Definition and Usage:
The term "encircling" refers to the act of surrounding or encompassing something or someone. In the biblical context, it often conveys the idea of protection, judgment, or the strategic positioning of armies. The imagery of encircling is used both literally and metaphorically throughout the Scriptures.

Biblical Instances:

1. Divine Protection:
Encircling is frequently associated with God's protective presence around His people. In Psalm 34:7, it is written, "The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and he delivers them." This verse highlights the divine protection afforded to the faithful, suggesting that God's presence is like a shield that surrounds and safeguards believers.

2. Judgment and Warfare:
The concept of encircling is also used in the context of military strategy and divine judgment. In the conquest of Jericho, the Israelites were commanded to encircle the city as part of God's plan for its defeat. Joshua 6:3-4 states, "March around the city with all the men of war, circling the city one time. Do this for six days. Have seven priests carry seven rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, while the priests blow the horns." This encircling was a demonstration of obedience and faith, leading to the miraculous fall of Jericho's walls.

3. Metaphorical Usage:
Encircling can also symbolize the encompassing nature of God's love and faithfulness. In Psalm 125:2, the psalmist declares, "As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people, both now and forevermore." This metaphor illustrates the steadfast and enduring nature of God's care, likening it to the immovable mountains that provide a natural fortress around the city.

4. Encircling in Prophecy:
Prophetic literature sometimes uses the imagery of encircling to describe the siege and judgment of cities. In Ezekiel 4:3, the prophet is instructed to set up an iron pan as a wall between himself and the city, symbolizing the impending siege of Jerusalem: "Then take an iron pan and place it as an iron wall between you and the city; turn your face toward it; it will be under siege, and you shall besiege it. This will be a sign to the house of Israel."

Theological Implications:

The concept of encircling in the Bible underscores the themes of divine protection, judgment, and the fulfillment of God's promises. It serves as a reminder of God's omnipresence and His active role in the lives of His people. Whether through the protective encampment of angels or the strategic encircling of cities, the imagery conveys God's sovereignty and His ability to both protect and discipline according to His divine will.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Encircle.2139. euperistatos -- easily encircling
... easily encircling. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: euperistatos Phonetic
Spelling: (yoo-per-is'-tat-os) Short Definition: easily encircling Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2139.htm - 7k

1238. diadema -- a diadem, a crown
... diadem. 1238 -- properly, a crown: "a narrow filet encircling the brow,"
a "kingly ornament for the head" (R. Trench, 78). 1238 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1238.htm - 7k

5364. niqpah -- an encircling rope
... an encircling rope. Transliteration: niqpah Phonetic Spelling: (nik-paw') Short
Definition: rope. ... rent. From naqaph; probably a rope (as encircling) -- rent. ...
/hebrew/5364.htm - 6k

6843. tsephirah -- a plait, chaplet, perhaps doom
... diadem, morning. Feminine formed like tsaphiyr; a crown (as encircling the head);
also a turn of affairs (ie Mishap) -- diadem, morning. see HEBREW tsaphiyr. ...
/hebrew/6843.htm - 6k

5437. sabab -- to turn about, go around, surround
... around (1), circling (1), circuit (1), circumference* (3), come around (1), completely*
(1), directed (1), driven (1), encircled (2), encircling (1), encompass ...
/hebrew/5437.htm - 7k

1754. dur -- a circle, ball
... Word Origin from dur Definition a circle, ball NASB Word Usage ball (1),
encircling (1), pile (1). ball, turn, round about, circle. ...
/hebrew/1754.htm - 6k

5362b. naqaph -- to go around
... root Definition to go around NASB Word Usage circling (2), closed around (1), completed
cycle (1), encircling (1), encompassed (3), go around (1), gone around ...
/hebrew/5362b.htm - 5k

Lead, Kindly Light, Amid the Encircling Gloom
... II. THE CHRISTIAN YEAR Sundays after Trinity: Divine Guidance 244. Lead, kindly
Light, amid the encircling gloom. ... Lead, kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom,. ...
/.../sundays after trinity divine guidance.htm

Mountains Round Mount Zion
... ground rises. Thus, really, though not apparently, there lie all round
the city encircling defences of mountains. Similarly, says ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/mountains round mount zion.htm

Plus Ultra Vs. Ne Plus Ultra.
... straits of Gibraltar. Encircling these pillars on their coins was the
inscription, ne plus ultra"nothing beyond. They imagined ...
/.../iii plus ultra vs ne plus.htm

The Glory and Honor that Jesus Has Won
... Encircling the throne was a rainbow which looked like an emerald; also around the
throne were twenty-four other thrones, and on these thrones were seated twenty ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the glory and honor that.htm

LM Gaskell. Faith in God's Love.
... 1 O Father! humbly we repose Our souls on Thee, who dwell'st above, And bless Thee
for the peace which flows From faith in Thine encircling love. ...
/.../various/book of hymns for public and private devotion/250 l m gaskell faith.htm

The Old House and the New
... live in Christ even whilst they live in the body; yet there shall come a form of
union so much more close, intimate, all-pervading, and all-encircling, as that ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/the old house and the.htm

The City Without Walls
... I need not dwell on the vividness and beauty of that metaphor. These encircling
flames will consume all antagonism, and defy all approach. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the city without walls.htm

A Nation's Struggle for a Home and Freedom.
... Their cities were usually built on a low-lying hill in the midst of rich encircling
plains. ... The excavations have disclosed a large part of the encircling wall. ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study xii a nations struggle.htm

In Jerusalem when Herod Reigned
... Within encircling walls the fort rose to a height of sixty feet, and was flanked
by four towers, of which three had a height of seventy, the fourth (SE), which ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter i in jerusalem when.htm

Elisha's Closing Ministry
... the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha." Between
the servant of God and the hosts of armed foemen was an encircling band of ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 21 elishas closing ministry.htm

Encircling (6 Occurrences)
...Encircling (6 Occurrences). ... (WEB NAS). 2 Chronicles 4:3 Under it was the likeness
of oxen, which encircled it, for ten cubits, encircling the sea. ...
/e/encircling.htm - 8k

Encircled (17 Occurrences)
... Revelation 4:3 The appearance of Him who sat there was like jasper or sard; and
encircling the throne was a rainbow, in appearance like an emerald. (See NIV). ...
/e/encircled.htm - 11k

Gourds (4 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 7:24 Under its brim around there were buds which encircled it, for ten cubits,
encircling the sea: the buds were in two rows, cast when it was cast. ...
/g/gourds.htm - 7k

Rows (29 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 7:24 Under its brim around there were buds which encircled it, for ten cubits,
encircling the sea: the buds were in two rows, cast when it was cast. ...
/r/rows.htm - 15k

Rim (18 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 7:24 Under its brim around there were buds which encircled it, for ten cubits,
encircling the sea: the buds were in two rows, cast when it was cast. ...
/r/rim.htm - 11k

Circling (11 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 7:24 Under its brim around there were buds which encircled it, for ten cubits,
encircling the sea: the buds were in two rows, cast when it was cast. ...
/c/circling.htm - 9k

Surrounding (78 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Surround. 2. (a.) Inclosing;
encircling. 3. (n.) An encompassing. 4. (n.) The ...
/s/surrounding.htm - 30k

Crown (94 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A wreath or garland, or any ornamental fillet encircling the head, especially
as a reward of victory or mark of honorable distinction; hence, anything ...
/c/crown.htm - 58k

Cubit (51 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 7:24 Under its brim around there were buds which encircled it, for ten cubits,
encircling the sea: the buds were in two rows, cast when it was cast. ...
/c/cubit.htm - 26k

Girdle (44 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) That which girds, encircles, or encloses; a circumference; a belt; esp.,
a belt, sash, or article of dress encircling the body usually at the waist; a ...
/g/girdle.htm - 24k

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