"The ties that bind us". What does it mean?

Question

That's not in my dictionary. When is it used?

Answer 1

family-like ties......bound together by what all have in common.

Answer 2

The ties that bind us are those things which hold us together--relationship dynamics.  We like to consider them generally as positive, but they are not all good.  Just make sure that your ties to everyone you know are elibible to be blessed by God.

Answer 3

Like saying our brotherly relationship is the link.  We can also be linked by the net, it is the tie that binds us...

Answer 4

It means something that attaches you or leashes you to something. It's usually not used in a literal sense as it is mostly used when talking about obligations, rules, etc.

The Declaration of Independence helped remove the ties that bound the United States to England.

An slave removes the ties that bind him to his/her master when he/she escapes or is freed.

Was that clear?