The term "restrainest" is an archaic form of the verb "restrain," which means to hold back, control, or limit. In the context of the Bible, it often refers to God's sovereign ability to control or limit human actions, emotions, or circumstances, as well as the moral responsibility of individuals to exercise self-control.

Biblical Usage and Context

1. Divine Restraint: The concept of God restraining individuals or nations is evident throughout Scripture. God's restraint is often an act of mercy, preventing people from committing greater sins or experiencing more severe consequences. For example, in Genesis 20:6, God says to Abimelech, "Yes, I know that you did this with a clear conscience, and so I have kept you from sinning against Me. That is why I did not let you touch her." Here, God actively restrains Abimelech from sinning against Sarah, Abraham's wife.

2. Human Responsibility: The Bible also emphasizes the importance of self-restraint as a virtue. Believers are called to exercise self-control as part of their spiritual growth and obedience to God. Proverbs 29:11 states, "A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back." This highlights the wisdom in restraining one's emotions and actions.

3. Restraint in Leadership: Leaders are often called to exercise restraint in their decisions and actions. In 1 Samuel 24:6, David demonstrates restraint when he refrains from killing King Saul, saying, "The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed, or lift my hand against him; for he is the anointed of the LORD." David's restraint is a testament to his respect for God's anointed and his trust in God's timing.

4. Restraint and Judgment: God's restraint is sometimes lifted as a form of judgment, allowing individuals or nations to experience the consequences of their actions. Romans 1:24-26 describes how God "gave them over" to their sinful desires as a result of their persistent rebellion. This removal of restraint serves as a warning and a call to repentance.

5. Restraint and the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in restraining evil in the world. 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7 speaks of a restraining force that holds back the "man of lawlessness" until the appointed time. Many theologians interpret this restraining force as the Holy Spirit, who limits the full expression of evil until God's plan is fulfilled.

Theological Implications

The concept of restraint in the Bible underscores the balance between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. God's ability to restrain evil and guide human actions reflects His omnipotence and mercy. At the same time, individuals are called to exercise self-restraint as a reflection of their faith and obedience to God's commandments. This dual aspect of restraint highlights the importance of relying on God's strength while actively pursuing a life of holiness and self-discipline.

Restraining Prayer: is it Sin?
... CHAPTER VI Restraining Prayer: is it Sin? "Thou restrainest prayer before
God.""Job 15:4. "What profit should we have, if we pray unto Him?""Job 21:15. ...
/.../murray/the ministry of intercession/chapter vi restraining prayer is.htm

The 13Th Psalm of David.
... My soul doth calmly trust in Thee, Thou true to me remainest, Of malice
and of subtlety The course, with pow'r restrainest. This ...
/.../gerhardt/paul gerhardts spiritual songs/the 13th psalm of david.htm

Who Gathered the Embittered Together into one Society? for they ...
... Nor is the bitterness of men's wills, but the gathering together of the waters,
called sea; for Thou restrainest the wicked desires of men's souls, and settest ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter xvii who gathered the.htm

Epistle xviii. To John, Bishop.
... And thou wilt become by so much the greater as thou restrainest thyself from the
usurpation of a proud and foolish title: and thou wilt make advance in ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xviii to john bishop.htm

The Saint Ceases not to Pray. Prayer the Way to Recover what is ...
... they can do no more, and even afterwards at times"Thou, O Lord, defendest them against
the assaults of evil spirits, whose power Thou restrainest, and even ...
/.../teresa/the life of st teresa of jesus/chapter viii the saint ceases.htm

Prayer
... Thou castest off fear, and restrainest prayer before God.' Job 15:4. A
man that has left off prayer, is fit for any wickedness. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/4 6 prayer.htm

The Old Testament and Comparative Religion
... Who plans evil"his horn thou dost destroy, Whoever in fixing boundaries annuls
rights. The unjust judge thou restrainest with force. {174}. ...
/.../eiselen/the christian view of the old testament/chapter v the old testament.htm

"And There is None that Calleth Upon Thy Name, that Stirreth up ...
... When Job's friends would aggravate his misery, they sum it up in this, "thou
restrainest prayer from God." It is more wrath to be kept from much praying, not ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xviii and there is.htm

God's Restraining Power.
... Thou who restrainest and measurest all things, and under whose government nothing
can happen but according to Thy command, wilt reveal in this year also Thy ...
/.../selected sermons of schleiermacher/xii gods restraining power.htm

Period iii. The Dissolution of the Imperial State Church and the ...
A Source Book for Ancient Church History. <. ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iii the dissolution of.htm

Restrainest (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Restrainest (2 Occurrences). Job 15:4 Yea, thou castest
off fear, and restrainest prayer before God. (KJV DBY WBS). ...
/r/restrainest.htm - 6k

Restrained (51 Occurrences)

/r/restrained.htm - 22k

Restraineth (6 Occurrences)

/r/restraineth.htm - 8k

Meditation (15 Occurrences)
... Job 15:4 Yea, thou makest piety of none effect, and restrainest meditation before
?God. (DBY YLT NAS RSV). Psalms 5:1 For the Chief Musician, with the flutes. ...
/m/meditation.htm - 12k

Makest (68 Occurrences)
... my youth. (KJV ASV DBY WBS RSV). Job 15:4 Yea, thou makest piety of none
effect, and restrainest meditation before ?God. (DBY). Job ...
/m/makest.htm - 25k

Castest (6 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Castest (6 Occurrences). Job 15:4 Yea, thou castest
off fear, and restrainest prayer before God. (KJV WBS). ...
/c/castest.htm - 7k

Piety (21 Occurrences)
... Isn't the integrity of your ways your hope? (WEB DBY NIV). Job 15:4 Yea, thou makest
piety of none effect, and restrainest meditation before ?God. (DBY NIV). ...
/p/piety.htm - 13k

Religion (23 Occurrences)
... rights. The unjust judge thou restrainest with force. Whoever accepts a
bribe, who does not judge justly-on him thou imposest sin. ...
/r/religion.htm - 101k

Babylonia (17 Occurrences)
... rights. The unjust judge thou restrainest with force. Whoever accepts a
bribe, who does not judge justly-on him thou imposest sin. ...
/b/babylonia.htm - 75k

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