The term "abject" is used to describe a state of extreme humiliation, degradation, or wretchedness. In the context of the Bible, it often refers to individuals or groups who find themselves in dire circumstances, either physically, emotionally, or spiritually. The concept of abjectness can be seen in various narratives and teachings throughout the Scriptures, where individuals experience profound suffering or disgrace.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, the condition of being abject is frequently associated with the plight of the poor, the oppressed, and those who have fallen from a position of favor or prosperity. The Psalms often express the feelings of those in abject situations, crying out to God for deliverance and mercy. For example, Psalm 35:15-16 describes the psalmist's adversaries who rejoice at his downfall: "But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee; they gathered against me. Assailants I did not know slandered me without ceasing. Like godless jesters at a feast, they gnashed their teeth at me."

The prophets also speak to the abject conditions of the people, particularly in times of national crisis or exile. The Book of Lamentations, attributed to the prophet Jeremiah, vividly portrays the abject state of Jerusalem following its destruction by the Babylonians. Lamentations 1:1 laments, "How lonely lies the city, once so full of people! She who was great among the nations has become like a widow. The princess among the provinces has become a slave."

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the theme of abjectness is often linked to spiritual poverty and the need for redemption. Jesus' teachings frequently highlight the blessedness of those who recognize their spiritual neediness. In the Beatitudes, Jesus declares, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:3). This statement underscores the idea that recognizing one's abject spiritual state is a prerequisite for receiving God's grace and entering His kingdom.

The parables of Jesus also illustrate the reversal of abject conditions through divine intervention. The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) tells of a young man who finds himself in an abject state after squandering his inheritance. In his destitution, he returns to his father, who welcomes him back with open arms, symbolizing God's readiness to restore those who repent.

Theological Implications

Theologically, the concept of abjectness in the Bible serves as a reminder of human dependency on God. It highlights the reality of human frailty and the need for divine intervention and grace. The Scriptures consistently portray God as a defender of the abject, offering hope and restoration to those who turn to Him in their distress. This theme is central to the biblical narrative of redemption, where God lifts the humble and fills the hungry with good things (Luke 1:52-53).

Conclusion

The biblical portrayal of abjectness encompasses both physical and spiritual dimensions, emphasizing the transformative power of God's grace in the lives of those who acknowledge their need for Him. Through the accounts of individuals and nations, the Bible reveals a God who is compassionate and just, ready to lift the abject from their lowly state and restore them to a place of dignity and hope.1. (a.) Utterly hopeless; miserable; sunk to a low condition; as, abject poverty; down in spirit or hope; degraded; servile; groveling; despicable; as, abject posture, fortune, thoughts.

2. (v.) To cast off or down; hence, to abase; to degrade; to lower; to debase.

3. (n.) A person in the lowest and most despicable condition; a castaway.

ABJECT

ab'-jekt: Only as a noun, and but once (Psalm 35:15) for nekheh, literally, "smitten ones," i.e. "men of the lowest grade" (Hengstenberg, Delitzsch), "the rabble," defined by the succeeding clause as those of such inferior station that they were unknown.

2615. katadouloo -- to enslave
... 2615 (from 2596 , " to a point," intensifying 1402 , "enslave, bring into
bondage") -- properly, ; to impose abject bondage. Word ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2615.htm - 7k

4027. perikatharma -- that which is cleaned off, refuse
... 4027 ("rubbish") describes someone as "the filth of the world, representing 'the
most abject and despicable men' (Grimm-Thayer) -- the scum or rubbish of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4027.htm - 7k

5222. nekeh -- smitten, stricken
... abject. From nakah; a smiter, ie (figuratively) traducer -- abject. see HEBREW
nakah. 5221, 5222. nekeh. 5223 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/5222.htm - 6k

But those who are Despised for their Ignorance, and Set Down as ...
... Chapter XLVIII. But those who are despised for their ignorance, and set
down as fools and abject? But those who are despised for ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xlviii but those who.htm

The Triumphal Procession
... Think of these men, dragged at the conqueror's chariot-wheels, abject, with their
weapons broken, with their resistance quelled, chained, yoked, haled away ...
/.../romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/the triumphal procession.htm

Impressive Phrases
... barbarous, brutal, inhuman, and cruel. base, cowardly, abject, and hideous. battle,
defeat, frustrate, and ruin. ... despicable, abject, servile, and worthless. ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section iv impressive phrases.htm

Of the Affectionate Languishing of the Heart Wounded with Love.
... True it is, Theotimus, that Plato spoke thus of the abject, vile and miserable love
of worldlings; yet the same properties fail not to be found in heavenly and ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter xv of the affectionate.htm

Matt. xxvii. 27-29.
... And they divide His garments amongst them, which sort of thing is done in the case
of very vile and abject criminals, and such as have no one belonging to them ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxxxvii matt xxvii 27-29.htm

Partakers of the Divine Nature
... But that kindred, belonging to every soul of man, abject as well as loftiest, is
not the 'partaking' of which my text speaks; though it is the basis and ...
/.../partakers of the divine nature.htm

A Book of Modern Social Inquiry Has a Shape that is Somewhat ...
... I maintain, therefore, that the common sociological method is quite useless: that
of first dissecting abject poverty or cataloguing prostitution. ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 1 a book of.htm

The Swift Destroyer
... clearly marked stages in the story: the lingering of Lot in the doomed city, and
the friendly force which dragged him from it; the prayer of abject fear, and ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the swift destroyer.htm

I am Thine, oh save me.
... Oh save me. And if any should ask"as has been asked ere now"But is there not in
this tone of mind something undignified, something even abject? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon xv i.htm

Simeon's Swan-Song
... is what logicians call the correlative of this word 'despot,' and as the latter
asserts absolute ownership and authority, the former declares abject submission ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/simeons swan-song.htm

Abject (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (a.) Utterly hopeless; miserable; sunk to a low condition; as, abject poverty;
down in spirit or hope; degraded; servile; groveling; despicable; as, abject...
/a/abject.htm - 7k

Underfoot (14 Occurrences)
... 1. (adv.) Under the feet; underneath; below. See under Foot. 2. (a.) Low; base;
abject; trodden down. Multi-Version Concordance Underfoot (14 Occurrences). ...
/u/underfoot.htm - 11k

Tiglathpileser (3 Occurrences)
... It is a significant comment which is made by the Chronicler (2 Chronicles 28:21)
upon the abject submission of Ahaz to the Assyrian king: "It helped him not ...
/t/tiglathpileser.htm - 11k

Tiglath-pileser (6 Occurrences)
... It is a significant comment which is made by the Chronicler (2 Chronicles 28:21)
upon the abject submission of Ahaz to the Assyrian king: "It helped him not ...
/t/tiglath-pileser.htm - 12k

Exorcism
... In the case of Josephus we are amazed to see how even in the case of an educated
man the most abject superstition controls his views of such subjects. ...
/e/exorcism.htm - 14k

Exorcist (1 Occurrence)
... In the case of Josephus we are amazed to see how even in the case of an educated
man the most abject superstition controls his views of such subjects. ...
/e/exorcist.htm - 15k

Dust (182 Occurrences)
... To "lick the dust" is a sign of abject submission (Psalm 72:9); and to throw dust
at one is a sign of abhorrence (2 Samuel 16:13; Comp. Acts 22:23). ...
/d/dust.htm - 43k

Poverty (25 Occurrences)
... as 2 Corinthians 6:10: "As poor, yet making many rich," and Luke 6:20: "Blessed
are ye poor" (ptochoi, a condition is indicated of abject beggary, pauperism ...
/p/poverty.htm - 21k

Barter (5 Occurrences)
... 1:11 All her people sigh, they seek bread; they have given their pleasant things
for food to refresh the soul: look, Yahweh, and see; for I am become abject. ...
/b/barter.htm - 8k

Creator (19 Occurrences)
... felicity of the Absolute's own perfection" is to misconceive the infinite plenitude
of His existence, and to place Him in a position of abject and unworthy ...
/c/creator.htm - 15k

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