The term "withholdeth" is an archaic form of the verb "withhold," which means to hold back, restrain, or keep something from someone. In the context of the Bible, it often refers to God's actions or human behavior in relation to divine principles, blessings, or judgment.

Biblical Usage:

1. Divine Restraint and Judgment:
In the Scriptures, God is sometimes described as withholding His judgment or blessings as a form of mercy or as a response to human repentance. For instance, in the context of divine judgment, God may withhold His wrath to give people an opportunity to repent. This is seen in the account of Nineveh, where God withheld destruction after the people repented (Jonah 3:10).

2. Human Responsibility:
The Bible also addresses the human responsibility to withhold certain actions or desires that are contrary to God's will. Proverbs 11:24 states, "One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor." This verse highlights the principle that withholding generosity can lead to spiritual and material poverty, while giving freely can result in greater blessings.

3. Withholding Good:
The Scriptures encourage believers not to withhold good from those to whom it is due. Proverbs 3:27 advises, "Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is within your power to act." This reflects the biblical ethic of justice and kindness, urging believers to act righteously and generously toward others.

4. God's Provision:
In the context of God's provision, the Bible assures believers that God does not withhold good things from those who walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11 declares, "For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD gives grace and glory; He withholds no good thing from those who walk with integrity." This verse emphasizes God's faithfulness and generosity toward His people.

5. Spiritual Gifts and Wisdom:
James 1:5 encourages believers to seek wisdom from God, who "gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." This passage reassures Christians that God does not withhold wisdom from those who earnestly seek it, highlighting His willingness to provide for the spiritual needs of His children.

Theological Implications:

The concept of withholding in the Bible underscores the balance between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. It reflects God's character as both just and merciful, as He withholds judgment to allow for repentance and withholds no good thing from those who live righteously. For believers, it serves as a reminder to act in accordance with God's will, to be generous, and to trust in His provision and timing.

2 Thessalonians ii. 9-Jun
... One may naturally enquire, what is that which withholdeth, and after that
would know, why Paul expresses it so obscurely. What then ...
/.../homily iv 2 thessalonians ii.htm

What the Apostle Paul Wrote to the Thessalonians About the ...
... [1405] Then as for the words, "And now ye know what withholdeth," ie, ye know what
hindrance or cause of delay there is, "that he might be revealed in his own ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 19 what the apostle paul.htm

Withholding Corn
... "He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall
be upon the head of him that selleth it.""Proverbs 11:26. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/withholding corn.htm

The Blessedness of Giving
... plenty.". "There is that scattereth and yet increaseth; and there is that
withholdeth more than is meet, but it lendeth to poverty.". ...
/.../various/the wonders of prayer/the blessedness of giving.htm

Comparisons Between Christ and the Antichrist
... the one we read, "But when the fulness of time was come, God sent forth His Son"
(Gal.4:4); of the other it is said, "And now we know what withholdeth that he ...
/.../pink/the antichrist/comparisons between christ and the.htm

"I Felt My Heart Strangely Warmed"
... of joy that usually attend the beginning of it, especially in those who have mourned
deeply, God sometimes giveth, sometimes withholdeth, them according to the ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/i felt my heart strangely.htm

Letter iii. --For 331. Easter-Day xvi Pharmuthi; iii Id. April ...
... As therefore he who withholdeth corn in seed-time is cursed [3986] ,' according
to the divine proverb, so he who neglects grace, and hides it without culture ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/letter iii for 331 easter-day xvi.htm

It is Thus that the Apostle Expresses Himself: "We Beseech You...
... Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now
ye know what withholdeth, that he might be revealed in his time. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen against celsus/chapter xlvi it is thus.htm

November 17 Evening
... There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more
than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty."The liberal soul shall be made fat ...
/.../anonymous/daily light on the daily path/november 17 evening.htm

Jesus, Accordingly, in Turning Away the Minds of his Disciples...
... that he sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God." [3324] And
again he says to the Thessalonians: "And now ye know what withholdeth that he ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xlix jesus accordingly in.htm

Withholdeth (7 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Withholdeth (7 Occurrences). 2 Thessalonians 2:6 And now
ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. (KJV WBS). ...
/w/withholdeth.htm - 8k

Uprightness (46 Occurrences)
... Psalms 84:11 For a sun and a shield 'is' Jehovah God, Grace and honour doth Jehovah
give. He withholdeth not good To those walking in uprightness. (YLT). ...
/u/uprightness.htm - 19k

Overwhelm (18 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Job 12:15 Behold, He withholdeth the waters, and they dry up; also
He sendeth them out, and they overturn the earth. (See RSV). ...
/o/overwhelm.htm - 11k

Withholdest (1 Occurrence)

/w/withholdest.htm - 6k

Withholding (3 Occurrences)

/w/withholding.htm - 7k

Increaseth (21 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Proverbs 11:24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is
that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. ...
/i/increaseth.htm - 12k

Tendeth (7 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS DBY WBS). Proverbs 11:24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth;
and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. ...
/t/tendeth.htm - 8k

Selleth (17 Occurrences)
... Proverbs 11:26 He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing
shall be upon the head of him that selleth it. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). ...
/s/selleth.htm - 11k

Scattereth (18 Occurrences)
... Proverbs 11:24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that
withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). ...
/s/scattereth.htm - 11k

Desiring (108 Occurrences)
... And the soul of the diligent is made fat. (YLT). Proverbs 21:26 All the day desiring
he hath desired, And the righteous giveth and withholdeth not. (YLT). ...
/d/desiring.htm - 36k

What is the doctrine of preterition? | GotQuestions.org

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