Definition and Context
Overpowering, in a biblical context, refers to the act of subduing or defeating someone or something through superior strength or influence. This concept is often associated with spiritual battles, divine intervention, and the triumph of good over evil. The Bible presents overpowering as both a physical and spiritual phenomenon, where God's power is supreme and His will ultimately prevails.

Biblical Instances

1. Divine Overpowering
The Bible frequently illustrates God's ability to overpower His enemies and deliver His people. In Exodus 14:27-28, God overpowers the Egyptian army as the waters of the Red Sea return, drowning Pharaoh's forces: "So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea returned to its normal state. As the Egyptians fled before it, the LORD swept them into the sea. The waters flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had chased the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived."

2. Spiritual Overpowering
Spiritual overpowering is evident in the New Testament, where Jesus Christ demonstrates authority over demonic forces. In Mark 5:8-13, Jesus commands a legion of demons to leave a man and enter a herd of pigs: "For Jesus had already declared, 'Come out of this man, you unclean spirit!' Then Jesus asked him, 'What is your name?' 'My name is Legion,' he replied, 'for we are many.' And he begged Jesus repeatedly not to send them out of that region. There on the nearby hillside a large herd of pigs was feeding. So the demons begged Jesus, 'Send us to the pigs, so that we may enter them.' He gave them permission, and the unclean spirits came out and went into the pigs."

3. Human Overpowering
The Bible also records instances where individuals overpower others, often with God's guidance or intervention. In 1 Samuel 17:50, David overpowers Goliath with God's help: "Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand, he struck down the Philistine and killed him."

Theological Significance

The concept of overpowering in the Bible underscores the sovereignty and omnipotence of God. It serves as a reminder of His ability to protect and deliver His people from physical and spiritual adversaries. The ultimate act of overpowering is seen in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, where He conquers sin and death, offering salvation to all who believe. As stated in 1 Corinthians 15:54-57, "When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come to pass: 'Death has been swallowed up in victory.' 'Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?' The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!"

Practical Application

Believers are encouraged to rely on God's power to overcome challenges and adversities. Ephesians 6:10-11 advises Christians to "be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes." This passage highlights the importance of spiritual preparedness and dependence on God's strength to overpower the forces of evil.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Overpower.

2. (a.) Excelling in power; too powerful; irresistible.

2616. katadunasteuo -- to exercise power over
... powerfully bringing someone (denying them the higher position or blessing they should
enjoy), ie ; to dominate (treat harshly), overpowering someone (Souter). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2616.htm - 6k3202. yekel -- to be able
... Word Origin (Aramaic) corresponding to yakol Definition to be able NASB Word
Usage able (7), been able (2), could (2), overpowering (1). ...
/hebrew/3202.htm - 6k

Concerning Mar Jacob and his Companions
... 8. Three figures the Sun also, shows forth in the three quarters:"its rising is
keen and bright; its meridian strong and overpowering;"and like a torch ...
/.../hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xiii concerning mar jacob.htm

Summary of the First Part of the Foregoing System.
... fell, in its struggles for acceptance, beneath the apparently insuperable objections
by which it was attended; and, after all, the overpowering evidence which ...
/.../a theodicy or vindication of the divine glory/chapter i summary of the.htm

On Certain Modern Writers and the Institution of the Family
... The street in Brixton is too glowing and overpowering. He has to soothe and quiet
himself among tigers and vultures, camels and crocodiles. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/heretics/xiv on certain modern writers.htm

Man's Greatness and God's Greatness.
... But this is only one aspect of the case. It looks only to time past. The same
overpowering calculations wait us when we bend our eyes on that which is to come. ...
/.../robertson/sermons preached at brighton/xviii mans greatness and gods.htm

The Secret Burden
... private prayer. The feeling of sin is the most personal, and poignant,
and overpowering part of your daily and hourly prayer. And ...
//christianbookshelf.org/whyte/lord teach us to pray/xxii the secret burden.htm

Sanctification.
... Few people seem to keep the fact steadily in view, that unless their bodies be rightly
managed, they will be so fierce and overpowering a source of temptation ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xlii sanctification.htm

A Sight of the Crowned Christ
... Father's right hand. The Damascus traveller sees an overpowering burst of
glory out of the blue and hears a voice speaking. In the ...
/.../quiet talks on the crowned christ of revelation/iii a sight of the crowned.htm

Mark.
... The contrast between the contemplative rest and the vigorous action is striking
and explains the overpowering effect by revealing its secret spring in the ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 81 mark.htm

God's People Delivered.
... With fearful forebodings they gaze upon the symbol of God's covenant,
and long to be shielded from its overpowering brightness. ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /40 gods people delivered.htm

God's People Delivered
... forgotten. With fearful forebodings they gaze upon the symbol of God's covenant
and long to be shielded from its overpowering brightness. ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 40 gods people delivered.htm

Overpowering (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Overpowering (4 Occurrences). Hebrews 12:21 And the vision
was so overpowering that even Moses said, I am shaking and full of fear. ...
/o/overpowering.htm - 7k

Shock (6 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) A sudden agitation of the mind or feelings; a sensation of pleasure or pain
caused by something unexpected or overpowering; also, a sudden agitating or ...
/s/shock.htm - 9k

Overpowered (12 Occurrences)

/o/overpowered.htm - 10k

Oppressive (6 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Using oppression; tyrannical; as, oppressive authority or commands. 3.
(a.) Heavy; overpowering; hard to be borne; as, oppressive grief or woe. ...
/o/oppressive.htm - 8k

Overwhelming (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Overwhelm. 2. (a.) Overpowering;
irresistible. Multi-Version Concordance Overwhelming (5 Occurrences). ...
/o/overwhelming.htm - 8k

Overbearing (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Overpowering; subduing; repressing. 2. (a.)
Aggressively haughty; arrogant; domineering; tyrannical; dictatorial; insolent. ...
/o/overbearing.htm - 8k

Overpowers (1 Occurrence)

/o/overpowers.htm - 6k

Omnipotence (2 Occurrences)
... name, however, designates the divine power as standing in the service of His
covenant-relation to the patriarchs, as transcending Nature and overpowering it ...
/o/omnipotence.htm - 24k

Irresistible (1 Occurrence)
... (a.) That can not be successfully withstood or opposed; superior to opposition;
resistless; overpowering; as, an irresistible attraction. ...
/i/irresistible.htm - 7k

Ecstasy (3 Occurrences)
... rapt out of one's self; a state in which the mind is elevated above the reach of
ordinary impressions, as when under the influence of overpowering emotion; an ...
/e/ecstasy.htm - 8k

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