The term "instigated" refers to the act of provoking, inciting, or urging someone to take a particular action, often with a negative connotation. In the context of the Bible, instigation is frequently associated with actions that lead to sin, rebellion, or conflict. The concept is explored through various narratives and teachings, illustrating the moral and spiritual consequences of such actions.

Old Testament Instances

One of the most notable examples of instigation in the Old Testament is found in the account of the rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram against Moses and Aaron. In Numbers 16:1-3, these men "rose up before Moses" and gathered others to challenge the leadership appointed by God. Their instigation led to a severe judgment from God, as the earth opened up and swallowed them and their households (Numbers 16:31-33).

Another instance is the instigation of the Israelites to worship the golden calf while Moses was on Mount Sinai. In Exodus 32:1-6, the people, feeling abandoned, pressured Aaron to make an idol. This act of instigation led to idolatry and resulted in God's anger and subsequent punishment (Exodus 32:7-10).

New Testament Instances

In the New Testament, instigation is seen in the actions of the Jewish leaders who opposed Jesus. In Matthew 27:20, the chief priests and elders "persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus put to death" . This act of instigation played a crucial role in the events leading to the crucifixion of Christ.

The Apostle Paul also faced instigation during his ministry. In Acts 13:50, the Jews "incited the prominent women and the leading men of the city" against Paul and Barnabas, leading to their expulsion from the region . Similarly, in Acts 17:5, the Jews, "becoming jealous, took some wicked men from the marketplace, formed a mob, and set the city in an uproar" against Paul and Silas .

Moral and Spiritual Implications

The Bible consistently portrays instigation as a catalyst for sin and discord. It often involves manipulation, deceit, or coercion, leading individuals or groups away from God's will. The consequences of such actions are depicted as severe, both for the instigators and those who follow them.

Proverbs 6:16-19 lists "a heart that devises wicked schemes" and "a person who stirs up conflict in the community" among the things the Lord detests . This highlights the moral responsibility of individuals to resist instigation and to seek peace and righteousness.

Lessons for Believers

Believers are called to be vigilant against instigation, both in their own hearts and in their communities. Ephesians 4:31-32 encourages Christians to "get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice" and to "be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you" . This teaching underscores the importance of fostering a spirit of unity and love, counteracting the divisive nature of instigation.

In summary, the biblical perspective on instigation serves as a warning against the destructive power of inciting others to sin and rebellion. It calls believers to uphold truth, peace, and righteousness in their interactions with others.(imp. & p. p.) of Instigate.1892. epegeiro -- to rouse up, excite
... against. Word Origin from epi and egeiro Definition to rouse up, excite NASB
Word Usage instigated (1), stirred (1). raise, stir up. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1892.htm - 6k

The Jews Instigated by the Emperor Attempt to Rebuild their Temple ...
... Book III. Chapter XX."The Jews instigated by the Emperor attempt to rebuild their
Temple, and are frustrated in their Attempt by Miraculous Interposition. ...
/.../chapter xx the jews instigated by.htm

Another Cavil Met, IE , the Devil who Instigated Man to Sin ...
... Chapter X."Another Cavil Met, ie, the Devil Who Instigated Man to Sin Himself the
Creature of God Nay, the Primeval Cherub Only Was God's Work. ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter x another cavil met i e.htm

The Marcionites Charged God with Having Instigated the Hebrews to ...
... Chapter XX."The Marcionites Charged God with Having Instigated the Hebrews to Spoil
the Egyptians Defence of the Divine Dispensation in that Matter. ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xx the marcionites charged god.htm

O Lord Jesus Christ, the Resurrection and the Life of the Dead...
... he said, exulting: Glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God; because I took
Him up when born, an infant, in my hands in the temple; and instigated by the ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of nicodemus /chapter 2 18 o lord 2.htm

Whether all Sins are Due to the Temptation of the Devil?
... In this way we must admit that the devil is the cause of all our sins; because he
it was who instigated the first man to sin, from whose sin there resulted a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether all sins are due.htm

Now, as to the Question which You Raise, when it was that I Began ...
... answer to yourself: "Then, I suppose, when you were the supporter of Paul whom he
had condemned and made the greatest effort to help him, and instigated him to ...
/.../17 now as to the.htm

The Five Books Against Marcion
... Chapter X.--Another Cavil Met, ie, the Devil Who Instigated Man to Sin Himself the
Creature of God Nay, the Primeval Cherub Only Was God's Work. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/the five books against marcion/

Messiah Derided Upon the Cross
... They had been instigated by the priests to demand His death of Pilate, when he was
desirous of dismissing Him, and, rather, to insist that Barabbas should be ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon xxi messiah derided upon.htm

The Later Hebrew Histories.
... Let no man open his mouth in this day to declare that the Judge of all the earth
instigated David to do a presumptuous deed, and then slew seventy thousand of ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter vi the later hebrew.htm

Letter Xci. (AD 408. )
... dare to render assistance to the Christians; but all are guilty who consented to
these outrages, though they neither perpetrated them nor instigated others to ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter xci a d 408.htm

Instigated (4 Occurrences)
...Instigated (4 Occurrences). Matthew 14:8 So she, instigated by her mother, said,
"Give me here on a dish the head of John the Baptist." (WEY YLT). ...
/i/instigated.htm - 7k

Persecution (22 Occurrences)
... 2. Between the Testaments 3. Foretold by Christ 4. A Test of Discipleship 5. A Means
of Blessing 6. Various Forms 7. In the Case of Jesus 8. Instigated by the ...
/p/persecution.htm - 47k

Discomfiture (6 Occurrences)
... the most brutal fashion, so Tacitus relates, but the historian asserts that there
was a sinister report to the effect that Nero himself instigated the burning ...
/d/discomfiture.htm - 101k

Zeresh (3 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Star of Venus, the wife of Haman, whom she instigated
to prepare a gallows for Mordecai (Esther 5:10). Int. ...
/z/zeresh.htm - 8k

Johanan (31 Occurrences)
... after the fall of Jerusalem, 586 BC (2 Kings 25:23 Jeremiah 40:7-43:7). He warned
Gedaliah of the plot of Ishmael ben Nethaniah, who was instigated by the ...
/j/johanan.htm - 21k

Jambres (2 Occurrences)
... They are reported to have instigated Aaron to make the golden calf. The
traditions of their death are also given in a varying fashion. ...
/j/jambres.htm - 11k

Jannes (2 Occurrences)
... They are reported to have instigated Aaron to make the golden calf. The
traditions of their death are also given in a varying fashion. ...
/j/jannes.htm - 10k

Lysias (3 Occurrences)
... Upon learning of the riot instigated by the Asiatic Jews, he hastened down with
his soldiers, and succeeded in rescuing Paul from the hands of the mob. ...
/l/lysias.htm - 12k

Instigator (1 Occurrence)

/i/instigator.htm - 6k

Dish (54 Occurrences)
... Dish (54 Occurrences). Matthew 14:8 So she, instigated by her mother, said, "Give
me here on a dish the head of John the Baptist." (WEY DBY WBS). ...
/d/dish.htm - 24k

What should we learn from the account of Daniel in the lions' den? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Miriam in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Summary of the Book of 2 Timothy - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org

Instigated: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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