In the Bible, the concept of a lock is often associated with security, protection, and the safeguarding of valuable or sacred items. While the term "lock" itself may not frequently appear in the text, the idea is conveyed through various passages that emphasize the importance of securing what is precious.

Security and Protection

The use of locks or secured doors is implied in several biblical narratives, highlighting the need for protection against intruders or enemies. In the context of ancient cities, gates were often locked to protect inhabitants from external threats. This is reflected in Nehemiah 7:3 : "And I said to them, 'Do not open the gates of Jerusalem until the sun is hot, and while the gatekeepers are still on duty, shut and bar the doors. Appoint residents of Jerusalem as guards, some at their posts and some near their own houses.'"

Spiritual Symbolism

Locks can also symbolize spiritual truths, particularly the idea of God as a protector who secures His people. In Revelation 3:7 , Jesus is described as having authority over the doors of opportunity and blessing: "To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of the One who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What He opens, no one will shut; and what He shuts, no one will open."

Divine Protection

The imagery of locking and unlocking is used to convey God's sovereign control over access to His kingdom and the protection of His people. In Isaiah 22:22 , the authority given to Eliakim is a foreshadowing of Christ's ultimate authority: "I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David; what he opens, no one can shut, and what he shuts, no one can open."

Moral and Ethical Implications

The concept of locking is also metaphorically applied to the human heart and mind, suggesting the importance of guarding one's inner life against sin and temptation. Proverbs 4:23 advises, "Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life." This verse underscores the necessity of securing one's heart, much like a lock secures a door, to maintain spiritual integrity.

Conclusion

While the physical act of locking is a practical measure for security, the Bible extends this concept to spiritual and moral dimensions, emphasizing the importance of divine protection, authority, and the safeguarding of one's heart and life.Judges 3:23-25
Then Ehud went forth through the porch, and shut the doors of the parlor on him, and locked them.
Nave's Topical Index

Nehemiah 3:13,14
The valley gate repaired Hanun, and the inhabitants of Zanoah; they built it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, and a thousand cubits on the wall to the dung gate.
Nave's Topical Index

Songs 5:5
I rose up to open to my beloved; and my hands dropped with myrrh, and my fingers with sweet smelling myrrh, on the handles of the lock.
Nave's Topical Index

The Draw-Net.
... be expected to open the lock without wrenching ... be settled, on either side, by general
announcements like these, although they are selected from the Scriptures. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/vii the draw-net.htm

The Doctrine of God
... If we have a key which fits all the wards of the lock, we know that ... (1) Scriptures
setting forth ... In general: Job 11:7, 8""Canst thou by searching find out God ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrine of god.htm

The Plenary Inspiration of Every Part of the Bible, vindicated and ...
... would have been recognizable between the general complexion of ... because ye know not
the Scriptures, neither the ... A lock of very complicated mechanism, which four ...
/.../burgon/inspiration and interpretation/sermon iv the plenary inspiration.htm

Withholding Corn
... curse of the people if he chooses to lock up his ... Church for many years kept the sacred
Scriptures in an ... to him and live." The teacher whose general teaching is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/withholding corn.htm

The Bible
... Peter, corroboratively speaking of these very Scriptures of the ... people who remained
alive after the general slaughter were ... you find a key and lock which fit ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/haldeman/christ christianity and the bible/the bible.htm

Tit. 2:06 Thoughts for Young Men
... the only way to become "mighty in the Scriptures." A hasty ... That is the general
consequence of all such friendships ... Lock the door, draw down the blind, shut the ...
/.../chapter xix tit 2 6 thoughts.htm

part ii
... time for necessary recreations; and it will wholly lock us up ... is, therefore, nothing
from God, from the Scriptures, or from ... [a] Our general business - Serving ...
//christianbookshelf.org/baxter/the reformed pastor/part ii.htm

Latitudinarian Churchmanship.
... king for head over their churches,' to give a general approval to ... almost entire
agreement of the Independents with the Presbyterians, concerning the expedience ...
/.../chapter v latitudinarian churchmanship.htm

Our Manifesto
... It is our duty to search the Scriptures to see whether ... be the exact form which makes
it fit the lock. ... A great general, going in before his king, stumbled over ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/our manifesto.htm

The Theology of St. Hilary of Poitiers.
... of the method led to its general adoption in ... enabled him to derive from Scriptures
which otherwise ... the collective evidence of Scripture concerning the relation ...
/.../chapter ii the theology of st.htm

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