The concept of "lengthening" in the Bible often refers to the extension or prolongation of life, days, or influence. This idea is frequently associated with the blessings of obedience, wisdom, and righteousness. The term can be found in various contexts throughout Scripture, emphasizing the divine favor and the natural consequences of living according to God's commandments.

Lengthening of Days and Life

One of the most direct references to the lengthening of days is found in the wisdom literature of the Old Testament. Proverbs 3:1-2 states, "My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; for they will add length to your days, years and peace to your life." Here, the lengthening of days is directly tied to the adherence to God's commandments, suggesting that a life lived in accordance with divine wisdom results in longevity and peace.

Similarly, in Deuteronomy 5:33 , the Israelites are instructed, "Walk in all the way that the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess." This passage underscores the covenantal promise that obedience to God's law will result in a prolonged and prosperous life in the Promised Land.

Lengthening of Influence and Legacy

The concept of lengthening is not limited to physical life but also extends to influence and legacy. In the context of leadership and authority, God promises to lengthen the influence of those who walk in His ways. For instance, in 1 Kings 3:14 , God tells Solomon, "So if you walk in My ways and keep My statutes and commandments, as your father David did, I will prolong your days." Solomon's reign and influence are contingent upon his faithfulness to God's commands.

Lengthening as a Metaphor for Divine Favor

The metaphorical use of lengthening is also evident in the Psalms, where it is often associated with divine favor and protection. Psalm 91:16 declares, "With long life I will satisfy him and show him My salvation." Here, the promise of a long life is a manifestation of God's salvation and favor towards those who trust in Him.

Warnings Against False Lengthening

Conversely, the Bible also warns against the false sense of security that can come from relying on human wisdom or disobedience. In Ecclesiastes 7:17 , it is written, "Do not be excessively wicked, and do not be a fool; why should you die before your time?" This serves as a caution that wickedness and folly can lead to a premature end, contrasting the divine promise of lengthened days for the righteous.

Conclusion

The biblical theme of lengthening is multifaceted, encompassing the extension of life, influence, and divine favor. It serves as both a promise and a warning, highlighting the blessings of obedience and the perils of disobedience. Through the lens of Scripture, lengthening is ultimately a reflection of God's desire for His people to live fulfilling, righteous lives under His guidance and protection.5186. natah -- to stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend
... 3), extends (2), followed* (2), held high (1), incline (27), inclined (7), intended
(1), leaning (1), lengthen (1), lengthened (1), lengthens (1), let down (1 ...
/hebrew/5186.htm - 7k

The Arrest of the Body
... When it wishes to seize the microscopic particle of food on which it lives a portion
of its body lengthens out, and, moving towards the object, flows over it ...
/.../drummond/the lowell lectures on the ascent of man/chapter iii the arrest of.htm

The Alarum
... loud in its praise. It is an economy of time and an assistance to health,
and thus it doubly lengthens life. Late rising is the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the alarum.htm

The Wearied Christ
... rests. Thus, utterly worn out, Jesus Christ sits on the well, whilst the
western sun lengthens out the shadows on the plain. The ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the wearied christ.htm

The Siege and Taking of Gamala.
... of Jotapata, for it was situated upon a rough ridge of a high mountain, with a kind
of neck in the middle: where it begins to ascend, it lengthens itself, and ...
/.../chapter 1 the siege and.htm

A Statement in vindication of the Doctrine of the Apostles as ...
... or is it thus that this Church has been led to enlarge the place of her tent, and
to occupy all nations and tongues, so that now she lengthens her cords beyond ...
/.../the harmony of the gospels/chapter xxxii a statement in vindication.htm

Of the Persons Upon whom a Benefit is to be Conferred.
... For that which he gives is thrown away, and. It lengthens out the life of the other
to his misery.". But perhaps the poet spoke for the actor. [1161]. ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xi of the persons upon.htm

God's Great Deliverance of his People. --Ps. Cvii.
... Rescues them from all their fear. He with health renews their frame,. Lengthens
out their number'd days,. Let them glorify His name. With the sacrifice of praise ...
/.../montgomery/sacred poems and hymns/hymn xlv gods great deliverance.htm

Lii Time
... While it detains us from our GOD; E'en pleasures here increase the wrong,. And length
of days lengthens the rod. Who wants the place where GOD doth dwell,. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/lii time.htm

The Same.
... CM Mrs. Steele. The Same. 1 Lord of my life! O may thy praise Employ my noblest
powers, Whose goodness lengthens out my days. And fills the circling hours! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/adams/hymns for christian devotion/940 the same.htm

Jesus is God Wooing Man.
... That "I am" explains the meaning of the expression "my day." It stretches it out
backward beyond Abraham's day. It lengthens it infinitely at both ends. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks about jesus/jesus is god wooing man.htm

Lengthens (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Lengthens (1 Occurrence). Psalms 109:23 I am gone like
the shadow when it lengtheneth; I am shaken off as the locust. (See NAS). ...
/l/lengthens.htm - 6k

Lengths (2 Occurrences)

/l/lengths.htm - 7k

Lengthening (5 Occurrences)

/l/lengthening.htm - 8k

Sick (117 Occurrences)
... rabbinical tracts. "He that visits the sick lengthens his life, he who refrains
shortens it," says Rabbi Ischanan in Nedharim 29. In ...
/s/sick.htm - 44k

Sickness (40 Occurrences)
... rabbinical tracts. "He that visits the sick lengthens his life, he who refrains
shortens it," says Rabbi Ischanan in Nedharim 29. In ...
/s/sickness.htm - 29k

Death (1610 Occurrences)
... He kills and makes alive, brings down into Sheol and raises from thence again
(Deuteronomy 32:39 1 Samuel 2:6 2 Kings 5:7). He lengthens life for those who ...
/d/death.htm - 68k

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