Definition and Nature:
Jealousy, in the biblical context, often refers to a strong emotion of possessiveness, suspicion, or rivalry. It can manifest as a protective zeal over something or someone, or as an envious resentment towards another's advantages or successes. The Bible addresses jealousy both as a human emotion and as an attribute of God, each with distinct implications.

Human Jealousy:
Human jealousy is frequently depicted in Scripture as a destructive and sinful emotion. It is often associated with envy and covetousness, leading to discord and strife. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul lists jealousy among the "acts of the flesh" that are contrary to the Spirit (Galatians 5:19-21): "The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, rage, rivalries, divisions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."

The account of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4 illustrates the destructive power of jealousy. Cain's jealousy over God's favor towards Abel's offering led to the first murder. Similarly, the jealousy of Joseph's brothers, as recounted in Genesis 37, resulted in their selling him into slavery.

Divine Jealousy:
In contrast to human jealousy, divine jealousy is portrayed as a righteous and holy attribute of God. It reflects His zealous commitment to His people and His intolerance of idolatry and unfaithfulness. God's jealousy is rooted in His covenant relationship with Israel, as seen in Exodus 34:14 : "For you must not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God."

This divine jealousy is not petty or insecure but is a profound expression of God's love and desire for His people to remain faithful to Him. It underscores the exclusivity of the relationship between God and His people, akin to the fidelity expected in a marriage covenant.

Jealousy in Relationships:
The Bible also addresses jealousy within human relationships, particularly in marriage. Proverbs 6:34 warns of the intensity of a husband's jealousy: "For jealousy enrages a husband, and he will show no mercy in the day of vengeance." This highlights the potential for jealousy to lead to irrational and harmful actions.

In the context of love, the Song of Solomon 8:6 poetically describes jealousy as fierce and unyielding: "Set me as a seal over your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy as unyielding as the grave. Its sparks are fiery flames, the fiercest blaze of all."

Overcoming Jealousy:
The Bible encourages believers to overcome jealousy through love, humility, and contentment. James 3:14-16 contrasts earthly wisdom, characterized by jealousy and selfish ambition, with the wisdom from above: "But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth. Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice."

Believers are called to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit, which includes love, joy, peace, and patience, as antidotes to jealousy (Galatians 5:22-23). By focusing on these virtues, Christians can foster harmonious relationships and reflect the character of Christ.(n.) Plural of Jealousy.

Purity and Peace in the Present Lord
... for the last time, and quite explicitly, to that blot on the fair Philippian fame,
the presence in the little mission Church of certain jealousies and divisions ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/moule/philippian studies/chapter xi purity and peace.htm

How Shall the Soul Make Use of Christ, as the Life, which is under ...
... 2. He raiseth up in them jealousies of God, and of all his ways, and puts a false
gloss and construction on all which God doth, to the end he may confirm them ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter xxiv how shall the.htm

The Early History of Particular Churches.
... [Sidenote: Origin of jealousies between Rome and Constantinople.] The building of
Constantinople, AD330, gave a Christian capital to Greece, and, indeed, to ...
/.../a key to the knowledge of church history/chapter vii the early history.htm

Importance of the Anniversaries Connected with the Years 1894-1897 ...
... It is a pleasant thought in these days of ecclesiastical jealousies"and when were
there days, before Christ or since, without ecclesiastical jealousies?"it ...
/.../lecture i importance of the.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1816 to the ...
... This, it was contended, would best answer the character of a general itinerating
superintendency, prevent local interests and jealousies from springing up, and ...
/.../chapter 4 from the close.htm

Shame on Account of God's Displeasure.
... The incident recorded in this chapter is of a painful character. Petty jealousies
discovered themselves in the most distinguished family of Israel. ...
/.../dods/how to become like christ/shame on account of gods.htm

Vesalius the Anatomist {9}
... Whence came heart-burnings, rage, jealousies, romances, calumnies, of which two
last"in as far at least as they concern poor Elizabeth"no wise man now ...
/.../kingsley/historical lectures and essays/vesalius the anatomist 9.htm

Beloved, and yet Afflicted
... THAT DISCIPLE WHOM JESUS LOVED is not at all backward to record that Jesus loved
Lazarus too: there are no jealousies among those who are chosen by the Well ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 26 1880/beloved and yet afflicted.htm

Preface
... ministers and people more and more of the spirit of wisdom, and of love, and of
a sound mind and to remove far from us those mutual jealousies and animosities ...
/.../doddridge/the rise and progress of religion in the soul/preface.htm

Fenelon -- the Saints Converse with God
... A thousand suspicions, jealousies, fears, and prejudices prevent us from profiting,
as we might, by what we hear from men; and tho they announce the most ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons vol 2/fenelon the saints converse.htm

Jealousies (2 Occurrences)
...Jealousies (2 Occurrences). Galatians 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife,
jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, (WEB ASV DBY). ...
/j/jealousies.htm - 7k

Outbursts (5 Occurrences)
... Galatians 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts
of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, (WEB WEY NAS). ...
/o/outbursts.htm - 8k

Jealous (43 Occurrences)

/j/jealous.htm - 20k

Jealously (1 Occurrence)

/j/jealously.htm - 6k

Wraths (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Wraths (1 Occurrence). Galatians 5:20 idolatry, sorcery,
enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, factions, divisions, parties, (ASV YLT) ...
/w/wraths.htm - 6k

Israel (27466 Occurrences)
... Rehoboam, the son and successor of Solomon, was scarcely seated on his throne when
the old jealousies between Judah and the other tribes broke out anew, and ...
/i/israel.htm - 101k

Fits (2 Occurrences)
... Fits (2 Occurrences). Galatians 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies,
outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, (See NIV). ...
/f/fits.htm - 6k

Rivalries (1 Occurrence)
... Rivalries (1 Occurrence). Galatians 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies,
outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, (WEB YLT). ...
/r/rivalries.htm - 6k

Rage (43 Occurrences)
... (DBY NAS RSV). Galatians 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies,
outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, (See NIV). ...
/r/rage.htm - 19k

Enmities (1 Occurrence)
... Enmities (1 Occurrence). Galatians 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife,
jealousies, wraths, factions, divisions, parties, (ASV NAS). ...
/e/enmities.htm - 6k

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