Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the concept of "holding" can be understood in various ways, encompassing both physical and metaphorical dimensions. The term is often associated with maintaining, retaining, or grasping something of value, whether it be faith, truth, or material possessions.
1.
Holding Fast to Faith and Truth: The New Testament frequently exhorts believers to "hold fast" to their faith and the teachings of Christ. In
1 Thessalonians 5:21, Paul instructs, "but test all things. Hold fast to what is good." This implies a steadfast commitment to discernment and adherence to the truth. Similarly, in
Hebrews 10:23, believers are encouraged to "hold resolutely to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful." This highlights the importance of unwavering faith in God's promises.
2.
Holding to God's Commandments: The Bible emphasizes the importance of holding to God's commandments as a demonstration of love and obedience. In
John 14:15, Jesus states, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." This holding is not merely a passive retention but an active, living out of God's will in one's life.
3.
Holding to the Word of Life:
Philippians 2:16 speaks of "holding fast to the word of life," which refers to the gospel message. This holding is crucial for believers as it provides guidance, hope, and the promise of eternal life. The apostle Paul emphasizes the transformative power of the gospel and the necessity of clinging to it amidst a crooked and perverse generation.
4.
Holding to Integrity and Righteousness: The Old Testament provides examples of individuals who held to their integrity and righteousness despite trials. Job is a prime example, as he declares in
Job 27:6, "I will hold fast my righteousness and will not let it go; my heart shall not reproach me as long as I live." This demonstrates a commitment to moral and ethical standards, even in the face of suffering.
5.
Holding in the Context of Relationships: The Bible also addresses holding in the context of relationships, particularly in marriage.
Genesis 2:24 states, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." This union involves a holding together, a bond that signifies commitment and unity.
6.
Holding Material Possessions: While the Bible acknowledges the reality of holding material possessions, it warns against the dangers of placing too much value on them. In
Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus advises, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven." This teaching encourages believers to prioritize spiritual wealth over earthly possessions.
In summary, the concept of holding in the Bible encompasses a range of meanings, from maintaining faith and truth to adhering to God's commandments and valuing relationships. It calls believers to a life of steadfastness, integrity, and spiritual focus, urging them to prioritize eternal values over temporal ones.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Hold.
2. (n.) The act or state of sustaining, grasping, or retaining.
3. (n.) A tenure; a farm or other estate held of another.
4. (n.) That which holds, binds, or influences.
5. (n.) The burden or chorus of a song.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
HOLDINGhol'-ding: Occurs with various shades of meaning:
(1) as the translation of tamakh, "to acquire," it has the sense of taking, obtaining (Isaiah 33:15, the Revised Version (British and American) "that shaketh his hands from taking a bribe," the English Revised Version, as the King James Version, "holding");
(2) of kul, "to hold," "contain," having the sense of containing or restraining (Jeremiah 6:11, "I am weary with holding in");
(3) of krateo, "to receive," "observe," "maintain" (Mark 7:3, "holding the tradition of the elders"; 1 Timothy 1:19, echo, "holding faith and a good conscience"; 1 Timothy 3:9, "holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience");
(4) holding fast, cleaving to, krateo (Colossians 2:19, "not holding the head," the Revised Version (British and American) "holding fast"; compare Acts 3:11 Revelation 7:1, "holding the four winds of the earth, that no wind should blow"); antechomai, "to hold over against one's self," "to hold fast" (Titus 1:9, the Revised Version (British and American) "holding to the faithful word");
(5) holding forth, epecho, "to hold upon, to hold out toward" (Philippians 2:16, "holding forth the word of life," so the Revised Version (British and American)); Lightfoot has "holding out" (as offering); others, however, render "holding fast," persevering in the Christian faith and life-connecting with being "blameless and harmless" in Philippians 2:15.
W. L. Walker
Greek
2697. kataschesis -- a holding fast ... a
holding fast. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: kataschesis Phonetic
Spelling: (kat-as'-khes-is) Short Definition: a possession Definition: a
... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2697.htm - 6k4928. sunoche -- a holding together, fig. distress
... sunoche. 4929 . a holding together, fig. ... Word Origin from sunecho Definition a
holding together, fig. distress NASB Word Usage anguish (1), dismay (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4928.htm - 7k
4465. rhabdouchos -- a rod holder, ie (a Roman) lictor (one ...
... a rod holder, ie (a Roman) lictor (one holding the rod of office). Part of Speech:
Noun, Masculine Transliteration: rhabdouchos Phonetic Spelling: (hrab-doo ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4465.htm - 7k
2902. krateo -- to be strong, rule
... Origin from kratos Definition to be strong, rule NASB Word Usage arrested (3), attained
(1), clinging (1), held (1), hold (4), hold fast (4), holding back (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2902.htm - 9k
1385. dokos -- a beam of timber
... vision. Word Origin from dechomai (through the idea of holding up) Definition
a beam of timber NASB Word Usage log (6). beam. From ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1385.htm - 7k
1843. exomologeo -- to agree, confess
... 3670 , "say the same thing about") -- properly, agree and to acknowledge that agreement
(whole-heartedly); hence, to ("openly declare"), (no holding back). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1843.htm - 8k
4912. sunecho -- to hold together, to hold fast, pass. to be ...
... afflicted (1), controls (1), covered (1), crowding (1), devoting...completely (1),
distressed (1), gripped (1), hard-pressed (1), hem (1), holding...in custody ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4912.htm - 7k
3426. modios -- modius, a dry measure of one peck
... 3426 -- a container for goods holding up to eight liters (roughly two gallons);
a measure (the chief grain unit) equivalent to one peck (8.81L). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3426.htm - 6k
3794. ochuroma -- a stronghold, fortress
... stronghold. From a remote derivative of echo (meaning to fortify, through the idea
of holding safely); a castle (figuratively, argument) -- stronghold. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3794.htm - 7k
436. anthistemi -- to set against, ie withstand
... 473 , "opposite/against" and 2476 , "to stand") -- properly,, ie a "180 degree,
position"; (figuratively) to establish one's position by "holding one's ground ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/436.htm - 8k
Strong's Hebrew
270. achaz -- to grasp, take hold, take possession... 3), grasp (2), grasped (1), grasps (1), gripped (1), grips (1), handle (1), have
possessions (1), held (4), held fast (1), hold (3),
holding (1), inserted (1
... /hebrew/270.htm - 6k 2388. chazaq -- to be or grow firm or strong, strengthen
... grow strong (1), harden (4), hardened (9), held (2), held them fast (1), help*
(1), helped (1), hold (4), hold his own (1), hold fast (5), holding (3), holds ...
/hebrew/2388.htm - 8k
6117. aqab -- to follow at the heel, assail insidiously ...
... used only as denominative from aqeb, to seize by the heel; figuratively, to circumvent
(as if tripping up the heels); also to restrain (as if holding by the ...
/hebrew/6117.htm - 6k
1660. gath -- a wine press
... winepress fat. Probably from nagan (in the sense of treading out grapes); a
wine-press (or vat for holding the grapes in pressing them) -- (wine-)press (fat). ...
/hebrew/1660.htm - 6k
1692. dabaq -- to cling, cleave, keep close
... pursued (1), closer (1), clung (4), deeply attracted (1), fasten its grip (1), follow
closely (1), held fast (1), hold (2), hold fast (2), holding fast (1 ...
/hebrew/1692.htm - 6k
5647. abad -- to work, serve
... been slaves (1), bondage (2), burdened (2), cultivate (7), cultivated (2), cultivates
(1), do (6), do the work (1), enslaved (3), given (1), holding in bondage ...
/hebrew/5647.htm - 6k
3557. kul -- to comprehend, contain
... to comprehend, contain NASB Word Usage calculated (1), contain (4), contains (1),
endure (5), had to provide (1), held (1), hold (4), holding (2), maintain (1 ...
/hebrew/3557.htm - 6k
5592. caph -- a basin, goblet
... From caphaph, in its original sense of containing; a vestibule (as a limit); also
a dish (for holding blood or wine) -- bason, bowl, cup, door (post), gate ...
/hebrew/5592.htm - 5k
2833. choshen -- breastpiece, sacred pouch
... From an unused root probably meaning to contain or sparkle; perhaps a pocket (as
holding the Urim and Thummim), or rich (as containing gems), used only of the ...
/hebrew/2833.htm - 6k
2840. chishshur -- a nave, hub (of a wheel)
... spoke. From an unused root meaning to bind together; combined, ie The nave or hub
of a wheel (as holding the spokes together) -- spoke. 2839, 2840. ...
/hebrew/2840.htm - 6k
Library
And the Lord, Holding the Hand of Adam, Delivered Him to Michael ...
... Part II."Christ's Descent into Hell. Latin. First Version. Chapter 9 (25). And the
Lord, holding the hand of Adam, delivered him to Michael the archangel? ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of nicodemus /chapter 9 25 and the.htm
Holding Fast and Held Fast
... THE SECOND BOOK OF CHRONICLES HOLDING FAST AND HELD FAST. 'As they went
forth Jehoshaphat stood and said, Believe in the Lord your ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/holding fast and held fast.htm
Of the Statue of Constantine Holding a Cross, and Its Inscription.
... The Life of the blessed emperor constantine, by eusebius pamphilus. Book I. Chapter
XL."Of the Statue of Constantine holding a Cross, and its Inscription. ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter xl of the statue of.htm
Concerning the Holding of a Local Synod at the Time Appointed.
... Canon VI. Concerning the holding of a local Synod at the time appointed.
Concerning the holding of a local Synod at the time appointed. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon vi concerning the holding.htm
Of Holding Meetings with the Donatists.
... The Sixth Ecumenical Council. Canon XCI. (Greek xciv.) Of holding meetings
with the Donatists. Of holding meetings with the Donatists. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xci greek xciv of.htm
Ambrose Also Uses the Temperate and Ornamented Style when He is ...
... Book 4 Chapter 48. Ambrose also uses the temperate and ornamented style
when he is holding up before? 48. Ambrose also uses the ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books/chapter 48 ambrose also uses.htm
There is a Kind of Trinity in the Holding, Contemplating, and ...
... Chapter 2."There is a Kind of Trinity in the Holding, Contemplating, and Loving
of Faith Temporal, But One that Does Not Yet Attain to Being Properly an ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 2 there is a kind.htm
As to any One's Attempting to Take from the Church the Right of ...
... The Epistle of Pope Urban First. III. As to any one's attempting to take from
the Church the right of holding property. By the increase ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/iii as to any ones.htm
Constantine Enacts a Law against all Heresies, and Prohibits the ...
... Chapter XXXII."Constantine enacts a Law against all Heresies, and prohibits the
People from holding Church in any place but the Catholic Church, and thus the ...
/.../chapter xxxii constantine enacts a law.htm
Thekla Singing Decorously a Hymn, the Rest of the virgins Sing ...
... but the rest, standing together in a circle after the manner of a chorus, responded
to her: "I keep myself pure for Thee, O Bridegroom, and holding a lighted ...
/.../chapter ii thekla singing decorously a.htm
Thesaurus
Holding (62 Occurrences)... 4. (n.) That which holds, binds, or influences. 5. (n.) The burden or chorus
of a song. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
HOLDING.
.../h/holding.htm - 27kCruse (11 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary A utensil; a flask or cup for holding water (1 Samuel
26:11, 12, 16; 1 Kings 19:6) or oil (1 Kings 17:12, 14, 16). ...
/c/cruse.htm - 12k
Pot (46 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A metallic or earthen vessel, appropriated to any of a great variety of
uses, as for boiling meat or vegetables, for holding liquids, for plants, etc ...
/p/pot.htm - 25k
Waterpot (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) A vessel for holding or conveying water, or for
sprinkling water on cloth, plants, etc. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ...
/w/waterpot.htm - 7k
Incapable (5 Occurrences)
... end in view; not large enough to contain or hold; deficient in physical strength,
mental or moral power, etc.; not capable; as, incapable of holding a certain ...
/i/incapable.htm - 9k
Firmly (47 Occurrences)
... Colossians 1:23 if, indeed, you are still firmly holding to faith as your foundation,
without ever shifting from your hope that rests on the Good News that you ...
/f/firmly.htm - 19k
Bottle (28 Occurrences)
... A vessel made of skins for holding wine (Joshua 9:4. 13; 1 Samuel 16:20; Matthew
9:17; Mark 2:22; Luke 5:37, 38), or milk (Judges 4:19), or water (Genesis 21:14 ...
/b/bottle.htm - 23k
Vat (7 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A large vessel, cistern, or tub, especially one used for holding in an immature
state, chemical preparations for dyeing, or for tanning, or for tanning ...
/v/vat.htm - 9k
Urn (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (n.) A vessel of various forms, usually a vase furnished with a foot or pedestal,
employed for different purposes, as for holding liquids, for ornamental ...
/u/urn.htm - 7k
Jar (45 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A deep, broad-mouthed vessel of earthenware or glass, for holding fruit,
preserves, etc., or for ornamental purposes; as, a jar of honey; a rose jar. ...
/j/jar.htm - 21k
Resources
Questions about "The Passion of the Christ" movie | GotQuestions.orgWhat is truth? | GotQuestions.orgIs the atonement of Christ unlimited? | GotQuestions.orgHolding: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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