In the context of the Bible, the term "exploit" can refer to both heroic deeds and acts of taking advantage of others. The word is used to describe significant actions, often of a courageous or daring nature, that are undertaken by individuals, particularly those who are empowered by God. However, it can also imply the unethical use of power or resources for personal gain.

Heroic Exploits:

1. David's Mighty Men: One of the most notable examples of exploits in the Bible is found in the accounts of David's mighty men. These warriors performed extraordinary feats of bravery and strength. In 2 Samuel 23:8-12, we read about Josheb-Basshebeth, Eleazar, and Shammah, who performed great exploits in battle. Their actions were seen as divinely inspired and were instrumental in securing victories for Israel.

2. Daniel and His Companions: In the Book of Daniel, the prophet and his companions are described as performing exploits through their faithfulness to God. Daniel 11:32 states, "With flattery he will corrupt those who violate the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him." This passage highlights the spiritual strength and resolve of those who remain faithful to God, enabling them to perform great deeds.

3. Jonathan's Victory: Another example is Jonathan, the son of King Saul, who, along with his armor-bearer, achieved a significant victory over the Philistines. In 1 Samuel 14:6, Jonathan expresses his faith in God's ability to save, saying, "Come, let us cross over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf, for nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few." His trust in God led to a remarkable exploit that turned the tide of battle.

Exploitation in a Negative Sense:

1. Oppression of the Poor: The Bible also addresses the negative aspect of exploitation, particularly in the context of social justice. In Proverbs 22:22-23 , it is written, "Do not rob a poor man because he is poor, and do not crush the afflicted at the gate, for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who rob them." This passage warns against exploiting the vulnerable and assures that God will defend the oppressed.

2. Unjust Gain: The prophets frequently condemned those who exploited others for personal gain. In Ezekiel 22:29 , the prophet declares, "The people of the land have practiced extortion and committed robbery. They have oppressed the poor and needy and have exploited the foreign resident without justice." Such actions are portrayed as violations of God's law and are met with divine judgment.

3. Warnings Against Greed: The New Testament also cautions against the exploitation that arises from greed. In James 5:4 , the apostle warns, "Look, the wages you withheld from the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts." This admonition underscores the moral responsibility to treat workers fairly and not exploit their labor.

In summary, the concept of "exploit" in the Bible encompasses both commendable acts of valor and the reprehensible acts of taking advantage of others. The scriptures provide numerous examples and teachings that highlight the importance of aligning one's actions with God's will, whether in performing great deeds or in ensuring justice and fairness in all dealings.1. (n.) A deed or act; especially, a heroic act; a deed of renown; an adventurous or noble achievement; as, the exploits of Alexander the Great.

2. (n.) Combat; war.

3. (n.) To utilize; to make available; to get the value or usefulness out of; as, to exploit a mine or agricultural lands; to exploit public opinion.

4. (n.) Hence: To draw an illegitimate profit from; to speculate on; to put upon.

1388. dolos -- a bait, fig. craft, deceit
... 1388 ("deceit motivated by ") uses to snare (deceive) people which implies to
exploit the naive (undiscerning) -- them through (with) their . ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1388.htm - 7k

1710. emporeuomai -- to travel in, to traffic, by impl. to trade
... Word Origin from en and poreuomai Definition to travel in, to traffic, by impl.
to trade NASB Word Usage engage in business (1), exploit (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1710.htm - 7k

5949. alilah -- wantonness, a deed
... Or malilah {al-ee-law'}; from alal in the sense of effecting; an exploit (of God),
or a performance (of man, often in a bad sense); by implication, an ...
/hebrew/5949.htm - 6k

One Fold and one Shepherd
... The new glow of national unity would seek some great exploit, and would resent
as an insult the presence of the Jebusites in their stronghold. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/one fold and one shepherd.htm

The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
... Darius by the ancients for making this expedition are the desire of avenging the
disasters of the Scythian invasion, or of performing an exploit which should ...
/.../chapter iithe last days of 2.htm

The Insistency of Prayer
... dictation and stormy pertinacity"imposing our egoist will on God, and treating Him
as a mysterious but manageable power that we may coerce and exploit. ...
/.../forsyth/the soul of prayer/chapter vii the insistency of.htm

The Savanna of Aripo
... To an Englishman, the place will be always interesting as the scene of Raleigh's
exploit, and the capture of Berreos; and, to one who has received the kindness ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter xii the savanna of.htm

The King.
... And what a pathetic beam of struggling light gleams through heavy clouds, in the
grateful exploit of the men of Jabesh, who remembered how he had once saved ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/ix the king.htm

The Grave of John, and Another Grave
... In either case, it was a brave thing for them to do; an altogether heroic exploit,
which may be classed in the same category with that of the men of Jabesh ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/xv the grave of john.htm

Saul Rejected
... They had made a swift march from the south where Amalek dwelt, passing by Nabal's
Carmel, where they had put up some sort of monument of their exploit in a ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/saul rejected.htm

Alaric the Goth. He Assaulted Rome, and Straitened it by War.
... by the prefect of the city, promised to drive out the barbarians with thunder and
lightning; they boasted of having performed a similar exploit at Larnia, a ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of sozomenus/chapter vi alaric the goth he.htm

Leadership for Service
... people. When he created the apostolate, he initiated a new order of leadership,
a band of men who would serve and not exploit. Read ...
/.../the social principles of jesus/chapter vii leadership for service.htm

Caesar Makes Antipater Procurator of Judea; as Does Antipater ...
... ran over the neighboring parts of Syria with a great band of men, he caught him
and slew him, and many more of the robbers with him; which exploit was chiefly ...
/.../chapter 10 caesar makes antipater.htm

Exploit (4 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) To utilize; to make available; to get the value or usefulness out of; as,
to exploit a mine or agricultural lands; to exploit public opinion. ...
/e/exploit.htm - 8k

Jair (14 Occurrences)
... HAVVOTH-JAIR (which see). The accounts of his exploit are difficult to
harmonize (see ICC on above passages). Some would identify ...
/j/jair.htm - 14k

Linger (7 Occurrences)
... 2 Peter 2:3 In covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words: whose sentence
now from of old doesn't linger, and their destruction will not slumber. ...
/l/linger.htm - 8k

Greed (19 Occurrences)
... 2 Peter 2:3 In covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words: whose sentence
now from of old doesn't linger, and their destruction will not slumber. ...
/g/greed.htm - 12k

Feat (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) An act; a deed; an exploit. 2. (n.) A
striking act of strength, skill, or cunning; a trick; as ...
/f/feat.htm - 7k

Explicitly (1 Occurrence)

/e/explicitly.htm - 6k

Elhanan (4 Occurrences)
... The exploit of Elhanan took place late in David's reign. (2.) The son of Dodo, and
one of David's warriors (2 Samuel 23:24). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ...
/e/elhanan.htm - 10k

Exploited (1 Occurrence)

/e/exploited.htm - 6k

Deed (71 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) Illustrious act; achievement; exploit. 4. (vt) Power of action; agency;
efficiency. 5. (vt) Fact; reality; -- whence we have indeed. ...
/d/deed.htm - 30k

Deceptive (11 Occurrences)
... 2 Peter 2:3 In covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words: whose sentence
now from of old doesn't linger, and their destruction will not slumber. ...
/d/deceptive.htm - 9k

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