Bind

To bind is to forbid, or to restrain from acting -and to loose to permit. Job 28:11; Rev 20:2; Rev 9:14; Rev 20:7. See Lightfoot’s Hor. Hebr. on Matt 16, and the Scholiast upon Homer’s Iliad E ver. 385, 386, 387: where the binding of Mars with a strong chain is explained of putting an end to war.

To bind and loose are taken for condemning and absolving: “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven,” Mat 16:19. By binding and loosing, in the language of the Jews, is understood, likewise, permitting and forbidding; or declaring any thing in a judicial manner to be permitted or forbidden; and on the promotion of their doctors, they put the keys into their hands with these words, “Receive the power of binding and loosing.” So our Lord says, “I am not come to destroy,” to unloose or dissolve, “the law, but to fulfil,” that is, to confirm and establish it, Mat 5:17. See KEYS.

(represented by numerous Heb. words). To bind and to loose (δέω and λύω) are figurative expressions, used as synonymous with command and forbid; they are also taken for condemning and absolving (Mat 16:19). Binding and loosing, in the language of the Jews, expressed permitting or forbidding, or judicially declaring any thing to be permitted or forbidden (comp. Joh 20:23; Joh 16:13). In the admission of their doctors to interpret the Law and the Prophets, they put a key and a table- book into their hands, with these words; " Receive the power of binding and loosing," to which there seems to be an allusion in Luk 11:52. (See Lightfoot, Hor. Heb. in loc.) So Christ says, " I am not come to destroy," to unloose or dissolve, " the law, but to fulfil it," that is, to confirm and establish it (Mat 5:17). The expression "to bind the law upon one’s hand for a sign," etc., is figurative, and implies an acquaintance with it, and a constant regard to its precepts; but the Jews construed the phrase literally, and bound parts of the law about their wrists; hence the custom of wearing phylacteries. Rolls or volumes of writing were tied up; hence the expression in Isa 8:16. SEE PHYLACTERY.

Gen 49:11 (b) Joseph, in this place, was teaching Israel to cement their relationship to GOD firmly, and to seek their sustenance, their blessings and their joys from GOD only.

Job 5:18 (b) This indicates the loving care of the Lord in graciously healing His people who have been hurt and wounded in the tragedies of life. (See also Isa 61:1).

Job 26:8 (c) Here we see GOD’s power to carry out His own will in regard to the great, restless sea, or any other great matters.

Job 31:36 (b) Job would value a book about his life because he thought it would vindicate his integrity and uprightness. It would bring glory to him as a model man. He would cherish it as a jewel which would adorn him.

Psa 118:27 (b) This is a picture used to describe the firm decision of the believer in being completely consecrated to GOD, and firmly fixed in his decision to walk only with GOD.

Psa 147:3 (b) Here is revealed the wonderfully sweet influence of our Lord and His Word as He comes to help and comfort that one who has been overcome by grief and disappointment.

Isa 49:18 (b) GOD is promising Israel that all the riches of their enemies shall be theirs. The enemies shall become their slaves. All the glory of the enemy will be bestowed upon them. They will take that which the enemy has and use it to adorn and glorify themselves.

Mat 12:29 (a) Here we find that CHRIST will defeat Satan, will conquer him, will make him helpless, and thus deliver from his grasp those whom He calls to be His children. (See also Mar 3:27).

Mat 13:30 (b) It seems that in eternity GOD will cause sinners of every kind to suffer together in groups. It may be that the gamblers will be punished together, the liquor dealers in their group, the various kinds of robbers, thieves, etc., who love to spend their time and energy together. They plan their sins together on the earth, ignoring GOD, and denying His claims, so GOD makes them suffer together in eternity. It probably refers also to those in false religions who will be punished together.

Mat 16:19 (b) The teaching here is that the servant of GOD filled with the Spirit of GOD, and knowing the mind of GOD, will be led by the Spirit to the right person who is ready for the message. The Spirit will direct the soul winner to a husband who is to be won for the Saviour, but will ignore the wife who may be near. The Spirit will lead the Christian to talk to one clerk in the store, and leave the other clerks untouched by the Gospel. The Christian worker will lead one brother to CHRIST, and leave the other brother in his sins. The Spirit will lead a soul winner to the person with whom the Holy Spirit is dealing, and will keep him from talking to that one in whose heart the Lord is not working. It may mean also that the servant of GOD will be in such close communion with Heaven that he will know GOD’s thoughts, and will therefore do the things that have been decided upon in Heaven, and will carry out the plan that has been devised in Heaven.

Mat 22:13 (b) This man was depending upon his own ideas about the wedding garment and thought that he could provide his own suit of clothes. It is a picture of that person who thinks that he can clothe himself in his own robe of righteousness by his good works, and his religious activities. With his hands he did good deeds; with his feet he ran on good errands. The works of his hands and of his feet are represented by the suit which he wore at the wedding. For this reason the Lord instructed the angels to tie those hands and feet to show that GOD would not have any of his deeds, nor his work, nor his walk as a passport to the king’s palace and the wedding feast. We must wear the imputed righteousness of GOD in order to enter Heaven. We cannot wear our own. (See Rom 4:5-6).

Mat 23:4 (b) Churches make rules for their members which are irksome, burdensome, and really have no value in GOD’s sight. This Scripture refers to man-made commandments such as abound in false religions, particularly in Romanism. None of these have any value in GOD’s sight. None of these are found in the Bible. These are not issued from GOD’s Throne. These have no value in obtaining forgiveness, nor acceptance with GOD. They do not bring about favor from GOD. (See Mat 15:9).