In the biblical context, threats are often depicted as expressions of hostility or intimidation, typically aimed at coercing or instilling fear in others. The Bible addresses threats in various forms, whether they come from individuals, nations, or spiritual forces, and provides guidance on how believers should respond to them.

Old Testament Instances

1. Goliath's Threats: One of the most famous instances of threats in the Old Testament is the challenge issued by Goliath to the Israelites. In 1 Samuel 17:10, Goliath taunts the armies of Israel, saying, "This day I defy the ranks of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other." His threats were intended to demoralize the Israelites and assert Philistine dominance. David's response, rooted in faith, demonstrates the power of trusting in God over succumbing to fear.

2. Sennacherib's Threats: In 2 Kings 19, the Assyrian king Sennacherib sends messengers to threaten King Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem, boasting of his conquests and questioning the power of the God of Israel. Hezekiah's response is to seek the Lord in prayer, and God delivers Jerusalem by sending an angel to destroy the Assyrian army (2 Kings 19:35).

3. Nehemiah's Experience: Nehemiah faced threats from Sanballat and Tobiah as he led the effort to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. In Nehemiah 4:11, the adversaries plot to attack and stop the work. Nehemiah's response is to pray and set a guard, demonstrating vigilance and reliance on God.

New Testament Teachings

1. Jesus and Threats: Jesus Himself faced numerous threats throughout His ministry. In Luke 13:31, some Pharisees warn Him, "Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you." Jesus responds with calm assurance, indicating His mission and timing are under divine authority.

2. Apostolic Responses: The apostles also encountered threats as they spread the Gospel. In Acts 4:17-21, Peter and John are threatened by the Sanhedrin to stop preaching in the name of Jesus. Their response is one of boldness and obedience to God over human authority, saying, "We cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:20).

3. Paul's Experiences: The Apostle Paul frequently faced threats and persecution. In Acts 23:12-22, a group of Jews vows to kill him, but Paul is protected through divine intervention and the help of his nephew. Paul's life exemplifies perseverance and faith in the face of threats.

Spiritual Perspective

The Bible also addresses the spiritual dimension of threats, emphasizing the believer's struggle against spiritual forces. Ephesians 6:12 reminds Christians that "our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" . The believer is encouraged to put on the full armor of God to stand firm against these threats.

Guidance for Believers

1. Trust in God: The consistent biblical response to threats is to trust in God's protection and sovereignty. Psalm 56:3-4 states, "When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?" .

2. Prayer and Faith: Believers are encouraged to respond to threats with prayer and faith, seeking God's guidance and strength. Philippians 4:6-7 advises, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" .

3. Peace and Forgiveness: Jesus teaches His followers to respond to hostility with peace and forgiveness. In Matthew 5:44, He instructs, "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" , highlighting a radical approach to dealing with threats.

In summary, the Bible provides numerous examples and teachings on how to handle threats, emphasizing faith, prayer, and reliance on God's power and protection.1908. epereazo -- to revile
... 1908 (from 1909 , "upon" and , "threatening, reviling abuse") -- properly, to
intimidate by using threats and false accusations "tailor-made" to the situation ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1908.htm - 7k

4324. prosapeileo -- to threaten further
... further. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: prosapeileo Phonetic Spelling:
(pros-ap-i-leh'-o) Short Definition: I utter additional threats Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4324.htm - 6k

547. apeile -- a threat
... threat. Word Origin of uncertain origin Definition a threat NASB Word Usage
threatening (1), threats (2). a menace, threat. From ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/547.htm - 6k

546. apeileo -- to threaten
... by threatening. Word Origin from apeile Definition to threaten NASB Word Usage
uttered...threats (1), warn (1). threaten. Of uncertain ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/546.htm - 6k

7451a. ra -- bad, evil
... 4), harm* (1), harmful (3), man (1), miserable (1), misfortune* (1), sad (4), selfish*
(1), serious (1), severe (2), sore (2), threats* (1), treacherous (1 ...
/hebrew/7451a.htm - 6k

1697. dabar -- speech, word
... 1), task (1), theme (1), thing (96), things (36), things at your word (1), things
the word (1), this* (1), thought (1), thoughts (1), threats* (1), thus* (1 ...
/hebrew/1697.htm - 8k

No Threats have any Effect on Polycarp.
... Chapter XI."No threats have any effect on Polycarp. The proconsul then
said to him, "I have wild beasts at hand; to these will ...
/.../smyrna/the martyrdom of the holy polycarp/chapter xi no threats have any.htm

Whether the Old Law Should have Induced Men to the Observance of ...
... Whether the Old Law should have induced men to the observance of its precepts,
by means of temporal promises and threats? Objection ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the old law should 2.htm

Athanasius, Intimidated by the Emperor's Threats, Returns to Rome ...
... Book II. Chapter XVII."Athanasius, intimidated by the Emperor's Threats,
returns to Rome again. At this time another accusation ...
/.../chapter xvii athanasius intimidated by the.htm

Constantius, Being Afraid of his Brother's Threats, Recalls ...
... Book II. Chapter XXIII."Constantius, being Afraid of his Brother's Threats,
recalls Athanasius by Letter, and sends him to Alexandria. ...
/.../chapter xxiii constantius being afraid of.htm

Celsus, in Adopting the Character of a Jew, could not Discover any ...
... For he censures Jesus in such words as the following: "He makes use of threats,
and reviles men on light grounds, when he says, Woe unto you,' and I tell you ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lxxvi celsus in adopting.htm

Of Porphyry's Epistle to Anebo, in which He Asks for Information ...
... dead body, while their mysteries are celebrated almost entirely by means of dead
bodies; why it is that a man addicted to any vice should utter threats, not to ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 11 of porphyrys epistle to.htm

The Triumph of Faith
... will show how the high military official, 'the rabshakeh,' or chief of the officers,
shaped all his insolent and yet skilful mixture of threats and promises so ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the triumph of faith.htm

His Charge of Cowardice is Baseless: for Basil Displayed the ...
... It was a time of exile, confiscation, banishment, threats of fines, danger of life,
arrests, imprisonment, scourging; nothing was too dreadful to put in force ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 12 his charge of.htm

Obedient Disobedience
... The great fact is that the Church answered threats by prayer. ... No man there trembled
nor thought of vengeance, or of repaying threats with threats. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/obedient disobedience.htm

part iv.
... Orders were sent also to the more distant parts, and Notaries despatched to every
city, and Palatines, with threats to the Bishops and Magistrates, directing ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/part iv.htm

Threats (14 Occurrences)
...Threats (14 Occurrences). ... Acts 4:29 Now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to
your servants to speak your word with all boldness, (WEB WEY NAS RSV NIV). ...
/t/threats.htm - 10k

Threaten (4 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To utter threats against; to menace; to inspire with apprehension; to alarm,
or attempt to alarm, as with the promise of something evil or disagreeable ...
/t/threaten.htm - 8k

Threat (7 Occurrences)
... Acts 9:1 But Saul, still breathing threats and slaughter against the disciples of
the Lord, went to the high priest, (Root in WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS ...
/t/threat.htm - 8k

Susanna (1 Occurrence)
... 5-15). A joint attempt was made upon Susanna, who resisted, notwithstanding
threats of false accusation (verses 22-26). The elders ...
/s/susanna.htm - 17k

Ezekiel (4 Occurrences)
... into halves by the announcement of the fall of Jerusalem in Ezekiel 33; of which
parts the first predominantly deals with punishments and threats; the other ...
/e/ezekiel.htm - 45k

Zephaniah (11 Occurrences)
... The first part (1:2-3:8) contains, almost exclusively, denunciations and threats;
the second (3:9-20), a promise of salvation and glorification. ...
/z/zephaniah.htm - 32k

Quite (55 Occurrences)
... Acts 4:21 The Court added further threats and then let them go, being quite unable
to find any way of punishing them on account of the people, because all gave ...
/q/quite.htm - 22k

Uttered (60 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 2:23 When He was reviled, He did not answer with reviling; when He suffered
He uttered no threats, but left His wrongs in the hands of the righteous ...
/u/uttered.htm - 23k

Three (5005 Occurrences)

/t/three.htm - 18k

Grant (87 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Acts 4:29 Now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants
to speak your word with all boldness, (WEB KJV ASV WBS YLT NAS RSV). ...
/g/grant.htm - 31k

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