The term "alienated" in a biblical context refers to a state of estrangement or separation, particularly in relation to God and His covenant people. This concept is often associated with sin, disobedience, and the resulting spiritual distance from God. The Bible addresses alienation in both the Old and New Testaments, highlighting the consequences of turning away from God and the hope of reconciliation through Christ.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, alienation is frequently depicted as the result of Israel's unfaithfulness to God. The Israelites, chosen as God's covenant people, often strayed from His commandments, leading to a state of separation. For instance, in Isaiah 59:2, the prophet declares, "But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear." This verse underscores the idea that sin creates a barrier between humanity and God, resulting in alienation.

The theme of alienation is also evident in the narrative of Adam and Eve. Their disobedience in the Garden of Eden led to their expulsion and a fractured relationship with God (Genesis 3). This foundational account sets the stage for understanding the pervasive nature of sin and its alienating effects on humanity.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of alienation is further developed, particularly in the writings of the Apostle Paul. In Ephesians 4:18, Paul describes the Gentiles as being "darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts." Here, alienation is linked to spiritual ignorance and moral insensitivity, which separate individuals from the life God intends for them.

Colossians 1:21-22 provides a powerful depiction of the transition from alienation to reconciliation: "Once you were alienated from God and were hostile in your minds because of your evil deeds. But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy, unblemished, and blameless in His presence." This passage highlights the transformative work of Christ, who bridges the gap caused by sin and restores believers to a right relationship with God.

Theological Implications

Theologically, alienation emphasizes the seriousness of sin and its impact on the human-divine relationship. It serves as a reminder of humanity's need for redemption and the grace offered through Jesus Christ. The Bible consistently portrays God as desiring reconciliation with His creation, offering forgiveness and restoration to those who turn back to Him.

The concept of alienation also underscores the importance of community and fellowship within the body of Christ. Believers are called to live in unity and love, reflecting the reconciled relationship they have with God. Ephesians 2:12-13 speaks to this communal aspect: "Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ."

In summary, the biblical theme of alienation serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of sin and the profound hope found in Christ's redemptive work. Through Him, the estrangement caused by sin is overcome, and believers are invited into a restored relationship with God and one another.(imp. & p. p.) of Alienate.526. apallotrioo -- to alienate, estrange
... apallotrioo Phonetic Spelling: (ap-al-lot-ree-o'-o) Short Definition: I estrange,
alienate Definition: I estrange, alienate; pass: I am alienated from. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/526.htm - 6k5361. naqa -- to be alienated or estranged
... 5360, 5361. naqa. 5362 . to be alienated or estranged. Transliteration: naqa
Phonetic Spelling: (naw-kah') Short Definition: alienated. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/5361.htm - 5k

3363. yaqa -- to be dislocated or alienated
... to be dislocated or alienated. Transliteration: yaqa Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-kah')
Short Definition: disgusted. ... be alienated, depart, hang up, be out of joint. ...
/hebrew/3363.htm - 6k

Of the Peace which is Enjoyed by the People that are Alienated ...
... Chapter 26."Of the Peace Which is Enjoyed by the People that are Alienated from
God, and the Use Made of It by the People of God in the Time of Its Pilgrimage ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 26 of the peace which.htm

Psalm LVIII.
... 4. "Alienated are sinners from the womb, they have gone astray from the belly, they
have spoken false things" (ver.3). And when iniquity they speak, false ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lviii.htm

Ephesians ii. 11, 12
... are called Uncircumcision by that which is called Circumcision in the flesh made
by hands; that ye were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the ...
/.../homily v ephesians ii 11.htm

The Consequences of Sin.
... That is the work of the Atonement. For this Christ died. But for the Cross of Calvary,
man, once alienated from God by sin, must remain in alienation. ...
/.../xlvii the consequences of sin.htm

The Kinsman-Redeemer
... It provided that land which had been alienated was to revert to its original occupants,
and so, in substance, prohibited purchase and permitted only the lease ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the kinsman-redeemer.htm

1 John iv. 9-10
... To a world of sin, thus alienated from the God of love, he gave that highest
gift,"-Him who is called, as no other can be, the Son of God,"-that through ...
//christianbookshelf.org/neander/the first epistle of john/1 john iv 10-sep.htm

Ephesians iv. 17-19
... testify in the Lord, that ye no longer walk as the Gentiles also walk, in the vanity
of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the ...
/.../homily xiii ephesians iv 17-19.htm

Proofs of the Foregoing, Drawn from the Gospels of Mark and Luke.
... that they might receive remission from the Lord when He should be present, having
been converted to Him, from whom they had been alienated because of sins and ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter x proofs of the foregoing.htm

He Then Exposes the Ignorance of Eunomius
... of being:"(with what propriety he knows how to adapt words to things!)"and since
He is "by reason of the Father," he says that He is alienated from Himself ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 3 he then exposes.htm

Written from Rome
... of Jesus in heathen communities not to walk "as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity
of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 45 written from rome.htm

Alienated (11 Occurrences)
... & pp) of Alienate. Multi-Version Concordance Alienated (11 Occurrences). Galatians
5:4 You are alienated from Christ, you who desire to be justified by the law. ...
/a/alienated.htm - 9k

Disgusted (7 Occurrences)
... Babylonians came to her into the bed of love, and they defiled her with their
prostitution, and she was polluted with them, and her soul was alienated from them ...
/d/disgusted.htm - 8k

Disgust (18 Occurrences)
... Babylonians came to her into the bed of love, and they defiled her with their
prostitution, and she was polluted with them, and her soul was alienated from them ...
/d/disgust.htm - 12k

Whoredoms (34 Occurrences)
... in unto her do sons of Babylon, To the bed of loves, And they defile her with their
whoredoms, And she is defiled with them, And her soul is alienated from them ...
/w/whoredoms.htm - 17k

Prostitution (48 Occurrences)
... Babylonians came to her into the bed of love, and they defiled her with their
prostitution, and she was polluted with them, and her soul was alienated from them ...
/p/prostitution.htm - 22k

Flaunted (1 Occurrence)
... Ezekiel 23:18 So she uncovered her prostitution, and uncovered her nakedness: then
my soul was alienated from her, like as my soul was alienated from her sister ...
/f/flaunted.htm - 6k

Forfeit (12 Occurrences)
... A thing forfeit or forfeited; what is or may be taken from one in requital of a
misdeed committed; that which is lost, or the right to which is alienated, by a ...
/f/forfeit.htm - 13k

Revealeth (9 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 23:18 And she revealeth her whoredoms, And she revealeth her nakedness,
And alienated is My soul from off her, As alienated was My soul from off her ...
/r/revealeth.htm - 8k

Excluded (14 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 2:12 that you were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the
commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise ...
/e/excluded.htm - 10k

Disclosed (18 Occurrences)
... (WBS). Ezekiel 23:18 So she disclosed her lewd deeds, and exposed her nakedness:
then my mind was alienated from her, as my mind was alienated from her sister. ...
/d/disclosed.htm - 12k

What is alienation? What does it mean that we are alienated from God? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to be an enemy of God? | GotQuestions.org

What is Christian reconciliation? Why do we need to be reconciled with God? | GotQuestions.org

Alienated: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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