Topical Bible: Breach

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Topical Encyclopedia

In biblical terminology, the term "breach" is often used to describe a break, gap, or rupture, whether in physical structures, relationships, or moral and spiritual integrity. The concept of a breach is significant in both the Old and New Testaments, symbolizing various forms of separation or division that require attention, repair, or reconciliation.

Old Testament Usage

1. Physical Breaches: In the context of physical structures, a breach refers to a break or gap in a wall or fortification. Nehemiah 4:7-8 describes the opposition faced by the Israelites as they rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem: "When Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the repair to the walls of Jerusalem was progressing and that the breaches were being closed, they were greatly angered. And all of them conspired to come and fight against Jerusalem and create a hindrance."

2. Moral and Spiritual Breaches: The prophets often used the imagery of a breach to describe the moral and spiritual failings of Israel. Isaiah 58:12 speaks of restoration: "Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins; you will restore the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of the Breach, Restorer of Streets of Dwelling." This passage highlights the call to repair the moral and spiritual breaches caused by sin and disobedience.

3. Covenantal Breaches: A breach of covenant is a serious offense in the biblical narrative. In Leviticus 26:15-16 , God warns Israel of the consequences of breaking His covenant: "And if you reject My statutes and despise My ordinances, and if you fail to observe all My commandments and break My covenant, then I will do this to you: I will bring upon you sudden terror, wasting disease, and fever that will destroy your sight and drain your life."

New Testament Usage

1. Relational Breaches: The New Testament emphasizes reconciliation and healing of breaches in relationships. In Matthew 5:23-24 , Jesus teaches about the importance of resolving conflicts: "Therefore if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift."

2. Spiritual Breaches: The concept of spiritual breaches is addressed through the ministry of Jesus Christ, who came to heal the separation between God and humanity caused by sin. Ephesians 2:14 states, "For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has torn down the dividing wall of hostility."

Theological Implications

Theologically, breaches signify the need for restoration and reconciliation. The Bible presents God as the ultimate Repairer of breaches, offering redemption and healing through His covenant promises and the work of Jesus Christ. The call to repair breaches is a call to restore what has been broken, whether it be relationships, communities, or one's personal walk with God. The imagery of breach and repair underscores the biblical themes of repentance, forgiveness, and the transformative power of God's grace.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

An opening in a wall (1 Kings 11:27; 2 Kings 12:5); the fracture of a limb (Leviticus 24:20), and hence the expression, "Heal, etc." (Psalm 60:2). Judges 5:17, a bay or harbour; R.V., "by his creeks."

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (n.) A breaking or infraction of a law, or of any obligation; violation; non-fulfillment; as, a breach of contract; a breach of promise.

2. (n.) The act of breaking, in a figurative sense.

3. (n.) A gap or opening made by breaking or battering, as in a wall or fortification; the space between the parts of a solid body rent by violence; a break; a rupture.

4. (n.) A breaking of waters, as over a vessel; the waters themselves; surge; surf.

5. (n.) A breaking up of amicable relations; rupture.

6. (n.) A bruise; a wound.

7. (n.) A hernia; a rupture.

8. (n.) A breaking out upon; an assault.

9. (v. t.) To make a breach or opening in; as, to breach the walls of a city.

10. (v. i.) To break the water, as by leaping out; -- said of a whale.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

BREACH

brech: Represented by

(1) perets = "a tear," "a rending asunder," "a break," hence, figuratively "enmity," "disruption," "strife" (Genesis 38:29 Judges 21:15 2 Samuel 5:20 1 Chronicles 15:13 Nehemiah 6:1; Job 16:14 Psalm 106:23 Isaiah 30:13; Isaiah 58:12);

(2) shebher = "fracture," "affliction," "bruise," "destruction" (Leviticus 24:20 Jeremiah 14:17 Lamentations 2:13 Psalm 60:2);

(3) bedheq = "a gap" or "leak" (in a building or ship) occurring in 2 Kings 12:5-8, 12; 2 Kings 22:5;

(4) tenu'ah = "alienation," "breach of promise" (Numbers 14:34 the King James Version);

(5) miphrats = "a break" (in the shore), and hence, "a haven" (Judges 5:17, the Revised Version (British and American) "creeks").

Frank E. Hirsch

TRUST, BREACH OF

The clearest reference to the crime designated by this modern expression is found in Leviticus 6:2-7, where the transgression is defined and the penalty set forth. Breach of covenant or contract and the removal of landmarks (Deuteronomy 19:14; Deuteronomy 27:17 Proverbs 22:28; Proverbs 23:10) may be included.

BREACH OF COVENANT

brech, kuv'-e-nant, kuv'-e-nant.

See CRIMES.

BREACH OF RITUAL

rit'-u-al.

See CRIMES.

BREACH OF TRUST

See CRIMES.

Greek

94. adikos -- unjust, unrighteous
... See 93 (). 94/ ("unjust") is as a breach of , ie in violation of . 94 ("unjust")
describes being in , ie as a binding, which calls for for disrespecting true . ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/94.htm - 7k

Strong's Hebrew

6556. perets -- a bursting forth, breach
... 6555, 6556. perets. 6557 . a bursting forth, breach. Transliteration: perets
Phonetic Spelling: (peh'-rets) Short Definition: breach. ...
/hebrew/6556.htm - 6k

7667. sheber -- a breaking, fracture, crushing, breach, crash
... a breaking, fracture, crushing, breach, crash. Transliteration: sheber or sheber
Phonetic Spelling: (sheh'-ber) Short Definition: destruction. ...
/hebrew/7667.htm - 6k

1233. beqia -- fissure, breach
... 1232, 1233. beqia or baqia. 1234 . fissure, breach. Transliteration: beqia
or baqia Phonetic Spelling: (bek-ee'-ah) Short Definition: breaches. ... breach, cleft ...
/hebrew/1233.htm - 6k

919. bedeq -- a fissure, rent, breach
... 918, 919. bedeq. 920 . a fissure, rent, breach. Transliteration: bedeq Phonetic
Spelling: (beh'-dek) Short Definition: damages. ... breach, caulker. ...
/hebrew/919.htm - 6k

7428. Rimmon Parets -- "pomegranate of the breach," a place in the ...
... "pomegranate of the breach," a place in the desert. Transliteration: Rimmon Parets
Phonetic Spelling: (rim-mone' peh'-rets) Short Definition: Rimmon-perez. ...
/hebrew/7428.htm - 6k

4866. mishbar -- place of breach
... 4865, 4866. mishbar or mashber. 4867 . place of breach. Transliteration: mishbar
or mashber Phonetic Spelling: (mish-bare') Short Definition: birth. ...
/hebrew/4866.htm - 6k

7447. raciyc -- a drop (of dew)
... 7446, 7447. raciyc. 7447a . a drop (of dew). Transliteration: raciyc Phonetic
Spelling: (raw-sees') Short Definition: breach. breach, drop ...
/hebrew/7447.htm - 5k

1234. baqa -- to cleave, break open or through
... burst open (1), cleaved (1), dashed to pieces (1), divide (1), divided (4), forth
(1), hatch (2), hews (1), invaded (1), make for ourselves a breach (1), rip (1 ...
/hebrew/1234.htm - 6k

8569. tenuah -- opposition
... breach of promise, occasion. From nuw'; alienation; by implication, enmity -- breach
of promise, occasion. see HEBREW nuw'. 8568, 8569. tenuah. 8570 . ...
/hebrew/8569.htm - 6k

4664. miphrats -- landing place
... breach. From parats; a break (in the shore), ie A haven -- breach. see HEBREW
parats. 4663, 4664. miphrats. 4665 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/4664.htm - 6k

Library

The Breach with Gregory of Nazianzus.
... Prolegomena. Sketch of the Life and Works of Saint Basil. VII."The Breach
with Gregory of Nazianzus. Cappadocia, it has been seen ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/vii the breach with gregory of.htm

Of the Parting of Lot and Abraham, which they Agreed to Without ...
... Book XVI. Chapter 20."Of the Parting of Lot and Abraham, Which They Agreed
to Without Breach of Charity. On Abraham's return out ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 20 of the parting of.htm

Conflict Between the Christians and Jews at Alexandria: and Breach ...
... Book VII. Chapter XIII."Conflict between the Christians and Jews at Alexandria:
and breach between the Bishop Cyril and the Prefect Orestes. ...
/.../chapter xiii conflict between the christians.htm

The Tenth Commandment
... It is a direct breach of the tenth commandment. ... Covetousness is a mother sin. I shall
make it appear that covetousness is a breach of all the ten commandments. ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 1 the tenth commandment.htm

The Attractive Power of God
... Therefore deadly sin is a breach of nature, a death of the soul, a disquiet of the
heart, a weakening of power, a blindness of the sense, a sorrow of the spirit ...
/.../eckhart/meister eckharts sermons/i the attractive power of.htm

A Work of Reform
... ordinance which has been forsaken: "Thou shalt raise up the foundations of many
generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 26 a work of.htm

A Work of Reform.
... ordinance which has been forsaken: "Thou shalt raise up the foundations of many
generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /26 a work of reform.htm

This Day are Opened, Our Mouths to Give Thanks
... He made a breach for the seas that thereby, He might wash away our pollution. ...
17. Who has ever seen, that a breach became as a mirror? ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn ii this day are.htm

The Sinner Arraigned and Convicted.
... land of the living," (Ezek.32:27) it would be necessary thou shouldst be told plainly,
thou hast broken the laws of the King of kings and by the breach of them ...
/.../chapter iv the sinner arraigned.htm

The Communion of Goods.
... to houses and lands; and more strongly in the other fact that this very impoverishing
of the church became the powerful means by which the breach was prevented ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxvi the communion of goods.htm

Thesaurus

Breach (55 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A breaking or infraction of a law, or of any obligation; violation;
non-fulfillment; as, a breach of contract; a breach of promise. ...
/b/breach.htm - 27k

Gap (4 Occurrences)
... n.) An opening in anything made by breaking or parting; as, a gap in a fence; an
opening for a passage or entrance; an opening which implies a breach or defect ...
/g/gap.htm - 8k

Crimes (22 Occurrences)
... Blasphemy. See separate article. Breach of Covenant. ... Paul (Romans 1:31) speaks
of asunthetoi = "Convenant-breakers." Breach of Ritual. ...
/c/crimes.htm - 44k

Crime (45 Occurrences)
... Blasphemy. See separate article. Breach of Covenant. ... Paul (Romans 1:31) speaks
of asunthetoi = "Convenant-breakers." Breach of Ritual. ...
/c/crime.htm - 51k

Strengthen (105 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 12:5 do the priests take to them, each from his acquaintance, and they
strengthen the breach of the house, in all 'places' where there is found a breach...
/s/strengthen.htm - 37k

Trust (201 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. TRUST, BREACH OF. ...BREACH OF TRUST. See
CRIMES. Multi-Version Concordance Trust (201 Occurrences). ...
/t/trust.htm - 38k

Pharez (11 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Breach, the elder of the twin sons of Judah (Genesis
38:29). ... this breach be upon thee: therefore his name was called Pharez. ...
/p/pharez.htm - 11k

Breaks (35 Occurrences)
... (WEB). Job 16:14 He breaks me with breach on breach. ... Proverbs 15:4 A wholesome tongue
is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. ...
/b/breaks.htm - 16k

Breached (4 Occurrences)
... & pp) of Breach. ... Jeremiah 39:2 in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month,
the ninth day of the month, a breach was made in the city-- (See NAS). ...
/b/breached.htm - 7k

Crack (5 Occurrences)
... 10. (n.) A partial separation of parts, with or without a perceptible opening; a
chink or fissure; a narrow breach; a crevice ... 17. (n.) Breach of chastity. 18. ...
/c/crack.htm - 9k

Resources

What does it mean to stand in the gap (Ezekiel 22:30)? | GotQuestions.org

What is the difference between a covenant and a contract? | GotQuestions.org

What is apostasy and how can I recognize it? | GotQuestions.org

Breach: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus

Concordance

Breach (55 Occurrences)

Luke 6:49
And he that has heard and not done, is like a man who has built a house on the ground without a foundation, on which the stream broke, and immediately it fell, and the breach of that house was great.
(DBY)

Genesis 38:29
It happened, as he drew back his hand, that behold, his brother came out, and she said, "Why have you made a breach for yourself?" Therefore his name was called Perez.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Exodus 22:9
For every matter of trespass, whether it be for ox, for donkey, for sheep, for clothing, or for any kind of lost thing, about which one says,'This is mine,' the cause of both parties shall come before God. He whom God condemns shall pay double to his neighbor.
(See NAS RSV)

Leviticus 5:15
"If anyone commits a trespass, and sins unwittingly, in the holy things of Yahweh; then he shall bring his trespass offering to Yahweh, a ram without blemish from the flock, according to your estimation in silver by shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for a trespass offering.
(See RSV)

Leviticus 6:2
"If anyone sins, and commits a trespass against Yahweh, and deals falsely with his neighbor in a matter of deposit, or of bargain, or of robbery, or has oppressed his neighbor,
(See RSV)

Leviticus 21:19
or a man in whom there is a breach in the foot, or a breach in the hand,
(YLT)

Leviticus 24:20
Breach for breach, eye for eye, tooth for tooth: as he hath caused a blemish in a man, so shall it be done to him again.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT)

Numbers 14:34
After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise.
(KJV WBS)

Joshua 22:22
"The Mighty One, God, Yahweh, the Mighty One, God, Yahweh, he knows; and Israel shall know: if it was in rebellion, or if in trespass against Yahweh (don't save us this day),
(See RSV)

Judges 21:15
The people grieved for Benjamin, because that Yahweh had made a breach in the tribes of Israel.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

2 Samuel 5:20
David came to Baal Perazim, and David struck them there; and he said, "Yahweh has broken my enemies before me, like the breach of waters." Therefore he called the name of that place Baal Perazim.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS)

2 Samuel 6:8
And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzzah: and he called the name of the place Perezuzzah to this day.
(KJV DBY WBS YLT)

1 Kings 11:27
This was the reason why he lifted up his hand against the king: Solomon built Millo, and repaired the breach of the city of David his father.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

2 Kings 12:5
let the priests take it to them, every man from his acquaintance; and they shall repair the breaches of the house, wherever any breach shall be found."
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT)

2 Kings 12:6
But it was so, that in the three and twentieth year of king Jehoash the priests had not repaired the breaches of the house.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT)

2 Kings 12:7
Then king Jehoash called for Jehoiada the priest, and for the other priests, and said to them, "Why don't you repair the breaches of the house? Now therefore take no more money from your treasurers, but deliver it for the breaches of the house."
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT)

2 Kings 12:8
The priests consented that they should take no more money from the people, neither repair the breaches of the house.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT)

2 Kings 12:12
and to the masons and the stone cutters, and for buying timber and cut stone to repair the breaches of the house of Yahweh, and for all that was laid out for the house to repair it.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT)

2 Kings 22:5
Let them deliver it into the hand of the workmen who have the oversight of the house of Yahweh; and let them give it to the workmen who are in the house of Yahweh, to repair the breaches of the house,
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT)

2 Kings 25:4
Then a breach was made in the city, and all the men of war fled by night by the way of the gate between the two walls, which was by the king's garden (now the Chaldeans were against the city around it); and the king went by the way of the Arabah.
(WEB JPS ASV RSV)

1 Chronicles 13:11
And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzza: wherefore that place is called Perezuzza to this day.
(KJV DBY WBS YLT)

1 Chronicles 14:11
So they came up to Baal Perazim, and David struck them there; and David said, God has broken my enemies by my hand, like the breach of waters. Therefore they called the name of that place Baal Perazim.
(WEB JPS ASV)

1 Chronicles 15:13
For because ye did it not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT)

2 Chronicles 20:37
Then Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, Jehovah hath destroyed thy works. And the ships were broken, so that they were not able to go to Tarshish.
(See JPS)

2 Chronicles 32:1
After these things, and this faithfulness, Sennacherib king of Assyria came, and entered into Judah, and encamped against the fortified cities, and thought to win them for himself.
(See JPS)

Nehemiah 6:1
Now it happened, when it was reported to Sanballat and Tobiah, and to Geshem the Arabian, and to the rest of our enemies, that I had built the wall, and that there was no breach left therein; (though even to that time I had not set up the doors in the gates;)
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Job 16:14
He breaks me with breach on breach. He runs on me like a giant.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Job 30:14
As through a wide breach they come, in the midst of the ruin they roll themselves in.
(WEB JPS ASV DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 106:23
Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had Moses, his chosen, not stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, so that he wouldn't destroy them.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 144:14
When our oxen are well laden; When there is no breaking in, and no going forth, And no outcry in our streets:
(See JPS YLT NIV)

Proverbs 15:4
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
(KJV WBS YLT)

Isaiah 7:6
Let us go up against Judah, and vex it, and let us make a breach therein for us, and set a king in the midst of it, even the son of Tabeal:
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS)

Isaiah 30:13
therefore this iniquity shall be to you like a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking comes suddenly in an instant.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS)

Isaiah 30:26
Moreover the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day that the LORD bindeth up the breach of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound.
(KJV DBY WBS YLT)

Isaiah 58:12
Those who shall be of you shall build the old waste places; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; and you shall be called The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Jeremiah 6:14
And they have healed the breach of the daughter of my people lightly, saying, Peace, peace! when there is no peace.
(DBY YLT)

Jeremiah 8:11
And they have healed the breach of the daughter of my people lightly, saying, Peace, peace! when there is no peace.
(DBY YLT)

Jeremiah 8:21
For the breach of the daughter of my people am I crushed; I go mourning; astonishment hath taken hold of me.
(DBY YLT)

Jeremiah 14:17
You shall say this word to them, Let my eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease; for the virgin daughter of my people is broken with a great breach, with a very grievous wound.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT)

Jeremiah 30:12
For thus said Jehovah: Incurable is thy breach, grievous thy stroke,
(YLT)

Jeremiah 30:15
What! -- thou criest concerning thy breach! Incurable 'is' thy pain, Because of the abundance of thy iniquity, Mighty have been thy sins! I have done these to thee.
(YLT)

Jeremiah 39:2
in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth day of the month, a breach was made in the city),
(WEB JPS ASV NAS RSV)

Jeremiah 52:7
Then a breach was made in the city, and all the men of war fled, and went forth out of the city by night by the way of the gate between the two walls, which was by the king's garden; (now the Chaldeans were against the city all around;) and they went toward the Arabah.
(WEB JPS ASV RSV)

Lamentations 2:11
Mine eyes do fail with tears, my heart is troubled; My liver is poured upon the earth, because of the destruction of the daughter of my people, Because the young children and the sucklings swoon in the streets of the city.
(See JPS YLT)

Lamentations 2:13
What shall I testify to you? what shall I liken to you, daughter of Jerusalem? What shall I compare to you, that I may comfort you, virgin daughter of Zion? For your breach is great like the sea: who can heal you?
(WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS YLT)

Lamentations 3:48
Mine eye runneth down with streams of water, for the destruction of the daughter of my people.
(See JPS)

Ezekiel 22:30
And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the fence, and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found none.
(DBY JPS YLT RSV)

Ezekiel 26:10
By reason of the abundance of his horses their dust shall cover you: your walls shall shake at the noise of the horsemen, and of the wagons, and of the chariots, when he shall enter into your gates, as men enter into a city in which is made a breach.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)

Ezekiel 27:9
Elders of Gebal and its wise men have been in thee, Strengthening thy breach; All ships of the sea and their mariners, Have been in thee, to trade 'with' thy merchandise.
(YLT)

Ezekiel 27:27
Thy wealth and thy remnants, Thy merchandise, thy mariners, And thy pilots, strengtheners of thy breach, And the traders of thy merchandise, And all thy men of war, who 'are' in thee, And in all thine assembly that 'is' in thy midst, Fall into the heart of the seas in the day of thy fall,
(YLT)

Ezekiel 39:26
And they shall bear their shame, and all their trespasses whereby they have trespassed against me, when they shall dwell securely in their land, and none shall make them afraid;
(See JPS)

Amos 6:6
that drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments; but are not grieved for the breach of Joseph.
(DBY YLT)

Obadiah 1:14
Nor stand by the breach to cut off its escaped, Nor deliver up its remnant in a day of distress.
(YLT)

Micah 2:13
Gone up hath the breaker before them, They have broken through, Yea, they pass through the gate, Yea, they go out through it, And pass on doth their king before them, And Jehovah at their head!
(See RSV)

Nahum 3:19
There is no healing of thy breach; thy wound is grievous; all that hear the report of thee clap the hands over thee; for upon whom hath not thy wickedness passed continually?
(DBY)

Subtopics

Related Terms

Crimes (22 Occurrences)

Crime (45 Occurrences)

Strengthen (105 Occurrences)

Trust (201 Occurrences)

Pharez (11 Occurrences)