In the biblical context, the concept of restriction often relates to the limitations or boundaries set by God for humanity's benefit, protection, and spiritual growth. These restrictions can be seen in various forms, including commandments, laws, and divine instructions, which are intended to guide believers in living a life that is pleasing to God.

Old Testament Examples

1. The Garden of Eden: One of the earliest examples of divine restriction is found in the account of the Garden of Eden. God placed Adam and Eve in the garden and commanded them, "You are free to eat from any tree of the garden, but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for in the day that you eat of it, you will surely die" (Genesis 2:16-17). This restriction was intended to test their obedience and trust in God's wisdom.

2. The Ten Commandments: The Ten Commandments, given to Moses on Mount Sinai, serve as a foundational set of restrictions that define moral and ethical behavior. These commandments include prohibitions against idolatry, murder, theft, and adultery (Exodus 20:1-17). They are designed to maintain order and justice within the community and to foster a relationship with God.

3. Dietary Laws: The Mosaic Law includes various dietary restrictions, such as the prohibition against eating certain unclean animals (Leviticus 11). These laws were given to the Israelites to set them apart as a holy people and to promote health and hygiene.

New Testament Examples

1. The Law of Christ: In the New Testament, Jesus Christ emphasizes the spirit of the law rather than its letter. He teaches that love for God and neighbor fulfills the law (Matthew 22:37-40). While the ceremonial and dietary restrictions of the Old Testament are no longer binding, the moral imperatives remain, as seen in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7).

2. Apostolic Instructions: The apostles provided guidance to the early church on matters of conduct and community life. For example, Paul instructs believers to abstain from sexual immorality, idolatry, and other sinful behaviors (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). These restrictions are meant to reflect the holiness of God and the transformative power of the Gospel.

3. Freedom in Christ: While the New Testament acknowledges the freedom believers have in Christ, it also warns against using this freedom as a license to sin. Paul writes, "For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love" (Galatians 5:13). This highlights the balance between liberty and responsibility.

Theological Significance

Restrictions in the Bible are not arbitrary but are rooted in God's character and purposes. They serve as a means of sanctification, helping believers to grow in holiness and to reflect God's image. By adhering to divine restrictions, believers demonstrate their trust in God's wisdom and their commitment to His covenant. The restrictions also underscore the need for grace, as humanity's inability to perfectly keep God's laws points to the necessity of salvation through Jesus Christ.1. (n.) The act of restricting, or state of being restricted; confinement within limits or bounds.

2. (n.) That which restricts; limitation; restraint; as, restrictions on trade.

Chapter ix
... 4. One restriction is attached to this broad permission. This restriction,
however, has to do only with the manner of eating animal ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter ix.htm

From Fasts Absolute Tertullian Comes to Partial Ones and ...
... This principal species in the category of dietary restriction may already afford
a prejudgment concerning the inferior operations of abstinence also, as being ...
/.../chapter ix from fasts absolute tertullian.htm

The Syro-Phoenician Woman. (Matt. , xv. , 21; Mark, vii. , 24. ) ...
... We have before said that the restriction of Christ's mission to the lost sheep of
the house of Israel was not inconsistent with his purpose of establishing a ...
/.../section 184 the syro-phoenician woman.htm

Whether the Resurrection Will be for all Without Exception?
... Objection 2: Further, it is written (Dan.12:2): "Many of those that sleep in the
dust of the earth shall awake." But these words imply a restriction. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the resurrection will be.htm

Whether a Priest Can Use the Key which He Has, on any Man?
... 23). But this was said without any restriction. Therefore he that has
the key, can use it on any without restriction. Objection ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether a priest can use.htm

Acts I
... During the last night he spent on earth, Jesus at length informed them that this
restriction would soon be removed, and they should receive the qualifications ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts i.htm

Trial Mission of the Apostles in Galilee. (Luke, ix. ; Matt. , X. ...
... All the difficulties that have been found in this restriction flow from considering
it apart from the proper period of Christ's life to which it belongs. ...
/.../section 174 trial mission of.htm

Children and Little Dogs
... carried thence. Universalism was the goal of the necessary restriction.
Pharisaism sought to make the restriction permanent. Jesus ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/children and little dogs.htm

Twenty-Sixth Proposition of Arminius
... The decree, then, of grace and of glory is to be understood absolutely, because
it was ordained absolutely and generally, without restriction, exception or ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 3/twenty-sixth proposition of arminius.htm

Eleventh Proposition of Arminius
... which is stated in general terms, should be applied in general terms, for this,
both nature and reason demand, unless there is a positive restriction in the ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 3/eleventh proposition of arminius.htm

Restriction (1 Occurrence)
...Restriction (1 Occurrence). Job 36:16 Yes, he would have allured you out of
distress, into a broad place, where there is no restriction. ...
/r/restriction.htm - 7k

Rests (25 Occurrences)

/r/rests.htm - 13k

Nicolaitans (2 Occurrences)
... Such a restriction, though seemingly hard, in that it prevented the Christian
communities from joining in public festivals, and so brought upon them suspicion ...
/n/nicolaitans.htm - 10k

Laden (14 Occurrences)
... See RSV). Job 36:16 Yes, he would have allured you out of distress, into
a broad place, where there is no restriction. That which ...
/l/laden.htm - 10k

Limit (115 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) That which terminates a period of time; hence, the period itself; the full
time or extent. 4. (n.) A restriction; a check; a curb; a hindrance. ...
/l/limit.htm - 36k

Inclusion (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of including, or the state of being included;
limitation; restriction; as, the lines of inclusion of his policy. ...
/i/inclusion.htm - 6k

Fatness (17 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). Job 36:16 Yes, he would have allured you out of
distress, into a broad place, where there is no restriction. ...
/f/fatness.htm - 13k

Fat (150 Occurrences)
... The law was probably a sanitary restriction, for, at an early date, leprosy, scrofula
and disfiguring cutaneous diseases were thought to be caused by the use ...
/f/fat.htm - 44k

Restraint (34 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The state of being restrained. 3. (n.) That which restrains, as a law, a
prohibition, or the like; limitation; restriction. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/r/restraint.htm - 16k

Regulate (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To adjust by rule, method, or established mode;
to direct by rule or restriction; to subject to governing principles or laws. ...
/r/regulate.htm - 7k

What is positivism? What is a Christian view of positivism? | GotQuestions.org

Why did the Old Testament Law command against the eating of pork? | GotQuestions.org

Who were the 70 (or 72) disciples in Luke 10? | GotQuestions.org

Restriction: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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