Restrain

Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

1: Καταπαύω (Strong'S #2664 — Verb — katapauo — kat-ap-ow'-o )

See Rest , B, No. 2.

2: Κατέχω (Strong'S #2722 — Verb — katecho — kat-ekh'-o )

"to hold fast or down," is translated "restraineth" in  2—Thessalonians 2:6,7 . In ver. 6 lawlessness is spoken of as being "restrained" in its development: in ver. 7 "one that restraineth" is, lit., "the restrainer" (the article with the present participle, "the restraining one"); this may refer to an individual, as in the similar construction in  1—Thessalonians 3:5 , "the tempter" (cp.  2—Thessalonians 1:10 , lit., "the Deliverer"); or to a number of persons presenting the same characteristics, just as "the believer" stands for all believers, e.g.,  Romans 9:33;  1—John 5:10 . Ver. 6 speaks of a principle, ver. 7 of the principle as embodied in a person or series of persons; cp. what is said of "the power" in  Romans 13:3,4 , a phrase representing all such rulers. Probably such powers, i.e., "constituted governments," are the "restraining" influence here intimated (specifications being designedly withheld). For an extended exposition see Notes on Thessalonians, by Hogg and Vine, pp. 254-261.

King James Dictionary

Restra'In, L restringo re and stringo, to strain. The letter g appears from the participle to be casual stringo, for strigo. Hence strictus, strict, stricture. If the two letters st are removed, the word rigo coincides exactly, in primary sense, with L. rego, rectus, right, and the root of reach, stretch, straight.

1. To hold back to check to hold from action, proceeding or advancing, either by physical or moral force, or by an interposing obstacle. Thus we restrain a horse by a bridle we restrain cattle from wandering by fences we restrain water by dams and dikes we restrain men from crimes and trespasses by laws we restrain young people, when we can, by arguments or counsel we restrain men and their passions we restrain the elements we attempt to restrain vice, but not always with success. 2. To repress to keep in awe as, to restrain offenders. 3. To suppress to hinder or repress as, to restrain excess. 4. To abridge to hinder from unlimited enjoyment as, to restrain one of his pleasure or of his liberty. 5. To limit to confine.

Not only a metaphysical or natural, but a moral universality is also to be restrained by a part of the predicate.

6. To withhold to forbear.

Thou restrainest prayer before God.  Job 15 .

Webster's Dictionary

(1): ( v. t.) To draw back toghtly, as a rein.

(2): ( v. t.) To hinder from unlimited enjoiment; to abridge.

(3): ( v. t.) To limit; to confine; to restrict.

(4): ( v. t.) To draw back again; to hold back from acting, proceeding, or advancing, either by physical or moral force, or by any interposing obstacle; to repress or suppress; to keep down; to curb.

(5): ( v. t.) To withhold; to forbear.