Definition and Context: Chaining, in the biblical context, refers to the use of chains as instruments of restraint, punishment, or symbolic representation of bondage. Chains are mentioned in various passages throughout the Bible, serving both literal and metaphorical purposes. They are often associated with imprisonment, captivity, and the binding of spiritual forces.

Old Testament References: In the Old Testament, chains are frequently mentioned in relation to captivity and subjugation. For instance, in 2 Kings 25:7, the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar orders the blinding of Zedekiah, the king of Judah, and binds him with bronze chains to take him to Babylon. This act symbolizes the complete defeat and humiliation of Judah. Similarly, in Judges 16:21, Samson is captured by the Philistines, who "gouged out his eyes and brought him down to Gaza, binding him with bronze shackles."

Chains also appear in prophetic literature as symbols of divine judgment and the consequences of sin. In Isaiah 45:14, the prophet speaks of the future submission of Egypt and Cush, who will come "in chains" to acknowledge the sovereignty of the God of Israel.

New Testament References: In the New Testament, chains are often associated with the imprisonment of the apostles and early Christians. The Apostle Paul frequently refers to his own chains as a testament to his suffering for the sake of the Gospel. In Ephesians 6:20, Paul writes, "for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it fearlessly, as I should." Here, chains symbolize both physical imprisonment and the spiritual battle against the forces of darkness.

The Book of Acts provides several accounts of miraculous deliverance from chains. In Acts 12:6-7, Peter is imprisoned and bound with two chains, but an angel of the Lord appears, and "the chains fell off his wrists," leading to his escape. This event underscores the power of God to liberate His servants from physical and spiritual bondage.

Symbolic and Metaphorical Use: Beyond their literal use, chains in the Bible often carry a metaphorical meaning, representing spiritual bondage or the power of sin. In Revelation 20:1-2, an angel descends from heaven with a great chain to bind Satan for a thousand years, symbolizing the ultimate defeat and restraint of evil.

Chains also serve as a metaphor for the binding power of love and commitment. In Song of Solomon 4:9, the beloved is described as having "captured my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace," suggesting the binding nature of love.

Theological Implications: The use of chains in the Bible highlights themes of captivity and liberation, both physically and spiritually. They serve as a reminder of the consequences of sin and the power of God to deliver and redeem. The imagery of chains underscores the reality of spiritual warfare and the ultimate victory of Christ over the forces of evil.

Practical Application: For believers, the biblical references to chains encourage a reliance on God's power to break the chains of sin and spiritual oppression. They serve as a call to remain steadfast in faith, even in the face of persecution or hardship, trusting in God's ability to deliver and sustain His people.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Chain.

The Mourner's Comfort.
... on the reply! If death succeeds in chaining down the illustrious Victim,
our hopes of everlasting life are gone for ever. In vain ...
/.../macduff/memories of bethany/viii the mourners comfort.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... 'Setting their feet upon the necks of kings, And through the worlds subduing, chaining
down The free, immortal spirit"theirs a wondrous spell.' [1]. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm

To the Master vincomalus.
... Who ever commanded a criminal to be tried in his absence after chaining
him up at a distance of more than five and thirty stages? ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/cxl to the master vincomalus.htm

Sinners Bound with the Cords of Sin
... pinions a man, disables him from delivering himself from its power, enchains his
soul, and inflicts a bondage on the spirit far worse than chaining of the body ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 16 1870/sinners bound with the cords.htm

Sinners Bound with the Cords of Sin
... pinions a man, disables him from delivering himself from its power, enchains his
soul, and inflicts a bondage on the spirit far worse than chaining of the body ...
/.../spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/sinners bound with the cords.htm

Andromeda
... There they set Andromeden, most beautiful, shaped like a goddess, Lifting her long
white arms wide-spread to the walls of the basalt, Chaining them, ruthless ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/andromeda and other poems/andromeda.htm

The Consuming Fire.
... Only, whatever it might reveal, if its nature were such as to preclude development
and growth, thus chaining the man to its incompleteness, it would be but a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/unspoken sermons/the consuming fire.htm

Preface
... His hearers have often wondered at his sustained intensity; as Dr. Joseph Parker
once wrote of him: "many would have announced the chaining of Satan for a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/whyte/lord teach us to pray/preface.htm

1 Thessalonians v. 1, 2
... But we, chaining ourselves down with numberless cares, and carrying with us the
numberless burdens of this life, staring about, and loosely rambling, how do we ...
/.../homily ix 1 thessalonians v.htm

Concerning Lowliness of Mind.
... not. [446] 'Esphigm?nas. Comp. the chaining of Prometheus "'Ar?sse m'llon
sphinge." Lat. stringo, constrictus. [447] Sophrosunes. ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/concerning lowliness of mind.htm

Chaining (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Chain. Multi-Version Concordance
Chaining (3 Occurrences). Judges 16:21 So the Philistines ...
/c/chaining.htm - 7k

Punishments (31 Occurrences)
... 1) Blinding or Putting Out of Eyes Blinding or putting out of eyes in the case of
captives (Judges 16:21 1 Samuel 11:2 2 Kings 25:7). (2) ChainingChaining by ...
/p/punishments.htm - 36k

Chained (9 Occurrences)

/c/chained.htm - 9k

Bands (130 Occurrences)
... Judges 16:21 So the Philistines took him and put out his eyes; then they took him
down to Gaza, and, chaining him with bands of brass, put him to work crushing ...
/b/bands.htm - 37k

Zedekiah's (6 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 52:11 And he put out Zedekiah's eyes; and the king of Babylon, chaining
him in iron bands, took him to Babylon, and put him in prison till the day of ...
/z/zedekiah's.htm - 8k

Death (1610 Occurrences)
... There may be a distant reference here to the dreadful punishment of the ancients
of chaining the living body to a corpse, that the constant corruption of death ...
/d/death.htm - 68k

Chain-ornaments (1 Occurrence)
Chain-ornaments. Chaining, Chain-ornaments. Chains . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(BBE). Chaining, Chain-ornaments. Chains . Reference Bible.
/c/chain-ornaments.htm - 6k

Crushing (93 Occurrences)
... Judges 16:21 So the Philistines took him and put out his eyes; then they took him
down to Gaza, and, chaining him with bands of brass, put him to work crushing ...
/c/crushing.htm - 35k

Iron (104 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 25:7 And they put the sons of Zedekiah to death before his eyes, and then
they put out his eyes, and chaining him with iron bands, took him to Babylon. ...
/i/iron.htm - 50k

Body (562 Occurrences)
... There may be a distant reference here to the dreadful punishment of the ancients
of chaining the living body to a corpse, that the constant corruption of death ...
/b/body.htm - 59k

Chaining: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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