Environ
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The term "environ" is derived from the concept of surrounding or encircling something. In the context of the Bible, it is often used to describe the act of surrounding a city, a person, or an area, typically in a military or protective sense. The word itself is not frequently found in modern translations, but the concept is prevalent throughout the biblical narrative.

Biblical Usage and Context

1. Military Encirclement: One of the primary uses of "environ" in the Bible is in the context of military strategy. In ancient warfare, armies would often surround a city to cut off supplies and force a surrender. This tactic is seen in various biblical accounts where cities are besieged by enemy forces. For example, in the conquest narratives of the Old Testament, the Israelites often surrounded cities as part of their divinely ordained mission to take possession of the Promised Land.

2. Divine Protection: The concept of being environed is also used metaphorically to describe God's protection over His people. In Psalm 34:7 , it is written, "The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and he delivers them." Here, the imagery of being surrounded by divine forces provides comfort and assurance of God's safeguarding presence.

3. Spiritual Warfare: In the New Testament, the idea of being surrounded takes on a spiritual dimension. Believers are encouraged to be vigilant and aware of the spiritual forces that seek to encircle and attack them. Ephesians 6:11 advises, "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes." This passage underscores the need for spiritual readiness and the protective power of God's provision.

4. Community and Fellowship: The concept of being environed can also extend to the community of believers. The early church is depicted as a close-knit community that surrounds its members with love, support, and accountability. Acts 2:42 describes the early Christians as devoted to fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer, creating an environment of mutual support and spiritual growth.

Theological Implications

The notion of being environed in the Bible carries significant theological implications. It reflects God's sovereignty and His ability to protect and deliver His people from physical and spiritual threats. It also emphasizes the importance of community and the role of the church in providing a supportive and nurturing environment for believers.

In summary, while the specific term "environ" may not frequently appear in modern translations, the concept is deeply embedded in the biblical narrative, illustrating themes of protection, warfare, and community.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (v. t.) To surround; to encompass; to encircle; to hem in; to be round about; to involve or envelop.

2. (adv.) About; around.

Strong's Hebrew
5437. sabab -- to turn about, go around, surround
... avoid, beset (about), besiege, bring again, carry (about), change, cause to come
about, X circuit, (fetch a) compass (about, round), drive, environ, X on every ...
/hebrew/5437.htm - 7k
Library

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... Ahmosis. Some countries seem destined from their origin to become the
battle-fields of the contending nations which environ them. ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm

Achan's Sin, Israel's Defeat
... 9. For the Canaanites, and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear of it, and
shall environ us round, and cut off our name from the earth: and what wilt ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/achans sin israels defeat.htm

And Why Should we Add Many Words Concerning those who are Sisted ...
... deeds, whether good or bad. With all men each one's actions shall environ
him, whether he be good or evil. For the powers of the ...
/.../the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/piece xxxix and why should.htm

"Whereby we Cry, Abba, Father. "
... chosen this way as most fit for the advancing his glory, and most suitable for our
comfort and edification, to give us but little in hand, and environ us with ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xxxix whereby we cry.htm

To My Christian Brethren in the United States of America.
... But yet, in view of the grandeur and importance of this greatest of tasks, in view
of the difficulties that environ it, and our own incapacity to execute it ...
/.../to my christian brethren in.htm

Psalm 69
... 8,6,8,6. ^1Save me, O God, because the floods. do so environ me,. That ev'n unto
my very soul. come in the waters be. ^2I downward in deep mire do sink,. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/scottish psalter and paraphrases/psalm 69.htm

Differences as to the Theatre of Christ's Labours.
... Did he only make up his mind to go, in spite of the dangers which he foresaw would
environ him, in order to avoid the reproach of distrusting the Divinity of ...
/.../section 109 differences as to.htm

How the Desire to Praise God Makes us Aspire to Heaven.
... end that released from this bondage I may fly to my dear companions, who expect
me there above in heaven, to make me one of their choirs, and environ me with ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter x how the desire.htm

A Manifestation of God in Answer to Prayer
... It is likewise true that a change in the moral conditions which environ the
church today is not the solution of its spiritual problem. ...
/.../anderson/prayer availeth much/chapter 7 a manifestation of.htm

The Sheltering Wing
... Does that not speak to us of the urgency of the case? Does that not speak
to us eloquently of the perils which environ us? Does ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/the sheltering wing.htm

Thesaurus
Environ (1 Occurrence)
... or envelop. 2. (adv.) About; around. Multi-Version Concordance Environ
(1 Occurrence). Joshua 7:9 For the Canaanites and all the ...
/e/environ.htm - 6k

Environs (7 Occurrences)

/e/environs.htm - 9k

Girdle (44 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) The clitellus of an earthworm. 7. (vt) To bind with a belt or sash;
to gird. 8. (vt) To enclose; to environ; to shut in. ...
/g/girdle.htm - 24k

Enviously (1 Occurrence)

/e/enviously.htm - 6k

Compass (51 Occurrences)
... 11. (vt) To enclose on all sides; to surround; to encircle; to environ; to invest;
to besiege; -- used with about, round, around, and round about. 12. ...
/c/compass.htm - 26k

Surrounding (78 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) An encompassing. 4. (n.) The things which surround or environ; external
or attending circumstances or conditions. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/s/surrounding.htm - 30k

Resources
Environ: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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