In the context of biblical teachings, "detriment" refers to harm, damage, or loss that can occur to individuals or communities, often as a result of sin, disobedience, or poor choices. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings that illustrate the concept of detriment, emphasizing the spiritual, moral, and sometimes physical consequences of actions that are contrary to God's will.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament frequently addresses the concept of detriment through the narratives of the Israelites and their relationship with God. In Deuteronomy 28, God outlines the blessings for obedience and the curses for disobedience. The curses, which include various forms of detriment such as disease, defeat, and exile, serve as a warning to the Israelites about the consequences of turning away from God's commandments: "But if you do not obey the LORD your God by carefully following all His commandments and statutes I am giving you today, all these curses will come upon you and overtake you" (Deuteronomy 28:15).

The account of King Saul is another example of detriment resulting from disobedience. Saul's failure to fully obey God's command regarding the Amalekites led to his rejection as king: "Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king" (1 Samuel 15:23). Saul's detriment was not only personal but also affected the nation of Israel.

Wisdom Literature

The wisdom literature of the Bible, particularly the Book of Proverbs, often contrasts the paths of wisdom and folly, highlighting the detriment that comes from foolishness. Proverbs 13:20 states, "He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed" . This verse underscores the idea that associating with foolishness leads to personal harm and detriment.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of detriment is often linked to spiritual consequences and the eternal state of the soul. Jesus warns about the detriment of gaining worldly wealth at the expense of one's soul: "What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?" (Mark 8:36). This teaching emphasizes the ultimate detriment of prioritizing temporal gains over eternal salvation.

The Apostle Paul also addresses detriment in his letters, particularly in the context of sin and its consequences. In Romans 6:23, Paul writes, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" . Here, the detriment of sin is contrasted with the gift of salvation, highlighting the severe consequences of living in sin.

Practical Implications

The Bible encourages believers to avoid detriment by living according to God's commandments and seeking wisdom. In Ephesians 5:15-17, Paul advises, "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is" . This passage calls for discernment and intentional living to avoid the detriment that comes from foolishness and disobedience.

In summary, the Bible presents detriment as a significant consequence of actions that deviate from God's will. Through narratives, teachings, and exhortations, Scripture warns of the various forms of harm and loss that can result from sin and encourages believers to pursue righteousness and wisdom to avoid such outcomes.1. (n.) That which causes damage or loss; mischief; harm; diminution; loss; damage; -- used very generically; as, detriments to property, religion, morals, etc.

2. (n.) A charge made to students and barristers for incidental repairs of the rooms they occupy.

3. (v. t.) To do injury to; to hurt.

2209. zemia -- damage
... Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: zemia Phonetic Spelling:
(dzay-mee'-ah) Short Definition: damage, loss Definition: damage, loss, detriment. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2209.htm - 6k

2210. zemioo -- to damage, suffer loss
... of the penalty, even when the verb is passive. 2210 (from 2209 , "loss") -- to cause
or experience (), especially carrying a penalty (significant detriment). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2210.htm - 8k

5142. nezaq -- to suffer injury
... Word Origin (Aramaic) corresponding to the root of nezeq Definition to suffer injury
NASB Word Usage damage (1), damaging (1), detriment (1), suffer loss (1). ...
/hebrew/5142.htm - 6k

Whether one Ought, by Humility, to Subject Oneself to all Men?
... to all men. Objection 3: Further no one ought to do that which conduces
to the detriment of another's spiritual welfare. But if ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether one ought by humility.htm

On the Perfection of the Scriptures
... either expressly or with equal force contained in them, that proposition may be
rejected at least as not necessary to salvation, without any detriment to one's ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation vii on the perfection.htm

In what Manner the Son was Sent and Proclaimed Beforehand. How in ...
... Beforehand. How in the Sending of His Birth in the Flesh He Was Made Less
Without Detriment to His Equality with the Father. 25. ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 19 in what manner the.htm

Book vi. Epistle i. To Marinianus, Bishop.
... And they have petitioned that these, which are to the detriment of his Church,
should under no excuse be paid, as being prohibited by law. ...
/.../gregory/the epistles of saint gregory the great/book vi epistle i to.htm

Whether Reviling Consists in Words?
... kinds of harm. Such is the harm done to a man to the detriment of his honor,
or of the respect due to him from others. Hence the ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether reviling consists in words.htm

Whether the Flesh of Christ was Conceived of the virgin's Purest ...
... And from this was the woman formed, without detriment to the man. But
in the Virgin's body there was nothing of this sort, from ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the flesh of christ 3.htm

Whether Slavery Can Supervene to Marriage?
... Because what is done by fraud and to another's detriment should not hold. But
a husband who sells himself for a slave, does so sometimes ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether slavery can supervene to.htm

Whether Worldly Fear is Always Evil?
... God. Now it is natural to man to fear detriment to his body, and loss of
his worldly goods, whereby the present life is supported. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether worldly fear is always.htm

Whether Christ Should have Been Born of an Espoused virgin?
... she left this to God's discretion. Wherefore she suffered nothing in detriment
to her virginity. Reply to Objection 2: As Ambrose ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christ should have been.htm

Of the Son of God as Neither Made by the Father nor Less than the ...
... to assume the entire nature of man (totum hominem) in the womb of the Virgin,
inhabiting the material body so that it sustained no detriment (integrum), and ...
/.../augustine/a treatise on faith and the creed /chapter 4 of the son of.htm

Detriment (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Detriment (1 Occurrence). Ezra 4:22 Take heed that you
not be slack herein: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings? ...
/d/detriment.htm - 7k

Damage (57 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Injury or harm to person, property, or reputation;
an inflicted loss of value; detriment; hurt; mischief. ...
/d/damage.htm - 26k

Deuel (5 Occurrences)

/d/deuel.htm - 8k

Jubilee (25 Occurrences)
... were manifold. "1. It would prevent the accumulation of land on the part
of a few to the detriment of the community at large. 2. It ...
/j/jubilee.htm - 27k

Wound (58 Occurrences)
... or the like. 5. (n.) Fig.: An injury, hurt, damage, detriment, or the like,
to feeling, faculty, reputation, etc. 6. (n.) An injury ...
/w/wound.htm - 24k

Withered (46 Occurrences)
... 3:1 Luke 6:6) "withered hand" was probably our modern "infantile paralysis," which
may leave one or more limbs shrunken and powerless without detriment to the ...
/w/withered.htm - 22k

Injury (21 Occurrences)
... the person, character, feelings, rights, property, or interests of an individual;
that which injures, or occasions wrong, loss, damage, or detriment; harm; hurt ...
/i/injury.htm - 13k

Forestall (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To take possession of, in advance of some one or something else, to the
exclusion or detriment of the latter; to get ahead of; to preoccupy; also, to ...
/f/forestall.htm - 7k

Dethroned (2 Occurrences)

/d/dethroned.htm - 7k

Disadvantage (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) Loss; detriment; hindrance; prejudice to interest, fame, credit, profit,
or other good. 3. (vt) To injure the interest of; to be detrimental to. ...
/d/disadvantage.htm - 7k

What does the Bible say about fear? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about breastfeeding? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to surrender to God? | GotQuestions.org

Detriment: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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