Band (3)
Band (figuratively used). Government and laws are bands that restrain from sin and draw into the path of righteousness (Ps 2:3; Jer 5:5). Slavery, distress, fears, and perplexity are called bands because they restrain liberty, and create irritation (Le 26:13; Eze 34:27; Ps 28:9). Sinful customs or meretricious allurements are bands; they enslave, weaken, degrade, and embitter the soul; they are fetters that at first may seem soft as silk, but are found at last to be stronger than iron (Isa 58:6; Ec 7:26). The wicked often "have no bands in their death;" that is, they frequently die without any peculiar distress, fear, or perplexity, such as might be expected to stamp their real character and condition on the verge of their future woe (Ps 73:4; Ec 7:15; Ec 9:2). Faith and love are bands which unite and fasten every believer to Christ, and to the whole body of his holy people (Col 2:19). The authority, arguments, instances, and influence of divine love, because they draw and engage us to follow the Lord in a way suited to our rational nature, are generally supposed to be intended in Ho 11:4 by "the bands of a man."
