The term "populous" refers to a place or region that is densely populated or has a large number of inhabitants. In the context of the Bible, the concept of populous cities or nations often carries significant theological and historical implications, reflecting both the blessings and challenges associated with large populations.

Biblical References:

1. Nahum 3:8 : "Are you better than Thebes, situated by the Nile, with water around her, whose rampart was the sea, whose wall was the water?" Thebes, also known as No-Amon, was a populous city in ancient Egypt. It was renowned for its wealth, power, and strategic location by the Nile River. The reference to Thebes in Nahum highlights the city's former glory and its eventual downfall, serving as a warning to Nineveh about the consequences of pride and idolatry.

2. Jeremiah 46:25 : "The LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: 'Behold, I will punish Amon of Thebes, Pharaoh, Egypt, her gods, and her kings, and those who trust in Pharaoh.'" This passage underscores the judgment pronounced against populous Thebes and its reliance on false gods and political alliances. It serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty over nations, regardless of their size or strength.

3. Ezekiel 30:14-16 : "I will lay waste Pathros, set fire to Zoan, and execute judgment on Thebes. I will pour out My wrath on Pelusium, the stronghold of Egypt, and cut off the crowds of Thebes. I will set fire to Egypt; Pelusium will writhe in anguish, Thebes will be split open, and Memphis will face daily distress." The prophecy against Egypt, including its populous cities like Thebes, illustrates the divine judgment that comes upon nations that oppose God's will.

Theological Implications:

In the Bible, populous cities often symbolize human achievement, wealth, and power. However, they also represent the potential for moral and spiritual decay when they turn away from God. The accounts of cities like Thebes serve as cautionary tales about the dangers of pride, idolatry, and reliance on human strength rather than divine guidance.

The concept of populousness is also linked to the idea of God's blessings. In Genesis 12:2 , God promises Abraham, "I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing." Here, the promise of a populous nation is seen as a sign of divine favor and fulfillment of God's covenant.

Historical Context:

In ancient times, populous cities were often centers of trade, culture, and political power. They were strategically located near water sources, trade routes, and fertile lands, which contributed to their growth and prosperity. However, their size and wealth also made them targets for conquest and divine judgment, as seen in the biblical narratives.

The rise and fall of populous cities like Thebes serve as historical reminders of the transient nature of human power and the enduring sovereignty of God. These accounts encourage believers to place their trust in God rather than in the temporal security offered by populous cities or nations.1. (a.) Abounding in people; full of inhabitants; containing many inhabitants in proportion to the extent of the country.

2. (a.) Popular; famous.

3. (a.) Common; vulgar.

4. (a.) Numerous; in large number.

528. Amon -- an Eg. god
... multitude, populous. Of Egyptian derivation; Amon (ie Ammon or Amn), a deity of
Egypt (used only as an adjunct of No') -- multitude, populous. see HEBREW No'. ...
/hebrew/528.htm - 6k

7227. rab -- much, many, great
... many(-ifold, things, a time), ((ship-))master, mighty, more, (too, very) much,
multiply(-tude), officer, often(-times), plenteous, populous, prince, process ...
/hebrew/7227.htm - 6k

85. Abraham -- "exalted father," the father of the Jewish nation
... Abraham. Contracted from 'ab and an unused root (probably meaning to be populous);
father of a multitude; Abraham, the later name of Abram -- Abraham. ...
/hebrew/85.htm - 6k

7227a. rab -- much, many, great
... 1), masses (1), mighty (7), more (5), more numerous (1), much (16), multitude (2),
numerous (10), older (1), plentiful (1), plenty (2), populous (1), powerful ...
/hebrew/7227a.htm - 6k

The Gospel Message in Antioch
... Syria. The extensive commerce carried on from that populous center brought
to the city many people of various nationalities. Besides ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 16 the gospel message.htm

Bishop Hosius Said: if it Happen that in a Province in which There ...
... another province ought not to ordain a bishop unless in the cities which have
[previously] had bishops, or in a city which is so important or so populous as to ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon vi bishop hosius said .htm

The Next Performance is Mainly Directed against Faith in the ...
... empires, pagan or even atheistic, of which the origin runs far back beyond the historic
records of Jud??a or of the West, and which were more populous than all ...
/.../burgon/inspiration and interpretation/iv the next performance is.htm

Athanasius is Again Banished; Concerning Eleusius, Bishop of ...
... They were numerous, and were divided into two populous classes; they had received
permission from preceding emperors to dwell, with their wives and possessions ...
/.../chapter xv athanasius is again banished.htm

The Sins of Communities Noted and Punished.
... barbarians. That mighty empire comprehended a very large portion of the
then known world. It had become exceedingly populous. Italy ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxix the sins of.htm

The Death of Darius.
... There was a large and populous city near the port, and the whole island was adorned
with temples, palaces, colonnades, and other splendid architectural ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter xii the death of.htm

The Roman Empire at the Time of the Birth of Christ. Upwards of a ...
... The remains of its populous cities, its great fortresses, its extensive aqueducts,
and its stately temples, may still be pointed out as the memorials of its ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter i the roman empire.htm

The National Preacher, Vol. 2 No. 7 Dec. 1827
... practical results, which may carry conviction and saving instruction to uncounted
millions -- not merely in our own land, but in more populous countries, where ...
/.../leland/the national preacher vol 2 no 7 dec 1827/title page.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1836 to the ...
... In the western country especially, where the decrease was greatest, by neglecting
to furnish convenient places of worship in the more populous villages, others ...
/.../chapter 14 from the close.htm

The Counter-Reformation
... desire to strengthen their own authority against both the Emperor and the people;
in Switzerland to the political aspirations of the populous and manufacturing ...
/.../chapter iv the counter-reformation.htm

Populous (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Populous (4 Occurrences). ... Judges (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS
NAS RSV). Job 24:12 From out of the populous city, men groan. ...
/p/populous.htm - 8k

Thessalonica (8 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary A large and populous city on the Thermaic bay. ... 2.
History: Thessalonica rapidly became populous and wealthy. ...
/t/thessalonica.htm - 25k

Population (11 Occurrences)

/p/population.htm - 9k

No-amon (1 Occurrence)
... and Amon, proper name of a god, City Amon, ie the "City," paragraph excellence,
of the god Amon; translated in the King James Version "populous No," following ...
/n/no-amon.htm - 8k

Noamon
... and Amon, proper name of a god, City Amon, ie the "City," paragraph excellence,
of the god Amon; translated in the King James Version "populous No," following ...
/n/noamon.htm - 7k

Nineveh (23 Occurrences)
... into Assyria and builded Nineveh." It is not again noticed till the days of Jonah,
when it is described (Jonah 3:3; 4:11) as a great and populous city, the ...
/n/nineveh.htm - 52k

No (18543 Occurrences)
... or Ammon. In Nahum 3:8 the "populous No" of the Authorized Version is in
the Revised Version correctly rendered "No-Amon.". It was ...
/n/no.htm - 9k

Unseemliness (4 Occurrences)
... Job 24:12 From out of the populous city men groan, And the soul of the wounded
crieth out: Yet God regardeth not the folly. (See JPS). ...
/u/unseemliness.htm - 7k

Ophel (6 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 32:14 reads, "The palace shall be forsaken; the populous city shall be deserted;
the hill (Ophel) and the watch-tower shall be for dens for ever." Here ...
/o/ophel.htm - 14k

Jabneel (2 Occurrences)
... Jaffa. After the fall of Jerusalem (AD 70), it became one of the most populous
cities of Judea, and the seat of a celebrated school. ...
/j/jabneel.htm - 11k

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