Topical Encyclopedia The term "overthrow" in the Bible often refers to the act of bringing down or destroying a city, nation, or individual, typically as a result of divine judgment or intervention. This concept is prevalent throughout the Scriptures, illustrating God's sovereignty and justice in dealing with sin and rebellion.Old Testament References 1. Sodom and Gomorrah: One of the most notable examples of overthrow in the Bible is the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. In Genesis 19:24-25, the Lord rained down sulfur and fire from heaven, overthrowing these cities due to their grievous sins. The text states, "Then the LORD rained down sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens. Thus He overthrew those cities and the entire plain, including all the inhabitants of the cities and everything that grew on the ground." 2. The Exodus: The overthrow of Pharaoh's army in the Red Sea is another significant event. In Exodus 14:27-28, as the Israelites crossed the sea on dry ground, the waters returned and covered the Egyptian chariots and horsemen. The passage reads, "So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea returned to its normal state. As the Egyptians were fleeing toward 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." 3. Prophetic Warnings: The prophets frequently warned of impending overthrows as a result of Israel's disobedience. For instance, in Amos 4:11, God reminds Israel of past judgments, saying, "I overthrew some of you as I overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. You were like a firebrand snatched from the blaze, yet you did not return to Me," declares the LORD. New Testament References 1. Jesus' Teachings: In the New Testament, Jesus alludes to the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah as a warning to unrepentant cities. In Matthew 11:23-24, He says, "And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades. For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you." 2. Apostolic Writings: The apostle Peter references the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah as an example of God's judgment against ungodliness. In 2 Peter 2:6, he writes, "if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction, reducing them to ashes as an example of what is coming on the ungodly." Theological Implications The concept of overthrow in the Bible underscores the themes of divine justice and the consequences of sin. It serves as a sobering reminder of God's holiness and the seriousness with which He regards rebellion against His will. The biblical narrative consistently portrays God as patient and merciful, yet also as a righteous judge who will not tolerate sin indefinitely. The overthrows recorded in Scripture are not arbitrary acts of destruction but are depicted as necessary responses to persistent wickedness and unrepentance. Moral and Spiritual Lessons For believers, the accounts of overthrow serve as warnings to live in obedience to God's commands and to seek His mercy and forgiveness. They highlight the importance of repentance and the need to align one's life with God's standards. The biblical record of overthrows also offers hope, as it points to God's ultimate plan to establish His kingdom where righteousness dwells, free from the corruption and rebellion that necessitate such judgments. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (v. t.) To overturn; to upset; to vanquish an established ruler.2. (v. t.) To cause to fall or to fail; to subvert; to defeat; to make a ruin of; to destroy. 3. (n.) The act of overthrowing; the state of being overthrow; ruin. 4. (n.) The act of throwing a ball too high, as over a player's head. 5. (n.) A faulty return of the ball by a fielder, so that the striker makes an additional run. Greek 2647. kataluo -- to destroy, overthrow ... to destroy, overthrow. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: kataluo Phonetic Spelling: (kat-al-oo'-o) Short Definition: I break up, overthrow, unharness, find ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2647.htm - 7k 2693. katastronnumi -- to overthrow 5136. trachelizo -- to take by the throat, to overthrow 2690. katastrepho -- to overturn 396. anatrepo -- to overturn, destroy 2692. katastrophe -- an overthrowing 390. anastrepho -- to overturn, turn back 384. anaskeuazo -- to pack up baggage, dismantle Strong's Hebrew 2018. haphekah -- an overthrow... 2017, 2018. haphekah. 2019 . an overthrow. Transliteration: haphekah Phonetic Spelling: (haf-ay-kaw') Short Definition: overthrow. Word Origin fem. ... /hebrew/2018.htm - 6k 4049. megar -- to overthrow 4114. mahpekah -- an overthrow 4658. mappeleth -- carcass, ruin, an overthrow 2035. harisuth -- an overthrow, destruction, ruin 2041. heres -- an overthrow, destruction 2040. haras -- to throw down, break or tear down 2015. haphak -- to turn, overturn 5287. naar -- to shake, shake out or off 8058. shamat -- to let drop Library On the Overthrow of Petrus and the Introduction of Lucius the ... The Overthrow of the Tyrants and the Words which they Uttered ... Overthrow of an Idol Temple, and Abolition of Licentious Practices ... Overthrow of the Usurper Magnentius. Overthrow and Death of the Usurper Maximus. A Second Overthrow of the Persians by the Romans. That the Overthrow of Rome Has not Corrected the vices of the ... Of the System of Plato, which Would Lead to the Overthrow of ... Admission of the Fugitive Goths into the Roman Territories, which ... Exultation of the Disciples on their Return. --The Overthrow of ... Thesaurus Overthrow (48 Occurrences)... 3. (n.) The act of overthrowing; the state of being overthrow; ruin. 4 ... Multi-Version Concordance Overthrow (48 Occurrences). Luke ... /o/overthrow.htm - 21k Overthrew (17 Occurrences) Subvert (4 Occurrences) Gomor'rah (23 Occurrences) Destruction (734 Occurrences) Obadiah (21 Occurrences) Gomorrah (25 Occurrences) Zeboiim (7 Occurrences) Upset (9 Occurrences) Overturn (5 Occurrences) Resources What is the significance of the city of Sidon in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho is the king of the South in Daniel 11? | GotQuestions.org Who is the king of the North in Daniel 11? | GotQuestions.org Overthrow: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Overthrow (48 Occurrences)Luke 21:20 Acts 5:39 Acts 6:14 Romans 3:31 Romans 11:12 Romans 14:20 2 Corinthians 10:4 2 Corinthians 10:5 2 Thessalonians 2:8 2 Timothy 2:18 Titus 1:11 2 Peter 2:6 Genesis 19:21 Genesis 19:25 Genesis 19:29 Exodus 15:7 Exodus 23:24 Deuteronomy 12:3 Deuteronomy 29:23 2 Samuel 10:3 2 Samuel 11:25 1 Chronicles 19:3 2 Chronicles 25:8 Ezra 6:12 Job 22:8 Psalms 17:13 Psalms 106:26 Psalms 106:27 Psalms 140:4 Psalms 140:11 Proverbs 12:7 Proverbs 18:5 Proverbs 26:28 Jeremiah 1:10 Jeremiah 24:6 Jeremiah 31:28 Jeremiah 42:10 Jeremiah 45:4 Jeremiah 49:18 Lamentations 3:59 Ezekiel 27:27 Daniel 11:17 Daniel 11:24 Amos 4:11 Micah 5:11 Zephaniah 1:3 Haggai 2:22 Zechariah 10:5 Subtopics Related Terms |