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KJV dictionary & concordance

hold

Meaning of “hold”

Sense 1: To grasp, seize, cling to, carry, wield, support, or keep fast, literally or figuratively. Sense 2: To keep, retain, possess, maintain, continue in, or adhere to. Sense 3: To restrain, confine, or keep back; to contain or have capacity. Sense 4: To regard, account, or judge. Sense 5: To conduct or celebrate an observance. Sense 6: To endure, prevail, or take effect. Sense 7: In hold one's peace or hold one's tongue, to remain silent. Sense 8: As a noun, a grasp or attachment; a place of confinement, refuge, security, or fortification.

Definition sources

KJV context and cross-referencesSkeat 1893Webster 1828
185 occurrences182 verses41 booksKJV PCE

Some verses contain the word more than once.

First occurrence: Genesis 19:16

Complete exact-word concordance

Every verse containing “hold”

KJV PCE

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Showing verses 1–3 of 3 · 3 word occurrences in this result

Genesis 19:16
And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the Lord being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.
1 word occurrence in this verse
The 1611 reading & marginal notes
1611 witness · Genesis 19:16 · retained source text

And while he lingred, the men laid hold vpon his hand, and vpon the hand of his wife, and vpon the hand of his two daughters, the LORD being mercifull vnto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the citie.

1611 marginal noteWisd. 10.6.

Genesis 21:18
Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation.
1 word occurrence in this verse
The 1611 reading
1611 witness · Genesis 21:18 · retained source text

Arise, lift vp the lad, and hold him in thine hand: for I will make him a great nation.

Genesis 25:26
And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau’s heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them.
1 word occurrence in this verse
The 1611 reading & marginal notes
1611 witness · Genesis 25:26 · retained source text

And after that came his brother out, and his hand tooke holde on Esaus heele; and his name was called Iacob: and Isaac was threescore yeres old, when shee bare them.

1611 marginal noteOse. 12.3.

Complete reference index — all 182 verses

Where “hold” appears

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Definition evidence

Historical English dictionary sources

Historical definitions

To stop; to confine; to restrain from escape; to keep fast; to retain. To embrace and confine, with bearing or lifting. To connect; to keep from separation. To maintain, as an opinion. To consider; to regard; to think; to judge. To contain, or to have capacity to receive and contain. To defend; to keep possession; to maintain. To have; to possess. To refrain; to stop; to restrain; to withhold. To keep; as, hold your peace. To maintain; to retain; to continue. To have in session. To celebrate; to solemnize. To sustain; to support. To carry; to wield. To maintain; to observe in practice.

volume 1, leaf 914 (transitive verb entry)

To be true; not to fail; to stand, as a fact or truth. To continue. To be fast; to be firm; not to give way. To hold on, to continue; not to be interrupted; to proceed in a course. To hold to, to cling or cleave to; to adhere. Hold, used imperatively, signifies stop; cease; forbear; be still.

volume 1, leaves 914-915 (intransitive verb entry)

A grasp with the hand; an embrace with the arms; any act or exertion which keeps a thing fast and prevents escape. Something which may be seized for support; that which supports. A prison; a place of confinement. A lurking place; a place of security. A fortified place; a fort; a castle; often called a strong hold.

volume 1, leaf 915 (noun entry)