Definition and Context:
Assault, in a biblical context, refers to an act of physical violence or an attempt to inflict harm upon another person. It encompasses a range of behaviors from physical attacks to threats of violence. The Bible addresses the issue of assault both directly and indirectly, emphasizing the sanctity of human life and the importance of treating others with love and respect.

Biblical References:

1. Old Testament Law:
The Mosaic Law provides clear guidelines regarding acts of violence and the consequences thereof. Exodus 21:18-19 states, "If men quarrel and one strikes the other with a stone or with his fist, and he does not die but is confined to bed, then the one who struck him shall go unpunished; he must pay for the lost time and see that the victim is completely healed." This passage highlights the principle of restitution and accountability for physical harm.

2. Prohibition of Violence:
The Bible consistently condemns violence and calls for peace among individuals. Psalm 11:5 declares, "The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked; His soul hates the lover of violence." This verse underscores God's disapproval of violent behavior and His desire for His people to pursue peace.

3. Teachings of Jesus:
Jesus Christ, in His teachings, emphasized love and non-retaliation. In Matthew 5:39 , He instructs, "But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also." This radical call to non-violence and forgiveness challenges believers to respond to aggression with grace and restraint.

4. Apostolic Guidance:
The apostles continued to teach against violence and assault. Romans 12:17-19 advises, "Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone. Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: 'Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.'" This passage encourages believers to trust in God's justice rather than taking matters into their own hands.

Moral and Ethical Implications:

1. Value of Human Life:
The Bible upholds the intrinsic value of human life, created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). Assault, as an act of violence against another person, is a violation of this divine image and is therefore condemned.

2. Call to Love and Forgiveness:
Christians are called to love their neighbors and even their enemies (Matthew 5:44). This love is incompatible with acts of assault and violence. Instead, believers are encouraged to forgive and seek reconciliation.

3. Justice and Protection:
While the Bible advocates for peace and forgiveness, it also recognizes the role of justice and protection. Authorities are established to maintain order and protect citizens from harm (Romans 13:1-4). Thus, while personal retaliation is discouraged, seeking justice through appropriate legal means is supported.

Conclusion:
The biblical perspective on assault is clear in its condemnation of violence and its call for believers to pursue peace, love, and forgiveness. Through the teachings of both the Old and New Testaments, Christians are guided to uphold the sanctity of life and to respond to aggression with grace, trusting in God's ultimate justice.1. (n.) A violent onset or attack with physical means, as blows, weapons, etc.; an onslaught; the rush or charge of an attacking force; onset; as, to make assault upon a man, a house, or a town.

2. (n.) A violent onset or attack with moral weapons, as words, arguments, appeals, and the like; as, to make an assault on the prerogatives of a prince, or on the constitution of a government.

3. (n.) An apparently violent attempt, or willful offer with force or violence, to do hurt to another; an attempt or offer to beat another, accompanied by a degree of violence, but without touching his person, as by lifting the fist, or a cane, in a threatening manner, or by striking at him, and missing him. If the blow aimed takes effect, it is a battery.

4. (n.) To make an assault upon, as by a sudden rush of armed men; to attack with unlawful or insulting physical violence or menaces.

5. (n.) To attack with moral means, or with a view of producing moral effects; to attack by words, arguments, or unfriendly measures; to assail; as, to assault a reputation or an administration.

ASSAULT

a-solt' (tsur; horme): The Hebrew verbal form is used of pressing forward a siege (see SIEGE), but also of a hostile attack upon a person then translated "assault" (Esther 8:11). The Greek word horme used of an attack upon persons in Acts 14:5 (the King James Version) is rendered "onset" in the Revised Version (British and American). The word "assault" remains in Acts 17:5, of attacking the house of Jason in Thessalonica, where the verb is ephistanai, "to come suddenly upon."

3730. horme -- a rapid motion forwards, onrush, assault
... a rapid motion forwards, onrush, assault. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: horme Phonetic Spelling: (hor-may') Short Definition: a rush, violent ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3730.htm - 6k

1936. epithesis -- a laying on, an assault
... a laying on, an assault. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: epithesis
Phonetic Spelling: (ep-ith'-es-is) Short Definition: laying on Definition: a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1936.htm - 7k

2721. katephistemi -- to bless fervently
... to bless fervently. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: katephistemi Phonetic
Spelling: (kat-ef-is'-tay-mee) Short Definition: I rush, assault Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2721.htm - 6k

2186. ephistemi -- to set upon, set up, to stand upon, be present
... 1), stood near (1). assault, come unto, be at hand, stand over. From epi and
histemi; to stand upon, ie Be present (in various applications ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2186.htm - 7k

4911. sunephistemi -- to place over, rise together
... rise up together. From sun and ephistemi; to stand up together, ie To resist (or
assault) jointly -- rise up together. see GREEK sun. see GREEK ephistemi. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4911.htm - 6k

2177. ephallomai -- to leap upon
... leap upon. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: ephallomai Phonetic Spelling:
(ef-al'-lom-ahee) Short Definition: I leap upon Definition: I leap upon, assault. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2177.htm - 6k

6696. tsuwr -- to confine, bind, besiege
... adversary, assault, beset, besiege, bind up, cast, distress, fashion, A
primitive root; to cramp, ie Confine (in many applications ...
/hebrew/6696.htm - 5k

5061. nega -- a stroke, plague, mark
... Word Origin from naga Definition a stroke, plague, mark NASB Word Usage affliction
(2), another (1), assault (2), infection (30), mark (32), plague (6 ...
/hebrew/5061.htm - 6k

3533. kabash -- to subdue, bring into bondage
... root Definition to subdue, bring into bondage NASB Word Usage assault (1), brought
them into subjection (2), forced into bondage (1), forcing (1), subdue (1 ...
/hebrew/3533.htm - 6k

Assault Upon the Monks, and Banishment of their Superiors, who ...
... Book IV. Chapter XXIV."Assault upon the Monks, and Banishment of their
Superiors, who exhibit Miraculous Power. The emperor Valens ...
/.../chapter xxiv assault upon the monks.htm

That the Miseries Still Grew Worse; and How the Romans Made an ...
... CHAPTER 1. That The Miseries Still Grew Worse; And How The Romans Made An
Assault Upon The Tower Of Antonia. 1. Thus did the miseries ...
/.../chapter 1 that the miseries.htm

That Injuries and Penalties of Persecutions are not to be Feared ...
... 10. That injuries and penalties of persecutions are not to be feared by us, because
greater is the Lord to protect than the devil to assault. ...
/.../cyprian/the treatises of cyprian/10 that injuries and penalties.htm

Of the Different Ways in which all These Faults Assault Us.
... II. Second Conference of Abbot Moses. Chapter XIII. Of the different ways
in which all these faults assault us. Although then these ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xiii of the different.htm

Whether Men are Assailed by the Demons?
... I answer that, Two things may be considered in the assault of the
demons"-the assault itself, and the ordering thereof. The assault ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether men are assailed by.htm

Concerning the Law of God and the Law of Sin.
... that we, holding by it, may walk in light [2632] : and the transgression of this
precept is sin, and this continues to exist on account of the assault of the ...
/.../john/exposition of the orthodox faith/chapter xxii concerning the law of.htm

Of the Struggle into which we must Enter against Our Faults, when ...
... his besetting sin, and direct his main attack against it, directing all his care
and watchfulness of mind to guard against its assault, directing against it ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xiv of the struggle.htm

Whether it was Fitting for Man to be Tempted by the Devil?
... Objection 3: Further, it seems to savor of punishment that anyone should have an
assailant, just as on the other hand the cessation of an assault is akin to a ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it was fitting for.htm

Critical Review of the Johannean Problem.
... When the first serious assault was made upon the genuineness of the fourth Gospel
by the learned General Superintendent Bretschneider (in 1820), he was met ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 84 critical review of.htm

Strong and Loving
... stand fast, we must watch. A sudden assault will be a great deal less
formidable when it is a foreseen assault. 'Stand fast in the ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/strong and loving.htm

Assault (8 Occurrences)
... violent onset or attack with physical means, as blows, weapons, etc.; an onslaught;
the rush or charge of an attacking force; onset; as, to make assault upon a ...
/a/assault.htm - 11k

Onset (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) An onslaught; an assault; a beginning; as, the
onset of a cold; an attack; a storming; especially, the assault of an army. ...
/o/onset.htm - 7k

Attack (221 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To fall upon with force; to assail, as
with force and arms; to assault. 2. (vt) To assail with ...
/a/attack.htm - 37k

Siege (63 Occurrences)
... hands without a siege. Other cities seem to have yielded after pitched battles,
or to have been taken by assault. Many of the Canaanite ...
/s/siege.htm - 51k

Violence (98 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Injury done to that which is entitled to respect, reverence, or observance;
profanation; infringement; unjust force; outrage; assault. ...
/v/violence.htm - 38k

Assassinate (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To kill by surprise or secret assault; to murder by treacherous violence. ...
3. (n.) An assassination, murder, or murderous assault. 4. (n.) An assassin. ...
/a/assassinate.htm - 7k

Storm (62 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) A violent assault on a fortified place; a furious attempt of troops to enter
and take a fortified place by scaling the walls, forcing the gates, or the ...
/s/storm.htm - 25k

Assassins (2 Occurrences)

/a/assassins.htm - 8k

Vindicate (18 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To maintain or defend with success; to prove to be valid; to assert
convincingly; to sustain against assault; as, to vindicate a right, claim, or title ...
/v/vindicate.htm - 11k

Nationality (5 Occurrences)
... together, and to defend their life, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish,
all the power of the people and province that would assault them, their little ...
/n/nationality.htm - 8k

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