In biblical literature, the concept of "grasps" can be understood both literally and metaphorically, often symbolizing the act of holding onto something with intention or seizing an opportunity. The term is used in various contexts throughout the Scriptures, reflecting both physical actions and spiritual truths.

Physical Grasping

The literal act of grasping is depicted in several biblical narratives. For instance, in Genesis 25:26, the birth of Jacob and Esau is described: "After this, his brother came out, grasping Esau’s heel; so he was named Jacob." This physical grasping of Esau's heel by Jacob is symbolic of the struggle and rivalry that would characterize their relationship and the nations that would descend from them.

In another instance, the act of grasping is seen in the account of Samson. Judges 16:29 describes how Samson, in his final act of strength, "grasped the two middle pillars on which the house rested, and he leaned his weight against them, one on his right hand and the other on his left." This physical grasping led to the destruction of the Philistine temple, demonstrating the power and judgment of God through Samson.

Metaphorical Grasping

Metaphorically, grasping can represent the pursuit of wisdom, understanding, or spiritual truths. Proverbs 3:18 speaks of wisdom as "a tree of life to those who embrace her, and those who lay hold of her are blessed." Here, the act of grasping or laying hold is associated with the pursuit and retention of divine wisdom, which brings life and blessing.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul uses the concept of grasping in a spiritual sense. In Philippians 3:12-14, he writes, "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." Paul’s use of "take hold" or "grasp" signifies his earnest pursuit of the purpose and calling that Christ has for him, emphasizing the active and intentional nature of the Christian walk.

Grasping and Faith

The act of grasping is also related to faith and trust in God. In Hebrews 6:18, believers are encouraged to "take hold of the hope set before us," which serves as an anchor for the soul. This grasping of hope is an expression of faith, a firm reliance on the promises of God amidst life's uncertainties.

Furthermore, in the context of spiritual warfare, Ephesians 6:16 instructs believers to "take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one." Here, grasping the shield of faith is crucial for spiritual defense, highlighting the importance of actively holding onto faith in the face of trials and temptations.

Conclusion

Throughout the Bible, the concept of grasping is multifaceted, encompassing physical actions, the pursuit of wisdom, and the exercise of faith. Whether in the literal sense or as a metaphor for spiritual truths, grasping signifies intentionality, effort, and the desire to hold onto what is valuable and life-giving.3050. logikos -- reasonable, rational
... The believer grasps "divine reasonableness" (3050 ) by the Lord's inbirthings (gift)
of faith -- hence the close connection between 3050 () and faith (4102 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3050.htm - 7k7121. qara -- to call, proclaim, read
... 301), calling (11), calls (17), cried (24), cries (1), cry (19), crying (2), dictated*
(1), famous* (1), gave (4), given (1), gives (1), grasps (1), guests (4 ...
/hebrew/7121.htm - 7k

8610. taphas -- to lay hold of, wield
... root Definition to lay hold of, wield NASB Word Usage arrested (2), capture (2),
captured (8), caught (5), grasp (1), grasps (1), handle (4), handled (1), hold ...
/hebrew/8610.htm - 6k

270. achaz -- to grasp, take hold, take possession
... property (1), acquired property (1), attached (1), bolt (1), catch (1), caught
(3), drawn (2), fastened (3), grasp (2), grasped (1), grasps (1), gripped (1 ...
/hebrew/270.htm - 6k

The Third Miracle in John's Gospel
... The hand that grasps is one, whatsoever be the thing that it grasps. So
it is no spiritualising of this story, or reading into it ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the third miracle in johns.htm

Submission and Peace
... things is God's manifested will, and whose affections and emotions and actions follow
the dictate of his judgment, has a love which grasps whatsoever things ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/submission and peace.htm

The Mustard Seed: a Sermon for the Sabbath-School Teacher
... It may be a very simple truth, but if a someone takes it, understands it,
grasps it, and loves it, he will do something with it. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 35 1889/the mustard seed a sermon.htm

Whether the Five Exterior Senses are Properly Distinguished?
... color than sound is, it seems that there is much more need for another sensitive
power than can grasp magnitude or shape than for that which grasps color or ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the five exterior senses.htm

Christ's Mission the Revelation of God's Love
... I need not, I suppose, do more than just remind you that even the men whose faith
grasps the thought of the love of God most intensely, know what it is to be ...
/.../christs mission the revelation of.htm

'The God of the Amen'
... The building should correspond with its foundation, and the faith which grasps the
sure word should have in it something of the unchangeableness and certainty ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the god of the amen.htm

The Love that Constrains
... But this love that grasps us all, this river that 'proceedeth from the Throne of
God and of the Lamb,' flows in its widest reaches as deep and as impetuous in ...
/.../romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/the love that constrains.htm

Peace, Love, and Faith
... Which of the two is it? for these two Christs are very different, and the faith
that grasps the one is extremely unlike the faith that grasps the other. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/peace love and faith.htm

Joseph's Faith
... The contents of faith, that on which it relies, the treasure it grasps, changes;
the essence of faith, the act of reliance, the grasp which holds the treasure ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/josephs faith.htm

The Death of Death
... sung of a time when the veil over all nations should be destroyed 'in this mountain,'
and when death should be swallowed up for ever; and Paul grasps the words ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/the death of death.htm

Grasps (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Grasps (5 Occurrences). Deuteronomy 32:41 if I
whet my glittering sword, My hand take hold on judgment; I ...
/g/grasps.htm - 7k

Grasping (3 Occurrences)

/g/grasping.htm - 7k

Palm (49 Occurrences)
... Daniel 10:10). It would properly mean the "hollow hand" (root kaphaph, "to
bend," "to curve"), which receives or grasps things. It is ...
/p/palm.htm - 35k

Appeal (30 Occurrences)
... ready to take risks. In the proposition of Festus, he grasps at what had
been an object of hope long deferred. For many years, he ...
/a/appeal.htm - 20k

Grass (92 Occurrences)

/g/grass.htm - 43k

Accommodation (1 Occurrence)
... very first recorded expression of the Messianic promise to David involves the
prediction of unconditioned perpetuity to his house, and thus grasps the entire ...
/a/accommodation.htm - 39k

Hand (14438 Occurrences)
... Daniel 10:10). It would properly mean the "hollow hand" (root kaphaph, "to
bend," "to curve"), which receives or grasps things. It is ...
/h/hand.htm - 27k

Book (211 Occurrences)
... With writing, on the other hand, the eye grasps three to six letters at a time,
and takes in words as wholes instead of spelling them out. ...
/b/book.htm - 101k

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