The term "encroached" refers to the act of gradually intruding or trespassing upon the rights, property, or territory of another. In a biblical context, this concept can be understood as overstepping boundaries set by God or infringing upon the rights and responsibilities given to others. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings that illustrate the importance of respecting boundaries, both physical and spiritual.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the concept of encroachment is often related to the land and property rights given to the tribes of Israel. God established specific boundaries for each tribe as they entered the Promised Land. In Deuteronomy 19:14, the Israelites are commanded, "You must not move your neighbor’s boundary marker, set up by your ancestors, in the inheritance you will receive in the land the LORD your God is giving you to possess." This command underscores the importance of respecting the divinely appointed boundaries and the rights of others.

The account of Naboth's vineyard in 1 Kings 21 is a poignant example of encroachment. King Ahab desired Naboth's vineyard and, upon Naboth's refusal to sell, Jezebel orchestrated Naboth's wrongful execution to seize the land. This act of encroachment led to severe consequences for Ahab and Jezebel, demonstrating God's justice in upholding rightful ownership and condemning the violation of personal rights.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of encroachment can be seen in the spiritual realm, where believers are warned against overstepping their God-given roles and responsibilities. The Apostle Paul addresses this in his letters, emphasizing the importance of each member of the body of Christ functioning within their designated role. In Romans 12:3-5, Paul writes, "For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and not all members have the same function, so in Christ we who are many are one body, and each member belongs to one another."

Paul's teaching highlights the need for humility and respect for the roles and gifts of others within the church, warning against the encroachment of pride and self-importance that can disrupt the unity and function of the body of Christ.

Moral and Ethical Implications

The biblical principle against encroachment extends beyond physical boundaries to moral and ethical considerations. The Ten Commandments, particularly the commandment against coveting (Exodus 20:17), address the heart's inclination to encroach upon what belongs to others. Coveting leads to actions that violate the rights and possessions of others, as seen in the account of David and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11), where David's desire led to adultery and murder.

The Bible calls believers to a life of contentment and respect for others' rights, as seen in Hebrews 13:5, "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: 'Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.'" This verse encourages believers to trust in God's provision and to avoid the encroachment of greed and discontentment.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not use the term "encroached" explicitly, the concept is woven throughout its teachings on respecting boundaries, both physical and spiritual. The biblical narrative consistently upholds the importance of honoring the rights and roles of others, warning against the destructive consequences of encroachment. Through these teachings, believers are called to live in harmony, respecting the divinely established order and the rights of their neighbors.(imp. & p. p.) of Encroach.

Jesus Heals Multitudes Beside the Sea of Galilee.
... During the Babylonian captivity, however, the Edomites took possession of the southern
portion of Jud??a, and Strabo says that they encroached as far as to the ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xl jesus heals multitudes beside.htm

The Anthropomorphites not So Bad as the Manich??ans.
... Or perhaps the proper expression is, that He is unconfined above in His
own nature, but encroached on below by a hostile nature. ...
/.../chapter 23 name anthropomorphites not.htm

Conflict Between the Christians and Jews at Alexandria: and Breach ...
... Now Orestes had long regarded with jealousy the growing power of the bishops, because
they encroached on the jurisdiction of the authorities appointed by the ...
/.../chapter xiii conflict between the christians.htm

Sanctification is a Mystery.
... The hand that ruined and desecrated man destroyed God's property, encroached upon
the divine right of sovereignty"yea, upon His very right of ownership, and ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/ii sanctification is a mystery.htm

The Barbarian Desolation
... But your promise did not last long. I was soon encroached upon and overrun
by you all. I am no longer free to study as I desire. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/iii the barbarian desolation.htm

The Nile and Egypt
... The ceaseless accumulation of mud brought down by the river soon overpassed the
first limits, and steadily encroached upon the sea until it was carried beyond ...
/.../chapter i the nile and egypt.htm

General Introduction
... natural. But the mystical elements of his thought encroached on the province
of revelation, and had indeed been the source of heresies. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/nature and grace/general introduction.htm

Doctrine of Non-Resistance to Evil by Force must Inevitably be ...
... There remains now only one sphere of human life not encroached upon by government
authority"that is the domestic, economic sphere, the sphere of private life ...
/.../the kingdom of god is within you/chapter viii doctrine of non-resistance.htm

The First Theban Empire
... Tombs having encroached upon it by the time of the VIth dynasty, it was shortly
afterwards replaced by another and similar fort, situate rather more than a ...
/.../chapter iiithe first theban empire.htm

Rachel's Refuge
... I have been a guest under thy roof and at thy board, a pensioner upon thy cheer,
and now, even while my heart was full of gratitude, have I encroached upon thy ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxxii rachels refuge.htm

Encroached (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Encroach. Multi-Version Concordance
Encroached (1 Occurrence). Ezekiel 42:5 And the upper ...
/e/encroached.htm - 6k

Sea (4178 Occurrences)
... the probable depth of water at the north end of the sea, it is, therefore, not an
extravagant supposition that the Jordan delta has encroached upon the sea to ...
/s/sea.htm - 87k

Dead (580 Occurrences)
... the probable depth of water at the north end of the sea, it is, therefore, not an
extravagant supposition that the Jordan delta has encroached upon the sea to ...
/d/dead.htm - 80k

Gideon (45 Occurrences)
... The Midianites under Zebah and Zalmunna, their two greatest chiefs, accompanied
by other wild tribes of the eastern desert, had gradually encroached on the ...
/g/gideon.htm - 36k

Encroaching (1 Occurrence)

/e/encroaching.htm - 7k

Encroach (2 Occurrences)

/e/encroach.htm - 7k

Middle-most (2 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 42:5 And the upper cells, because the galleries encroached on them, were
shorter than the lower, and than the middle-most of the building. (DBY). ...
/m/middle-most.htm - 7k

Philistia (12 Occurrences)
... width of about half the length, but it was fertile, being an extension of the plain
of Sharon, except that along the coast high sand dunes encroached upon the ...
/p/philistia.htm - 12k

Cells (24 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Ezekiel 42:5 And the upper cells, because the galleries encroached on them,
were shorter than the lower, and than the middle-most of the building. (DBY). ...
/c/cells.htm - 14k

Arabah (32 Occurrences)
... sedimentary deposits which have been brought in by the numerous tributary wadies
during the last 4,000 years, the coarser material having encroached upon it ...
/a/arabah.htm - 33k

Encroached: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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