Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical context, guards play a significant role in both the Old and New Testaments, serving as protectors, enforcers, and witnesses to key events. The concept of guards is intertwined with themes of authority, vigilance, and divine providence.Old Testament In the Old Testament, guards are often associated with the protection of sacred spaces and royal figures. The Levitical priests, for instance, were tasked with guarding the tabernacle and later the temple, ensuring that only those who were ceremonially clean could enter (Numbers 3:32). This duty underscored the holiness of God's dwelling place and the need for purity among His people. Royal guards were also prominent, particularly in the narratives of the kings of Israel and Judah. King David had a group of elite warriors known as the "mighty men," who served as his personal protectors (2 Samuel 23:8-39). Similarly, Solomon's reign saw the establishment of a well-organized guard system to protect the king and his palace (1 Kings 14:27-28). New Testament In the New Testament, guards are frequently mentioned in the context of Roman authority and the events surrounding Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. Roman soldiers acted as guards at Jesus' tomb, placed there by the chief priests and Pharisees to prevent His disciples from stealing His body and claiming He had risen (Matthew 27:62-66). Despite their vigilance, the guards were unable to prevent the resurrection, as described in Matthew 28:2-4: "Suddenly there was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, rolled away the stone, and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. The guards trembled in fear of him and became like dead men." The presence of guards in the New Testament also highlights the tension between earthly and divine authority. In Acts 12, Peter is imprisoned by King Herod and guarded by four squads of soldiers. However, an angel of the Lord miraculously frees him, demonstrating God's power over human institutions (Acts 12:6-10). Symbolism and Themes Guards in the Bible symbolize vigilance and the protection of what is sacred or valuable. They serve as reminders of the need for spiritual watchfulness, as believers are called to guard their hearts and minds against sin and temptation (Proverbs 4:23). The role of guards also reflects the broader biblical theme of God's sovereignty and protection over His people, as He is often depicted as a divine guardian (Psalm 121:3-4). In summary, guards in the Bible are multifaceted figures who serve practical, symbolic, and theological purposes. They are integral to the narratives of both the Old and New Testaments, illustrating the interplay between human responsibility and divine intervention. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (n. pl.) A body of picked troops; as, The Household Guards.Greek 5442. phulasso -- to guard, watch ... Word Origin from a root phulak- Definition to guard, watch NASB Word Usage abstain (1), guard (8), guarded (1), guarding (1), guards (1), keep (5), keeping (2 ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5442.htm - 9k 5441. phulax -- a guard, keeper 5083. tereo -- to watch over, to guard Strong's Hebrew 7323. ruts -- to run... run NASB Word Usage carried them speedily (1), courier runs (1), courier runs to another (1), couriers (6), dash to and fro (1), guard (6), guards (7), guards ... /hebrew/7323.htm - 6k 8104. shamar -- to keep, watch, preserve 5341. natsar -- to watch, guard, keep 4931. mishmereth -- a guard, watch, charge, function Library The Two Guards, Praying and Watching Guards are Placed Around the Tomb of Jesus. Pelagius once More Guards Himself against the Necessity of Grace. Some of the Guards Report to the Jewish Rulers. That Thy Resurrection Might be Believed among the Gainsayers, they ... But in Addition to the Foregoing Rule, which Guards us against ... And While they were Sitting in the Synagogue, and Recriminating ... How the Romans Carried their Ensigns to the Temple, and Made ... Psalm LIX. And after That, Jesus Knew that all Things were Finished... Thesaurus Guards (42 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n. pl.) A body of picked troops; as, The Household Guards. Multi-Version Concordance Guards (42 Occurrences). ... /g/guards.htm - 18k Guard (185 Occurrences) Guardsman (1 Occurrence) Guarding (16 Occurrences) Watchman (19 Occurrences) Palace (194 Occurrences) Shemariah (5 Occurrences) Sentries (4 Occurrences) Opens (30 Occurrences) Chains (100 Occurrences) Resources What is the Swoon Theory? Did Jesus survive the crucifixion? | GotQuestions.orgIs Jesus dead? | GotQuestions.org Can the various resurrection accounts from the four Gospels be harmonized? | GotQuestions.org Guards: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Guards (42 Occurrences)Matthew 26:58 Matthew 28:4 Matthew 28:11 Mark 14:54 Mark 14:65 Luke 11:21 John 7:32 John 7:45 John 7:46 Acts 5:23 Acts 5:24 Acts 12:6 Acts 12:10 Acts 12:19 2 Corinthians 11:32 Philippians 1:13 1 Samuel 22:17 1 Kings 14:28 2 Kings 10:25 2 Kings 11:4 2 Kings 11:6 2 Kings 11:11 2 Kings 11:13 2 Kings 11:18 2 Kings 11:19 1 Chronicles 9:23 2 Chronicles 12:11 Nehemiah 4:22 Nehemiah 4:23 Nehemiah 7:3 Psalms 97:10 Proverbs 13:3 Proverbs 13:6 Proverbs 16:17 Proverbs 19:16 Proverbs 21:23 Proverbs 22:5 Proverbs 24:12 Proverbs 27:18 Ezekiel 9:1 Ezekiel 40:7 Nahum 3:17 Subtopics Related Terms |