The term "looseth" is an archaic form of the verb "loose," which appears in various contexts throughout the Bible. It is often used to describe the act of releasing, freeing, or unbinding something or someone. In the Berean Standard Bible , the concept of loosing is significant both in literal and metaphorical senses, reflecting themes of liberation, authority, and spiritual freedom.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, the concept of loosing is frequently associated with the release from physical or metaphorical bonds. For example, in Isaiah 58:6 , the prophet speaks of God's chosen fast: "Is not this the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?" Here, loosing is connected with social justice and the liberation of the oppressed, emphasizing God's desire for His people to act justly and compassionately.

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, the term takes on additional layers of meaning, particularly in the context of spiritual authority and the power of the Church. One of the most notable passages is found in Matthew 16:19 , where Jesus says to Peter, "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." This statement underscores the authority given to the apostles, and by extension, the Church, to bind and loose, which has been interpreted as the power to make decisions in matters of doctrine and discipline.

Another significant mention is in John 11:44 , where Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead: "The man who had been dead came out with his hands and feet bound in strips of linen, and his face wrapped in a cloth. 'Unbind him and let him go,' Jesus told them." Here, the act of loosing is literal, as Lazarus is freed from his grave clothes, symbolizing the new life and freedom that Jesus brings.

Spiritual Implications

Theologically, the concept of loosing is deeply connected to the themes of redemption and salvation. In the spiritual sense, loosing can refer to the release from the bondage of sin and the freedom found in Christ. Romans 8:2 states, "For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set you free from the law of sin and death." This freedom is a central tenet of Christian belief, highlighting the transformative power of the Gospel.

Practical Application

In practical terms, the idea of loosing can be applied to the believer's life in various ways. It calls Christians to participate in acts of mercy and justice, to forgive others, and to exercise the authority given by Christ in spiritual matters. The call to loose the bonds of wickedness and to set the oppressed free remains a powerful directive for the Church's mission in the world.

In summary, "looseth" in the biblical context encompasses a range of meanings from physical liberation to spiritual authority and freedom. It is a term that captures the essence of God's redemptive work through Christ and the ongoing mission of the Church to bring freedom and justice to a broken world.

Some Towns Upon the Very Limits of the Land. Out of the Jerusalem ...
... Of Caphar Tsemach, there is mention also in the place first cited, col.3, in
these words: "Rabbi looseth Bethshan. Rabbi looseth Caesarea. ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 95 some towns upon.htm

Psalm CXLVI.
... "Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be
filled." [5895] We ought to be God's hungry ones...."The Lord looseth them that ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxlvi.htm

The Sick Person Ought Now to Send for Some Godly and Religious ...
... hath committed his keys, and that is when they do declare and pronounce, either
publicly or privately, by the word of God, what bindeth, what looseth, and the ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/the sick person ought now.htm

Letter iv. To Florentius.
... [70] But since "the Lord looseth the prisoners," [71] and resteth upon him who is
of a contrite spirit, and that trembleth at His words, [72] perchance he may ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter iv to florentius.htm

On the Weakness of Free Will.
... when we find "Break the chains of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion:" [1791]
of its weakness the prophet sings, when he says: "The Lord looseth them that ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter x on the weakness.htm

That the Understanding, by Means of which we Can Recognize God's ...
... For not free will but the Lord "looseth them that are bound." No strength of ours,
but the Lord "raiseth them that are fallen:" no diligence in reading, but ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xv that the understanding.htm

The Power of the Holy Ghost
... He looseth the bands of Orion; he bindeth the sweet influences of the Pleiades,
and binds Arcturus with his suns. He made all those stars that shine in heaven. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the power of the holy.htm

Appendix xiv. The Law in Messianic Times.
... on the words the Lord looseth the bound,' Psalm 146:7), that what had formerly been
bound' or forbidden would be loosed' or allowed, notably that the ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix xiv the law in.htm

Letter vii. To Chromatius, Jovinus, and Eusebius.
... To whom I have said, "The Lord looseth the prisoners; the Lord openeth the eyes
of the blind." [108] To complete my contrast in a single sentence, whilst I ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter vii to chromatius jovinus.htm

A Stanza of Deliverance
... brought forth her armies. When any man is saved from spiritual bondage, it
is the Lord Jesus who looseth the captive. Some little time ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/a stanza of deliverance.htm

Looseth (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Looseth (5 Occurrences). ... Job 12:18 He looseth the bond
of kings, and girdeth their loins with a girdle. (KJV JPS ASV WBS). ...
/l/looseth.htm - 7k

Looses (2 Occurrences)
... Job 12:18 He looseth the bond of kings, and bindeth their loins with a girdle. ... Job
12:21 He poureth contempt upon princes, and looseth the belt of the strong. ...
/l/looses.htm - 6k

Loosing (7 Occurrences)

/l/loosing.htm - 8k

Loins (72 Occurrences)
... 13). Of God it is said that "he looseth the bond of kings, and bindeth their
loins with a girdle," ie strengthens them (Job 12:18). ...
/l/loins.htm - 33k

Loincloth (4 Occurrences)
... hand him over to the Gentiles.'" (WEY). Job 12:18 He looseth the bond of
kings, and bindeth their loins with a girdle. (See NIV). ...
/l/loincloth.htm - 7k

Girdeth (11 Occurrences)
... it off. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). Job 12:18 He looseth the bond of kings, and
girdeth their loins with a girdle. (KJV WBS). Psalms 18 ...
/g/girdeth.htm - 9k

Executeth (11 Occurrences)
... Psalms 146:7 Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the
hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners: (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). ...
/e/executeth.htm - 9k

Bindeth (25 Occurrences)
... whole. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT). Job 12:18 He looseth the bond of kings,
And he bindeth their loins with a girdle. (ASV DBY JPS YLT). ...
/b/bindeth.htm - 13k

Bringeth (313 Occurrences)
... Genesis 24:32 And he bringeth in the man into the house, and looseth the camels,
and giveth straw and provender for the camels, and water to wash his feet, and ...
/b/bringeth.htm - 37k

Bonds (46 Occurrences)
... Job 12:18 He looseth the bond of kings, and bindeth their loins with a girdle.
(See RSV). Job 39:5 "Who has set the wild donkey free? ...
/b/bonds.htm - 19k

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