The term "encompasseth" is an archaic form of the verb "encompass," which means to surround, encircle, or envelop. In the context of the Bible, it often conveys the idea of God's protection, presence, or judgment, as well as the physical or metaphorical encircling of people, places, or events. The use of "encompasseth" in the King James Version and similar translations highlights the comprehensive nature of God's actions and the totality of His involvement in the world.

Biblical Usage and Themes

1. Divine Protection and Presence: The concept of God encompassing His people is a recurring theme in Scripture, symbolizing His protective and guiding presence. In Psalm 32:10 , it is written, "Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but loving devotion surrounds him who trusts in the LORD." Here, the idea of being encompassed by God's loving devotion provides comfort and assurance to the faithful.

2. Judgment and Wrath: Encompassing can also refer to God's judgment. In Psalm 17:9 , David speaks of his enemies: "from the wicked who assail me, from my mortal enemies who surround me." This verse illustrates the encircling threat of adversaries, which can be seen as a metaphor for divine judgment upon the wicked.

3. Encircling of Nations and Armies: The Bible often uses the imagery of nations or armies encompassing a city or people as a sign of impending conflict or siege. In 2 Kings 6:14 , the king of Aram sends horses and chariots and a great army to Dothan, and they "came by night and surrounded the city." This physical encircling serves as a backdrop for God's miraculous deliverance of Elisha and his servant.

4. Spiritual and Moral Encompassing: The idea of being encompassed can also extend to spiritual and moral dimensions. In Hebrews 12:1 , believers are encouraged to "lay aside every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us." The imagery of being surrounded by a "great cloud of witnesses" suggests a spiritual encompassing that encourages perseverance and faithfulness.

5. Creation and Nature: The encompassing nature of God's creation is evident in passages that describe the earth and the heavens. In Job 26:10 , it is stated, "He has inscribed a circle on the face of the waters at the boundary between light and darkness." This verse reflects the encompassing order and design established by God in creation.

Theological Implications

The use of "encompasseth" in Scripture underscores the omnipresence and omnipotence of God. It conveys the idea that nothing is beyond His reach or outside His control. Whether in protection, judgment, or creation, God's encompassing nature assures believers of His constant involvement in the world and their lives. This term invites reflection on the comprehensive nature of God's love, justice, and sovereignty, encouraging believers to trust in His all-encompassing care and authority.

The Testament of Dan Concerning Anger and Lying.
... For the spirit of anger encompasseth him with the nets of deceit, and blindeth his
natural eyes, and through lying darkeneth his mind, and giveth him a sight ...
/.../the testaments of the twelve patriarchs/vii the testament of dan concerning.htm

Psalm 34
... him from all his distresses. ^7The angel of the Lord encamps,. and round encompasseth.
All those about that do him fear,. and them delivereth. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/scottish psalter and paraphrases/psalm 34.htm

Let the Restless, the Godless, Depart and Flee from Thee...
... Ignorant, in truth, that Thou art every where, Whom no place encompasseth! and
Thou alone art near, even to those that remove far from Thee. ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter ii let the restless.htm

That "Through Whom" is Said Also in the Case of the Father, and " ...
... who poised [743] the hills in their places, and measured the waters, and gave to
all things in the universe their proper rank, who encompasseth the whole of ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/chapter v that through whom.htm

On the Vanity of those who Wished to Escape the Omnipotent God.
... Forsooth, they know not that Thou art everywhere whom no place encompasseth, and
that Thou alone art near even to those that remove far from Thee. ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/chapter ii on the vanity of.htm

Further Use Made of the System of the Phrygians; Mode of ...
... that is, from the brain, "is divided into four heads, [443] and that the name of
the first river is called Phison; this is that which encompasseth all the land ...
/.../hippolytus/the refutation of all heresies/chapter iv further use made of.htm

Acts of the Holy Apostle Thomas, when He came into India, and ...
... brother, and unite them into Thy fold, having cleansed them by Thy purification,
and anointed them with Thy oil, from the error which encompasseth them; and ...
/.../unknown/acts of the holy apostle thomas/acts of the holy apostle 2.htm

1 Cor. Iv. 3, 4
... We must know how worthless the things in question are, and that wealth is a
run-away slave, and heartless, and encompasseth its possessors with ills innumerable ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xi 1 cor iv.htm

Hebrews ii. 7-May
... 7.) And again, "I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me." ( Psalm 23:4.) And again,
"Thou art my refuge from the affliction which encompasseth me." ( Psalm 32 ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily iv hebrews ii 7-may.htm

A Treatise of the Fear of God;
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a treatise of the fear.htm

Encompasseth (5 Occurrences)
...Encompasseth (5 Occurrences). Psalms 49:5 Wherefore should I fear in the days of
adversity, when the iniquity of my supplanters encompasseth me? -- (DBY). ...
/e/encompasseth.htm - 7k

Encompass (20 Occurrences)
... (DBY WBS). Psalms 49:5 Wherefore should I fear in the days of adversity, when the
iniquity of my supplanters encompasseth me? -- (Root in DBY WBS). ...
/e/encompass.htm - 12k

Encompassing (6 Occurrences)

/e/encompassing.htm - 8k

Neck-chain (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Neck-chain (1 Occurrence). Psalms 73:6 Therefore pride
encompasseth them as a neck-chain, violence covereth them as a garment; (DBY). ...
/n/neck-chain.htm - 6k

Encompasses (1 Occurrence)

/e/encompasses.htm - 6k

Powerless (19 Occurrences)
... Habakkuk 1:4 Therefore the law is powerless, and justice doth never go forth; for
the wicked encompasseth the righteous; therefore judgment goeth forth ...
/p/powerless.htm - 12k

Adversity (54 Occurrences)
... Psalms 49:5 Wherefore should I fear in the days of adversity, when the
iniquity of my supplanters encompasseth me? -- (DBY NAS). ...
/a/adversity.htm - 22k

Walketh (62 Occurrences)
... Hosea 11:12 Ephraim encompasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with
deceit; but Judah yet walketh with ?God, and with the holy things of truth. ...
/w/walketh.htm - 24k

Compassion (145 Occurrences)
... (See JPS NAS NIV). Psalms 103:4 Who redeemeth Thy life from the pit; who encompasseth
thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; (See NAS NIV). ...
/c/compassion.htm - 42k

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