The term "holdest" is an archaic English word found in older translations of the Bible, such as the King James Version (KJV). It is the second person singular form of the verb "to hold," used in contexts where one might say "you hold" in contemporary English. In the Berean Standard Bible , this term is typically rendered in more modern language, but understanding its usage in biblical texts can provide insight into the nature of God's relationship with humanity and the responsibilities of believers.

Biblical Usage:

1. Divine Sovereignty and Protection:
The concept of "holding" often relates to God's sovereign power and protective nature. In Psalm 139:10 , the psalmist declares, "Even there Your hand will guide me; Your right hand will hold me fast." This verse illustrates the assurance of God's presence and guidance, emphasizing His ability to sustain and protect His people regardless of their circumstances.

2. Human Responsibility and Faithfulness:
In the context of human actions, "holdest" can refer to the responsibility of believers to maintain their faith and adhere to God's commandments. For example, in Revelation 2:25 , Jesus instructs the church in Thyatira, "Nevertheless, hold fast to what you have until I come." This exhortation underscores the importance of perseverance and faithfulness in the Christian life, encouraging believers to remain steadfast in their commitment to Christ.

3. Moral and Ethical Conduct:
The term can also be associated with moral and ethical conduct, as seen in Job 27:6 , where Job asserts, "I will hold fast my righteousness and never let go; my conscience will not accuse me as long as I live." Here, "holdest" conveys the idea of clinging to integrity and righteousness, reflecting a commitment to living according to God's standards despite trials and temptations.

Theological Implications:

· God's Faithfulness: The use of "holdest" in relation to God highlights His unwavering faithfulness and the security that believers find in His promises. It reassures Christians that God is actively involved in their lives, providing guidance and support.

· Call to Perseverance: For believers, "holdest" serves as a call to perseverance. It encourages Christians to remain true to their faith, even in the face of adversity, trusting that their steadfastness will be rewarded.

· Righteous Living: The emphasis on holding fast to righteousness and integrity reflects the biblical call to live a life that honors God. It challenges believers to uphold moral and ethical standards, demonstrating their faith through their actions.

In summary, while the term "holdest" may not appear in modern translations like the Berean Standard Bible, its underlying concepts remain integral to understanding the nature of God's relationship with His people and the expectations placed upon believers. Through divine protection, human responsibility, and ethical conduct, the principles associated with "holdest" continue to resonate within the Christian faith.

The Wicked and Dishonourable Opinions Held by Arians, Sabellians.. ...
... tell Him: "I consider Thee, O Christ, to be unlike Thy Father;" and He will answer:
"Mark, if thou canst, mark, I say, and tell Me wherein thou holdest Me to ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xiii the wicked and.htm

Surely Goodness and Mercy Shall Follow Me all the Days of My Life ...
... Augustine, "thou holdest to vanity; thou trustest in honor, and in some eminence
of human power, thou holdest to vanity; thou trustest in some principal friend ...
/.../callan/the shepherd of my soul/xi surely goodness and mercy.htm

Daily Fellowship with God
... in thee. Count upon it that this blessed work will be done in thee as thou
waitest on thy God, and holdest fellowship with Him. 7 ...
/.../murray/the deeper christian life/i daily fellowship with god.htm

Faith (Preached Before the Queen at Windsor, December 5, 1865)
... And he breaks out into pathetic expostulation with God Himself: 'Wherefore lookest
Thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest Thy tongue when the ...
/.../the water of life and other sermons/sermon xiii faith preached before.htm

If Thou Wilt be Well with God, and have Grace to Rule Thy Life...
... If thou thinkest (on) JESUS continually, and holdest it firmly, it purges thy sin,
and kindles thine heart; it clarifies thy soul, it removes anger and does ...
/.../chapter ix if thou wilt.htm

How is Christ, as the Life, to be Applied by a Soul that Misseth ...
... why holdest thou thy face from me?" They cannot understand wherefore it is. So Job
cried out, "shew me wherefore thou contendest with me," Job 10:2. ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter xxvi how is christ.htm

Habakkuk's Rhapsody of the Chaldeans
... art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and that canst not look on perverseness,
wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy peace ...
/.../habakkuks rhapsody of the chaldeans.htm

Thirdly, for Thy Actions.
... 4. Love all good things for God's sake, but God for his own sake. Whilst thou holdest
God thy friend, thou needst not fear who is thy enemy (Psal. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/bayly/the practice of piety/thirdly for thy actions.htm

Esther's Venture
... For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement
and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/esthers venture.htm

Mordecai and Esther
... THE BOOK OF ESTHER MORDECAI AND ESTHER. 'For if thou altogether holdest thy peace
at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/mordecai and esther.htm

Holdest (11 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Holdest (11 Occurrences). Philemon 1:17 If therefore thou
holdest me to be a partner with thee, receive him as me; (DBY). ...
/h/holdest.htm - 9k

Dwellest (27 Occurrences)
... Revelation 2:13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat
is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in ...
/d/dwellest.htm - 14k

Holdeth (21 Occurrences)

/h/holdeth.htm - 12k

Holders (7 Occurrences)

/h/holders.htm - 8k

Waking (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Waking (2 Occurrences). Psalms 77:4 Thou holdest mine
eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak. (KJV WBS). ...
/w/waking.htm - 7k

Terribleness (4 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 49:16 Thy terribleness hath deceived thee, and the pride of thine heart,
O thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, that holdest the height of ...
/t/terribleness.htm - 7k

Royalty (7 Occurrences)
... Esther 4:14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then will relief
and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place, but thou and thy ...
/r/royalty.htm - 9k

Enlargement (7 Occurrences)
... Esther 4:14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there
enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou ...
/e/enlargement.htm - 10k

Disquiet (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Disquiet (2 Occurrences). Psalms 77:4 Thou holdest open
mine eyelids; I am full of disquiet and cannot speak. (DBY). ...
/d/disquiet.htm - 7k

Dwelleth (142 Occurrences)
... Revelation 2:13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat
is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in ...
/d/dwelleth.htm - 35k

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