Topical Encyclopedia The term "plundered" in the biblical context refers to the act of seizing goods or property by force, often during times of war or conflict. This concept is prevalent throughout the Scriptures, illustrating both the consequences of disobedience to God and the victories granted by Him to His people.Old Testament Context In the Old Testament, plundering is frequently associated with the conquest of cities and nations. One of the earliest mentions is in Genesis 14:11-12, where the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah are defeated, and their goods are taken: "The four kings seized all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their food, and they went on their way. They also carried off Abram’s nephew Lot and his possessions, since he was living in Sodom." The Israelites themselves were often involved in acts of plunder as they entered the Promised Land. In Joshua 8:2, God instructs Joshua regarding the city of Ai: "And you shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king, except that you may carry off their plunder and livestock for yourselves. Set an ambush behind the city." This directive highlights the divine sanction of plunder as part of the conquest narrative. However, plundering was not always condoned. In 1 Samuel 15:3, God commands Saul to completely destroy the Amalekites and not to spare anything: "Now go and attack the Amalekites and devote to destruction all that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys." Saul's failure to fully obey this command, by sparing the best of the livestock, led to his rejection as king. Prophetic Warnings and Judgments The prophets often spoke of plundering as a form of divine judgment against Israel and other nations. In Isaiah 42:22, the prophet laments the state of Israel: "But this is a people plundered and looted, all of them trapped in holes or hidden away in prisons. They have become plunder, with no one to rescue them; they have been made loot, with no one to say, 'Send them back.'" Similarly, in Jeremiah 30:16, God promises retribution against those who plunder His people: "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; all who make spoil of you I will despoil." New Testament Context In the New Testament, the concept of plundering is used metaphorically to describe spiritual realities. In Matthew 12:29, Jesus speaks of binding the strong man to plunder his house, illustrating His authority over demonic powers: "Or how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and steal his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house." The Apostle Paul also uses the imagery of plundering in Colossians 2:8, warning believers against being taken captive by false philosophies: "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, rather than according to Christ." Theological Implications The theme of plundering in the Bible underscores the sovereignty of God in the affairs of nations and individuals. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin and disobedience, as well as the assurance of God's justice and deliverance for His people. The biblical narrative of plundering ultimately points to the spiritual victory achieved through Christ, who has disarmed the powers and authorities, making a public spectacle of them (Colossians 2:15). Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (imp. & p. p.) of Plunder.Strong's Hebrew 8154. shasah -- to spoil, plunder... shasah or shasah. 8155 . to spoil, plunder. Transliteration: shasah or shasah Phonetic Spelling: (shaw-saw') Short Definition: plundered. Word Origin a prim. ... /hebrew/8154.htm - 6k 8155. shasas -- to spoil, plunder 962. bazaz -- to spoil, plunder 7997b. shalal -- to spoil, plunder 2502a. chalats -- to draw off or out, withdraw 5337. natsal -- to strip, plunder, deliver oneself, be delivered ... Library Nay, Indeed, Tiberias had Like to have Been Plundered by the ... There have Come to Me Ransomers from among the Saints, but None ... Wrath came to Rebuke, the Greedy who in the Midst of Peace ... I Will Run in My Affections, to Him who Heals Freely The Calamities and Slaughters that came Upon the Jews. Hymns and Homilies of Ephraim the Syrian There were Some Bold Young Men of the Village of Dabaritta... The Evil one Wailed "Where Now, is There a Place for Me to Flee to ... Varus Composes the Tumults in Judea and Crucifies About Two ... Renewal of Hostilities Between the Romans and Persians after the ... Thesaurus Plundered (44 Occurrences)...Plundered (44 Occurrences). Genesis 34:27 Jacob's sons came on the dead, and plundered the city, because they had defiled their sister. (WEB ASV DBY RSV). ... /p/plundered.htm - 19k Looted (9 Occurrences) Plunderers (9 Occurrences) Robbed (27 Occurrences) Plunder (118 Occurrences) Candlestick (34 Occurrences) Rescue (92 Occurrences) Quenching (4 Occurrences) Zedekiah (63 Occurrences) Nicopolis (1 Occurrence) Resources Who is the king of the North in Daniel 11? | GotQuestions.orgWho were the Midianites? | GotQuestions.org Has Israel's territory ever encompassed the promise in Joshua 1:4? | GotQuestions.org Plundered: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Plundered (44 Occurrences)Genesis 34:27 Genesis 34:29 Exodus 12:36 Numbers 31:9 Numbers 31:32 Deuteronomy 28:29 Judges 2:14 Judges 2:16 1 Samuel 14:48 1 Samuel 17:53 2 Kings 7:16 2 Kings 21:14 2 Chronicles 14:14 2 Chronicles 25:13 Nehemiah 4:4 Psalms 7:4 Psalms 44:10 Psalms 76:5 Psalms 89:41 Isaiah 10:13 Isaiah 13:16 Isaiah 24:3 Isaiah 42:22 Jeremiah 21:12 Jeremiah 22:3 Jeremiah 30:16 Jeremiah 50:10 Jeremiah 50:37 Ezekiel 23:46 Ezekiel 26:12 Ezekiel 34:8 Ezekiel 34:22 Ezekiel 34:28 Ezekiel 36:4 Ezekiel 39:10 Daniel 11:33 Hosea 10:14 Hosea 13:15 Amos 3:11 Nahum 2:10 Habakkuk 2:8 Zephaniah 1:13 Zechariah 2:8 Zechariah 14:2 Subtopics Related Terms |