In the context of the Bible, an assailant is one who attacks or attempts to harm another, often with the intent to cause physical injury or death. The concept of an assailant is addressed in various passages, reflecting the broader themes of violence, justice, and divine protection.

Old Testament References

The Old Testament provides numerous examples of individuals acting as assailants, often in the context of warfare or personal conflict. One notable instance is found in the account of Cain and Abel, where Cain becomes the first recorded assailant by murdering his brother Abel out of jealousy and anger (Genesis 4:8). This act of violence is condemned by God, who declares, "What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground" (Genesis 4:10).

The Mosaic Law addresses the issue of assailants and prescribes specific penalties for acts of violence. Exodus 21:12-14 outlines the consequences for those who strike another person, stating, "Whoever strikes and kills a man must surely be put to death. But if he did not intend any harm, and it happened suddenly, then I will appoint a place for you to flee. But if a man schemes and acts willfully against his neighbor to kill him, you must take him from My altar to be put to death" . This passage distinguishes between premeditated murder and accidental killing, emphasizing the importance of intent in determining guilt.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the concept of an assailant is often discussed in the context of persecution and spiritual warfare. Jesus warns His disciples about the potential for violence and persecution, saying, "You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death" (Luke 21:16). Here, the assailants are those who oppose the message of the Gospel and seek to harm its messengers.

The Apostle Paul also addresses the issue of assailants in his letters, urging believers to respond to violence and persecution with love and forgiveness. In Romans 12:19, Paul writes, "Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: 'Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord'" . This teaching reflects the Christian principle of trusting in God's justice rather than seeking personal retribution.

Spiritual Assailants

Beyond physical violence, the Bible also speaks of spiritual assailants, particularly in the form of demonic forces and spiritual warfare. Ephesians 6:12 reminds believers, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" . Christians are encouraged to put on the "full armor of God" to stand firm against these spiritual assailants (Ephesians 6:11).

Divine Protection

Throughout Scripture, there is a recurring theme of divine protection against assailants. The Psalms frequently express confidence in God's ability to protect His people from harm. Psalm 18:3 declares, "I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies" . This assurance of divine protection is a source of comfort and strength for believers facing both physical and spiritual threats.

In summary, the Bible addresses the concept of an assailant in various contexts, emphasizing the importance of justice, the call to forgiveness, and the assurance of God's protection for His people.1. (n.) One who attacks or assaults; an assailer.

Christ Foreseeing his Passion
... the words, sacred because of the Speaker, the theme, and the circumstances, we note
in them these things: His calm anticipation of the assailant, His unveiling ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/christ foreseeing his passion.htm

What Good Does it do Me that He Declares on his Oath that it was ...
... I did not wish it to appear that I had been the first to strike, seeing that I have
not, even when wounded, aimed a blow against my assailant, but have only ...
/.../2 what good does it.htm

Imperial Caesar
... shoulders of the Maccabee. Without a word, Philadelphus turned upon his
assailant and started to his feet. But Julian, catching ...
/.../miller/the city of delight/chapter vii imperial caesar.htm

The Daughters of Jerusalem
... of a house which stood in the way, when the occupier, striking a blow, commanded
Him to hurry on; to which the Lord, turning to His assailant, replied, "Thou ...
/.../stalker/the trial and death of jesus christ/chapter xi the daughters of.htm

The Hand Felt Its Way up his Arm, And...
... hair blew one way, his night-gown another, his legs threatened to float from under
him, and his head to grow dizzy with the swiftness of the invisible assailant ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 6 the hand felt.htm

The Children of the Catholic Church Ought to Adhere to the Faith ...
... all heretics before Nestorius, despising antiquity and upholding novelty, had been
condemned, so Nestorius, the author of novelty and the assailant of antiquity ...
/.../vincent/the commonitory of vincent of lerins/chapter xxxiii the children of.htm

No one ever Afterwards Quite Knew How the Crowd in the Church ...
... the Abbe's life, the people whispered, by springing up the steps of the pulpit,
and throwing himself between the intended victim and the bullet of his assailant ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/xiv no one ever afterwards.htm

The Alleged Hostile Witness of Certain of the Early Fathers Proved ...
... issue,"the sacredness of Scripture, down to its minutest jot and tittle,"would have
ensured extraordinary caution, and induced every fresh assailant of so ...
/.../chapter v the alleged hostile.htm

A Proper Seeking after Divine Knowledge, which Will Never be Out ...
... of silver within her own house. It was also at his neighbour's door that
the persevering assailant kept knocking. Nor was it to a ...
/.../the prescription against heretics/chapter xii a proper seeking after.htm

Celsus and Lucian.
... times. And yet even this able infidel assailant, who lived almost within
hailing distance of the apostolic age, bears witness, as St. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/schaff/the person of christ/celsus and lucian.htm

Assailant (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) One who attacks or assaults; an assailer.
Multi-Version Concordance Assailant (1 Occurrence). Deuteronomy ...
/a/assailant.htm - 6k

Violent (151 Occurrences)
... 3. (a.) Produced or effected by force; not spontaneous; unnatural; abnormal.
4. (n.) An assailant. 5. (vt) To urge with violence. ...
/v/violent.htm - 36k

Offensive (15 Occurrences)
... 3. (a.) Making the first attack; assailant; aggressive; hence, used in attacking; --
opposed to defensive; as, an offensive war; offensive weapons. ...
/o/offensive.htm - 11k

Invader (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One who invades; an assailant; an encroacher;
an intruder. Multi-Version Concordance Invader (2 Occurrences). ...
/i/invader.htm - 7k

Repel (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To drive back; to force away; to check the
advance of; to repulse as, to repel an enemy or an assailant. ...
/r/repel.htm - 7k

Assail (4 Occurrences)

/a/assail.htm - 7k

Aggressor (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The person who first attacks or makes an aggression;
he who begins hostility or a quarrel; an assailant. ...
/a/aggressor.htm - 7k

Assailants (7 Occurrences)

/a/assailants.htm - 8k

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