📖 Biblical Definition
Proverbs 18:10's image: "The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe." The Name is treated as a fortified refuge into which the righteous can run for protection. Three verbs: runneth (urgency), into (entry), is safe (result). The image presupposes that the saint's first instinct under threat is to run, and the Name is where to run.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Prov 18:10: YHWH's Name as fortified refuge for the righteous.
expand to see more
Proverbs 18:10's vivid image: "The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe." The Name (and therefore YHWH Himself, since His Name carries His character) is a fortified-tower refuge into which the righteous can run for protection. Three verbs structure the image: runneth (urgent action under threat), into (deliberate entry), is safe (the result inside the tower's walls). The image presupposes that the saint's first instinct under threat should be flight to the Name. Cf. Psalm 61:3 ("thou hast been... a strong tower from the enemy"), Psalm 144:2 ("my fortress, my high tower, and my deliverer").
📖 Key Scripture
Proverbs 18:10 — "The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe."
Psalm 61:3 — "For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy."
Psalm 91:1-2 — "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern self-reliance treats running to a refuge as weakness; Proverbs treats it as the wise instinct of the righteous.
expand to see more
Self-reliance culture says: stand your ground, fight, don't run. Proverbs 18:10 says: run — into the Name. There is shame-running (Adam from God) and refuge-running (David to God). The first is sin's reflex; the second is wisdom's instinct.
Recover the instinct: under threat, run to the Name. The Name is built for the running.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew migdal-oz shem YHWH.
expand to see more
['Hebrew', 'H4026', 'migdal', 'tower']
['Hebrew', 'H5797', 'oz', 'strength']
['Hebrew', 'H8034', 'shem', 'name']
Usage
"Name of the LORD is a strong tower."
"Run into it; be safe."
"Refuge-running, not shame-running."