Topical Bible: Withholden

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The term "withholden" is an archaic form of the word "withheld," which means to hold back, restrain, or keep something from someone. In the context of the Bible, "withholden" often refers to God's actions or human responses in which something is deliberately kept back or restrained for a specific purpose. This concept appears in various passages, illustrating both divine sovereignty and human responsibility.

Biblical Usage:

1. Divine Restraint:
In the Scriptures, God sometimes withholds blessings, understanding, or judgment as part of His divine plan. This withholding can serve as a test of faith, a call to repentance, or a demonstration of His mercy and patience.

· Jeremiah 5:25 : "Your iniquities have diverted these from you; your sins have deprived you of My bounty." Here, the prophet Jeremiah speaks of how the people's sins have caused God to withhold His blessings, emphasizing the moral and spiritual consequences of disobedience.

2. Human Action:
Humans are also depicted as withholding, whether it be resources, forgiveness, or truth. This can be seen as either a positive or negative action, depending on the context and motivation.

· Proverbs 3:27 : "Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is within your power to act." This proverb encourages believers to act justly and generously, highlighting the moral obligation to provide for others when one is able.

3. Withholding Understanding:
At times, God withholds understanding or revelation from individuals or groups, often as a response to their hardened hearts or lack of faith.

· Luke 19:42 : "and said, 'If only you had known on this day what would bring you peace! But now it is hidden from your eyes.'" Jesus laments over Jerusalem, indicating that their lack of recognition of Him as the Messiah has resulted in spiritual truths being withheld from them.

4. Withholding Judgment:
God's withholding of immediate judgment is a recurring theme, demonstrating His patience and desire for repentance.

· 2 Peter 3:9 : "The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." This passage underscores God's merciful withholding of judgment to allow time for repentance.

Theological Implications:

The concept of withholding in the Bible underscores the balance between God's justice and mercy. It reflects His sovereign control over creation and His desire for humanity to seek Him earnestly. When God withholds, it is often an invitation for introspection, repentance, and a deeper reliance on His provision and timing.

From a human perspective, the act of withholding can be a test of character and faithfulness. Believers are called to discern when to withhold and when to give, always aligning their actions with God's will and purposes as revealed in Scripture.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(p. p.) of Withhold.
Library
That God Giveth this Grace Freely Without any Means, and that it ...
... soul. For neither it is given for innocence, nor withholden for sin. Take
good heed, that I say withholden, and not withdrawn. Beware ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the four and 2.htm
Smitten in Vain
... of teeth in all your cities, and want of bread in all your places; yet have ye not
returned unto Me, saith the Lord.7. And also I have withholden the rain from ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/smitten in vain.htm
Christian Sympathy
... patriarch, Eliphaz the Temanite had the cruelty to lay this at his door, "Thou hast
not given water to the weary to drink, and thou hast withholden bread from ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/christian sympathy.htm
Prayer and Fervency
... turned toward his Lord: "Thou hast given him his heart's desire, and hast
not withholden the request of his lips.". At another time ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the necessity of prayer/v prayer and fervency.htm
Sermons of St. Bernard on the Passing of Malachy
... means we could; but his merits prevailed, that his heart's desire should be given
him and that the request of his lips should not be withholden.[1019] For so ...
/.../sermons of st bernard on.htm
Gospel Missions
... Perhaps we may turn our eyes on high, and think we find that reason in the sovereignty
of God, which hath withholden his Spirit, and hath not poured out his ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/gospel missions.htm
The Creator's Joy in his Creation
... It is changed as clay under the seal; And all things stand forth as a garment: And
from the wicked their light is withholden, And the high arm is broken. ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/ii the creators joy in.htm
Joel's Rhapsody of the Locust Plague
... Howl, ye ministers of the altar; Come, lie all night in sackcloth, Ye ministers
of my God: For the meal offering and the drink offering Is withholden from the ...
/.../select masterpieces of biblical literature/joels rhapsody of the locust.htm
A Song of Christian Consolation and Joy.
... blest, Shows how God succour giveth To all who seek His rest; And how a new and
golden Fair city rear'd hath He, Which here from sight withholden, My joyful ...
/.../gerhardt/paul gerhardts spiritual songs/a song of christian consolation.htm
On the Same Words, John i. "In the Beginning was the Word," Etc.
... 1. That our Lord Jesus Christ in seeking lost man was made Man, our preaching has
never withholden, and your faith has ever retained; and moreover, that this ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lxix on the same.htm
Thesaurus
Withholden (12 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (pp) of Withhold. Multi-Version Concordance Withholden
(12 Occurrences). Genesis 11:6 And Jehovah said, Behold ...
/w/withholden.htm - 10k
Confusion (71 Occurrences)
... devastating invasions. "And Yahweh came down to see." And He said, "Nothing
will be withholden from them, which they purpose to do. Come ...
/c/confusion.htm - 39k
Withhold (32 Occurrences)

/w/withhold.htm - 16k
Tongues (67 Occurrences)
... devastating invasions. "And Yahweh came down to see." And He said, "Nothing
will be withholden from them, which they purpose to do. Come ...
/t/tongues.htm - 61k
Uplifted (26 Occurrences)
... give them. (See NIV). Job 38:15 And from the wicked their light is withholden,
and the uplifted arm is broken. (DBY NAS RSV). Psalms ...
/u/uplifted.htm - 14k
Withholdest (1 Occurrence)

/w/withholdest.htm - 6k
Whore's (1 Occurrence)
... Jeremiah 3:3 Therefore the showers have been withholden, and there hath been no
latter rain; and thou hadst a whore's forehead, thou refusedst to be ashamed. ...
/w/whore's.htm - 6k
Fainting (9 Occurrences)
... Almighty. (DBY). Job 22:7 Thou hast not given water to the fainting to drink,
and thou hast withholden bread from the hungry. (DBY). ...
/f/fainting.htm - 9k
Redress (4 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 25:26 Now therefore, my lord, as Jehovah liveth, and as thy soul liveth,
seeing Jehovah hath withholden thee from bloodguiltiness, and from avenging ...
/r/redress.htm - 8k
Refusedst (1 Occurrence)
... Jeremiah 3:3 Therefore the showers have been withholden, and there hath been no
latter rain; and thou hadst a whore's forehead, thou refusedst to be ashamed. ...
/r/refusedst.htm - 6k
Resources
Withholden: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Concordance
Withholden (12 Occurrences)
Genesis 11:6
And Jehovah said, Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language; and this is what they begin to do: and now nothing will be withholden from them, which they purpose to do.
(See JPS ASV)
1 Samuel 25:26
Now therefore, my lord, as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, seeing the LORD hath withholden thee from coming to shed blood, and from avenging thyself with thine own hand, now let thine enemies, and they that seek evil to my lord, be as Nabal.
(KJV JPS ASV)
1 Samuel 25:34
For in very deed, as Jehovah, the God of Israel, liveth, who hath withholden me from hurting thee, except thou hadst hasted and come to meet me, surely there had not been left unto Nabal by the morning light so much as one man-child.
(See JPS ASV)
Job 22:7
Thou hast not given water to the weary to drink, and thou hast withholden bread from the hungry.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY)
Job 38:15
And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY)
Job 42:2
I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.
(KJV JPS)
Psalms 21:2
Thou hast given him his heart's desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips. Selah.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY)
Jeremiah 3:3
Therefore the showers have been withholden, and there hath been no latter rain; and thou hadst a whore's forehead, thou refusedst to be ashamed.
(KJV ASV DBY)
Jeremiah 5:25
Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY)
Ezekiel 18:16
Neither hath oppressed any, hath not withholden the pledge, neither hath spoiled by violence, but hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment,
(KJV DBY)
Joel 1:13
Gird yourselves, and lament, ye priests: howl, ye ministers of the altar: come, lie all night in sackcloth, ye ministers of my God: for the meat offering and the drink offering is withholden from the house of your God.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY)
Amos 4:7
And also I have withholden the rain from you, when there were yet three months to the harvest: and I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it not to rain upon another city: one piece was rained upon, and the piece whereupon it rained not withered.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY)
Subtopics
Withholden
Related Terms
Withholden (12 Occurrences)
Withholdeth (7 Occurrences)
Causest (25 Occurrences)