Close
TextsWhat is the meaning of Close in the Bible?
The Hebrew lexical field for 'close' includes terms denoting the physical act of shutting or sealing, as well as the metaphorical states of hiding, restraining, or separating. These words function in biblical texts to describe tangible barriers like doors and walls, alongside spiritual or relational conditions of concealment and exclusion.
TEXTUAL SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the dual physical and metaphorical usage of these terms allows readers to distinguish between literal descriptions of access and symbolic representations of divine concealment or human separation. This distinction is crucial for accurately interpreting narrative tensions regarding who is permitted entry into sacred spaces and how divine revelation is either granted or withheld in poetic and prophetic literature.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Close in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Close clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.