Definition: The term "pillaged" refers to the act of looting or plundering, especially during war or conflict. In biblical contexts, it often involves the forceful taking of goods, livestock, or other valuables from a city, region, or people, typically by an invading army or group.

Biblical Context and Usage:

1. Old Testament Instances:
· The concept of pillaging is frequently mentioned in the Old Testament, often in the context of divine judgment or as a consequence of war. The Israelites, as well as their enemies, experienced pillaging at various times.
· In 1 Samuel 30:1-2, the Amalekites pillaged Ziklag, a city belonging to David and his men: "Now when David and his men came to Ziklag on the third day, the Amalekites had raided the Negev and Ziklag. They had attacked Ziklag and burned it down, and had taken captive the women and all who were in it, both young and old. They had killed none of them, but had carried them off as they went on their way."
· The prophet Nahum speaks of the pillaging of Nineveh as a part of God's judgment against the city: "Plunder the silver! Plunder the gold! There is no end to the treasure, an abundance of every precious thing" (Nahum 2:9).

2. Divine Judgment and Consequences:
· Pillaging is often depicted as a tool of divine retribution. God uses foreign nations to execute judgment on Israel and other nations for their disobedience and idolatry. For example, in Jeremiah 30:16, God promises that those who pillage Israel will themselves be pillaged: "But all who devour you will be devoured; all your adversaries—every one of them—will go off into exile. Those who plunder you will be plundered, and all who pillage you will be pillaged."

3. Moral and Ethical Considerations:
· The Bible presents pillaging as a morally reprehensible act, often associated with violence, destruction, and the suffering of innocents. It is typically portrayed as a consequence of human sinfulness and rebellion against God.
· The ethical implications of pillaging are addressed in the laws given to Israel. For instance, Deuteronomy 20:14 provides guidelines for warfare, including the treatment of captives and the spoils of war, emphasizing restraint and justice.

4. Symbolic and Prophetic Imagery:
· Pillaging is also used symbolically in prophetic literature to describe the spiritual desolation and judgment that comes upon those who turn away from God. The imagery of a city being pillaged serves as a powerful metaphor for the loss and devastation that accompanies spiritual unfaithfulness.

Historical and Cultural Background:

· In the ancient Near East, pillaging was a common practice during military campaigns. Victorious armies would often loot defeated cities, taking valuables, livestock, and captives as spoils of war. This practice was not only a means of enriching the victors but also served as a psychological tactic to instill fear and submission in conquered peoples.
· The biblical narrative reflects the historical reality of pillaging as a part of the warfare and political dynamics of the time. It underscores the transient nature of material wealth and the ultimate sovereignty of God over nations and their fortunes.

Theological Implications:

· The recurring theme of pillaging in the Bible highlights the consequences of sin and the justice of God. It serves as a reminder of the temporal nature of earthly possessions and the futility of relying on material wealth for security.
· The prophetic promises of restoration and divine retribution against those who pillage God's people point to the hope of redemption and the establishment of God's righteous kingdom, where justice and peace will prevail.(imp. & p. p.) of Pillage.

How the City Jerusalem was Taken, and the Temple Pillaged [By ...
... CHAPTER 1. How The City Jerusalem Was Taken, And The Temple Pillaged [By
Antiochus Epiphanes]. As Also Concerning The Actions Of ...
/.../chapter 1 how the city.htm

How Crassus came into Judea, and Pillaged the Temple; and Then ...
... CHAPTER 7. How Crassus Came Into Judea, And Pillaged The Temple; And Then
Marched Against The Parthians And Perished, With His Army. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 7 how crassus came.htm

How the King of Babylon Took Jerusalem and Burnt the Temple and ...
... Accordingly, he came to Jerusalem in the eleventh year of king Zedekiah, and pillaged
the temple, and carried out the vessels of God, both gold and silver, and ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 how the king.htm

How Cyrus, King of the Persians, Delivered the Jews Out Of
... Cyrus also sent back to them the vessels of God which king Nebuchadnezzar
had pillaged out of the temple, and had carried to Babylon. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 1 how cyrus king.htm

How
... 5. How, Upon The Quarrels One Against Another About The High Priesthood Antiochus
Made An Expedition Against Jerusalem, Took The City And Pillaged The Temples. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 how.htm

How the Temple was Built While the Cutheans Endeavored in Vain to ...
... fathers' impiety towards God, Nebuchadnezzar, king of the Babylonians and of the
Chaldeans, took their city by force, and destroyed it, and pillaged the temple ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 how the temple.htm

The Poetical Books.
... After a few months' work of this sort, a portion of the Chaldeans under
Nebuzar-adan returned to the dismantled and pillaged city and utterly destroyed ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter vii the poetical books.htm

The Death of Saint David.
... was the state of Wales when they entered it in battle-array, seeking the
enemy,"towns were unpeopled, houses overthrown, monasteries pillaged, corn-fields ...
/.../kingston/the seven champions of christendom/chapter sixteen the death of.htm

Against "The Roaring Lions"
... did they tamper with Augustin's people, but the country dwellers of the Catholic
Church were continually interfered with on their lands, pillaged, ravaged, and ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/iv against the roaring lions.htm

Comenius and the Hidden Seed, 1627-1672.
... His house was pillaged and gutted; his books and his manuscripts were burned; and
he himself, with his wife and children, had now to flee in hot haste from ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter xvi comenius and the.htm

Pillaged (4 Occurrences)
...Pillaged (4 Occurrences). 1 Samuel 17:53 And the children of Israel returned from
chasing after the Philistines, and they pillaged their camps. (DBY). ...
/p/pillaged.htm - 7k

Pillage (5 Occurrences)

/p/pillage.htm - 8k

Temple (614 Occurrences)
... This temple erected by Solomon was many times pillaged during the course of its
history, (1) 1 Kings 14:25, 26; (2) 2 Kings 14:14; (3) 2 Kings 16:8, 17, 18; (4 ...
/t/temple.htm - 101k

Joppa (14 Occurrences)
... "Scarcely any other town has been so often overthrown, sacked, pillaged, burned,
and rebuilt." Its present population is said to be about 16,000. ...
/j/joppa.htm - 17k

Tekoa (12 Occurrences)
... In 1138 the place was pillaged by a party of Turks from the East of the Jordan,
and since that time the site appears to have lain desolate and ruined, although ...
/t/tekoa.htm - 15k

Persepolis
... stone. The city was captured, pillaged and burnt by Alexander in 324 BC,
most of the inhabitants being massacred or enslaved. Much ...
/p/persepolis.htm - 7k

Altar (343 Occurrences)
... formerly stood. (Comp. 1 Macc. 4:47.) When Antiochus Epiphanes pillaged Jerusalem
the altar of burnt offering was taken away. Again the ...
/a/altar.htm - 78k

Camps (33 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 17:53 And the children of Israel returned from chasing after the
Philistines, and they pillaged their camps. (DBY YLT NAS). ...
/c/camps.htm - 16k

Nineveh (23 Occurrences)
... Sennacherib overcame Chaldea, and the treasures of Babylon were transferred to his
coffers; Esarhaddon and Assur-bani-pal himself have pillaged Egypt and her ...
/n/nineveh.htm - 52k

Nahum (3 Occurrences)
... of the Chaldeans and Scythians met determined resistance; at last a breach was made
in the northeast corner of the wall, the city was taken, pillaged and burned ...
/n/nahum.htm - 21k

What are the books of 1 and 2 Maccabees? | GotQuestions.org

Pillaged: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus