Definition and Context
Oppressing refers to the act of subjecting someone to harsh and authoritarian treatment, often involving the abuse of power or authority. In the biblical context, oppression is frequently condemned as it contradicts the principles of justice, mercy, and love that are central to God's character and His commandments.

Biblical References
The Bible contains numerous references to oppression, highlighting God's concern for justice and His desire to protect the vulnerable. Oppression is often associated with the mistreatment of the poor, widows, orphans, and foreigners—groups that were particularly vulnerable in ancient societies.

Old Testament
In the Old Testament, God explicitly commands His people to refrain from oppressing others. In Exodus 22:21-22 , God instructs, "You must not exploit or oppress a foreign resident, for you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt. You must not mistreat any widow or orphan." This command underscores the importance of empathy and justice, reminding the Israelites of their own experience of oppression in Egypt.

The prophets frequently denounce oppression and call for justice. Isaiah 1:17 urges, "Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow." Similarly, in Micah 6:8 , the prophet declares, "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"

New Testament
In the New Testament, Jesus Christ embodies the principles of justice and mercy, often challenging the oppressive practices of the religious leaders of His time. In Matthew 23:23 , Jesus rebukes the Pharisees, saying, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin, but you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness."

The early church also emphasized the importance of caring for the oppressed. James 1:27 states, "Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

Theological Implications
Oppression is fundamentally at odds with the character of God, who is described as a defender of the oppressed. Psalm 103:6 affirms, "The LORD executes righteousness and justice for all the oppressed." This reflects God's commitment to justice and His desire for His people to reflect His character in their treatment of others.

The biblical call to oppose oppression is rooted in the understanding that all humans are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), and therefore, deserve dignity and respect. The consistent biblical message is that God's people are to be agents of justice, mercy, and compassion, standing against oppression in all its forms.

Practical Application
Believers are called to actively oppose oppression and advocate for justice in their communities and beyond. This involves both personal conduct and collective action, seeking to address systemic injustices and support those who are marginalized. The biblical mandate to "act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8) serves as a guiding principle for Christians in their pursuit of justice and opposition to oppression.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Oppress.3238. yanah -- to oppress, maltreat, perhaps suppress
... root Definition to oppress, maltreat, perhaps suppress NASB Word Usage do him wrong
(1), mistreat (2), oppress (3), oppresses (1), oppressing (1), oppressor (2 ...
/hebrew/3238.htm - 6k

3905. lachats -- to squeeze, press, oppress
... to squeeze, press, oppress NASB Word Usage afflict (1), forced (1), hold the shut
(1), oppress (2), oppressed (6), oppresses (1), oppressing (2), oppressors (3 ...
/hebrew/3905.htm - 6k

Of the Power of Making Laws. The Cruelty of the Pope and his ...
... OF THE POWER OF MAKING LAWS. THE CRUELTY OF THE POPE AND HIS ADHERENTS, IN THIS
RESPECT, IN TYRANNICALLY OPPRESSING AND DESTROYING SOULS. ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 10 of the power.htm

Habakkuk
... Ch. i.1-4 reveals a picture of confusion within Judah, but it is impossible to say
whether it is foreigners who are oppressing Judah as a whole, or powerful ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/habakkuk.htm

Psalm XIX.
... who came to fulfil the law, not to destroy it; [557] an undefiled law, "Who did
no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth," [558] not oppressing souls with ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xix.htm

Questions which Ought to be Asked
... ELIHU PERCEIVED the great ones of the earth oppressing the needy, and he traced
their domineering tyranny to their forgetfulness of God: "None saith, Where is ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 26 1880/questions which ought to be.htm

Commandment Eighth. We Ought to Shun that which is Evil, and do ...
... those who have fallen into sin from the faith, but turning them back and restoring
them to peace of mind, admonishing sinners, not oppressing debtors and the ...
/.../pastor/the pastor books first second third/commandment eighth we ought to.htm

Article iii: of Love and the Fulfilling of the Law.
... Then, too, how can the human heart love God while it knows that He is terribly angry,
and is oppressing us with temporal and perpetual calamities? ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 6 article iii of.htm

Truth and Divine Love Rejected by the World
... Though poor, I am prepared to pay; Come shame, come sorrow; spite of tears,. Weakness,
and heart-oppressing fears; One soul, as least, shall not repine,. ...
/.../truth and divine love rejected.htm

Agree with Thine Adversary
... Scribes and Pharisees, are going on as they are now, beating the man-servants and
maid-servants, and eating and drinking with the drunken, oppressing the people ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xxvii agree with thine.htm

The Unjust Steward
... Now suppose that the steward had been cheating and oppressing these men, as was
common enough in those days with stewards, and has been common enough since ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xlii the unjust steward.htm

The Wicked Plan Having Been Carried into Execution, Diocletian...
... His disease had now become more grievous and oppressing; yet he caused himself to
be brought out, in order to dedicate that circus which, at the conclusion of ...
/.../of the manner in which the persecutors died/chap xvii the wicked plan.htm

Oppressing (11 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Oppressing (11 Occurrences). ... Proverbs 22:16 He is oppressing
the poor to multiply to him, He is giving to the rich -- only to want. ...
/o/oppressing.htm - 10k

Oppressor (28 Occurrences)
... Yea one hath fallen upon his neighbour, And they say: Rise, and we turn back to
our people, And unto the land of our birth, Because of the oppressing sword. ...
/o/oppressor.htm - 15k

Jonah (30 Occurrences)
... Jonah was grieved that the oppressing city should be spared, and waited
in the vicinity to see what would be the final outcome. ...
/j/jonah.htm - 35k

Oppresseth (8 Occurrences)

/o/oppresseth.htm - 8k

Oppression (67 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of oppressing, or state of being
oppressed. 2. (n.) That which oppresses; a hardship or ...
/o/oppression.htm - 29k

Nativity (9 Occurrences)
... to fall, yea, one fell upon another: and they said, Arise, and let us go again to
our own people, and to the land of our nativity, from the oppressing sword. ...
/n/nativity.htm - 11k

Ophrah (9 Occurrences)
... was apparently not far from the plain of Esdraelon (Judges 6:33 f), so that Gideon
and his kinsmen smarted under the near presence of the oppressing Midianites ...
/o/ophrah.htm - 13k

Lair (8 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 25:38 He has left his covert, as the lion; for their land is become an
astonishment because of the fierceness of the oppressing sword, and because of ...
/l/lair.htm - 8k

Greeks (22 Occurrences)
... Mediterranean basin may in time show that there was actually such a connection;
but the rendering in question proves nothing, since "the oppressing sword" of ...
/g/greeks.htm - 19k

Grecians (4 Occurrences)
... Mediterranean basin may in time show that there was actually such a connection;
but the rendering in question proves nothing, since "the oppressing sword" of ...
/g/grecians.htm - 14k

How does oppressing the poor show contempt for their Maker (Proverbs 14:31)? | GotQuestions.org

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What does the Bible say about being homeless / homelessness? | GotQuestions.org

Oppressing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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