Bible Dictionary
BOUNDS
A boundary, limit, or marked territory. Scripture uses the term for geographical borders, appointed limits, and the boundaries established by God for nations and human life.
Definition
Bounds are boundaries, limits, or enclosed territories. The biblical vocabulary can describe a boundary made as by a line or cord, a territory, an appointed limit, or an established measure of time, space, quantity, labor, or use.
Biblical Usage
Scripture applies the idea to the boundaries of land and nations, to appointed limits, and to divinely established ordinances. Acts 17:26 uses the Greek term for boundary lines.
Historical Background
The Hebrew terms derive from ideas of twisting or enclosing with a cord, and of enactment or appointment. The Greek term denotes a limit or boundary line.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>boundz: gabhal = "to twist" (as a rope), "to make an enclosure" (as by a line) occurs in Ex 19:12,23; Ps 104:9; gebhul = "a cord," hence, "a boundary," "territory" (Ex 23:31 the King James Version), with its feminine form gebhulah (De 32:8; Isa 10:13); choq = "enactment," "appointment" (of time, space, quantity, labor, or usage), hence, "commandment," "decree," "ordinance" (Job 14:5; 26:10 the King James Version); in the Greek, horothesia, in the sense of "a limit," "boundary line," occurs in Ac 17:26.</p>