In the biblical context, bands of robbers are often depicted as groups of individuals who engage in theft, violence, and lawlessness, disrupting the peace and security of communities. These bands are frequently mentioned in the Old Testament, illustrating the challenges faced by the Israelites and other ancient societies in maintaining order and justice.

Old Testament References

The presence of bands of robbers is noted in several passages throughout the Old Testament. In the book of Judges, the period of the judges was marked by instability and frequent incursions by marauding groups. Judges 9:25 describes how the men of Shechem set ambushes on the mountaintops, robbing all who passed by: "The leaders of Shechem set men in ambush against him on the mountaintops, and they robbed everyone who passed by them on the road. So it was reported to Abimelech."

In 1 Samuel 30, David and his men encounter the Amalekites, who had raided the Negev and Ziklag, taking captives and plundering the area. David's pursuit and eventual defeat of this band highlight the constant threat posed by such groups: "David inquired of the LORD, 'Should I pursue these raiders? Will I overtake them?' And the LORD told him, 'Pursue them, for you will surely overtake them and rescue the captives'" (1 Samuel 30:8).

Prophetic Warnings

The prophets also spoke against the lawlessness and violence of robbers. Hosea 6:9 compares the priests to bands of robbers, indicating the moral decay and corruption within Israel: "Like raiders who lie in ambush, so are the bands of priests; they murder on the road to Shechem and commit atrocities."

Jeremiah 7:11 condemns the people for turning the house of God into a den of robbers, a theme later echoed by Jesus in the New Testament: "Has this house, which bears My Name, become a den of robbers in your sight? Yes, I too have seen it, declares the LORD."

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of robbers is used metaphorically to describe those who exploit and deceive others. Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:30-37 begins with a man falling victim to robbers, illustrating the dangers of travel and the need for compassion and mercy: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead" (Luke 10:30).

Furthermore, Jesus' cleansing of the temple in Matthew 21:13 and Mark 11:17 includes His rebuke of those who turned the temple into a "den of robbers," emphasizing the corruption and exploitation present in religious practices: "It is written, 'My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you are making it 'a den of robbers'" (Matthew 21:13).

Cultural and Historical Context

In ancient times, the threat of robbers was a significant concern for travelers and merchants. The lack of centralized law enforcement and the rugged terrain of regions like Judea and Samaria made it easy for bands of robbers to ambush and plunder. These groups often operated with impunity, taking advantage of political instability and social unrest.

The biblical narrative reflects the reality of these threats and the moral and spiritual implications of lawlessness. The presence of robbers serves as a backdrop for the demonstration of God's justice and mercy, as well as the call for His people to uphold righteousness and compassion in the face of adversity.Hosea 6:9
And as troops of robbers wait for a man, so the company of priests murder in the way by consent: for they commit lewdness.
Nave's Topical Index

Hosea 7:1
When I would have healed Israel, then the iniquity of Ephraim was discovered, and the wickedness of Samaria: for they commit falsehood; and the thief comes in, and the troop of robbers spoils without.
Nave's Topical Index

1416. gedud -- a band, troop
... divisions (1), marauding band (2), marauding bands (1), raid (1), raiders (3), troop
(2), troops (7), troops* (1). army, band of men, company, troop of robbers. ...
/hebrew/1416.htm - 6k

The Penitent Thief
... Most probably he had belonged to one of the bands of robbers which haunted the
mountains of Judea in those days, as they used in old times to haunt the forests ...
/.../kingsley/the good news of god/sermon xxxi the penitent thief.htm

Christ's Birth
... men up there to watch the flocks as they moved about and to give warning of danger
by blowing horns if they saw in the distance robbers or armed bands. ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xi christs birth.htm

Acts XXIV
... by Felix; for he had restored tranquility to the country, when it was disturbed,
first by hordes of robbers; afterward by organized bands of Assassins, and ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xxiv.htm

Paul Before Felix.
... He had, indeed, dispersed and destroyed some bands of robbers who infested the country,
and to this very proper exercise of his authority Tertullus seems to ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxvii paul before felix.htm

Paul Before Festus and Agrippa.
... be murdered in the way; and they might have accomplished their design without detection,
because the country was infested with bands of robbers and lawless ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxviii paul before festus.htm

To J. Tarn, Esq.
... Neither of the horses was worth what I paid for their hire; it is true their master
risked their being captured by the bands of robbers from whom I ...
//christianbookshelf.org/borrow/letters of george borrow/to j tarn esq 5.htm

Nero Adds Four Cities to Agrippas Kingdom; but the Other Parts of ...
... was subject to an inflammation; for a company of deceivers and robbers got together ...
most for fighting on either side, they punished them with stripes and bands. ...
/.../chapter 13 nero adds four.htm

The Government of India.
... for their suppression. In Northern India, at least, these bands of robbers
and murderers have been broken up. No longer are the ...
/.../chapter xxxi the government of.htm

Crucifixion of the Thieves.
... frontiers of Egypt; and it was in a cave inhabited by these robbers that the ... and
the material itself; the lining they pulled out, tore into bands, and divided. ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter xl crucifixion of the.htm

How Herod Sailed Out of Italy to Judea, and Fought with Antigonus ...
... Herod was not idle in the mean time, for he took ten bands of soldiers ... He also went
thence, and resolved to destroy those robbers that dwelt in the caves, and ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 15 how herod sailed.htm

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