Lexical Summary hierosuleó: To commit sacrilege, to rob temples Original Word: ἱεροσυλέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance rob temples, commit sacrilege. From hierosulos; to be a temple-robber (figuratively) -- commit sacrilege. see GREEK hierosulos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom hierosulos Definition to rob a temple NASB Translation rob temples (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2416: ἱεροσυλέωἱεροσυλέω, ἱεροσύλω; (ἱερόσυλος, which see); to commit sacrilege, to rob a temple: Romans 2:22, where the meaning is, 'thou who abhorrest idols and their contamination, dost yet not hesitate to plunder their shrines'; cf. Fritzsche (and Delitzsch) at the passage (Aristophanes, Plato, Demosthenes, others.) Topical Lexicon Definition and Concept Strong’s Greek 2416 (ἱεροσυλέω) denotes the act of profaning, plundering, or robbing what is devoted to God. It addresses a sin that violates both the sanctity of worship and the rights of God Himself over all that is consecrated to Him. Old Testament Background While the exact Greek term is absent from the Hebrew Scriptures, the concept permeates them. Israel was repeatedly warned against misusing holy things (Leviticus 5:15-16), against diverting offerings (Deuteronomy 12:6-7), and against withholding tithes and contributions (Malachi 3:8-10). Holy vessels removed from the temple for pagan feasts (Daniel 5:1-4) ultimately provoked divine judgment, underscoring the gravity of sacrilege. Usage in the New Testament (Romans 2:22) Romans 2 confronts religious hypocrisy. Paul asks, “You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?” (Romans 2:22). The apostle exposes a contradiction: certain Jews prided themselves on abhorring idolatry yet showed contempt for God’s temple by misappropriating sacred items or withholding what belonged to Him. Paul’s rhetorical thrust intensifies his larger argument (Romans 2:17-24) that outward religiosity cannot mask inward rebellion. Historical and Cultural Context In the Greco-Roman world, temple robbery was a civil and religious offense punishable by death. Pagan temples held vast treasuries; plundering them was treated as a crime against the deity and the state. Paul’s allusion harnesses that shared cultural indignation to magnify the sin of profaning the living God’s sanctuary. A related noun (Acts 19:37) shows how quickly the early church was accused of such crimes, proving how sensitive the charge was. Theological Implications 1. Sanctity of God’s Possessions: Scripture teaches that all devoted things belong uniquely to the Lord (Joshua 6:19, Leviticus 27:28). Robbing them is ultimately robbing God. Practical Lessons for Believers • Stewardship: Tithes, offerings, and spiritual gifts belong to God’s service. Withholding them is tantamount to sacrilege (Malachi 3:8). Related Themes and Scriptures Deuteronomy 7:25; 1 Samuel 2:12-17 (sons of Eli); 2 Kings 12:16; 2 Chronicles 24:5-10; Psalm 50:18; Isaiah 56:11; Matthew 23:14; John 2:14-17; Acts 5:1-11; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 2 Corinthians 8:20-21; 1 Timothy 6:10. Conclusion Ἱεροσυλέω exposes the heart that claims reverence yet steals from God. Romans 2:22 uses the charge to show that external piety is meaningless without genuine submission. For modern believers, it is a clarion call to honor God with all He entrusts—our wealth, our bodies, and our worship—lest we be found robbing the very One we profess to serve. Forms and Transliterations ιεροσυλεις ιεροσυλείς ἱεροσυλεῖς hierosyleis hierosyleîs ierosuleisLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
    |