Topical Bible: Encompassed

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Topical Encyclopedia

The term "encompassed" in the Bible often conveys the idea of being surrounded, encircled, or enclosed. This concept appears in various contexts throughout Scripture, illustrating both physical and metaphorical situations where individuals or groups find themselves surrounded by circumstances, enemies, or divine presence.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, "encompassed" frequently describes the physical encirclement by enemies or adversaries. For instance, in Psalm 17:9, David speaks of being surrounded by the wicked: "from the wicked who assail me, from my mortal enemies who surround me." Here, the psalmist expresses a plea for divine protection against those who seek his harm.

Similarly, in Psalm 22:12-13, David uses vivid imagery to describe his distress: "Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me. They open their jaws against me like lions that roar and maul." This passage, often seen as a prophetic foreshadowing of Christ's suffering, highlights the intense pressure and threat posed by those who encompass the psalmist.

The concept of being encompassed is not limited to adversaries. In 2 Kings 6:15-17, the prophet Elisha's servant is initially terrified when he sees the city surrounded by an enemy army. However, Elisha prays for his servant's eyes to be opened, revealing a heavenly host of horses and chariots of fire encompassing them, signifying divine protection and presence.

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, the idea of being encompassed can also be seen in spiritual and metaphorical contexts. Hebrews 12:1 uses the imagery of being surrounded by a "great cloud of witnesses," encouraging believers to persevere in their faith journey by looking to the examples of those who have gone before them: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us."

Theological Implications

Theologically, the concept of being encompassed can reflect both peril and protection. When encompassed by enemies, it serves as a reminder of the trials and tribulations faced by God's people throughout history. Yet, it also underscores the assurance of God's presence and deliverance, as seen in the protective encirclement by divine forces or the encouragement from the faithful who have preceded us.

In a broader sense, being encompassed by God's love and faithfulness is a recurring theme in Scripture. Psalm 32:10 states, "Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but loving devotion surrounds him who trusts in the LORD." This verse reassures believers of the encompassing nature of God's steadfast love, providing comfort and security amidst life's challenges.

Conclusion

The biblical concept of being encompassed serves as a powerful reminder of the realities of spiritual warfare, the presence of divine protection, and the encouragement found in the community of faith. Whether facing adversaries or drawing strength from the faithful, believers are called to trust in the Lord's encompassing presence and love.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

(imp. & p. p.) of Encompass.

Greek

4029. perikeimai -- to lie around
... Phonetic Spelling: (per-ik'-i-mahee) Short Definition: I surround, am surrounded
with Definition: I lie about, surround; I am encompassed, surrounded, or ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4029.htm - 6k

Strong's Hebrew

661. aphaph -- to surround, encompass
... 660, 661. aphaph. 662 . to surround, encompass. Transliteration: aphaph Phonetic
Spelling: (aw-faf') Short Definition: encompassed. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/661.htm - 5k

5362b. naqaph -- to go around
... 5362a, 5362b. naqaph. 5363 . to go around. Transliteration: naqaph Short
Definition: encompassed. Word Origin a prim. root Definition ...
/hebrew/5362b.htm - 5k

Library

Now this World is Encompassed by Seven Heavens, in which Dwell ...
... THE DEMONSTRATION OF THE APOSTOLIC PREACHING Chapter 9 Now this world is encompassed
by seven heavens, in which dwell powers and angels and? ...
/.../the demonstration of the apostolic preaching/chapter 9 now this world.htm

This Estate Wherein I am Placed is the Best for Me Tho' ...
... THE FOURTH CENTURY 89 This estate wherein I am placed is the best for me
tho' encompassed with difficulties. This estate wherein ...
/.../traherne/centuries of meditations/89 this estate wherein i.htm

The Soul is not to Afflict it Self, nor Intermit Prayer, Because ...
... Recollection. CHAP. IV. The Soul is not to afflict it self, nor intermit Prayer,
because it sees it self encompassed with dryness. 25. Thou ...
/.../the spiritual guide which disentangles the soul/chap iv the soul is.htm

The Soul is not to be Disquieted, that is Sees it Self Encompassed ...
... CHAP. VI. The Soul is not to be disquieted, that is sees it self encompassed with
darkness, because that is an instrument of its greater felicity. 39. ...
/.../the spiritual guide which disentangles the soul/chap vi the soul is.htm

The Description of Jerusalem.
... 1. The city of Jerusalem was fortified with three walls, on such parts as were not
encompassed with unpassable valleys; for in such places it had but one wall. ...
/.../chapter 4 the description of.htm

How Pompey when the Citizens of Jerusalem Shut their Gates against ...
... the city, which was strong on every side, excepting the north, which was not so
well fortified, for there was a broad and deep ditch that encompassed the city ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 how pompey when.htm

How Pompey had the City of Jerusalem Delivered up to Him but Took ...
... be hard to overcome them; and that the valley before the walls was terrible; and
that the temple, which was within that valley, was itself encompassed with a ...
/.../chapter 7 how pompey had.htm

Titus Thought Fit to Encompass the City Round with a Wall; after ...
... the lower parts of Cenopolis; thence it went along the valley of Cedron, to the
Mount of Olives; it then bent towards the south, and encompassed the mountain ...
/.../chapter 12 titus thought fit.htm

How Jonathan Took the Government after his Brother Judas; And
... the law for resting on that day]: but he exhorted his companions [to fight]; and
told them that their lives were at stake, since they were encompassed by the ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 1 how jonathan took.htm

A Sedition against Sabinus; and How Varus Brought the Authors of ...
... when they had the sight of that terrible slaughter that was made of them; but they
went round about, and got upon those cloisters which encompassed the outer ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 10 a sedition against.htm

Thesaurus

Encompassed (34 Occurrences)
...Encompassed (34 Occurrences). Luke 21:20 But when ye see Jerusalem encompassed
with armies, then know that its desolation is drawn nigh. (DBY). ...
/e/encompassed.htm - 15k

Encompass (20 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 7:15 And he formed the two pillars of brass; the height of one pillar was
eighteen cubits, and a line of twelve cubits encompassed the second pillar. ...
/e/encompass.htm - 12k

Torrents (17 Occurrences)
... the fall." (WEY). 2 Samuel 22:5 For the waves of death encompassed me, Torrents
of Belial made me afraid. (DBY NAS RSV NIV). 1 Kings ...
/t/torrents.htm - 10k

Belial (23 Occurrences)
... Belial: (KJV DBY WBS). 2 Samuel 22:5 For the waves of death encompassed me,
Torrents of Belial made me afraid. (DBY JPS). 2 Samuel 23 ...
/b/belial.htm - 16k

Seized (118 Occurrences)
... and sent them away. (See NIV). 2 Samuel 22:6 The sorrows of hell encompassed
me; the snares of death seized me; (WBS). 1 Kings 11:30 ...
/s/seized.htm - 34k

Kir-har'eseth (2 Occurrences)
... of water, and felled all the good trees; until there was left only Kir-hareseth
with the stones of the wall thereof; so the slingers encompassed it, and smote ...
/k/kir-har'eseth.htm - 7k

Offset (3 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 41:7 The side chambers were broader as they encompassed the house higher
and higher; for the encompassing of the house went higher and higher around ...
/o/offset.htm - 8k

Inclosed (12 Occurrences)
... (ASV JPS). Jonah 2:5 The waters encompassed me, even to the soul: the depth inclosed
me on every side, the weeds were wrapped about my head. (WBS). ...
/i/inclosed.htm - 9k

Enlargement (7 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 41:7 The side chambers were broader as they encompassed the house higher
and higher; for the encompassing of the house went higher and higher around ...
/e/enlargement.htm - 10k

Encircled (17 Occurrences)
... (WEB NAS). Psalms 22:16 For dogs have encompassed me; a company of evil-doers have
inclosed me; like a lion, they are at my hands and my feet. (See NIV). ...
/e/encircled.htm - 11k

Resources

Has Israel's territory ever encompassed the promise in Joshua 1:4? | GotQuestions.org

What was/is the importance of the gates of Jerusalem? | GotQuestions.org

What was the Merovingian Dynasty? What was its influence on church history? | GotQuestions.org

Encompassed: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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

Concordance

Encompassed (34 Occurrences)

Luke 21:20
But when ye see Jerusalem encompassed with armies, then know that its desolation is drawn nigh.
(DBY)

Hebrews 11:30
By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encompassed seven days.
(WBS)

Hebrews 12:1
Wherefore, seeing we also are encompassed with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
(WBS)

Revelation 20:9
And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and encompassed the camp of the saints, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
(WBS)

Judges 16:2
And it was told the Gazites, saying, Samson is come hither. And they encompassed him, and laid wait for him all night in the gate of the city, and were quiet all the night, saying, In the morning when it is day we shall kill him.
(WBS)

2 Samuel 22:5
For the waves of death encompassed me, Torrents of Belial made me afraid.
(DBY NAS RSV)

2 Samuel 22:6
The sorrows of hell encompassed me; the snares of death seized me;
(WBS)

1 Kings 7:15
And he formed the two pillars of brass; the height of one pillar was eighteen cubits, and a line of twelve cubits encompassed the second pillar.
(DBY)

2 Kings 3:25
And they beat down the cities; and on every good piece of land they cast every man his stone, and filled it; and they stopped all the fountains of water, and felled all the good trees, until in Kir-hareseth only they left the stones thereof; howbeit the slingers went about it, and smote it.
(See JPS)

2 Kings 6:14
Therefore he sent thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and encompassed the city.
(WBS)

2 Kings 8:21
So Joram went over to Zair, and all the chariots with him: and he rose by night, and smote the Edomites who encompassed him, and the captains of the chariots: and the people fled into their tents.
(WBS)

2 Chronicles 4:3
And under it was the similitude of oxen, which encompassed it: ten in a cubit, encompassing the sea. Two rows of oxen were cast, when it was cast.
(WBS)

2 Chronicles 21:9
Then Jehoram went forth with his princes, and all his chariots with him: and he rose by night, and smote the Edomites who encompassed him, and the captains of the chariots.
(WBS)

Job 19:6
Know now that God hath overthrown me, and hath encompassed me with his net.
(WBS)

Job 26:10
He hath encompassed the waters with bounds, until the day and night come to an end.
(WBS)

Psalms 17:11
They have now encompassed us in our steps; their eyes have they set, bowing down to the earth.
(DBY JPS)

Psalms 18:4
The bands of death encompassed me, and torrents of Belial made me afraid.
(DBY NAS RSV)

Psalms 18:5
The sorrows of hell encompassed me: the snares of death seized me.
(WBS)

Psalms 22:12
Many bulls have encompassed me; Bashan's strong ones have beset me round.
(DBY JPS)

Psalms 22:16
For dogs have encompassed me; an assembly of evil-doers have surrounded me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
(DBY JPS NAS)

Psalms 40:12
For innumerable evils have encompassed me: my iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of my head: therefore my heart faileth me.
(WBS RSV)

Psalms 88:17
They came around me daily like water; they encompassed me together.
(WBS NAS)

Psalms 109:3
And with words of hatred have they encompassed me; and they fight against me without a cause.
(DBY WBS)

Psalms 116:3
The bands of death encompassed me, and the anguish of Sheol took hold of me; I found trouble and sorrow:
(DBY WBS NAS RSV)

Psalms 118:10
All nations encompassed me; but in the name of Jehovah have I destroyed them.
(DBY WBS)

Psalms 118:11
They encompassed me, yea, encompassed me; but in the name of Jehovah have I destroyed them.
(DBY WBS)

Psalms 118:12
They encompassed me like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of Jehovah have I destroyed them.
(DBY WBS)

Ecclesiastes 9:14
There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and encompassed it, and built great bulwarks against it:
(DBY)

Jeremiah 52:21
And as to the pillars: the height of one pillar was eighteen cubits, and a line of twelve cubits encompassed it; and the thickness thereof was four fingers: it was hollow.
(DBY WBS)

Lamentations 3:5
He hath built against me, and encompassed me with gall and toil.
(DBY NAS)

Ezekiel 41:7
The side chambers were broader as they encompassed the house higher and higher; for the encompassing of the house went higher and higher around the house: therefore the breadth of the house continued upward; and so one went up from
(WEB ASV)

Hosea 11:12
Ephraim surrounds me with falsehood, and the house of Israel with deceit. Judah still strays from God, and is unfaithful to the Holy One.
(See RSV)

Jonah 2:3
For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods encompassed me: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me.
(WBS)

Jonah 2:5
The waters encompassed me, to the soul: The deep was round about me, The weeds were wrapped about my head.
(DBY WBS NAS)

Subtopics

Encompassed

Related Terms

Encompass (20 Occurrences)

Encompassed (34 Occurrences)

Waistband (15 Occurrences)

Encompasseth (5 Occurrences)

Circumference (4 Occurrences)