A marauder, in biblical terms, refers to a person or group that engages in raiding and plundering, often characterized by violent and lawless behavior. The concept of marauding is frequently associated with bands of invaders or robbers who attack settlements, caravans, or individuals to seize goods and wealth. The Bible provides several instances and references to marauding activities, illustrating the threat they posed to the people of ancient times.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, marauders are often depicted as a significant threat to the Israelites and other nations. The period of the Judges, in particular, was marked by frequent incursions from neighboring tribes and peoples. One notable example is found in the account of Gideon, who was called by God to deliver Israel from the oppression of the Midianites. The Midianites, along with the Amalekites and other eastern peoples, are described as marauders who "would come up with their livestock and their tents like a swarm of locusts" (Judges 6:5), devastating the land and leaving the Israelites impoverished.

The Amalekites are another group frequently associated with marauding activities. In 1 Samuel 30, David and his men return to Ziklag to find it raided and burned by the Amalekites, who had taken captive the women and children. David's pursuit and eventual defeat of the Amalekite marauders highlight the constant threat these groups posed to the security and stability of the region.

Prophetic Warnings

The prophets also spoke against marauding nations, often as instruments of divine judgment. The book of Habakkuk, for instance, describes the Chaldeans as a "bitter and hasty nation" that "marches through the breadth of the earth to seize dwellings not their own" (Habakkuk 1:6). This portrayal underscores the destructive nature of marauding forces and their role in God's sovereign plans.

New Testament Context

While the New Testament does not explicitly mention marauders in the same way as the Old Testament, the concept of lawlessness and theft is addressed. Jesus, in His parables and teachings, often warned against the dangers of thieves and robbers. In John 10:10, He contrasts His mission with that of a thief, stating, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness" . This metaphorical use of theft and destruction echoes the physical threat posed by marauders in earlier biblical narratives.

Spiritual Implications

From a spiritual perspective, marauders can be seen as symbolic of the forces of evil that seek to disrupt and destroy the lives of believers. The apostle Paul, in his epistles, frequently warns against spiritual adversaries and encourages Christians to remain vigilant and armored against such threats (Ephesians 6:10-18). The imagery of marauding can thus serve as a reminder of the ongoing spiritual battle faced by the faithful.

In summary, the concept of the marauder in the Bible serves as a vivid illustration of the physical and spiritual threats encountered by God's people throughout history. The narratives and teachings surrounding marauding activities underscore the need for divine protection and the ultimate triumph of God's justice over lawlessness and chaos.(n.) A rover in quest of booty or plunder; a plunderer; one who pillages.3027. lestes -- a robber
... 3027 ("a bandit, briard") is a thief -- an unscrupulous marauder (malefactor),
exploiting the vulnerable without hesitating to use violence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3027.htm - 7k

The Coming of the Pharaoh
... But when the marauder was overthrown and routed, and his generals turned toward
Memphis with their captives in chains, Meneptah hastened to meet them, decked ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xiii the coming of.htm

Chapter xiv
... In true marauder style the victors take along all that can feasibly be
transported""all the goods," rekhush, a word supposed to belong to P's vocabulary. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xiv.htm

The Gods of Egypt
... It prowled like a marauder about fields and villages, picking up and greedily devouring
whatever it might find on the ground"broken meats which had been left ...
/.../chapter ii the gods of egypt.htm

Chaldaean Civilization
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 3. <. ...
/.../chapter iiichaldaean civilization.htm

Marauder (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) A rover in quest of booty or plunder; a plunderer;
one who pillages. Multi-Version Concordance Marauder (1 Occurrence). ...
/m/marauder.htm - 6k

Marauders (2 Occurrences)

/m/marauders.htm - 6k

Maranathamaranatha (1 Occurrence)

/m/maranathamaranatha.htm - 6k

Marauder: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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