Topical Encyclopedia Definition and Context: The term "drag" in a biblical context can refer to a net used for fishing, as well as the act of pulling or drawing something with force. In the ancient world, fishing was a common occupation, and the use of drag nets was a familiar image. The concept of dragging can also metaphorically represent the drawing of people or events into a particular situation or judgment.Biblical References: 1. Fishing Nets: The imagery of drag nets is used in the Bible to describe the gathering of people for judgment or the kingdom of heaven. In Matthew 13:47-50 , Jesus uses the parable of the net to illustrate the kingdom of heaven: "Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was cast into the sea and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the men pulled it ashore. Then they sat down and sorted the good fish into containers, but threw the bad away. So will it be at the end of the age: The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." 2. Metaphorical Use: The act of dragging can also symbolize the forceful drawing of individuals into situations of judgment or consequence. In Habakkuk 1:14-15 , the prophet laments the prosperity of the wicked, using the imagery of fishing: "You have made men like the fish of the sea, like sea creatures with no ruler. The Chaldeans pull them all up with a hook; they catch them in their dragnet and gather them in their fishing net; so they rejoice and are glad." 3. Judgment and Consequence: The concept of dragging is often associated with divine judgment or the consequences of sin. In Ezekiel 32:3 , God speaks of judgment against Pharaoh, king of Egypt: "This is what the Lord GOD says: 'I will spread My net over you with a company of many peoples, and they will haul you up in My net.'" Theological Implications: The use of drag nets in biblical parables and prophecies often serves to illustrate the comprehensive and inevitable nature of divine judgment. Just as a drag net gathers all kinds of fish indiscriminately, God's judgment will encompass all people, separating the righteous from the wicked. This imagery underscores the importance of living a life in accordance with God's will, as the final judgment will reveal the true nature of each individual's life and choices. Cultural and Historical Background: In the ancient Near East, fishing was a vital part of daily life and economy. The use of nets, including drag nets, was a common practice for catching fish in large quantities. This cultural backdrop made the imagery of drag nets a powerful and relatable metaphor for Jesus' audience and the readers of the prophetic books. Moral and Ethical Lessons: The biblical use of "drag" as a metaphor for judgment serves as a reminder of the moral and ethical responsibilities of believers. It calls for self-examination and repentance, emphasizing the need to align one's life with the teachings of Scripture to be counted among the righteous in the final judgment. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) A confection; a comfit; a drug.2. (v. t.) To draw slowly or heavily onward; to pull along the ground by main force; to haul; to trail; -- applied to drawing heavy or resisting bodies or those inapt for drawing, with labor, along the ground or other surface; as, to drag stone or timber; to drag a net in fishing. 3. (v. t.) To break, as land, by drawing a drag or harrow over it; to harrow; to draw a drag along the bottom of, as a stream or other water; hence, to search, as by means of a drag. 4. (v. t.) To draw along, as something burdensome; hence, to pass in pain or with difficulty. 5. (v. i.) To be drawn along, as a rope or dress, on the ground; to trail; to be moved onward along the ground, or along the bottom of the sea, as an anchor that does not hold. 6. (v. i.) To move onward heavily, laboriously, or slowly; to advance with weary effort; to go on lingeringly. 7. (v. i.) To serve as a clog or hindrance; to hold back. 8. (v. i.) To fish with a dragnet. 9. (n.) The act of dragging; anything which is dragged. 10. (n.) A net, or an apparatus, to be drawn along the bottom under water, as in fishing, searching for drowned persons, etc. 11. (n.) A kind of sledge for conveying heavy bodies; also, a kind of low car or handcart; as, a stone drag. 12. (n.) A heavy coach with seats on top; also, a heavy carriage. 13. (n.) A heavy harrow, for breaking up ground. 14. (v. t.) Anything towed in the water to retard a ship's progress, or to keep her head up to the wind; esp., a canvas bag with a hooped mouth, so used. See Drag sail (below). 15. (v. t.) Also, a skid or shoe, for retarding the motion of a carriage wheel. 16. (v. t.) Hence, anything that retards; a clog; an obstacle to progress or enjoyment. 17. (v. t.) Motion affected with slowness and difficulty, as if clogged. 18. (n.) The bottom part of a flask or mold, the upper part being the cope. 19. (n.) A steel instrument for completing the dressing of soft stone. 20. (n.) The difference between the speed of a screw steamer under sail and that of the screw when the ship outruns the screw; or between the propulsive effects of the different floats of a paddle wheel. See Citation under Drag, v. i., 3. Greek 2694. katasuro -- to drag away ... to drag away. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: katasuro Phonetic Spelling: (kat-as-oo'-ro) Short Definition: I drag down Definition: I pull down, drag away ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2694.htm - 6k 4951. suro -- to draw, drag 1670. helko -- to drag 645. apospao -- to draw off, draw away 385. anaspao -- to draw up 293. amphiblestron -- to throw around 4884. sunarpazo -- to seize and carry away 1828. exelko -- to draw out or away 4506. rhuomai -- to draw to oneself, ie deliver 4049. perispao -- to draw away Strong's Hebrew 1641. garar -- to drag, drag away... 1640, 1641. garar. 1642 . to drag, drag away. Transliteration: garar Phonetic Spelling: (gaw-rar') Short Definition: away. Word Origin a prim. ... /hebrew/1641.htm - 6k 5498. sachab -- to drag 4900. mashak -- to draw, drag 4365. mikmereth -- a net, fishing net 5423. nathaq -- to pull, draw, or tear away, apart, or off Library The Parable of the Drag-Net. The Drag Net. In Proof of the Unity in Trinity the Passage of Isaiah which Has ... The Reasons of the Hatred against the Christians are Examined and ... Providential Guidance A Faithful Friend Habakkuk's Rhapsody of the Chaldeans A Faithful Friend Petilianus Said: "If You Wish that we Should be Your Friends... Concerning those who Call by the Name of Fate, not the Position of ... Thesaurus Drag (19 Occurrences)... haul; to trail; -- applied to drawing heavy or resisting bodies or those inapt for drawing, with labor, along the ground or other surface; as, to drag stone or ... /d/drag.htm - 14k Drag-net (1 Occurrence) Dragged (19 Occurrences) Hale (1 Occurrence) Drags (5 Occurrences) Appalled (31 Occurrences) Counselled (26 Occurrences) Devised (35 Occurrences) Planned (34 Occurrences) Devices (43 Occurrences) Resources What does it mean that God draws us to salvation? | GotQuestions.orgIs “the road to hell is paved with good intentions” a true statement? | GotQuestions.org What does it mean that hope deferred makes the heart sick (Proverbs 13:12)? | GotQuestions.org Drag: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Drag (19 Occurrences)Matthew 4:18 Mark 1:16 Luke 12:58 John 21:6 Acts 21:30 Hebrews 6:19 James 2:6 2 Samuel 17:13 Psalms 28:3 Proverbs 21:7 Ecclesiastes 12:5 Isaiah 5:18 Jeremiah 12:3 Jeremiah 15:3 Jeremiah 49:20 Jeremiah 50:45 Ezekiel 39:2 Habakkuk 1:15 Habakkuk 1:16 Subtopics Related Terms |