In biblical terms, the concept of "exception" can be understood as instances where God, His laws, or His actions deviate from what might be considered the normative pattern. The Bible, while presenting God's laws and principles as absolute, also provides examples where exceptions occur, often to demonstrate His sovereignty, mercy, or specific purposes.

Divine Exceptions in Law and Commandments

One of the most notable examples of divine exception is found in the life of King David. According to the law, the consumption of the consecrated bread, or showbread, was reserved exclusively for the priests (Leviticus 24:9). However, in 1 Samuel 21:6, David, fleeing from Saul and in dire need, is given the consecrated bread by Ahimelech the priest. This act is later referenced by Jesus in the New Testament to illustrate the principle that mercy and human need can take precedence over ceremonial law (Matthew 12:3-4).

Exceptions in God's Dealings with Individuals

The account of Rahab the harlot in Joshua 2 is another example of divine exception. Rahab, a Canaanite and a prostitute, is spared during the destruction of Jericho because of her faith and assistance to the Israelite spies. Her inclusion in the genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:5) highlights God's grace and the exception He makes for those who demonstrate faith, regardless of their past.

Exceptions in Covenantal Promises

God's covenant with Abraham included the promise of numerous descendants and a land inheritance (Genesis 15:5-7). However, the fulfillment of these promises often involved exceptions to human expectations. For instance, Isaac, the child of promise, was born to Abraham and Sarah in their old age, defying natural reproductive limitations (Genesis 21:1-2). This exception underscores God's ability to fulfill His promises in ways that transcend human understanding.

Exceptions in Jesus' Ministry

Jesus' ministry is replete with examples of exceptions to societal norms and religious expectations. He healed on the Sabbath (Mark 3:1-5), associated with tax collectors and sinners (Matthew 9:10-13), and spoke with a Samaritan woman (John 4:7-9), actions that challenged the prevailing religious and cultural norms of His time. These exceptions highlight the inclusive nature of the Gospel and the breaking down of barriers between God and humanity.

Exceptions in the Early Church

In the early church, the inclusion of Gentiles as co-heirs with Jews in the promises of God was a significant exception to Jewish expectations. The vision given to Peter in Acts 10, where he is instructed to eat what was previously considered unclean, symbolizes the breaking of traditional barriers and the extension of the Gospel to all nations (Acts 10:15). This exception was pivotal in the spread of Christianity beyond Jewish communities.

Conclusion

The concept of exception in the Bible serves to illustrate God's sovereignty, grace, and the unfolding of His redemptive plan. Through these exceptions, God reveals His character and purposes, often challenging human expectations and norms to demonstrate His ultimate authority and love.1. (n.) The act of excepting or excluding; exclusion; restriction by taking out something which would otherwise be included, as in a class, statement, rule.

2. (n.) That which is excepted or taken out from others; a person, thing, or case, specified as distinct, or not included; as, almost every general rule has its exceptions.

3. (n.) An objection, oral or written, taken, in the course of an action, as to bail or security; or as to the decision of a judge, in the course of a trail, or in his charge to a jury; or as to lapse of time, or scandal, impertinence, or insufficiency in a pleading; also, as in conveyancing, a clause by which the grantor excepts something before granted.

4. (n.) An objection; cavil; dissent; disapprobation; offense; cause of offense; -- usually followed by to or against.

1508. ei me -- if not
... properly, (). 1508 () views (assumes as) what precedes is , and extends it
to its negative possibility or exception meaning ", .". Word ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1508.htm - 6k

1140. daimonion -- an evil spirit, a demon
... Cognate: 1140 (a neuter, diminutive noun) -- a , ie . 1140 () always refers to in
the NT -- the only exception being Ac 17:18 (which refers to heathen gods). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1140.htm - 7k

4105. planao -- to cause to wander, to wander
... [4105 () is the root of the English term, ("wandering body"). This term nearly always
conveys the of roaming (for an exception -- see Heb 11:38).]. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4105.htm - 9k

2219. zume -- leaven
... Leaven is generally a symbol of the spreading nature of , but note the exception
at Lk 13:20:21 (parallel Mt 13:32,33). Word Origin from a prim. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2219.htm - 6k

Good and Evil are an Exception to the Rule that Contrary ...
... Chapter 14."Good and Evil are an Exception to the Rule that Contrary
Attributes Cannot Be Predicated of the Same Subject. Evil ...
/.../augustine/the enchiridion/chapter 14 good and evil are.htm

Whether the Resurrection Will be for all Without Exception?
... OF THE RESURRECTION (THREE ARTICLES) Whether the resurrection will be for
all without exception? Objection 1: It would seem that ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the resurrection will be.htm

Of the Fall of the Sons of God who were Captivated by the ...
... Chapter 22."Of the Fall of the Sons of God Who Were Captivated by the Daughters
of Men, Whereby All, with the Exception of Eight Persons, Deservedly Perished ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 22 of the fall of.htm

(4) that no Man, with the Exception of Christ, Has ever Lived, or ...
... Book II. Chapter 34 [XX.]"(4) That No Man, with the Exception of Christ,
Has Ever Lived, or Can Live Without Sin. [4th.] There ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 34 xx 4 that no.htm

An Unalterable Law
... Still, the apostle refers to a literal fact, when he says that almost all things,
garments being the only exception, were purged, under the law, with blood. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 60 1914/an unalterable law.htm

Of the Subject to whom to the Key of Church Priviledge, Power, or ...
... 3. The Brethren or the Church have power and liberty of propounding any just exception
against such as offer themselves to be admitted unto their communion, or ...
/.../chap iiii of the subject.htm

Luke xiv. 33
... thinks so; everybody does so." If, indeed, this expression "everybody" might be
taken literally; if it were quite true, without any exception, that "everybody ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnold/the christian life/lecture ix luke xiv 33.htm

Luke xi. 25
... An exception may, perhaps, be made for a small, a very small number of fanatics;
an apparent exception likewise exists in the case of many who seem to be ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnold/the christian life/lecture xv luke xi 25.htm

The Original Text and Its History.
... 1. The original language of the Old Testament is Hebrew, with the exception of certain
portions of Ezra and Daniel and a single verse of Jeremiah, (Ezra 4:8-6 ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xiv the original text.htm

For the Sake of a Nation.
... Now there is one exception to all this in Moses' life. It stands out the more
strikingly that it is an exception; the one exception of a very long line. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on prayer/for the sake of a.htm

Exception (6 Occurrences)
... against. Multi-Version Concordance Exception (6 Occurrences). Luke 9:15 They
did so, making them all, without exception, sit down. (WEY). ...
/e/exception.htm - 9k

Divorce (18 Occurrences)
... There is nothing, however, essential in Matthew that is not in Mark, save the clause
"except for fornication." That exception will be treated further along. ...
/d/divorce.htm - 41k

Challenge (6 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) An exception to a juror or to a member of a court martial, coupled with
a demand that he should be held incompetent to act; the claim of a party that a ...
/c/challenge.htm - 10k

Nightmonster
... Septuagint onokentauros; Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 AD) lamia): I. THE
ACCEPTED TRANSLATION 1. Professor Rogers' Statement 2. Exception to the ...
/n/nightmonster.htm - 17k

Night-monster
... Septuagint onokentauros; Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 AD) lamia): I. THE
ACCEPTED TRANSLATION 1. Professor Rogers' Statement 2. Exception to the ...
/n/night-monster.htm - 17k

Saving (37 Occurrences)
... 5. (a.) Making reservation or exception; as, a saving clause. 6. (participle) With
the exception of; except; excepting; also, without disrespect to. ...
/s/saving.htm - 18k

Taste (46 Occurrences)
... There is nothing, however, essential in Matthew that is not in Mark, save the clause
"except for fornication." That exception will be treated further along. ...
/t/taste.htm - 59k

Volition
... In the Old Testament the word chiefly rendered "to will" is 'abhah, "to breathe
after," "to long for." With the exception of Job 39:9 Isaiah 1:19, it is ...
/v/volition.htm - 11k

Will (64996 Occurrences)
... In the Old Testament the word chiefly rendered "to will" is 'abhah, "to breathe
after," "to long for." With the exception of Job 39:9 Isaiah 1:19, it is ...
/w/will.htm - 13k

Reserve (15 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To make an exception of; to except. 4. (n.) The act of reserving, or keeping
back; reservation. ... 6. (n.) That which is excepted; exception. ...
/r/reserve.htm - 11k

What is the exception clause? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about divorce and remarriage? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about good versus evil? | GotQuestions.org

Exception: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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