In the context of the Bible, the term "defrauded" refers to the act of depriving someone of something by deception or unfair means. This concept is addressed in various passages throughout Scripture, emphasizing the importance of honesty, integrity, and justice in the lives of believers.

Old Testament References

The Old Testament law explicitly condemns defrauding others. Leviticus 19:13 states, "You must not defraud your neighbor or rob him. The wages due a hired hand must not remain with you until morning." This command underscores the ethical treatment of others, particularly in financial dealings and labor relations. The Israelites were called to reflect God's justice and righteousness in their interactions, ensuring that they did not exploit or deceive one another.

Proverbs also speaks to the issue of defrauding, highlighting the moral and spiritual consequences of such actions. Proverbs 20:17 warns, "Food gained by fraud is sweet to a man, but later his mouth is full of gravel." This imagery illustrates the temporary satisfaction and eventual regret that accompanies deceitful gain.

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, the call to avoid defrauding others is reiterated and expanded upon. Jesus Himself addressed the issue in His teachings. In Mark 10:19 , Jesus reminds the rich young ruler of the commandments, including, "Do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not defraud, honor your father and mother." Here, defrauding is placed alongside other serious moral violations, indicating its significance in the ethical life of a believer.

The Apostle Paul also addresses the issue in his epistles. In 1 Thessalonians 4:6 , Paul warns, "In this matter no one should wrong or defraud his brother, because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, as we have already told you and solemnly warned you." This passage highlights the spiritual dimension of defrauding, reminding believers that God Himself will hold individuals accountable for such actions.

Spiritual Implications

Defrauding is not merely a social or legal issue but a spiritual one. It reflects a heart that is not aligned with God's character and commands. The Bible consistently calls believers to live lives marked by honesty, fairness, and love for one's neighbor. Defrauding undermines these values and damages relationships within the community of faith.

The call to avoid defrauding others is part of the broader biblical mandate to love one's neighbor as oneself (Leviticus 19:18, Matthew 22:39). By refraining from deceit and exploitation, believers demonstrate their commitment to living out the principles of God's kingdom, characterized by justice, mercy, and truth.(imp. & p. p.) of Defraud.4811. sukophanteo -- to accuse falsely
... Word Origin from sukon and phaino Definition to accuse falsely NASB Word Usage
accuse...falsely (1), defrauded (1). accuse falsely, take by false accusation. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4811.htm - 7k

650. apostereo -- to defraud, deprive of
... Word Origin from apo and stereo (to rob) Definition to defraud, deprive of NASB
Word Usage defraud (2), defrauded (1), deprived (1), depriving (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/650.htm - 7k

6231. ashaq -- to oppress, wrong, extort
... root Definition to oppress, wrong, extort NASB Word Usage crushed (1), defrauded
(2), extorted (1), got (1), laden (1), oppress (11), oppressed (9), oppresses ...
/hebrew/6231.htm - 6k

Wrath came to Rebuke, the Greedy who in the Midst of Peace ...
... Hymn VII. Wrath came to rebuke, the greedy who in the midst of peace,
bargained, defrauded and plundered. 1. Wrath came to rebuke ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn vii wrath came to.htm

Whether Suffrages Profit those who are in Purgatory?
... from his punishment, he will in this respect be deprived of the fruit of the suffrages,
and this will fall back upon those by whose fault he was then defrauded ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether suffrages profit those who 2.htm

2 Cor. vii. 2, 3
... And at the same time he also alludes to the false apostles, saying, "We
wronged no man, we corrupted no man, we defrauded no man.". ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xiv 2 cor vii.htm

Whether Fraud Pertains to Craftiness?
... praise if he allows himself to be deceived, which is the object of craftiness; and
yet a man deserves praise for allowing himself to be defrauded, according to ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether fraud pertains to craftiness.htm

Britain's Mercies, and Britain's Duty
... Or whose ass have I taken? Or whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed?"
They must, if they would do him justice, make the same ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/britains mercies and britains duty.htm

Whether Temporal Goods Should be Foregone on Account of Scandal?
... why do you not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?" Therefore it seems
that we ought to forego temporal goods on account of scandal. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether temporal goods should be.htm

The Way from Sin to Perfect Salvation.
... Wherein he has stolen or defrauded in any way he will restore as far as he is able. ...
When he has defrauded man of money he will confess it and restore it. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter v the way from.htm

Knox and the Book of Discipline
... liberty and freedom, and that only for relief of the poor." "We speak not for ourselves"
the Book says, "but in favour of the poor, and the labourers defrauded ...
/.../lang/john knox and the reformation/chapter xiii knox and the.htm

The King after Man's Heart
... or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of
whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the king after mans heart.htm

Hymns and Homilies of Ephraim the Syrian
... Hymn VII. Wrath came to rebuke, the greedy who in the midst of peace, bargained,
defrauded and plundered. Hymn IX. Hymn X. My children have been slain. Hymn XI. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/

Defrauded (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Defraud. Multi-Version Concordance Defrauded
(6 Occurrences). ... Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded? ...
/d/defrauded.htm - 8k

Onesimus (2 Occurrences)
... Onesimus was still a heathen when he defrauded his master and ran off from Colosse. ...
The master who has been defrauded now owns allegiance to Jesus. ...
/o/onesimus.htm - 12k

Defraud (11 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT). 2 Corinthians 7:2 Receive us; we have wronged no man, we
have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man. (Root in KJV WBS YLT). ...
/d/defraud.htm - 9k

Injured (28 Occurrences)
... before his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken?
or whom have I defrauded? whom have I injured? or of whose ...
/i/injured.htm - 15k

Cheated (5 Occurrences)
... Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded? (See NIV). ... Whose donkey
have I taken? Whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? ...
/c/cheated.htm - 7k

Oppressed (81 Occurrences)
... Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I defrauded? Whom have
I oppressed? Of whose hand have I taken a ransom to blind my eyes therewith? ...
/o/oppressed.htm - 31k

Defy (10 Occurrences)

/d/defy.htm - 10k

Utterly (170 Occurrences)
... one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather
suffer yourselves to be defrauded? (KJV WBS). 2 Corinthians ...
/u/utterly.htm - 39k

Judgments (146 Occurrences)
... injustice? wherefore be ye not rather defrauded? (YLT). Revelation 15:4
Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for ...
/j/judgments.htm - 37k

Lawsuits (4 Occurrences)
... Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded? (WEB ASV NAS RSV NIV). Exodus
23:6 "You shall not deny justice to your poor people in their lawsuits. ...
/l/lawsuits.htm - 7k

What does the Bible say about lawsuits / suing? | GotQuestions.org

Defrauded: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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