Assassinate
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The term "assassinate" refers to the deliberate and premeditated killing of a prominent or important individual, often for political or ideological reasons. While the Bible does not use the term "assassinate" explicitly, it does recount several instances of such acts, particularly in the context of political intrigue and power struggles in ancient Israel and surrounding nations.

Biblical Instances of Assassination:

1. Ehud and Eglon: One of the earliest examples of assassination in the Bible is the account of Ehud, a judge of Israel, who assassinated Eglon, the king of Moab. Ehud, a left-handed man, crafted a double-edged sword and concealed it under his clothing. He gained a private audience with King Eglon under the pretense of delivering a message from God. Once alone, Ehud drew his sword and killed Eglon, leading to the liberation of Israel from Moabite oppression (Judges 3:15-30).

2. Joab and Abner: Joab, the commander of King David's army, assassinated Abner, the commander of Saul's army, in an act of revenge for the death of his brother Asahel. Joab deceitfully called Abner aside at the gate of Hebron and struck him in the stomach, killing him (2 Samuel 3:27). This act of treachery was condemned by David, who distanced himself from the murder (2 Samuel 3:28-29).

3. Ish-bosheth's Assassination: Ish-bosheth, the son of Saul, was assassinated by two of his own captains, Baanah and Rechab. They entered his house during the heat of the day while he was resting and struck him dead. They then beheaded him and brought his head to David, expecting a reward. However, David condemned their actions and ordered their execution, demonstrating his disapproval of treachery and murder (2 Samuel 4:5-12).

4. Amon and Absalom: Absalom, the son of David, orchestrated the assassination of his half-brother Amnon as revenge for the rape of his sister Tamar. Absalom invited all the king's sons to a feast and commanded his servants to kill Amnon when he was drunk (2 Samuel 13:28-29). This act of vengeance led to further turmoil and division within David's family.

5. Jehu's Purge: Jehu, anointed by the prophet Elisha to be king over Israel, carried out a series of assassinations to eliminate the house of Ahab and establish his rule. He killed Joram, the king of Israel, and Ahaziah, the king of Judah, as well as Jezebel, the queen mother. Jehu's actions were seen as fulfilling God's judgment against the house of Ahab (2 Kings 9:1-37).

Moral and Theological Considerations:

The Bible presents these acts of assassination within the broader narrative of God's sovereignty and justice. While some assassinations, like that of Eglon by Ehud, are depicted as divinely sanctioned acts of deliverance, others, such as the murder of Abner and Ish-bosheth, are portrayed as treacherous and unjust. The biblical text often highlights the consequences of such actions, both for the perpetrators and the broader community.

The commandment "You shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13) underscores the sanctity of human life and God's prohibition against unlawful killing. Assassination, as a form of murder, is generally condemned in Scripture, reflecting the moral and ethical standards that God expects His people to uphold. The narratives of assassination in the Bible serve as cautionary tales, illustrating the destructive nature of sin and the importance of justice and righteousness in leadership and governance.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (v. t.) To kill by surprise or secret assault; to murder by treacherous violence.

2. (v. t.) To assail with murderous intent; hence, by extended meaning, to maltreat exceedingly.

3. (n.) An assassination, murder, or murderous assault.

4. (n.) An assassin.

Library

Byzantine Empresses Theodora ii. , Theophano, Zoe, Theodora iii.
... With the hope of regaining her power over her son, Theodora formed a plot to
assassinate her brother Bardas; but the plot was discovered, and Michael compelled ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/xiii byzantine empresses theodora ii.htm

Knox and Queen Mary (Continued): 1563-1564
... of his adventure was that some intriguing Huguenot lady had set him on to sully
Queen Mary's character; other tales ran that he was to assassinate her, as part ...
/.../lang/john knox and the reformation/chapter xvi knox and queen.htm

To the Rev. A. Brandram
... lost in wonder; for the Galician robbers are seldom satisfied with booty, and unlike
their brethren in other parts generally mutilate or assassinate those who ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev a brandram 28.htm

Justus Jonas
... On one occasion a Spanish officer quartered in his house received a large bribe
to assassinate him, but was so much impressed by the piety, integrity, and ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/winkworth/christian singers of germany/justus jonas.htm

The Last Years of Knox: 1567-1572
... with the assistance of the Guises. Knox mentions an attempt to assassinate
Moray, now Regent, which is obscure. "I live as a man ...
/.../lang/john knox and the reformation/chapter xviii the last years.htm

Herodotus and Xenophon.
... applause."Herodotus at Athens."His literary fame."Birth of Xenophon."Cyrus the
Younger."Ambition of Cyrus."He attempts to assassinate his brother ...
/.../abbott/cyrus the great/chapter i herodotus and xenophon.htm

In Rome
... chain.". He said nothing of the abuse which he had suffered at the hands
of the Jews, or of their repeated plots to assassinate him. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 43 in rome.htm

Croesus.
... to die.". From this hard alternative, Gyges chose to assassinate the king,
and to make the lovely object before him his own. The ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter iv croesus.htm

Other Self-Asserting Augustae --Verina, Ariadne, Sophia, Martina ...
... and machinations. She even formed a plot to assassinate him, which he was
fortunate enough to discover and frustrate. Recognizing ...
/.../women of early christianity/xii other self-asserting augustaeverina ariadne.htm

Jesus in the Temple.
... There were people standing there, "people of Jerusalem" (verse 25), who knew of
the plot to assassinate him, but the great body of the people were probably ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/jesus in the temple.htm

Thesaurus
Assassinate (3 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) An assassination, murder, or murderous assault. 4. (n.) An assassin.
Multi-Version Concordance Assassinate (3 Occurrences). ...
/a/assassinate.htm - 7k

Assassinated (10 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Assassinate. Multi-Version Concordance
Assassinated (10 Occurrences). Acts 23:21 I beg you ...
/a/assassinated.htm - 9k

Josephus
... Surrounded by enemies among his own folk, who even attempted to assassinate him,
he encountered several dangerous experiences, and, at length, flying from the ...
/j/josephus.htm - 13k

Gedaliah (31 Occurrences)
... Gedaliah was informed by Johanan and the other captains of the plot to assassinate
him, and Johanan at a private interview expressed to him a strong desire to ...
/g/gedaliah.htm - 26k

Impression (2 Occurrences)
... for him to bring him down to you, under the impression that you intend to inquire
more minutely about him; and we are prepared to assassinate him before he ...
/i/impression.htm - 8k

Intend (30 Occurrences)
... for him to bring him down to you, under the impression that you intend to inquire
more minutely about him; and we are prepared to assassinate him before he ...
/i/intend.htm - 18k

Flavius
... Surrounded by enemies among his own folk, who even attempted to assassinate him,
he encountered several dangerous experiences, and, at length, flying from the ...
/f/flavius.htm - 13k

Theodotus
... Maccabees 14:19). (2) One who plotted to assassinate Ptolemy Philopator,
but was prevented by a Jew, Dositheos (3 Maccabees 1:2). ...
/t/theodotus.htm - 6k

Tribune (18 Occurrences)
... for him to bring him down to you, under the impression that you intend to inquire
more minutely about him; and we are prepared to assassinate him before he ...
/t/tribune.htm - 12k

Representations (5 Occurrences)
... for him to bring him down to you, under the impression that you intend to inquire
more minutely about him; and we are prepared to assassinate him before he ...
/r/representations.htm - 8k

Resources
Is there such a thing as a necessary evil? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Dietrich Bonhoeffer? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Athaliah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Assassinate: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Assassinate (3 Occurrences)

Acts 23:15
Now therefore you and the Sanhedrin should make representations to the Tribune for him to bring him down to you, under the impression that you intend to inquire more minutely about him; and we are prepared to assassinate him before he comes near the place."
(WEY)

Esther 2:21
In those days, while Mordecai was sitting in the king's gate, two of the king's eunuchs, Bigthan and Teresh, who were doorkeepers, were angry, and sought to lay hands on the King Ahasuerus.
(See NIV)

Esther 6:2
It was found written that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's eunuchs, who were doorkeepers, who had tried to lay hands on the King Ahasuerus.
(See NIV)

Subtopics

Assassinate

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