In biblical terms, the concept of confiscation refers to the act of taking property or possessions, often by authority or force, without the owner's consent. This concept is seen in various contexts throughout the Scriptures, where it is often associated with divine judgment, punishment, or the consequences of disobedience.

Old Testament Instances

1. Achan's Sin: One of the most notable instances of confiscation in the Old Testament is the account of Achan in the Book of Joshua. After the Israelites' victory at Jericho, Achan disobeyed God's command by taking some of the devoted things for himself. As a result, his possessions were confiscated, and he and his family were punished. Joshua 7:24-25 states, "Then Joshua, together with all Israel, took Achan son of Zerah, the silver, the robe, the gold bar, his sons and daughters, his cattle, donkeys, and sheep, his tent, and all that he had, and they brought them up to the Valley of Achor."

2. Naboth's Vineyard: Another example is the account of Naboth's vineyard in 1 Kings 21. King Ahab desired Naboth's vineyard and, after Naboth refused to sell it, Queen Jezebel orchestrated false charges against Naboth, leading to his execution. Subsequently, Ahab confiscated the vineyard. This act of injustice was condemned by the prophet Elijah, who pronounced God's judgment on Ahab and his household.

3. The Babylonian Exile: The Babylonian conquest of Judah resulted in the confiscation of land, property, and treasures from the temple in Jerusalem. This was a fulfillment of God's warning to the Israelites about the consequences of their persistent idolatry and disobedience. 2 Kings 24:13 records, "As the LORD had declared, Nebuchadnezzar removed all the treasures from the house of the LORD and from the royal palace, and he cut into pieces all the gold articles that Solomon king of Israel had made for the temple of the LORD."

New Testament Context

1. Persecution of Early Christians: In the New Testament, confiscation is seen in the context of persecution. Early Christians often faced the seizure of their property as part of the trials they endured for their faith. Hebrews 10:34 mentions, "You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, knowing that you yourselves had a better and permanent possession."

2. Parable of the Ten Minas: Jesus' parable of the ten minas in Luke 19:11-27 illustrates the principle of stewardship and accountability. In the parable, a servant who fails to use his master's money wisely has it confiscated and given to another servant. This account underscores the expectation of faithfulness and the consequences of neglect.

Theological Implications

Confiscation in the Bible often serves as a divine instrument of justice, reflecting God's holiness and the seriousness of sin. It is a reminder of the temporal nature of earthly possessions and the ultimate authority of God over all things. The confiscation of property, whether as a result of divine judgment or human injustice, points to the broader biblical themes of accountability, stewardship, and the hope of eternal inheritance for the faithful.(imp. & p. p.) of Confiscate.

Chronological Table
... with treason. Without his being allowed to defend himself, his property
was confiscated, and he himself condemned to death. He was ...
/.../boethius/the consolation of philosophy/chronological table.htm

The Life of Mr. George Wishart.
... to show his own greatness, and to recommend himself to his superior of Rome, he
accused Sir John Borthwick of heresy, whose goods were confiscated, and himself ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr george.htm

Epistle Lxxxi. To Successus on the Tidings Brought from Rome ...
... Moreover, people of C??sar's household, whoever of them had either confessed before,
or should now confess, should have their property confiscated, and should ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle lxxxi to successus on.htm

Introduction to the Letters to Olympias.
... wished to unite her to a young Spaniard, Elpidius, a kinsman of his own, and irritated
by her refusal, ordered her property to be confiscated until she should ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/introduction to the letters to 2.htm

Concerning Jonathan, one of the Sicarii, that Stirred up a ...
... three thousand. This he thought he might do safely, because he confiscated
their effects, and added them to Caesar's revenues. 3 ...
/.../chapter 11 concerning jonathan one.htm

Origen
... for Christ, was left at the age of about seventeen, with his six brothers and widowed
mother, in poverty, for their property had been confiscated because of ...
/.../various/jerome and gennadius lives of illustrious men /chapter liv origen.htm

By what Means the Emperor Constantine Became a Christian.
... his relieving the Christians from persecution, recalling those who were in exile,
liberating such as were imprisoned, and causing the confiscated property of ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of scholasticus/chapter ii by what means the.htm

Julian Restores Liberty to the Christians, in Order to Execute ...
... the reign of Constantius, had been banished on account of their religious sentiments,
and restored to them their property that had been confiscated by law. ...
/.../chapter v julian restores liberty to.htm

List of the Benefits which Constantine Conferred in the Freedom of ...
... In the case of those who had been slain, and whose property had been confiscated,
he enacted that the inheritance should be transferred to the next of kin, or ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of sozomenus/chapter viii list of the benefits.htm

Transactions of that Period, and Progress of Christian Doctrine ...
... If they transgressed this law, the slave was confiscated [1269] to the public; but
if they administered to him the Jewish rite of circumcision, the penalties ...
/.../chapter xvii transactions of that period.htm

Confiscated (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Confiscate. Multi-Version Concordance
Confiscated (1 Occurrence). Ezra 10:8 and that whosoever ...
/c/confiscated.htm - 7k

Narcissus (2 Occurrences)
... However, as was usual in such cases, his property would be confiscated, and his
slaves, becoming the property of the emperor, would swell "Caesar's household ...
/n/narcissus.htm - 9k

Confiscation (2 Occurrences)

/c/confiscation.htm - 7k

Confirms (6 Occurrences)

/c/confirms.htm - 8k

Cambyses
... he ordered that the temple of Neit should be purified, and that its revenues should
be restored as they had been before they had been confiscated by Akhmes for ...
/c/cambyses.htm - 12k

Jezebel (20 Occurrences)
... This is done, and Naboth is found guilty, and stoned to death. The property
is confiscated, and falls to the king (1 Kings 21:1-16). ...
/j/jezebel.htm - 26k

Nero
... Nero was persuaded to return to Rome by Helius; he confiscated Galba's property,
but his weakness and hesitancy greatly helped the cause of the latter. ...
/n/nero.htm - 41k

Herod (45 Occurrences)
... His government was taken from him, his possessions were all confiscated by the Roman
power and he himself was banished to Vienna in Gaul (Ant., XVII, xiii, 2, 3 ...
/h/herod.htm - 57k

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