The term "defenseless" refers to the state of being without protection or means to defend oneself. In the biblical context, this condition often highlights the vulnerability of certain groups and the call for God's people to provide care and justice for them. The Bible frequently addresses the plight of the defenseless, urging believers to act with compassion and righteousness.

Biblical References:

1. Orphans and Widows: The Bible consistently emphasizes the need to protect and care for orphans and widows, who are often depicted as defenseless. James 1:27 states, "Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." This verse underscores the importance of providing for those who cannot defend themselves.

2. The Poor and Needy: Scripture frequently calls for justice and support for the poor and needy, recognizing their defenselessness in society. Proverbs 31:8-9 instructs, "Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy." This passage highlights the responsibility of believers to advocate for those who lack the means to defend themselves.

3. Foreigners and Strangers: The Bible also addresses the defenselessness of foreigners and strangers, urging the Israelites to treat them with kindness and fairness. Exodus 22:21 commands, "You must not exploit or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt." This commandment reflects God's concern for the vulnerable and defenseless, reminding His people of their own past experiences.

4. God as Defender: Throughout Scripture, God is portrayed as the ultimate defender of the defenseless. Psalm 68:5 describes God as "a father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling." This imagery reassures believers that God Himself stands as a protector for those who cannot protect themselves.

5. Jesus' Ministry: Jesus Christ's earthly ministry exemplified care for the defenseless. He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and welcomed the marginalized. In Matthew 25:35-36 , Jesus teaches, "For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in, I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me." This passage illustrates the call to serve and defend those in need as a reflection of serving Christ Himself.

Theological Implications:

The biblical call to defend the defenseless is rooted in the character of God, who is just, merciful, and compassionate. Believers are encouraged to emulate these attributes by actively seeking justice and providing for those who cannot protect themselves. This responsibility is not merely a social obligation but a spiritual mandate that reflects the heart of God and the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Practical Application:

Christians are urged to engage in acts of mercy and justice, advocating for the rights and needs of the defenseless in their communities and beyond. This can include supporting charitable organizations, participating in social justice initiatives, and personally reaching out to those in need. By doing so, believers fulfill the biblical mandate to care for the least of these, embodying the love and compassion of Christ in a tangible way.(a.) Destitute of defense; unprepared to resist attack; unable to oppose; unprotected.642. aporphanizo -- to be bereaved
... 642 (from 575 , "separate from" and 3737 , "leave as an orphan") -- properly, to
orphan; (figuratively) , leaving someone defenseless -- like an orphan, bereft ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/642.htm - 7k6168. arah -- to be naked or bare
... root Definition to be naked or bare NASB Word Usage defenseless* (1), emptied (1),
empty (1), laid bare (2), lay him open (1), leave (1), made naked (1), make ...
/hebrew/6168.htm - 6k

5315. nephesh -- a soul, living being, life, self, person, desire ...
... 1), beings (3), body (1), breath (1), corpse (2), creature (6), creatures (3), dead
(1), dead person (2), deadly (1), death (1), defenseless* (1), desire (12 ...
/hebrew/5315.htm - 7k

The Testing of Joseph's Brothers
... you have come to see how defenseless the land is." But they said to him,
"No, my lord; your servants have come to buy food. We are ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/the testing of josephs brothers.htm

Awake! Awake!
... The nail is at his ear, the woman's hand is on the hammer, and the nail hath
pierced his skull; for when he slept he was defenseless. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/awake awake.htm

The Revolt of Babylon.
... "You have courage and energy enough, it seems," said he, "to make war upon an innocent
and defenseless brother, and to keep him for years in chains and in a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter vii the revolt of.htm

The Three Elements of a Complete Life
... All my help from Thee I bring; Cover my defenseless head. With the shadow of Thy
wing.'. ... "Cover my defenseless head. With the shadow of Thy wing '. ...
/.../vii the three elements of.htm

The Invasion of Greece and the Battle of Marathon.
... and yet it was to be made in the domineering and overbearing manner with which the
tyrannical and the strong often make proposals to the weak and defenseless. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter xi the invasion of.htm

Prayers in Sickness.
... All my trust on Thee is stayed, All my help from Thee I bring; Cover my
defenseless head With the shadow of Thy wing! Amen. 71. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/little folded hands/prayers in sickness.htm

The Invasion of Scythia.
... or the means of making law a substitute for it, he lives in a scene of continual
conflict, in which the rights of the weak and the defenseless are always ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter viii the invasion of.htm

Precious Deaths
... did not care for his sheep might suffer the wolf to devour it, but he who prizes
it highly will put his own life in jeopardy to pluck the defenseless one from ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/precious deaths.htm

The Talking Book
... Christ, will be a guide to us:""When thou goest, it shall lead thee." It will be
a guardian to us: "When thou sleepest""when thou art defenseless and off ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/the talking book.htm

Desolation of the Earth.
... their fellow-creatures. Now they are stripped of all that made them great,
and are left destitute and defenseless. They look with ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /41 desolation of the earth.htm

Defenseless (1 Occurrence)
... (a.) Destitute of defense; unprepared to resist attack; unable to oppose;
unprotected. Multi-Version Concordance Defenseless (1 Occurrence). ...
/d/defenseless.htm - 6k

Defenses (8 Occurrences)

/d/defenses.htm - 8k

Defense (49 Occurrences)

/d/defense.htm - 20k

Naked (56 Occurrences)
... limb; a naked sword. 2. (a.) Having no means of defense or protection; open;
unarmed; defenseless. 3. (a.) Unprovided with needful ...
/n/naked.htm - 29k

Delos
... The latter's general landed in 88 BC and massacred many, and sold the remainder
of the defenseless people, and sacked and destroyed the city together with the ...
/d/delos.htm - 10k

Damascus (58 Occurrences)
... and permanent. Damascus, almost defenseless from a military point of view,
is the natural mart and factory of inland Syria. In the ...
/d/damascus.htm - 45k

Warfare (18 Occurrences)
... which was plunder (2 Samuel 3:22), the foraging to secure supplies (2 Samuel
23:11 margin), and the movements of bands who captured defenseless inhabitants and ...
/w/warfare.htm - 34k

Dan (71 Occurrences)
... Sidon. Its inhabitants, pursuing the ends of peaceful traders, were
defenseless against the onset of the Danite raiders. Having ...
/d/dan.htm - 41k

War (529 Occurrences)
... which was plunder (2 Samuel 3:22), the foraging to secure supplies (2 Samuel
23:11 margin), and the movements of bands who captured defenseless inhabitants and ...
/w/war.htm - 64k

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