In the context of the Bible, the concept of "defends" is often associated with God's protection and advocacy for His people. Throughout Scripture, God is depicted as a defender of the righteous, a protector of the oppressed, and a shield against evil. This theme is prevalent in both the Old and New Testaments, illustrating God's unwavering commitment to safeguarding His followers.

Old Testament References

1. God as a Defender: The Psalms frequently highlight God as a defender and protector. Psalm 18:2 declares, "The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." This verse emphasizes God's role as a refuge and a source of salvation for those who trust in Him.

2. Protection of the Innocent: In Exodus 14:14 , during the Israelites' escape from Egypt, Moses reassures the people, "The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still." Here, God is portrayed as a divine warrior who defends His people against their enemies.

3. Advocate for the Oppressed: Proverbs 22:22-23 warns against exploiting the poor, stating, "Do not rob a poor man because he is poor, and do not crush the afflicted at the gate, for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who rob them." This passage underscores God's commitment to defending the rights of the marginalized and oppressed.

New Testament References

1. Jesus as Defender: In the New Testament, Jesus is depicted as a defender of the weak and marginalized. In John 8:7 , when a woman caught in adultery is brought before Him, Jesus challenges her accusers, saying, "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to cast a stone at her." Jesus' intervention protects the woman from condemnation and highlights His role as an advocate for mercy and justice.

2. The Holy Spirit as Advocate: In John 14:16-17 , Jesus promises the coming of the Holy Spirit, saying, "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth." The Holy Spirit is described as an Advocate, providing guidance, comfort, and defense for believers.

3. Spiritual Armor: Ephesians 6:11-13 instructs believers to "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes." This passage metaphorically describes the spiritual defenses available to Christians, emphasizing the importance of divine protection in spiritual warfare.

Theological Implications

The theme of God as a defender is central to understanding His character and His relationship with humanity. It reflects His justice, mercy, and love, assuring believers of His constant presence and protection. The biblical portrayal of God as a defender encourages trust and reliance on His power and faithfulness, offering comfort and hope in times of trouble.

He Defends his Flight.
... Chapter II. 32. He defends his Flight. Hearing, nay almost seeing, these things,
through the mournful representations of the messengers ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/32 he defends his flight.htm

Marcion Forbids Marriage. Tertullian Eloquently Defends it as Holy ...
... Marriage. Tertullian Eloquently Defends It as Holy, and Carefully
Discriminates Between Marcion's Doctrine and His Own Montanism. ...
/.../chapter xxix marcion forbids marriage tertullian.htm

Jesus Defends Disciples who Pluck Grain on the Sabbath.
... Part Fifth. From Second Passover Until Third.(Time: One Year.) XXXVIII.
Jesus Defends Disciples Who Pluck Grain on the Sabbath. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xxxviii jesus defends disciples who.htm

Jesus Defends Healing a Withered Hand on the Sabbath.
... Part Fifth. From Second Passover Until Third.(Time: One Year.) XXXIX. Jesus Defends
Healing a Withered Hand on the Sabbath. (Probably Galilee.) ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xxxix jesus defends healing a.htm

Jesus Heals on the Sabbath Day and Defends his Act.
... Part Fifth. From Second Passover Until Third.(Time: One Year.) XXXVII. Jesus
Heals on the Sabbath Day and Defends His Act. (at Feast ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xxxvii jesus heals on the.htm

The Pharisees Attack the Disciples for Plucking Corn on the ...
... Section 172. The Pharisees attack the Disciples for plucking Corn on the
Sabbath."Christ defends them. (Luke, vi., 1; Matt., xii., 18.). ...
/.../section 172 the pharisees attack.htm

How that is to be the Reward of All; the Apostle Earnestly Defends ...
... A Treatise on the spirit and the letter, Chapter 40."How that is to Be
the Reward of All; The Apostle Earnestly Defends Grace. ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 40 how that is to.htm

The Four-Fold Gospel
... XXXVII. Jesus Heals on the Sabbath Day and Defends His Act. XXXVIII. Jesus
Defends Disciples Who Pluck Grain on the Sabbath. XXXIX. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/

I Wrote These Words Beforehand as a Statement of My Faith, when as ...
... How then can any room be left for evil, when the very first word of my confession
preserves and defends me from the suspicion of holding any doctrine ...
/.../14 i wrote these words.htm

Whether an Advocate Sins by Defending an Unjust Cause?
... Now a physician is praised if he heals a desperate malady. Therefore an advocate
also commits no sin, but ought to be praised, if he defends an unjust cause. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether an advocate sins by.htm

Defends (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Defends (2 Occurrences). Deuteronomy 33:7 This is the
blessing of Judah: and he said, "Hear, Yahweh, the voice of Judah. ...
/d/defends.htm - 7k

Shield (65 Occurrences)
... See Buckler. 2. (n.) Anything which protects or defends; defense; shelter;
protection. 3. (n.) Figuratively, one who protects or defends. ...
/s/shield.htm - 28k

Defending (6 Occurrences)

/d/defending.htm - 8k

Jehoiada (51 Occurrences)
... A. Van Hoonacker, Lesacerdoce levitique dans la loi et dans l'histoire
des Hebreux, 93-100, defends the account in 2 Chronicles. ...
/j/jehoiada.htm - 36k

Defense (49 Occurrences)

/d/defense.htm - 20k

Justifier (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One who justifies; one who vindicates, supports,
defends, or absolves. Multi-Version Concordance Justifier (1 Occurrence). ...
/j/justifier.htm - 6k

Jehoiarib (2 Occurrences)
... Jehovah defends, a priest at Jerusalem, head of one of the sacerdotal courses (1
Chronicles 9:10; 24:7). His "course" went up from Babylon after the Exile ...
/j/jehoiarib.htm - 8k

Joiarib (5 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary (whom Jehovah defends) = Jehoiarib. (1.) The founder
of one of the courses of the priests (Nehemiah 11:10). ...
/j/joiarib.htm - 8k

Galatians (2 Occurrences)
... After an introductory address (Galatians 1:1-10) the apostle discusses the subjects
which had occasioned the epistle. (1) He defends his apostolic authority (1 ...
/g/galatians.htm - 43k

Flank (3 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) That part of a bastion which reaches from the curtain to the face, and defends
the curtain, the flank and face of the opposite bastion; any part of a ...
/f/flank.htm - 8k

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