The concept of "detain" in the Bible often involves the act of holding back or restraining someone or something, either physically or metaphorically. This term can be seen in various contexts throughout the Scriptures, reflecting both divine and human actions.

1. Divine Detainment: In the biblical narrative, God sometimes detains individuals or events to fulfill His purposes. For example, in Genesis 20:6, God intervenes to prevent Abimelech from sinning with Sarah, Abraham's wife: "Then God said to him in the dream, 'Yes, I know that you did this with a clear conscience, and so I have kept you from sinning against Me. That is why I did not let you touch her.'" Here, God's detainment is protective, preserving the integrity of His covenant with Abraham.

2. Human Detainment: The act of detaining is also seen in human interactions. In Genesis 42:24, Joseph detains Simeon as a guarantee for his brothers' return with Benjamin: "And he turned away from them and wept. Then he returned and spoke to them. He took Simeon from them and had him bound before their eyes." This detainment serves as a test and a means to bring about reconciliation and the fulfillment of Joseph's dreams.

3. Detainment in Worship and Service: The concept of detainment can also be related to the dedication and service to God. In Exodus 9:2, Pharaoh's refusal to release the Israelites is described: "But if you refuse to let them go and continue to hold them back," indicating a detainment that opposes God's command for His people to worship Him freely. This highlights the tension between human authority and divine will.

4. Metaphorical Detainment: Detainment can also be metaphorical, representing spiritual or moral restraint. In 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7, Paul speaks of a restraining force that holds back the "man of lawlessness": "And you know what is now restraining him, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work, but the one who now restrains it will continue until he is taken out of the way." This passage suggests a divine detainment that prevents the full manifestation of evil until God's appointed time.

5. Detainment and Justice: The Bible also addresses detainment in the context of justice and righteousness. In Acts 16:23-24, Paul and Silas are detained in prison for their faith: "And after striking them with many blows, they threw them into prison and ordered the jailer to guard them securely. On receiving this order, he placed them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks." This unjust detainment becomes an opportunity for God's power to be displayed through their miraculous release and the conversion of the jailer.

In summary, the theme of detainment in the Bible encompasses a range of situations, from divine intervention to human actions, and serves various purposes within God's overarching plan. Whether for protection, testing, or the fulfillment of prophecy, detainment is a tool used by God to accomplish His will and demonstrate His sovereignty.1. (v. t.) To keep back or from; to withhold.

2. (v. t.) To restrain from proceeding; to stay or stop; to delay; as, we were detained by an accident.

3. (v. t.) To hold or keep in custody.

4. (n.) Detention.

1465. egkopto -- to cut into, ie fig. impede, detain
... impede, detain. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: egkopto Phonetic Spelling:
(eng-kop'-to) Short Definition: I interrupt, hinder Definition: I interrupt ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1465.htm - 7k

1907. epecho -- to hold fast, to hold toward, to stop
... From epi and echo; to hold upon, ie (by implication) to retain; (by extension) to
detain; (with implication, of nous) to pay attention to -- give (take) heed ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1907.htm - 7k

2722. katecho -- to hold fast, hold back
... Definition: I hold fast, bind, restrain Definition: (a) I hold fast, bind, arrest,
(b) I take possession of, lay hold of, (c) I hold back, detain, restrain, (d ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2722.htm - 7k

5083. tereo -- to watch over, to guard
... which implies a fortress or full military lines of apparatus), ie To note (a prophecy;
figuratively, to fulfil a command); by implication, to detain (in custody ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5083.htm - 10k

6113. atsar -- to restrain, retain
... root Definition to restrain, retain NASB Word Usage able* (2), bond (5), checked
(3), closed fast (1), confined (3), could (1), detain (2), detained (1), held ...
/hebrew/6113.htm - 6k

On the Words of the Gospel, John xiv. 6, "I am the Way, and the ...
... recognise, the words of the Apostle Paul; "The wrath of God is revealed from heaven
against all ungodliness, and unrighteousness of men; who detain the truth ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xci on the words.htm

Of the Prohibition of Adultery in the Decalogue.
... Will not on one side Idolatry, on the other Murder, detain her, and (if they have
any voice) reclaim: "This is our wedge, this our compacting power? ...
/.../tertullian/on modesty/chapter v of the prohibition of.htm

And While they were Sitting in the Synagogue, and Recriminating ...
... The Jews say: At what hour was it? The guards say: At midnight. The Jews
say: And why did you not detain them? The guards say: We ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of nicodemus /chapter 13 and while they 2.htm

Christ the First Way to God.
... And hence we may learn how essential it is that nothing should detain us on the
way, when not even our Lord Himself, so far as He has condescended to be our way ...
/.../on christian doctrine in four books /chapter 34 christ the first way.htm

And Mark that Even when He who is Himself the Truth and the Word.. ...
... And hence we may learn how essential it is that nothing should detain us on the
way, when not even our Lord Himself, so far as He has condescended to be our way ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books/chapter 38 and mark that.htm

Life at C??sarea; Baptism; and Adoption of Monastic Life.
... When Basil overcame the efforts of his companions to detain him at Athens,
Gregory was prevailed on to remain for a while longer. ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/iii life at caesarea baptism and.htm

Parables of the Mustard-Seed, and of the Leaven Transition to the ...
... What, therefore, is the Creator about, [4724] that He should detain outside for
punishment those whom His adversary shut out, when He ought rather to have ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xxx parables of the mustard-seed.htm

Whether the Separated Soul Can Suffer from a Bodily Fire?
... Now although of its nature a corporeal thing is able to confine an incorporeal spirit
to a place, it is not able of its nature to detain an incorporeal spirit ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the separated soul can 2.htm

Opposition to Messiah in Vain
... to the rigour of their bondage, and, though rebuked by a succession of severe judgments,
he hardened himself the more, and was determined to detain them if he ...
/.../newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xxxiv opposition to messiah.htm

1 Thessalonians v. 19-22
... But now poor men, who have lost their feet, sit and see thee hastening by, and when
they cannot follow thee with their feet, they expect to detain thee, as ...
/.../homily xi 1 thessalonians v.htm

Detain (4 Occurrences)
...Detain (4 Occurrences). ... (WEY). Acts 24:4 But--not to detain you too long--I beg you
in your forbearance to listen to a brief statement from us. (WEY RSV). ...
/d/detain.htm - 8k

Detained (8 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Detain. Multi-Version Concordance
Detained (8 Occurrences). Acts 23:35 he said, "I will ...
/d/detained.htm - 8k

Mano'ah (14 Occurrences)
... (DBY RSV). Judges 13:15 Mano'ah said to the angel of the LORD, "Pray, let
us detain you, and prepare a kid for you." (DBY RSV). Judges ...
/m/mano'ah.htm - 10k

Manoah (14 Occurrences)
... Judges 13:15 Manoah said to the angel of Yahweh, "I pray you, let us detain you,
that we may make a young goat ready for you." (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS ...
/m/manoah.htm - 13k

Keep (4573 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To hold; to restrain from departure or removal; not to let go of; to retain
in one's power or possession; not to lose; to retain; to detain. ...
/k/keep.htm - 9k

Jethro (10 Occurrences)
... Against this identification, however, it is stated that Jethro went away into his
own country without any effort on the part of Moses to detain him (Exodus 18 ...
/j/jethro.htm - 17k

World (2829 Occurrences)
... humanity regarded as antagonistic to God and to good, "all around us which does
not love God." 2. Remarks: Of the above terms, some need not detain us; 'erets ...
/w/world.htm - 40k

Imprison (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To put in prison or jail; To arrest and detain
in custody; to confine. 2. (vt) To limit, restrain, or confine in any way. ...
/i/imprison.htm - 7k

Flocked (1 Occurrence)
... the town and went away to a solitary place; but the people flocked out to find Him,
and, coming to the place where He was, they endeavoured to detain Him that ...
/f/flocked.htm - 6k

Forbearance (9 Occurrences)
... Forbearance (9 Occurrences). Acts 24:4 But--not to detain you too long--I beg you
in your forbearance to listen to a brief statement from us. (WEY). ...
/f/forbearance.htm - 10k

Detain: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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