In the context of the Bible, the term "banned" often refers to things or practices that are prohibited or forbidden by God. This concept is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, where God sets boundaries for His people to maintain holiness and obedience to His commandments.

Old Testament Context

The idea of banning is prominently featured in the Old Testament, particularly in the context of the Israelites' conquest of Canaan. The Hebrew term "herem" is often translated as "banned" or "devoted to destruction." This term signifies something that is set apart for God, often through complete destruction, as a means of purifying the community and maintaining covenantal faithfulness.

One of the most notable examples is found in the book of Joshua, where God commands the Israelites to destroy the city of Jericho and everything in it, except for Rahab and her family. Joshua 6:17 states, "Now the city and everything in it must be devoted to the LORD for destruction. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall live, because she hid the spies we sent."

The concept of banning also extends to prohibitions against idolatry and pagan practices. Deuteronomy 7:25-26 warns the Israelites, "You must burn up the images of their gods. Do not covet the silver or gold that is on them, or take it for yourselves, or you will be ensnared by it, for it is detestable to the LORD your God. You must not bring any detestable thing into your house, or you, like it, will be set apart for destruction. You must utterly detest and abhor it, for it is set apart for destruction."

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of banning is less about physical destruction and more about spiritual and moral separation from sin and ungodliness. The early church faced challenges in maintaining purity and holiness amidst a pagan culture. The Apostle Paul frequently addressed issues of immorality and false teachings, urging believers to separate themselves from such practices.

In 1 Corinthians 5:11 , Paul instructs the church, "But now I am writing you not to associate with anyone who claims to be a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or verbal abuser, a drunkard or swindler. With such a man do not even eat." This reflects the New Testament emphasis on spiritual purity and the need to distance oneself from behaviors that are contrary to the teachings of Christ.

Theological Implications

The concept of banning in the Bible underscores the seriousness with which God views sin and disobedience. It highlights the need for His people to be distinct and set apart from the world, reflecting His holiness. The bans serve as a reminder of the consequences of sin and the importance of adhering to God's commandments.

Throughout Scripture, the theme of banning is a call to faithfulness and a warning against the dangers of compromise with sin. It is a testament to God's desire for a holy people who are devoted to Him and His ways.(imp. & p. p.) of Ban.2764a. cherem -- devoted thing, devotion, ban
... ban NASB Word Usage accursed (2), ban (2), curse (2), devoted (2), devoted to
destruction (1), devoted thing (2), set apart (1), something banned (1), things ...
/hebrew/2764a.htm - 6k

The Churches of the East
... a document in which Michael and all his party were anathematised; and the Patriarch
responded by summoning a Council, which in like manner banned the Western ...
/.../medley/the church and the empire/chapter xvii the churches of.htm

A Fall and a Recovery, 1800-1857.
... hardly call this encouraging. It tempted the "Faithful Few" to be Pharisees,
and banned the rest as black sheep. And the Pastoral ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter iii a fall and.htm

Pelagius Deceived the Council in Palestine, but was Unable to ...
... Pelagius, too, if he will only reflect candidly on his own position and writings,
has no reason for saying that he ought not to have been banned with such a ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 9 viii pelagius deceived the.htm

The Bishop at Work
... Now, Hugh had no business at all to meddle with Archbishop Geoffrey Plantagenet's
diocese, but it was a case of "Who said oppression?" He banned the obtruding ...
/.../marson/hugh bishop of lincoln/chapter v the bishop at.htm

Perishing or Being Saved
... for duty. All good conferred, and every evil banned back into its dark
den, such is the Christian conception of salvation. It is ...
/.../romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/perishing or being saved.htm

The Netherlands and Scandinavia.
... In Germany Charles V. had banned the Reformation, and he would gladly have brought
all its adherents to the stake; but the princes stood up as a barrier ...
/.../13 the netherlands and scandinavia.htm

The Netherlands and Scandinavia
... In Germany Charles V had banned the Reformation, and he would gladly have brought
all its adherents to the stake; but the princes stood up as a barrier against ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 13 the netherlands and.htm

Finis Coronat Opus
... It is loss to be taken out of the world, to 'leave the warm precincts and the cheerful
day,' to lose friends and lovers, and to be banned into a dreary land. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/finis coronat opus.htm

Appendix xvi. On the Jewish views About Demons' and the Demonised ...
... these heretics. In Jer. Sanh.25 d, we are told about two great Rabbis who
were banned by a heretic to the beam of a bath. In return ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix xvi on the jewish.htm

Seventh Tractate. Time and Eternity.
... Futurity, similarly, is banned; nothing could be yet to come to it. Thus no
ground is left for its existence but that it be what it is. ...
/.../plotinus/the six enneads/seventh tractate time and eternity.htm

Banned (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Banned (2 Occurrences). Deuteronomy 7:26 You shall not
bring an abomination into your house, and become a devoted thing like it. ...
/b/banned.htm - 7k

Accursed (26 Occurrences)
... that the word cherem sometimes means the act of devoting or banning or the condition
or state resulting therefrom and sometimes the object devoted or banned. ...
/a/accursed.htm - 18k

Banner (20 Occurrences)

/b/banner.htm - 18k

Banneas

/b/banneas.htm - 6k

Consecrate (65 Occurrences)
... The silver and gold and brass and iron of the banned city of Jericho are "consecrated"
things (the Revised Version (British and American) "holy") unto the Lord ...
/c/consecrate.htm - 31k

Consecration (22 Occurrences)
... The silver and gold and brass and iron of the banned city of Jericho are "consecrated"
things (the Revised Version (British and American) "holy") unto the Lord ...
/c/consecration.htm - 18k

Hormah (9 Occurrences)
... against them, and took some of them prisoners." But Israel vowed a vow unto the
Lord utterly to destroy the cities of the Canaanites; they "banned" them, and ...
/h/hormah.htm - 12k

Elijah (104 Occurrences)
... as another instance of the little weight attached in Ahab's time to ancient prophetic
threatenings, the rebuilding by Hiel the Bethelite of the banned city of ...
/e/elijah.htm - 71k

Epicureans (1 Occurrence)
... favors nor moved by anger" (Lucretius). All religion is banned, though the
gods are retained. Epicurus' failure to carry the logic ...
/e/epicureans.htm - 20k

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