In biblical literature, the term "folded" often appears in contexts that convey ideas of order, care, and completion. The act of folding can symbolize a range of spiritual and practical themes, from the meticulous care of God to the finality of certain events.

Biblical References:

1. John 20:6-7 : "Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been around Jesus’ head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen." This passage is significant in the resurrection narrative, where the folded cloth in the empty tomb is seen as a sign of Jesus' deliberate and orderly departure from the grave. The folded cloth may symbolize the completion of His earthly mission and the beginning of His resurrected life.

2. Isaiah 34:4 : "All the stars of heaven will be dissolved. The sky will be rolled up like a scroll, and all their stars will fall like withered leaves from the vine, like foliage from the fig tree." Here, the imagery of the sky being "rolled up" or folded like a scroll suggests the end of the current order of creation, making way for a new heaven and a new earth. This folding signifies the divine power and authority over creation, emphasizing God's sovereignty in the eschatological transformation.

Theological Implications:

· Order and Care: The act of folding, as seen in the resurrection account, can be interpreted as a demonstration of divine order and care. It suggests that God is meticulous and intentional in His actions, providing assurance to believers of His control over life and death.

· Completion and Fulfillment: Folding can also symbolize the completion of a task or the fulfillment of a prophecy. In the context of Jesus' resurrection, the folded cloth signifies the fulfillment of His promise to rise again, marking the completion of His redemptive work on earth.

· Eschatological Significance: The imagery of the heavens being folded or rolled up points to the transient nature of the current world and the anticipation of a new creation. It serves as a reminder of the ultimate hope and future restoration promised to believers.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, folding garments or cloths was a common practice that denoted care and respect. In the biblical context, the act of folding can be seen as a gesture of reverence and intentionality. The folded cloth in the tomb, for instance, would have been understood by contemporary witnesses as a sign of Jesus' deliberate actions, contrasting with the chaos and disorder of a grave robbery.

Symbolism in Christian Tradition:

Throughout Christian history, the folded cloth in the tomb has been a subject of reflection and interpretation. It is often seen as a symbol of hope and assurance, reinforcing the belief in the resurrection and the promise of eternal life. The careful folding of the cloth is a testament to the orderly and purposeful nature of God's plan for salvation.

In summary, the concept of "folded" in the Bible carries rich theological and symbolic meanings, reflecting themes of order, completion, and divine sovereignty. It serves as a powerful reminder of God's meticulous care and the fulfillment of His promises.(imp. & p. p.) of Fold.2859. kolpos -- the bosom
... 2859 -- properly, the upper part of the chest where a garment naturally folded to
form a "pocket" -- called the "," the position synonymous with (union). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2859.htm - 6k

573. haplous -- simple, single
... single. Probably from a (as a particle of union) and the base of pleko; properly,
folded together, ie Single (figuratively, clear) -- single. see GREEK a. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/573.htm - 7k

6813. tsaan -- to wander, travel
... to wander, travel. Transliteration: tsaan Phonetic Spelling: (tsaw-an') Short
Definition: folded. ... root Definition to wander, travel NASB Word Usage folded (1). ...
/hebrew/6813.htm - 5k

3717. kaphal -- to double, double over
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to double, double over NASB Word Usage
double over (1), doubled (1), folded double (3). double. ...
/hebrew/3717.htm - 6k

7257. rabats -- stretch oneself out, lie down, lie stretched out
... A primitive root; to crouch (on all four legs folded, like a recumbent animal);
be implication, to recline, repose, brood, lurk, imbed -- crouch (down), fall ...
/hebrew/7257.htm - 6k

1563. galam -- to wrap up, fold, fold together
... together. Word Origin a prim. root Definition to wrap up, fold, fold together
NASB Word Usage folded it together (1). wrap together. ...
/hebrew/1563.htm - 5k

Little Folded Hands
Little Folded Hands. <. Little Folded Hands Anonymous. Produced by The Children's
Library Project Management Team, Christine Table of Contents. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/little folded hands/

The Folded Flock
... THE FOLDED FLOCK. 'I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with
Me where I am; that they may behold My glory.'"John 17:24. ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture st john chaps xv to xxi/the folded flock.htm

Little Folded Hands
Little Folded Hands. <. Little Folded Hands Anonymous. LITTLE FOLDED HANDS.
Prayers for Children. Compiled from Various Sources. Revised Edition. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/little folded hands/little folded hands.htm

Little Folded Hands
Little Folded Hands. <. Little Folded Hands Anonymous. Title Page. De Ryck
and the PG Online Distributed Proofreaders. [ Prev] [Top] [Next ]. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/little folded hands/title page.htm

Table Prayers.
Little Folded Hands. <. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/little folded hands/table prayers.htm

Prayers in Sickness.
Little Folded Hands. <. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/little folded hands/prayers in sickness.htm

Birthday.
Little Folded Hands. <. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/little folded hands/birthday.htm

For School and Church.
Little Folded Hands. <. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/little folded hands/for school and church.htm

General Prayers.
Little Folded Hands. <. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/little folded hands/general prayers.htm

Special Prayers.
Little Folded Hands. <. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/little folded hands/special prayers.htm

Folded (19 Occurrences)
...Folded (19 Occurrences). Luke 2:12 And this is the sign to you: you will see a young
child folded in linen, in the place where the cattle have their food. (BBE) ...
/f/folded.htm - 12k

Fold (23 Occurrences)
... 5. (vi) To become folded, plaited, or doubled; to close over another of the same
kind; to double together; as, the leaves of the door fold. ...
/f/fold.htm - 17k

Half-curtain (1 Occurrence)
... Exodus 26:12 And the folded part which is over of the curtains of the tent, the
half-curtain which is folded back, will be hanging down over the back of the ...
/h/half-curtain.htm - 6k

Wide (206 Occurrences)
... of brass. (BBE NIV). Exodus 28:16 It is to be square, folded in two, a
hand-stretch long and a hand-stretch wide. (BBE NIV). Exodus ...
/w/wide.htm - 37k

Cattle (277 Occurrences)
... They were folded at night, and guarded by their keepers against the attacks of the
lion (Micah 5:8), the bear (1 Samuel 17:34), and the wolf (Matthew 10:16 ...
/c/cattle.htm - 52k

Officer (70 Occurrences)
... Luke 4:20 And having folded the roll, having given 'it' back to the officer, he
sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue were gazing on him. (YLT). ...
/o/officer.htm - 30k

Leaf (20 Occurrences)
... being wide and thin and having a flat surface, or in being attached to a larger
body by one edge or end; as : (a) A part of a book or folded sheet containing ...
/l/leaf.htm - 16k

Lap (12 Occurrences)
... 18. (vi) To be turned or folded; to lie partly upon or by the side of something,
or of one another; as, the cloth laps back; the boats lap; the edges lap. 19. ...
/l/lap.htm - 15k

Gazing (11 Occurrences)
... Luke 4:20 And having folded the roll, having given 'it' back to the officer, he
sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue were gazing on him. (YLT). ...
/g/gazing.htm - 9k

Width (58 Occurrences)
... of brass. (See NAS). Exodus 28:16 It is to be square, folded in two, a
hand-stretch long and a hand-stretch wide. (See NAS). Exodus ...
/w/width.htm - 22k

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