Definition and Context:
Extortion is the act of obtaining something, especially money, through force, threats, or abuse of authority. In biblical terms, extortion is considered a grave sin, as it involves exploiting others and violating the principles of justice and righteousness that are central to God's law.

Biblical References:
The Bible addresses the issue of extortion in several passages, condemning it as a practice contrary to the will of God. In the Old Testament, extortion is often linked with other forms of injustice and oppression. For example, in Ezekiel 22:12 , the prophet condemns the people of Jerusalem, saying, "In you they take bribes to shed blood; you take usury and excessive interest; you make unjust gain from your neighbors by extortion. And you have forgotten Me, declares the Lord GOD."

In the New Testament, John the Baptist warns against extortion in his call to repentance. In Luke 3:13-14 , he instructs tax collectors and soldiers, saying, "Collect no more than you are authorized," and "Do not extort money, and do not accuse people falsely. Be content with your wages." This highlights the expectation of integrity and fairness in dealings with others.

Moral and Ethical Implications:
Extortion is fundamentally opposed to the biblical principles of love, justice, and mercy. It reflects a heart that is not aligned with God's character, as it seeks personal gain at the expense of others. The Bible consistently calls for fair treatment and honesty in all interactions, emphasizing that believers should act justly and love mercy (Micah 6:8).

Consequences and Warnings:
The Bible warns of severe consequences for those who engage in extortion. In 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 , Paul lists extortioners among those who will not inherit the kingdom of God: "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God."

Call to Righteousness:
Believers are called to live lives that reflect God's righteousness and justice. This includes rejecting all forms of extortion and instead practicing generosity, fairness, and integrity. The transformation of the heart through faith in Christ leads to a life that seeks to honor God in all dealings with others, upholding the dignity and worth of every individual.

Conclusion:
While the Bible does not provide an exhaustive legal code, its teachings on extortion are clear and unequivocal. Extortion is a sin that undermines the fabric of community and violates the trust and love that should characterize relationships among God's people. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, believers are empowered to live in a manner that reflects God's justice and mercy, rejecting all forms of exploitation and oppression.1. (v. t.) To take person by physical force, threats, or ay undue exercise of power; as, to extort money; to wrench away (from); to tear away; to wring (from); to exact; as, to extort contributions from the vanquished; to extort confessions of guilt; to extort a promise; to extort payment of a debt.

2. (v. t.) To get by the offense of extortion. See Extortion.

3. (v. i.) To practice extortion.

4. (p. p. & a.) Extorted.

1286. diaseio -- to shake violently, to intimidate
... violently, to intimidate. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: diaseio Phonetic
Spelling: (dee-as-i'-o) Short Definition: I blackmail, extort from Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1286.htm - 7k

4811. sukophanteo -- to accuse falsely
... of the law forbidding the exportation of figs from Greece), "sycophant", ie (genitive
and by extension) to defraud (exact unlawfully, extort) -- accuse falsely ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4811.htm - 7k

6231. ashaq -- to oppress, wrong, extort
... 6230, 6231. ashaq. 6232 . to oppress, wrong, extort. Transliteration: ashaq
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-shak') Short Definition: oppress. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/6231.htm - 6k

The Preaching of John. Ch. 3:1-20
... 13 And he said unto them, Extort no more than that which is appointed you.14
And soldiers also asked him, saying, And we, what must we do? ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/a the preaching of john.htm

The Voice in the Wilderness.
... And he said unto them, "Extort no more than that which is appointed you.". And
soldiers also asked him, saying, "And we, what must we do?". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/the voice in the wilderness.htm

Whether Robbery May be Committed Without Sin?
... unbelievers. Objection 3: Further, earthly princes violently extort many things
from their subjects: and this seems to savor of robbery. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether robbery may be committed.htm

Epistle xvii. This Epistle was Written when Symmachus Sent his ...
... Let the same liberty be given to you, O Emperor, and let every one bear it with
patience, if he cannot extort from the Emperor what he would take it ill if the ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/epistle xvii this epistle was.htm

Private Property and the Common Good
... And he said unto them, Extort no more than that which is appointed you. And
soldiers also asked him, saying, And we, what must we do? ...
/.../the social principles of jesus/chapter viii private property and.htm

"Jesus or Barabbas. "
... Caiaphas, "Now Pilate must be challenged more imperiously; and if he does not do
according to our will then shall the authority of Caesar extort the sentence ...
/.../stead/king of the jews/chapter viii jesus or barabbas.htm

Of the Infirmity of the Flesh, and Similar Pleas.
... promising itself, forsooth, heavenly things in return"to lord it, (namely,) in
another's family; to roost [380] on another's wealth; to extort splendour from ...
/.../tertullian/to his wife/chapter iv of the infirmity of.htm

Of the Need for Some Protest against the Psychics and their Self ...
... wealth and satiety" [1091] "not making inroads upon such sins as fasts diminish,
nor feeling need of such revelations as xerophagies extort, nor apprehending ...
/.../on fasting in opposition to the psychics/chapter xiiof the need for.htm

Gehazi
... She did this, not as a slave of Naaman's wife, but as a free human soul,
and servant of God. No tyranny could extort this service. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/gehazi.htm

The Introduction to the Work with Some General Account of Its ...
... there may be to hope all things, and believe all things the most favorable, evidence
to the contrary will force itself upon the mind, and extort the unwilling ...
/.../the rise and progress of religion in the soul/chapter i the introduction to.htm

Extort (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To take person by physical force, threats, or ay undue exercise of power;
as, to extort money; to wrench away (from); to tear away; to wring (from); to ...
/e/extort.htm - 7k

Violence (98 Occurrences)
... What must we do?" He said to them, "Extort from no one by violence, neither accuse
anyone wrongfully. Be content with your wages." (WEB KJV ASV WBS YLT RSV). ...
/v/violence.htm - 38k

Wrongfully (15 Occurrences)
... What must we do?" He said to them, "Extort from no one by violence, neither accuse
anyone wrongfully. Be content with your wages." (WEB ASV). ...
/w/wrongfully.htm - 10k

Writhe (6 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To twist and to turn in pain; as to writhe from an ankle sprain. 2. (vt)
To wrest; to distort; to pervert. 3. (vt) To extort; to wring; to wrest. ...
/w/writhe.htm - 8k

Wring (4 Occurrences)
... 4. (vt) To extract or obtain by twisting and compressing; to squeeze or press (out);
hence, to extort; to draw forth by violence, or against resistance or ...
/w/wring.htm - 8k

Force (250 Occurrences)
... 13. (n.) To impel, drive, wrest, extort, get, etc., by main strength or violence; --
with a following adverb, as along, away, from, into, through, out, etc. ...
/f/force.htm - 40k

Rob (27 Occurrences)
... What must we do?" He said to them, "Extort from no one by violence, neither accuse
anyone wrongfully. Be content with your wages." (See RSV). ...
/r/rob.htm - 15k

Extols (1 Occurrence)

/e/extols.htm - 6k

Express (13 Occurrences)
... or message. 8. (v.) To press or squeeze out; as, to express the juice of
grapes, or of apples; hence, to extort; to elicit. 9. (v ...
/e/express.htm - 12k

Extorted (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Extort. Multi-Version Concordance
Extorted (3 Occurrences). 2 Corinthians 9:5 I have thought ...
/e/extorted.htm - 7k

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