The meaning of Holding in the Bible
(From International Standard Bible Encyclopedia)
hol'-ding: Occurs with various shades of meaning: (1) as the translation of tamakh, "to acquire," it has the sense of taking, obtaining (Isaiah 33:15, the Revised Version (British and American) "that shaketh his hands from taking a bribe," the English Revised Version, as the King James Version, "holding"); (2) of kul, "to hold," "contain," having the sense of containing or restraining (Jeremiah 6:11, "I am weary with holding in"); (3) of krateo, "to receive," "observe," "maintain" (Mark 7:3, "holding the tradition of the elders"; I Timothy 1:19, echo, "holding faith and a good conscience"; I Timothy 3:9, "holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience"); (4) holding fast, cleaving to, krateo (Colossians 2:19, "not holding the head," the Revised Version (British and American) "holding fast"; compare Acts 3:11; Revelation 7:1, "holding the four winds of the earth, that no wind should blow"); antechomai, "to hold over against one's self," "to hold fast" (Tit. 19, the Revised Version (British and American) "holding to the faithful word"); (5) holding forth, epecho, "to hold upon, to hold out toward" (Philippians 2:16, "holding forth the word of life," so the Revised Version (British and American)); Lightfoot has "holding out" (as offering); others, however, render "holding fast," persevering in the Christian faith and life—connecting with being "blameless and harmless" in Philippians 2:15.
W. L. Walker
DISCLAIMER: Church of the Great God (CGG) provides these resources to aid the individual in studying the Bible. However, it is up to the individual to "prove all things, and hold fast to that which is good" (I Thessalonians 5:21). The content of these resources does not necessarily reflect the views of CGG. They are provided for information purposes only.
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