Strait; Straiten; Straitly
The Meaning of Strait in Scripture
In biblical usage, 'strait' does not mean 'straight' (as in a direct line) but rather 'narrow' or 'constricted.' This distinction is essential for understanding many biblical passages. The word appears in both literal and figurative contexts, referring to narrow physical spaces, emotional distress, and strict discipline. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word 'tsar' conveys the sense of being pressed, narrow, or confined (2 Kings 6:1; Isaiah 49:20).
Literal Narrowness and Physical Constraint
In its most basic sense, 'strait' describes something physically narrow or confined. When the sons of the prophets told Elisha that their dwelling place was too 'strait' for them (2 Kings 6:1), they meant it was too cramped or narrow. Similarly, in Job 37:10, the word describes the freezing of water, where broad waters become narrow or constricted by ice. Ezekiel uses related language when describing the narrowing of the upper chambers of the temple (Ezekiel 42:6).
Figurative Distress and Difficulty
More frequently, 'strait' and 'straiten' appear in figurative contexts to describe distress, pressure, or difficult circumstances. David, when given a choice of punishments, said he was in a great 'strait' (2 Samuel 24:14), meaning he faced an agonizing decision with no easy option. In Lamentations 1:3, Judah's enemies overtake her 'in the straits,' conveying the image of being trapped in a narrow passage with no escape. Job 20:22 describes the wicked being 'straitened' even in the fullness of their sufficiency, meaning anxiety grips them despite their abundance.
The Strait Gate of Jesus' Teaching
Perhaps the most famous use of 'strait' in Scripture is Jesus' command to enter through the 'strait gate' (Matthew 7:13-14). Here, the narrowness of the gate represents the demanding nature of genuine discipleship. The broad way leads to destruction, while the narrow way leads to life. This teaching does not mean salvation is earned through difficulty, but rather that following Christ requires commitment and sacrifice that few are willing to embrace. Luke's parallel account intensifies the urgency: 'Strive to enter in at the strait gate' (Luke 13:24).
Straitly as Strictness
The adverb 'straitly' typically means 'strictly' or 'severely.' When Jesus healed people, he sometimes 'straitly charged' them not to tell anyone (Mark 3:12; 5:43), meaning he gave them a firm, emphatic command. In Acts 26:5, Paul describes the Pharisees as 'the straitest sect,' meaning the most rigorous and scrupulous in their interpretation and observance of the Mosaic Law. Paul himself had lived according to this exacting standard before his conversion (Acts 22:3).
Straitened in Heart and Spirit
Paul uses the concept of being 'straitened' to describe an internal constraint or pressure. In Philippians 1:23, he writes of being 'in a strait between two' desires: to depart and be with Christ, or to remain in the flesh for the sake of the church. Jesus himself spoke of being 'straitened' until his baptism of suffering was accomplished (Luke 12:50), revealing the intense pressure he felt as the cross approached.
Biblical Context
These terms appear across both Testaments. In the Old Testament, they occur in historical narratives (2 Kings 6:1; 2 Samuel 24:14), wisdom literature (Job 20:22; 37:10), prophetic writings (Isaiah 49:20; Lamentations 1:3), and the law (Exodus 13:19; Joshua 6:1). In the New Testament, they appear in Jesus' teachings about discipleship (Matthew 7:13-14), descriptions of Pharisaic strictness (Acts 26:5), and Paul's personal reflections (Philippians 1:23; Luke 12:50).
Theological Significance
The concept of 'straitness' carries deep theological weight, particularly in Jesus' teaching about the narrow gate. It challenges the assumption that following God should be easy or popular. The narrow way demands genuine faith, repentance, and transformation rather than mere outward conformity. At the same time, the passages about being 'straitened' by circumstances remind believers that difficulty is part of the human experience and that even Jesus himself faced intense inner pressure as he fulfilled his mission.
Historical Background
In Elizabethan English, 'strait' was commonly used to mean 'narrow' or 'strict,' which explains its frequent appearance in older Bible translations. Modern translations often replace it with 'narrow' or 'restricted' for clarity. The Greek word 'stenos' (narrow) in Matthew 7:13 was well understood in the ancient world, where walled cities had narrow gates that required travelers to enter single-file, sometimes leaving belongings behind. The Pharisaic strictness Paul describes in Acts 26:5 is well attested in rabbinic literature and Josephus' writings.