Topical Encyclopedia Definition and Nature: Oppression in the biblical context refers to the unjust or cruel exercise of authority or power, often manifesting in the mistreatment and exploitation of individuals or groups. It is characterized by the denial of justice, the infliction of hardship, and the suppression of rights and freedoms. The Bible frequently addresses the issue of oppression, condemning it as contrary to God's will and calling for justice and righteousness. Biblical Instances and Teachings: The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings on oppression, highlighting both the plight of the oppressed and the responsibility of the faithful to act justly. 1. Old Testament Context: · The Israelites' bondage in Egypt is a primary example of oppression. Exodus 3:9 states, "And now the cry of the Israelites has reached Me, and I have seen how severely the Egyptians are oppressing them." God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt serves as a foundational narrative of liberation from oppression. · The Law given to Israel includes specific commands to protect the vulnerable from oppression. Leviticus 19:13 instructs, "You must not defraud your neighbor or rob him. You must not withhold until morning the wages due a hired hand." · The prophets frequently denounce oppression and call for justice. Isaiah 1:17 exhorts, "Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow." 2. New Testament Context: · Jesus Christ’s ministry emphasized liberation from various forms of oppression. In Luke 4:18 , Jesus declares, "The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed." · The early church is encouraged to uphold justice and care 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." Moral and Ethical Implications: The Bible consistently calls believers to oppose oppression and to act justly. This includes advocating for the rights of the marginalized, providing for the needy, and ensuring fair treatment for all. Proverbs 31:8-9 urges, "Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the justice of all the dispossessed. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy." God’s Justice and Deliverance: God is portrayed as a defender of the oppressed, promising justice and deliverance. Psalm 103:6 affirms, "The LORD executes righteousness and justice for all the oppressed." Believers are called to reflect God’s character by pursuing justice and mercy in their own lives and communities. Eschatological Hope: The Bible offers hope for ultimate deliverance from oppression through the coming of God’s kingdom. Revelation 21:4 promises a future where "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away." This eschatological vision encourages believers to work towards justice and righteousness in anticipation of God’s final restoration. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of oppressing, or state of being oppressed.2. (n.) That which oppresses; a hardship or injustice; cruelty; severity; tyranny. 3. (n.) A sense of heaviness or obstruction in the body or mind; depression; dullness; lassitude; as, an oppression of spirits; an oppression of the lungs. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia OPPRESSIONo-presh'-un: Used in the King James Version to translate a variety of Hebrew words, all of which, however, agree in the general sense of wrong done by violence to others. There are a few cases where the reference is to the oppression of Israel by foreigners, as by their Egyptian masters (Exodus 3:9 Deuteronomy 26:7), or by Syria (2 Kings 13:4), or by an unmentioned nation (Isaiah 30:20 King James Version, margin). In all these cases the Hebrew original is lachats. But in the vast number of cases the reference is to social oppression of one kind or another within Israel's own body. It is frequently theme of psalmist and prophet and wise man. The poor and weak must have suffered greatly at the hands of the stronger and more fortunate. The word lachats, various forms of the root `ashaq, and other words are used by the writers as they express their sorrow and indignation over the wrongs of their afflicted brethren. In his own sorrow, Job remembers the suffering of the oppressed (Job 35:9; Job 36:15); it is a frequent subject of song in the Psalms (Psalm 12:5; Psalm 42:9; Psalm 43:2; 44:24:00; 55:03:00; 119:134); the preacher observes and reflects upon its prevalence (Ecclesiastes 4:1; Ecclesiastes 5:8; Ecclesiastes 7:7 the King James Version); the prophets Amos (3:9), Isaiah (5:7; 59:13), Jeremiah (6:6; 22:17) and Ezekiel (22:7, 29) thundered against it. It was exercised toward strangers and also toward the Israelites themselves, and was never wholly overcome. In James 2:6, "oppress" is the rendering of katadunasteuo, "to exercise harsh control over one," "to use one's power against one." Greek 2561. kakosis -- ill-treatment ... Transliteration: kakosis Phonetic Spelling: (kak'-o-sis) Short Definition: affliction, ill-treatment Definition: affliction, ill-treatment, oppression, misery. ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2561.htm - 6k 4. abares -- not burdensome 4506. rhuomai -- to draw to oneself, ie deliver Strong's Hebrew 6233. osheq -- oppression, extortion... 6232, 6233. osheq. 6234 . oppression, extortion. Transliteration: osheq Phonetic Spelling: (o'-shek) Short Definition: oppression. ... /hebrew/6233.htm - 6k 3906. lachats -- oppression, distress 8496. tok -- injury, oppression 4835. merutsah -- a crushing, an oppression 6217. ashuqim -- oppression, extortion 6234. oshqah -- oppression, distress 6115. otser -- restraint, coercion 5792. avvathah -- subversion 4642. maashaqqah -- extortionate act 6125. aqah -- pressure Library Psalm 56. Deliverance from Oppression and Falsehood; Or, God's ... Psalm 56 Deliverance from Oppression and Falsehood. Letter iii. --Interior Oppression. Psalm 10. Prayer Heard, and Saints Saved; Or, Pride, Atheism, and ... The Birthnight of Freedom But we must Follow Our Preacher, who Can Only Turn Away with ... And Then the Future Captivity under an Oppressive King is ... And all the Methods I have Mentioned are Constantly Used by Nearly ... Four Shaping Centuries The Romance of Orthodoxy Thesaurus Oppression (67 Occurrences)... 3. (n.) A sense of heaviness or obstruction in the body or mind; depression; dullness; lassitude; as, an oppression of spirits; an oppression of the lungs. ... /o/oppression.htm - 29k Extortion (14 Occurrences) Restraint (34 Occurrences) Oppressing (11 Occurrences) Occurred (23 Occurrences) Anguish (75 Occurrences) Samuel (129 Occurrences) Misery (38 Occurrences) Robbery (18 Occurrences) Judges (117 Occurrences) Resources What does the Bible say about demonic oppression? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a kundalini spirit? | GotQuestions.org Can a Christian be demon possessed? Can a Christian be demonized? | GotQuestions.org Oppression: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Oppression (67 Occurrences)Matthew 13:21 Matthew 24:9 Matthew 24:21 Matthew 24:29 Mark 4:17 Mark 13:19 Mark 13:24 John 16:33 Acts 7:34 Acts 11:19 Romans 2:9 Romans 8:35 1 Corinthians 7:28 Hebrews 11:37 Revelation 1:9 Revelation 2:9 Revelation 2:10 Revelation 2:22 Exodus 3:9 Leviticus 6:4 Deuteronomy 4:30 Deuteronomy 26:7 Deuteronomy 28:33 1 Samuel 26:24 1 Kings 22:27 2 Kings 13:4 2 Chronicles 18:26 Job 35:9 Job 36:15 Psalms 10:7 Psalms 12:5 Psalms 42:9 Psalms 43:2 Psalms 44:24 Psalms 55:3 Psalms 55:11 Psalms 62:10 Psalms 72:14 Psalms 73:8 Psalms 107:39 Psalms 119:134 Proverbs 24:2 Ecclesiastes 4:1 Ecclesiastes 5:8 Ecclesiastes 7:7 Isaiah 1:17 Isaiah 5:7 Isaiah 10:1 Isaiah 30:12 Isaiah 30:20 Isaiah 38:14 Isaiah 53:8 Isaiah 54:14 Isaiah 58:9 Isaiah 59:13 Jeremiah 6:6 Jeremiah 9:6 Jeremiah 22:17 Lamentations 3:59 Ezekiel 18:18 Ezekiel 22:7 Ezekiel 22:12 Ezekiel 22:29 Ezekiel 45:9 Ezekiel 46:18 Hosea 8:10 Amos 3:9 Subtopics Oppression of Israelites, by Egyptians Oppression: God is a Refuge From Oppression: God's Help Promised Against Oppression: National, God Judges Oppression: National, Relieved Oppression: Rehoboam Resolves to Oppress the Israelites Oppression: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Related Terms |
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