In the context of the Bible, the term "encloses" often refers to the act of surrounding, protecting, or containing something within a boundary. This concept can be seen both in physical and metaphorical senses throughout the Scriptures.

Physical Enclosures

1. The Ark of Noah: One of the most prominent examples of an enclosure in the Bible is Noah's Ark. God instructed Noah to build an ark to enclose his family and pairs of every living creature to protect them from the floodwaters. Genesis 7:16 states, "So they entered, male and female of every creature, as God had commanded Noah. Then the LORD shut him in." Here, the ark serves as a physical enclosure, safeguarding its inhabitants from the deluge.

2. The Tabernacle and the Temple: The Tabernacle, and later the Temple, served as sacred enclosures where the presence of God dwelled among His people. These structures were meticulously designed with specific dimensions and materials, creating a holy space set apart for worship and sacrifice. Exodus 40:3 describes the setting up of the Tabernacle: "Put the Ark of the Testimony in it and screen off the ark with the veil."

3. Cities and Walls: Many cities in biblical times were enclosed by walls for protection against enemies. Jerusalem, for instance, was a city with significant fortifications. Nehemiah 12:27 recounts the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem: "At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, they sought out the Levites from all their places to bring them to Jerusalem to celebrate the dedication with gladness, with hymns of thanksgiving and with the music of cymbals, harps, and lyres."

Metaphorical Enclosures

1. God's Protection: The Bible frequently uses the imagery of enclosure to describe God's protection over His people. Psalm 125:2 illustrates this: "As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people, both now and forevermore." This verse conveys the idea of God as a protective enclosure, offering security and peace to His followers.

2. The Enclosure of Sin: Conversely, sin is sometimes depicted as an enclosure that traps individuals, separating them from God. Proverbs 5:22 warns, "The iniquities of a wicked man entrap him; the cords of his sin entangle him." Here, sin is portrayed as a binding force, enclosing a person in its grip.

3. The Enclosure of the Heart: The Bible also speaks of the heart as an enclosure, a place where thoughts and intentions reside. Proverbs 4:23 advises, "Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life." This verse emphasizes the importance of maintaining a pure heart, as it is the source of one's actions and life.

Spiritual Enclosures

1. The Church as an Enclosure: The New Testament presents the Church as a spiritual enclosure, a community of believers united in Christ. Ephesians 2:21-22 describes this unity: "In Him the whole building is fitted together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. And in Him you too are being built together into a dwelling place for God in His Spirit." The Church is depicted as a spiritual structure, enclosing believers in a shared faith and purpose.

2. The Kingdom of God: The Kingdom of God is another form of spiritual enclosure, encompassing those who have accepted Christ as their Savior. Jesus often spoke of the Kingdom in parables, illustrating its nature and the inclusion of believers. In Matthew 13:47-48 , Jesus compares the Kingdom to a net: "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and caught fish of every kind. When it was full, the men pulled it ashore. Then they sat down and sorted the good fish into containers, but threw the bad away."

In summary, the concept of "encloses" in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing physical, metaphorical, and spiritual dimensions. It highlights themes of protection, separation, and community, reflecting the diverse ways in which God interacts with His creation.

Virtues of the Mantle. It Pleads in Its Own Defence.
... The shoulder it either exposes or encloses: [66] in other respects it adheres to
the shoulder; it has no surrounding support; it has no surrounding tie; it has ...
/.../tertullian/on the pallium/chapter v virtues of the mantle.htm

The Privilege of Prayer
... the companionship of His presence. The darkness of the evil one encloses
those who neglect to pray. The whispered temptations of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 11 the privilege of.htm

Appendix B: Forgery Procured by Mary of Guise
... to him exists in the French Archives, {280a} dated Glasgow, January 25, 1560, in
which the Duke curries favour with Francis II., and encloses his blank bond ...
/.../lang/john knox and the reformation/appendix b forgery procured by.htm

The Secret of Success.
... He had met with no success when fishing in the night, nevertheless now, at the word
of Christ, he fishes again, and this time the net encloses a great multitude ...
/.../the village pulpit volume ii trinity to advent/xlii the secret of success.htm

The Time of the Evening.
... This same author on page 244 in quoting Rev.11:11 encloses in brackets the words:
"At the end of three hundred and fifty years of Protestant sectism the true ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter ii the time of.htm

Necessity of a Union with the Holy Spirit.
... The perfect God is without flesh; but man is flesh. The bond of the flesh is
the soul; [466] that which encloses the soul is the flesh. ...
/.../tatian/tatians address to the greeks/chapter xv necessity of a union.htm

The Sin of Silence
... I think that we shall be all the better if we bottom it upon this, the distinct
and definite commandment of Jesus Christ, the grip of which encloses all who ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/the sin of silence.htm

Sunday of the Prodigal Son. (Septuagesima. )
... buthos amartematon. The abyss of many a former sin. Encloses me, and bars me in:
Like billows my transgressions roll: Be Thou the Pilot of my soul; ...
/.../neale/hymns of the eastern church/sunday of the prodigal son.htm

Set Me as a Seal Upon Thy Heart, as a Seal Upon Thine Arm; for ...
... may live to Him only. But jealousy is cruel as hell, and therefore He
encloses His Spouse so carefully. So strong is His desire ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/6 set me as a.htm

The Neo-Kohlbruggians.
... Again, the sculptor actually chisels the image, in his mind, or posing as
a model, about the marble until it encloses the whole black. ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/vii the neo-kohlbruggians.htm

Encloses (2 Occurrences)
...Encloses (2 Occurrences). Matthew 13:47 "Again the Kingdom of the Heavens is like
a draw-net let down into the sea, which encloses fish of all sorts. (WEY). ...
/e/encloses.htm - 6k

Enclosed (16 Occurrences)

/e/enclosed.htm - 10k

Obscures (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Obscures (1 Occurrence). Job 26:9 He encloses the face
of his throne, and spreads his cloud on it. free (See NAS). ...
/o/obscures.htm - 6k

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

Gang (1 Occurrence)
... 5. (n.) A set; all required for an outfit; as, a new gang of stays. 6. (n.) The
mineral substance which encloses a vein; a matrix; a gangue. ...
/g/gang.htm - 7k

Fishing (4 Occurrences)
... of the net in his hand. The cone thus formed encloses such fish as cannot
escape the quick throw of the fisher. (b) A long net or ...
/f/fishing.htm - 13k

Forehead (23 Occurrences)
... 8, 9.). Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) The front of that part of the head which
encloses the brain; that part of the face above the eyes; the brow. ...
/f/forehead.htm - 19k

Frame (33 Occurrences)
... 11. (n.) A kind of open case or structure made for admitting, inclosing, or supporting
things, as that which encloses or contains a window, door, picture, etc ...
/f/frame.htm - 19k

Enclosing (3 Occurrences)

/e/enclosing.htm - 7k

Draw-net (1 Occurrence)
... Draw-net (1 Occurrence). Matthew 13:47 "Again the Kingdom of the Heavens is like
a draw-net let down into the sea, which encloses fish of all sorts. (WEY). ...
/d/draw-net.htm - 6k

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