Definition and Context:
Encroaching refers to the act of gradually intruding or trespassing upon the rights, property, or territory of another. In a biblical context, encroaching can be understood as overstepping boundaries set by God or infringing upon the rights and responsibilities given to others. This concept is often associated with themes of respect for divine order, personal boundaries, and the consequences of overstepping one's God-given role or authority.

Biblical Instances and Principles:

1. Property and Land Boundaries:
The Bible emphasizes the importance of respecting property boundaries. In the Old Testament, God provided specific instructions regarding land ownership and boundaries. Deuteronomy 19:14 states, "You must not move your neighbor’s boundary marker, which was 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 property rights of others and maintaining the integrity of inherited land.

2. Respect for Authority and Roles:
Encroaching can also refer to overstepping one's role or authority. In Numbers 16, the rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram against Moses and Aaron serves as a cautionary tale. These men sought to encroach upon the priestly duties assigned to Aaron, challenging the leadership established by God. Their rebellion resulted in severe consequences, as described in Numbers 16:31-33 : "As soon as Moses had finished saying all this, the ground beneath them split open, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households, all Korah’s men and all their possessions. They went down alive into Sheol with all they owned. The earth closed over them, and they vanished from the assembly."

3. Moral and Ethical Boundaries:
Encroaching can also be seen in the context of moral and ethical boundaries. The account of David and Bathsheba in 2 Samuel 11 illustrates the dangers of encroaching upon the sanctity of marriage. David's actions in taking Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, led to a series of tragic events and divine judgment. This narrative highlights the importance of respecting the marital covenant and the destructive consequences of violating it.

4. Spiritual Encroachment:
The New Testament warns against spiritual encroachment, particularly in the context of false teachings and practices. In Galatians 1:6-9 , Paul admonishes the Galatians for turning to a different gospel, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the true gospel of Christ. He writes, "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a curse!" This passage underscores the need to guard against spiritual encroachment that leads believers away from the truth.

Theological Implications:
Encroaching, in its various forms, is a violation of divine order and an affront to God's established boundaries. It reflects a lack of respect for God's sovereignty and the roles He has assigned to individuals and communities. The biblical narrative consistently warns against the dangers of encroachment, whether in physical, moral, or spiritual realms, and calls believers to uphold the principles of justice, respect, and obedience to God's commands.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Encroach.

Tenth Letter
... Perhaps M. - was too much attached to him he has lost. We ought to love our friends,
but without encroaching upon the love of GOD, which must be the principal. ...
/.../lawrence/the practice of the presence of god/tenth letter.htm

Life.
... Weary with feebleness, he calls upon death, but in reality it is life he wants.
It is but the encroaching death in him that desires death. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/unspoken sermons/life.htm

Concerning the Power of the Civil Magistrate in Matters Purely ...
... But Secondly, As we would have the magistrate to avoid this extreme of encroaching
upon men's consciences, so on the other hand we are far from joining with or ...
/.../proposition xiv concerning the power.htm

But, Say My Opponents, if Christ was God, Why did He Appear in ...
... and under the guise of our race He imprisoned His power, so that He could be seen
and carefully regarded, might speak and teach, and without encroaching on the ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/60 but say my opponents.htm

An Abstract of a Speech Delivered by Lord Warriston, Before the ...
... and careful to assert Christ and his church, their privileges and rights, and to
forewarn all lest they endanger their souls by encroaching thereon, and lest ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/an abstract of a speech.htm

The Baptism of John, Whence was It?
... It is hard to understand how the Socinian can defend his Master against the charge
of encroaching on the rights and honors of Deity, and (to borrow a phrase ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 11 27-33 the baptism of.htm

John Mark
... creeps sluggish and almost stagnant amongst the flats of later life, or has been
lost and swallowed up altogether in the thirsty and encroaching sands of a ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/john mark.htm

Unwashen Hands
... But they had never felt the incongruity, never been jealous enough for the commandment
of God to revolt against the encroaching tradition which insulted it. ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 6 53-7 13 unwashen hands.htm

Exhortation to Abandon the Impious Mysteries of Idolatry for the ...
... world might become harmony. It let loose the fluid ocean, and yet has
prevented it from encroaching on the land. The earth, again ...
/.../clement/exhortation to the heathen/chapter i exhortation to abandon the.htm

Introduction
... in the spirit of broad humor. We are encroaching on this sphere in the
familiar stories of Brother Juniper. We are surely in an ...
/.../ugolino/the little flowers of st francis of assisi/introduction.htm

Encroaching (1 Occurrence)
...Encroaching (1 Occurrence). 1 Thessalonians 4:6 and that in this matter there be
no encroaching on the rights of a brother Christian and no overreaching him. ...
/e/encroaching.htm - 7k

Overreaching (2 Occurrences)
... Overreaching (2 Occurrences). 1 Thessalonians 4:6 and that in this matter there
be no encroaching on the rights of a brother Christian and no overreaching him. ...
/o/overreaching.htm - 7k

Invasion (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of encroaching upon the rights
or possessions of another; encroachment; trespass. 2. (n ...
/i/invasion.htm - 7k

Rights (35 Occurrences)
... (WEY). 1 Thessalonians 4:6 and that in this matter there be no encroaching
on the rights of a brother Christian and no overreaching him. ...
/r/rights.htm - 16k

Encroached (1 Occurrence)

/e/encroached.htm - 6k

Encrusted (2 Occurrences)

/e/encrusted.htm - 7k

Cases (16 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS). 1 Thessalonians 4:6 and that in this matter there
be no encroaching on the rights of a brother Christian and no overreaching him. ...
/c/cases.htm - 11k

Solemnly (62 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). 1 Thessalonians 4:6 and that in this matter there be no encroaching
on the rights of a brother Christian and no overreaching him. ...
/s/solemnly.htm - 25k

Taught (134 Occurrences)
... 1 Thessalonians 4:6 and that in this matter there be no encroaching on
the rights of a brother Christian and no overreaching him. ...
/t/taught.htm - 36k

Christian (41 Occurrences)
... (WEY). 1 Thessalonians 4:6 and that in this matter there be no encroaching
on the rights of a brother Christian and no overreaching him. ...
/c/christian.htm - 29k

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