The term "unfastened" in the context of the Bible often refers to the act of loosening or releasing something that was previously secured or bound. This concept can be both literal and metaphorical, appearing in various narratives and teachings throughout the Scriptures.

Literal Instances:

1. Acts 27:40 · In the account of Paul's journey to Rome, the ship carrying Paul and other prisoners encounters a violent storm. The crew takes measures to secure the ship, but eventually, they "cut away the anchors and left them in the sea, unfastening the ropes that held the rudders" . This act of unfastening was a desperate attempt to steer the ship toward safety, illustrating the physical act of releasing what was once secured.

2. Acts 16:26 · During Paul's imprisonment with Silas in Philippi, a miraculous earthquake occurs: "Suddenly a strong earthquake shook the foundations of the prison. At once all the doors flew open and everyone's chains came loose" . Here, the unfastening of chains symbolizes divine intervention and liberation, emphasizing God's power to free His servants from physical and spiritual bondage.

Metaphorical and Spiritual Implications:

1. Spiritual Liberation · The concept of unfastening is often used metaphorically to describe spiritual liberation. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is portrayed as the one who unfastens the bonds of sin and death. Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, believers are set free from the chains of sin, as expressed in Romans 6:18: "You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness" .

2. Breaking of Strongholds · The unfastening of spiritual strongholds is a theme in the teachings of the Apostle Paul. In 2 Corinthians 10:4, Paul writes, "The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds" . This passage suggests that through faith and divine power, believers can unfasten the spiritual chains that bind them, overcoming sin and temptation.

3. Freedom in Christ · The unfastening of the old covenant's legalistic constraints is a key theme in the New Testament. In Galatians 5:1, Paul exhorts believers: "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery" . This highlights the freedom believers have in Christ, unfastened from the law's demands and living in the grace of God.

Symbolic Acts:

1. Unfastening of Sandals · In the cultural context of the Bible, the act of unfastening sandals can symbolize humility and reverence. In John 1:27, John the Baptist speaks of Jesus, saying, "He is the One who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie" . This act of unfastening sandals signifies John's recognition of Jesus' divine authority and his own humility before the Messiah.

The theme of unfastening in the Bible serves as a powerful symbol of liberation, both physically and spiritually. It underscores the transformative power of God's intervention in the lives of His people, freeing them from bondage and leading them into a life of freedom and righteousness.447. aniemi -- to send up, produce, send back
... Word Origin from ana and hiemi (to send) Definition to send up, produce, send back
NASB Word Usage desert (1), give (1), loosening (1), unfastened (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/447.htm - 7k

1872 the Need of a Home Further West --Burning of the Marchmont ...
... "Mrs. Wade, Miss Baylis, Miss Moore, all came out. Downstairs I ran again and
unfastened the front door, and went to the corner of the verandah. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lowe/gods answers/chapter iv 1872 the need.htm

Jesus Hanging on the Cross Between Two Thieves.
... The archers then placed ladders against the sides of the cross, mounted them and
unfastened the ropes with which they had bound our Lord to the cross, previous ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter xli jesus hanging on.htm

The Resurrection of Christ did not Convert the Jews but through ...
... sprung from one Jesus, a Galil??an deceiver, whom we crucified, but his disciples
stole him by night from the tomb, where he was laid when unfastened from the ...
/.../chapter cviii the resurrection of christ.htm

Rational Belief.
... They thought they had two ropes fastened to the car, but one of them only was fastened,
and they unfastened that one rope, and the balloon started to go up. ...
/.../moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/rational belief.htm

Letter ciii. (AD 409. )
... against those who had broken the laws and conspired against the life of the republic,
and, adopting the fashion of the Grecian mantle, unfastened and threw ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter ciii a d 409.htm

The Second Fall of Jesus.
... Its arm being unfastened from the centre, and entangled in the ropes with which
he was bound, he supported them on his arm, and by this means the weight of the ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter xxxii the second fall.htm

The Holidays at Thagaste
... It meant utter depravity of the will; he did not even feel remorse any more. Here
he is, then, as if unfastened from his child's soul"separated from himself. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/vi the holidays at thagaste.htm

A Detached Account of the Descent into Hell.
... while the doors were tightly closed; but, O, who can describe the dreadful yells
and shrieks which burst upon the ear when the bolts were unfastened and the ...
/.../chapter lix a detached account.htm

Auxentius on the Giving up of the Basilicas.
... 10. You are troubled because you have found the double doors open, which a
blind man in seeking his chamber is said to have unfastened. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/sermon against auxentius on the.htm

Appearance at Sea of Galilee.
... been that their fishing vessel was now as near the land as they could get it, and
that he was unwilling to wait till they should get the small boat unfastened. ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol ii/xxiv appearance at sea of.htm

Unfastened (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Unfastened (1 Occurrence). Acts 16:26 Suddenly
there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of ...
/u/unfastened.htm - 6k

Unloose (4 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To make loose; to loosen; to set free. 2. (vi) To become unfastened; to
lose all connection or union. Multi-Version Concordance Unloose (4 Occurrences). ...
/u/unloose.htm - 7k

Unfathomable (3 Occurrences)

/u/unfathomable.htm - 7k

Unfasten (4 Occurrences)

/u/unfasten.htm - 7k

Bolt (5 Occurrences)
... These were sometimes pushed back from within; but there were others which, by means
of a key, could be unfastened and pushed back from without (Judges 3:23). ...
/b/bolt.htm - 11k

Burial (25 Occurrences)
... wrapped him round, and they carried him out and buried him." "What they did," as
Dr. Nicol says, "was likely this: they unfastened his girdle, and then taking ...
/b/burial.htm - 42k

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