

Compassing (6 Occurrences)
... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Compass. 2. (a.) Curved; bent; as, compassing timbers.
Multi-Version Concordance Compassing (6 Occurrences). ...
/c/compassing.htm - 8k

Compass (51 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 7:24 And under the brim of it round about there were knops compassing it,
ten in a cubit, compassing the sea round about: the knops were cast in two ...
/c/compass.htm - 26k

Knobs (9 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 7:24 And under the brim of it around there were knobs compassing it, ten
in a cubit, compassing the sea around: the knobs were cast in two rows, when ...
/k/knobs.htm - 8k

Knops (8 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 7:24 And under the brim of it round about there were knops compassing it,
ten in a cubit, compassing the sea round about: the knops were cast in two ...
/k/knops.htm - 8k

Compasseth (8 Occurrences)

/c/compasseth.htm - 8k

Similitude (18 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 4:3 And under it was the similitude of oxen, which did compass it
round about: ten in a cubit, compassing the sea round about. ...
/s/similitude.htm - 13k

Affirmation (335 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 17:6 And left in him have been gleanings, As the compassing of an olive,
Two -- three berries on the top of a branch, Four -- five on the fruitful boughs ...
/a/affirmation.htm - 39k

Catch (46 Occurrences)
... mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain, and David is hastened
to go from the face of Saul, and Saul and his men are compassing David and ...
/c/catch.htm - 22k

Beneath (73 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 7:24 and knops beneath its brim round about are compassing it, ten by the
cubit, going round the sea round about; in two rows 'are' the knops, cast in ...
/b/beneath.htm - 29k

Compassion (145 Occurrences)

/c/compassion.htm - 42k

Compassing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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