The term "stoppeth" is an archaic English word found in the King James Version of the Bible, often used to describe the act of stopping or closing something, such as ears or mouths. In the context of Scripture, it is frequently associated with the refusal to listen or the deliberate act of ignoring wisdom and truth.

Biblical References:

1. Proverbs 21:13 : "Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer." In this verse, the concept of stopping one's ears is metaphorically used to describe a person who ignores the needs and pleas of the impoverished. The consequence of such an action is divine retribution, emphasizing the importance of compassion and responsiveness to the needs of others.

2. Isaiah 33:15 : "He who walks righteously and speaks with sincerity, who refuses gain from extortion, whose hand never takes a bribe, who stops his ears against murderous plots and shuts his eyes against contemplating evil." Here, stopping one's ears is portrayed positively, as an act of righteousness. It signifies a deliberate choice to reject evil and avoid participating in or even listening to wicked schemes.

3. Psalm 58:4 : "Their venom is like the poison of a serpent, like a cobra that shuts its ears." This passage uses the imagery of a cobra stopping its ears to describe the wickedness and deceitfulness of certain individuals. The metaphor suggests an obstinate refusal to heed wisdom or correction, akin to a serpent that cannot be charmed.

Theological Implications:

The act of stopping one's ears in the Bible often carries a moral and spiritual dimension. It can signify a hardened heart, unwilling to receive divine instruction or correction. In the wisdom literature, such as Proverbs, it is a warning against ignoring the cries of those in need, which is seen as a failure to live according to God's commandments of love and justice.

Conversely, stopping one's ears to evil, as seen in Isaiah 33:15, is commended as a mark of integrity and righteousness. It reflects a conscious decision to avoid sin and maintain purity in thought and action. This duality in the use of "stoppeth" underscores the importance of discernment in what one chooses to hear and respond to.

Practical Application:

For believers, the concept of "stoppeth" serves as a reminder to be attentive to the voice of God and the needs of others while being vigilant against the influences of sin and corruption. It calls for a heart that is open to divine guidance and a life that actively rejects evil. In a world filled with distractions and moral challenges, the biblical teaching on stopping one's ears provides a framework for living a life that honors God and serves others faithfully.

How to Dwell in the Fire of God
... walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions,
that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/how to dwell in the.htm

The Blessedness of Giving
... pay him again.". "Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also
shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.". "He that hath ...
/.../various/the wonders of prayer/the blessedness of giving.htm

Christian Names.
... courses. "For mind is apt and quick to wed ideas and names together, Nor
stoppeth its perceptions to be curious of priorities.". ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter xii christian names.htm

Of Faith.
... Faith stoppeth the mouths of lions [769] , as in Daniel's case: for the Scripture
saith concerning him, that Daniel was brought up out of the den, and no ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture v of faith.htm

John vi. 26, 27
... But He stoppeth not at rebukes, but addeth instruction also, saying, "Labor not
for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xliv john vi 26.htm

John vii. 1, 2
... their maladies, might have anything to say. By this then he stoppeth all
[1350] their mouths. "After these things was the Jews' feast ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xlviii john vii 1.htm

Letter cxxxix. To Apronius.
... impious mouths. They are "like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear."
[3895] Salute your reverend brothers on my behalf. As for ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxxxix to apronius.htm

Cii. To Bishop Basilius.
... righteous judgment" [1824] and "Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil" [1825]
and "He that shutteth his eyes from seeing evil and stoppeth his ears from ...
/.../theodoret/the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/cii to bishop basilius.htm

Whether it is Unlawful to Wear Divine Words at the Neck?
... certain other animals: wherefore it is written (Ps.57:5): "Their madness is according
to the likeness of a serpent, like the deaf asp that stoppeth her ears ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is unlawful to 3.htm

Testimonies. 1. Of the Benefit of Good Works and Mercy.
... For thou knowest not what may happen on the coming day." [4155] Also in the same
place: "He who stoppeth his ears that he may not hear the weak, shall himself ...
/.../three books of testimonies against the jews/testimonies 1 of the benefit.htm

Stoppeth (6 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Stoppeth (6 Occurrences). Job 5:16 So the poor hath
hope, and iniquity stoppeth her mouth. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). ...
/s/stoppeth.htm - 7k

Stopping (22 Occurrences)

/s/stopping.htm - 13k

Stopped (134 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Psalms 58:4 Their venom is like the venom of a serpent; they are
like the deaf asp that stoppeth her ear; (See NIV). Psalms ...
/s/stopped.htm - 35k

Venom (8 Occurrences)
... (WEB). Psalms 58:4 Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: They are like
the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear, (See JPS NAS RSV NIV). ...
/v/venom.htm - 8k

Deaf (22 Occurrences)
... such to hear (Isaiah 42:18; Isaiah 43:8) and thereby to receive the Divine mercy
(Isaiah 29:18; Isaiah 35:5). The expression "deaf adder that stoppeth her car ...
/d/deaf.htm - 15k

Despiseth (23 Occurrences)
... walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions,
that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears ...
/d/despiseth.htm - 13k

Bribes (14 Occurrences)
... walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions,
that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears ...
/b/bribes.htm - 10k

Asp (3 Occurrences)
... Asp (3 Occurrences). Psalms 58:4 Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: They
are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear, (See JPS YLT). ...
/a/asp.htm - 9k

Adder (9 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Psalms 58:4 Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: they are like
the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear; (KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS RSV). ...
/a/adder.htm - 11k

Shaketh (20 Occurrences)
... walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions,
that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears ...
/s/shaketh.htm - 12k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus