Definition and Usage:
The term "ravening" is used in the Bible to describe a ferocious, predatory behavior, often associated with wild animals or metaphorically with people who act with greed and destructiveness. It conveys a sense of violent and insatiable hunger, typically for power, wealth, or control.

Biblical References:

1. Ezekiel 22:25-27 : In this passage, the term is used to describe the leaders of Israel who are compared to ravening wolves. "There is a conspiracy of her prophets within her like a roaring lion tearing its prey; they devour people, seize treasures and precious things, and make many widows within her. Her priests do violence to My law and profane My holy things; they make no distinction between the holy and the common, and they teach that there is no difference between the unclean and the clean; they shut their eyes to the keeping of My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them. Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey; they shed blood and kill people to make unjust gain."

2. Matthew 7:15 : Jesus warns against false prophets, describing them as ravening wolves in sheep's clothing. "Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves."

3. Luke 11:39 : Here, Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for their hypocrisy, likening their greed to ravening. "But the Lord said to him, 'Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.'"

Theological Implications:

The concept of ravening is often used to illustrate the destructive nature of sin and the moral corruption that can pervade individuals and societies. It serves as a warning against the dangers of unchecked greed and the exploitation of others for personal gain. In the biblical context, those who are described as ravening are often leaders or influential figures who abuse their power, leading others astray and causing harm to the community.

Moral and Ethical Lessons:

From a moral standpoint, the imagery of ravening serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of living a life driven by selfish desires and the pursuit of material wealth at the expense of righteousness and justice. It calls believers to be vigilant against such behaviors in themselves and others, emphasizing the importance of integrity, compassion, and adherence to God's commandments.

Symbolism:

Ravening is symbolically associated with the forces of chaos and destruction, often depicted through the imagery of wild animals like wolves. This symbolism underscores the untamed and dangerous nature of sin when it is allowed to dominate one's life. It also highlights the need for spiritual discernment and the protection of the community from those who would seek to harm it under the guise of righteousness.

Practical Application:

In practical terms, the biblical warnings about ravening encourage believers to examine their own lives for signs of greed and exploitation. It challenges them to cultivate a spirit of generosity and justice, to protect the vulnerable, and to stand against those who would use their power for personal gain at the expense of others.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Raven.

2. (n.) Eagerness for plunder; rapacity; extortion.

3. (a.) Greedily devouring; rapacious; as, ravening wolves.

727. harpax -- rapacious
... ravenous. From harpazo; rapacious -- extortion, ravening. see GREEK harpazo. (arpages)
-- 3 Occurrences. (arpax) -- 1 Occurrence. (arpaxin) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/727.htm - 6k

724. harpage -- pillage, plundering
... extortion, robbery. From harpazo; pillage (properly abstract) -- extortion, ravening,
spoiling. see GREEK harpazo. (arpagen) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/724.htm - 6k

2963. taraph -- to tear, rend, pluck
... root Definition to tear, rend, pluck NASB Word Usage feed (1), ravening (1), ravenous
(1), surely been torn to pieces (2), tear (7), tearing (2), tears (2 ...
/hebrew/2963.htm - 6k

The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs.
... Among the tropes and prophetical benedictions on his sons, Jacob, turning to Benjamin,
said, Benjamin, a ravening wolf in the morning shall devour, and in the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the testaments of the twelve.htm

Whether a Good Life is Requisite for Prophecy?
... 3: Further, it is written (Mat.7:15): "Beware of false prophets, who come to you
in the clothing of sheep, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." Now all who ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether a good life is.htm

Petilianus Said: "The Lord Christ Also Warns Us...
... said: "The Lord Christ also warns us, saying, Beware of false prophets, which come
unto you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves; and ye ...
/.../chapter 16 36 petilianus.htm

Heretics Appeal to Scripture that they May More Easily Succeed in ...
... [66.] It was for this reason that the Saviour cried, "Beware of false prophets who
come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." [506 ...
/.../vincent/the commonitory of vincent of lerins/chapter xxv heretics appeal to.htm

Warnings against Heresy Given us in the New Testament Sundry ...
... The Lord teaches us that many "ravening wolves shall come in sheep's clothing."
[1883] Now, what are these sheep's clothing's, but the external surface of the ...
/.../the prescription against heretics/chapter iv warnings against heresy given.htm

Heretics Confirm the Catholics in the Faith.
... For he said, Many shall come in My name, clothed outwardly in sheep's clothing,
but inwardly they are ravening wolves.' " [2035] And, There shall be schisms ...
/.../chapter xxxv heretics confirm the catholics.htm

Petilianus Said: "But These Things do not Alarm us Christians...
... and consequently slay those sheep which they have torn and alienated from the life
of unity and Christian love"is it not evident that they are ravening wolves ...
/.../chapter 74 163 petilianus.htm

Psalm XXII.
... "As a ravening and roaring lion." As a lion, whose ravening is, that I was taken
and led; and whose roaring, "Crucify, Crucify." [604]. 15. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xxii.htm

Being About to Prove that the Will, the Calling...
... That wood into which Paul entered indeed as a ravening wolf, but went forth as a
shepherd, for "their sound is gone out into all the earth." [1166]. 109. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter x being about to.htm

Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount
... so solemnly cautions us against them: "Beware," saith he, "of false prophets, which
come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.". ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 32 upon our lords.htm

Ravening (6 Occurrences)
... & vb. n.) of Raven. 2. (n.) Eagerness for plunder; rapacity; extortion. 3. (a.)
Greedily devouring; rapacious; as, ravening wolves. ...Ravening (6 Occurrences). ...
/r/ravening.htm - 8k

Wolves (10 Occurrences)
... Wolves (10 Occurrences). Matthew 7:15 "Beware of false prophets, who come to
you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves. ...
/w/wolves.htm - 9k

Ravin (1 Occurrence)
... a screecher." "Ravenous beast" in Isaiah 35:9 is for parits, "violent one." In the
New Testament harpax, "rapacious," is translated "ravening" in Matthew 7:15 ...
/r/ravin.htm - 8k

Raven (7 Occurrences)
... a screecher." "Ravenous beast" in Isaiah 35:9 is for parits, "violent one." In the
New Testament harpax, "rapacious," is translated "ravening" in Matthew 7:15 ...
/r/raven.htm - 14k

Ravenous (11 Occurrences)

/r/ravenous.htm - 9k

Gape (2 Occurrences)
... (Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). Psalms 22:13 They gaped upon me with
their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion. (Root in KJV ASV DBY WBS). ...
/g/gape.htm - 7k

Gaped (2 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS YLT NAS RSV). Psalms 22:13 They gaped upon me with
their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion. (KJV WBS). ...
/g/gaped.htm - 7k

Within (400 Occurrences)
... (WEY NIV). Matthew 7:15 But beware of false prophets, which come to you
in sheep's clothing, but within are ravening wolves. (DBY). ...
/w/within.htm - 36k

Wolf (4 Occurrences)
... In Genesis 49:27 Benjamin is likened to a ravening wolf. In Ezekiel 22:27, and in
the similar Zechariah 3:3, the eiders of Jerusalem are compared to wolves. ...
/w/wolf.htm - 13k

Inwardly (12 Occurrences)
... Inwardly (12 Occurrences). Matthew 7:15 "Beware of false prophets, who come
to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves. ...
/i/inwardly.htm - 10k

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Ravening: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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