The term "forcible" in the context of the Bible often relates to actions or events characterized by strength, power, or compulsion. While the specific word "forcible" may not frequently appear in many English translations, the concept is present in various narratives and teachings throughout the Scriptures.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the idea of force or compulsion is often associated with God's mighty acts and the deliverance of His people. For instance, the Exodus narrative is a prime example of God's forcible intervention in history. The plagues upon Egypt and the parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 7-14) demonstrate God's powerful hand in liberating the Israelites from bondage. These acts are described with language that conveys strength and divine authority.

The use of force is also evident in the military conquests of Israel. The battles led by Joshua, such as the fall of Jericho (Joshua 6), illustrate the forcible taking of the Promised Land as commanded by God. These events underscore the belief that God empowers His people to achieve His purposes, often through acts of strength and might.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of force is seen in the spiritual realm. Jesus' ministry involved the forcible casting out of demons, demonstrating His authority over evil spirits. In Matthew 12:28 , Jesus states, "But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you." This act of driving out demons is a clear example of spiritual force used to establish God's kingdom.

The Apostle Paul also speaks of the spiritual warfare that believers engage in, using the metaphor of armor and weapons to describe the Christian's battle against spiritual forces of evil (Ephesians 6:10-18). This passage emphasizes the need for divine strength and the use of spiritual force to stand firm in faith.

Moral and Ethical Considerations

The Bible presents a nuanced view of force, recognizing both its necessity and potential for misuse. While God's use of force is always just and righteous, human use of force is subject to moral and ethical scrutiny. The Scriptures caution against the abuse of power and the oppression of others. Proverbs 3:31 advises, "Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways," highlighting the dangers of adopting forceful methods contrary to God's will.

In the teachings of Jesus, the use of force is often contrasted with the call to love, mercy, and forgiveness. The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) challenges believers to respond to aggression with grace and to seek peace rather than retaliation.

Conclusion

The concept of "forcible" in the Bible encompasses both divine acts of power and the human use of strength. It serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the call for believers to exercise power in alignment with His righteous standards.1. (a.) Violent; characterized by force, efficiency, or energy; as, forcible entry during a burglary; powerful; efficacious; impressive; influential.

2. (a.) Violent; impetuous.

3. (a.) Using force against opposition or resistance; obtained by compulsion; effected by force; as, forcible entry or abduction.

5594. psucho -- to breathe, blow, to make cool
... A primary verb; to breathe (voluntarily but gently, thus differing on the one hand
from pneo, which denotes properly a forcible respiration; and on the other ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5594.htm - 7k

2478. ischuros -- strong, mighty
... boisterous, mighty, powerful, strong. From ischus; forcible (literally or figuratively)
-- boisterous, mighty(-ier), powerful, strong(-er, man), valiant. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2478.htm - 8k

4834. marats -- to be sick
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to be sick NASB Word Usage painful (2), plagues
(1), violent (1). embolden, be forcible, grievous, sore. ...
/hebrew/4834.htm - 6k

3612. Kaleb -- a son of Jephunneh and sent by Moses to spy out the ...
... Caleb. Perhaps a form of keleb, or else from the same root in the sense of forcible;
Caleb, the name of three Israelites -- Caleb. see HEBREW keleb. ...
/hebrew/3612.htm - 6k

5808. izzuz -- mighty, powerful
... power, strong. From azaz; forcible; collectively and concretely, an army -- power,
strong. see HEBREW azaz. 5807, 5808. izzuz. 5809 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/5808.htm - 6k

6273. Othni -- a Levite
... Othni. From an unused root meaning to force; forcible; Othni, an Israelite --
Othni. 6272, 6273. Othni. 6274 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/6273.htm - 5k

Children Brought to Christ, and not to the Font
... Their reasoning is rather ingenious than forcible: forsooth, because the disciples
incurred the displeasure of Jesus Christ by keeping back the little children ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/children brought to christ and.htm

Impressive Phrases
... E. earth, air, stars, and sea. efficient, forcible, adequate, and potent. ... lively,
vivacious, vigorous, and forcible. loss, deprivation, forfeiture, and waste. ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section iv impressive phrases.htm

Acts ii. 14
... As yet also he has said nothing about Judas; and yet it was known to all what a
doom and punishment he had undergone; for nothing was more forcible than to ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily v acts ii 14.htm

Jehoshaphat's Reform
... Forcible reformations of manners, and, still more, of religion, never last, but
are sure to be followed by violent rebounds to the old order. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/jehoshaphats reform.htm

Doctrine of Non-Resistance to Evil by Force must Inevitably be ...
... is Used in Four Ways: Intimidation, Bribery, Hypnotism, and Coercion by Force of
Arms"State Violence Can Never be Suppressed by the Forcible Overthrow of the ...
/.../the kingdom of god is within you/chapter viii doctrine of non-resistance.htm

Letter L. To Domnio.
... If he tries to do this, he will find that what seems forcible on a lounge is not
equally forcible in court; and that it is one thing to discuss the doctrines ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter l to domnio.htm

How Christ is to be Made Use Of, in Reference to the Killing and ...
... a considerable power, force, and efficacy, which this old man hath in us, to carry
us away, and, as it were, command or constrain us, as by a forcible law. ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter vi how christ is.htm

Eccles. 12:12 Simplicity in Preaching.
... style. Allow me to tell my readers that it is an extremely difficult thing
to write simple, clear, perspicuous, and forcible English. ...
/.../chapter iii eccles 12 12 simplicity.htm

The Beatific vision.
... and intimate a manner, that, without losing her created nature or personal identity,
she is transformed into God, according to the forcible expression of St. ...
/.../boudreaux/the happiness of heaven/chapter i the beatific vision.htm

Publishers' Preface.
... The Introduction, by Dr. Daniel Steele, is a forcible presentation of the main
doctrines of the book, and is creditable to the head and heart of the writer ...
//christianbookshelf.org/booth/godliness/publishers preface.htm

Forcible (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Violent; characterized by force, efficiency, or energy; as, forcible entry
during a burglary; powerful; efficacious; impressive; influential. ...
/f/forcible.htm - 7k

Blow (124 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) A forcible stroke with the hand, fist, or some instrument, as a rod, a club,
an ax, or a sword. 5. (n.) A sudden or forcible act or effort; an assault. ...
/b/blow.htm - 42k

Strong (736 Occurrences)
... 7. (superl.) Moving with rapidity or force; violent; forcible; impetuous; as, a
strong current of water or wind; the wind was strong from the northeast; a ...
/s/strong.htm - 44k

Violent (151 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Moving or acting with physical strength; urged or impelled with force; excited
by strong feeling or passion; forcible; vehement; impetuous; fierce ...
/v/violent.htm - 36k

Forcibly (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (adv.) In a forcible manner. Multi-Version
Concordance Forcibly (1 Occurrence). Deuteronomy 28:31 Thine ...
/f/forcibly.htm - 6k

Rescue (92 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) The forcible retaking, or taking away, against law, of things
lawfully distrained. 4. (n.) The forcible liberation of a ...
/r/rescue.htm - 33k

Eloquence (4 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) Fluent, forcible, elegant, and persuasive speech in public; the power of
expressing strong emotions in striking and appropriate language either spoken ...
/e/eloquence.htm - 8k

Vigorous (9 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Exhibiting strength, either of body or mind; powerful; strong; forcible;
energetic; as, vigorous exertions; a vigorous prosecution of a war. ...
/v/vigorous.htm - 9k

Vehement (10 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Acting with great force; furious; violent; impetuous; forcible; mighty;
as, vehement wind; a vehement torrent; a vehement fire or heat. Int. ...
/v/vehement.htm - 11k

Violence (98 Occurrences)
... "The Baptist has fanned a new Messianic storm of ill-advised insurrection," "the
Pharisees have shamefully used forcible suppression of God's teachers," "the ...
/v/violence.htm - 38k

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