Definition and Context:
Meddling refers to the act of interfering in matters that do not concern oneself, often leading to unnecessary conflict or strife. In the biblical context, meddling is generally viewed negatively, as it disrupts peace and order within communities and relationships.

Biblical References:

1. Proverbs 26:17 :
"Like one who grabs a dog by the ears is a passerby who meddles in a quarrel not his own."
This proverb vividly illustrates the foolishness and potential danger of meddling in disputes that do not involve oneself. Just as grabbing a dog by the ears can provoke an aggressive response, so too can unwarranted interference in others' conflicts lead to personal harm or escalation of the situation.

2. 1 Peter 4:15 :
"Indeed, none of you should suffer as a murderer or thief or wrongdoer, or even as a meddler."
Here, the Apostle Peter categorizes meddling alongside serious offenses such as murder and theft, indicating the severity with which it is viewed in the Christian moral framework. This passage suggests that meddling is a behavior that can lead to suffering and should be avoided by believers.

3. Proverbs 20:3 :
"It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, but any fool will quarrel."
While not directly mentioning meddling, this verse highlights the virtue of resolving disputes rather than engaging in unnecessary quarrels. Meddling often leads to quarrels, and thus, avoiding it aligns with the pursuit of honor and wisdom.

Theological Implications:

Meddling is often associated with pride and a lack of respect for others' autonomy. It can stem from a desire to control or influence situations beyond one's rightful sphere of influence. The Bible encourages believers to focus on their own responsibilities and to trust in God's sovereignty over the affairs of others.

Practical Applications:

1. Self-Examination:
Believers are encouraged to examine their motives when tempted to involve themselves in others' matters. Are they seeking to genuinely help, or are they driven by curiosity or a desire for control?

2. Respect for Boundaries:
Christians are called to respect the boundaries of others, recognizing that each person is accountable to God for their own actions. Offering counsel or assistance should be done with humility and only when invited.

3. Promoting Peace:
By refraining from meddling, believers can contribute to a peaceful and harmonious community. Encouraging others to resolve their own disputes and offering support when appropriate aligns with biblical teachings on peacemaking.

Historical and Cultural Insights:

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, community and family dynamics were tightly knit, and the temptation to meddle in others' affairs was likely common. The biblical admonitions against meddling served to maintain social order and personal responsibility within these close-knit communities.

Conclusion:

Meddling is consistently portrayed in Scripture as a behavior to be avoided. It disrupts peace, leads to unnecessary conflict, and reflects a lack of trust in God's providence. By focusing on their own responsibilities and respecting the autonomy of others, believers can live in a manner that honors God and fosters community harmony.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Meddle.

2. (a.) Meddlesome.

4021. periergos -- overly careful, curious, meddling, subst. a ...
... 4020, 4021. periergos. 4022 . overly careful, curious, meddling, subst. ... Word
Origin from peri and ergon Definition overly careful, curious, meddling, subst. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4021.htm - 7k

"As Long as we be Meddling with any Part of Sin we Shall Never See ...
... THE SIXTEENTH REVELATION CHAPTER LXXII "As long as we be meddling with any part
of sin we shall never see clearly the Blissful Countenance of our Lord". ...
/.../julian/revelations of divine love/chapter lxxii as long as.htm

How that after the Likeness of Moses, of Bezaleel, and of Aaron ...
... HERE BEGINNETH THE THREE AND SEVENTIETH CHAPTER How that after the likeness of Moses,
of Bezaleel, and of Aaron meddling them about the Ark of the Testament ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the three and 6.htm

Of his Saying: "We have Heard that Some among You Walk Disorderly. ...
... "For we have heard that some among you walk disorderly, working not at all, but
curiously meddling." He is nowhere satisfied to speak of those who will not ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xiii of his saying .htm

Whether Religious are Bound to Manual Labor?
... For we have heard that there are some among you who walk disorderly, working not
at all, but curiously meddling" (namely, as a gloss explains it, "who make a ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether religious are bound to.htm

Titus when the Jews were not at all Mollified by his Leaving Off ...
... had a reverence for their sacred rites and places, although they belonged to their
enemies, and had till now kept their hands off from meddling with them ...
/.../chapter 9 titus when the.htm

Christ Manifesting Himself to his People
... God more." Certainly God knows better than we do how many sinners will glorify him,
and we had better leave the number to him, and not get meddling with what ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/christ manifesting himself to his.htm

Introduction.
... Sermons against Evil-speaking." That volume contained ten sermons, of which the
publisher said that "the two last, against pragmaticalness and meddling in the ...
/.../barrow/sermons on evil-speaking by isaac barrow/introduction.htm

A Letter from Origen to Gregory.
... land of the children of Israel into Egypt, indicating that certain persons get harm
from sojourning among the Egyptians, that is to say, from meddling with the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origens letters/a letter from origen to 2.htm

The Eighth Commandment
... justice of God sets him against rapine and robbery, in the command, Thou shalt not
steal.' The thing forbidden in this commandment, is meddling with another ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 8 the eighth commandment.htm

Colonization.
... his heart, "There is no God." So there came to be a bad feeling against all the
clergy, and the Jesuits, who had made themselves very meddling and troublesome ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xxxiii colonization.htm

Meddling (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Meddling (2 Occurrences). ... Proverbs 20:3 It is an honour
for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling. (KJV WBS). ...
/m/meddling.htm - 7k

Quarrel (22 Occurrences)
... Version (the Revised Version (British and American) "conflict") and Proverbs
20:3 the Revised Version (British and American) (the King James Version, "meddling...
/q/quarrel.htm - 15k

Embassadors (8 Occurrences)
... I come not against thee this day, but against the house with which I have war: for
God commanded me to make haste: forbear thee from meddling with God, who is ...
/e/embassadors.htm - 9k

Mede (3 Occurrences)

/m/mede.htm - 7k

Meddleth (1 Occurrence)

/m/meddleth.htm - 6k

Busy (13 Occurrences)
... 3. (a.) Crowded with business or activities; -- said of places and times; as,
a busy street. 4. (a.) Officious; meddling; foolish active. ...
/b/busy.htm - 10k

Busybody (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One who officiously concerns himself with the affairs
of others; a meddling person. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BUSYBODY. ...
/b/busybody.htm - 8k

Forbear (24 Occurrences)
... I come not against thee this day, but against the house wherewith I have war: for
God commanded me to make haste: forbear thee from meddling with God, who is ...
/f/forbear.htm - 16k

Speed (22 Occurrences)
... I come not against thee this day, but against the house wherewith I have war; and
God hath commanded me to make haste: forbear thee from meddling with God, who ...
/s/speed.htm - 14k

Jehoahaz (22 Occurrences)
... Josiah's ill-advised meddling with the designs of Pharaoh-necoh (see under JOSIAH)
had had, in fact, the ill effect of plunging Judah again into the vortex of ...
/j/jehoahaz.htm - 23k

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Meddling: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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