The term "depose" refers to the act of removing someone from a position of power or authority. In the biblical context, this concept is often associated with God's sovereign will in the rise and fall of leaders and nations. The Bible presents God as the ultimate authority who establishes and removes kings according to His divine purpose.

Biblical Instances of Deposition

1. Nebuchadnezzar: One of the most notable examples of deposition in the Bible is the account of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. In Daniel 4, God humbles Nebuchadnezzar by removing him from his throne and causing him to live like an animal until he acknowledges God's sovereignty. Daniel 4:31-32 states, "While the words were still in the king’s mouth, a voice came from heaven: 'It is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar, that your kingdom has been removed from you. You will be driven away from mankind to live with the beasts of the field, and you will feed on grass like an ox, and seven times will pass you by until you acknowledge that the Most High rules over the kingdom of men and gives it to whom He wishes.'"

2. Saul: King Saul, the first king of Israel, was deposed by God due to his disobedience. In 1 Samuel 15:26 , Samuel tells Saul, "I will not return with you, because you have rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD has rejected you as king over Israel." Saul's deposition illustrates the principle that God demands obedience and righteousness from those in authority.

3. Rehoboam and Jeroboam: The division of the united kingdom of Israel under Rehoboam and the rise of Jeroboam as king over the northern tribes is another example of divine deposition. 1 Kings 11:31 records the prophet Ahijah's message to Jeroboam: "Take ten pieces for yourself, for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'Behold, I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon and give you ten tribes.'"

Theological Implications

The concept of deposition underscores the biblical teaching that God is the ultimate ruler over all earthly authorities. Proverbs 21:1 affirms, "The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases." This highlights the belief that God orchestrates the affairs of nations and leaders according to His divine plan.

Moral and Ethical Considerations

The deposition of leaders in the Bible often serves as a warning against pride, disobedience, and injustice. Leaders are called to govern with humility and righteousness, recognizing that their authority is granted by God and can be removed by Him. The biblical narrative encourages believers to trust in God's justice and timing, even when earthly authorities fail.

Application for Believers

For Christians, the concept of deposition serves as a reminder to pray for leaders and those in authority, as instructed in 1 Timothy 2:1-2 : "First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone—for kings and all those in authority—so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity." Believers are encouraged to trust in God's sovereignty over political and social systems, knowing that He is ultimately in control.1. (v. t.) To lay down; to divest one's self of; to lay aside.

2. (v. t.) To let fall; to deposit.

3. (v. t.) To remove from a throne or other high station; to dethrone; to divest or deprive of office.

4. (v. t.) To testify under oath; to bear testimony to; -- now usually said of bearing testimony which is officially written down for future use.

5. (v. t.) To put under oath.

6. (v. i.) To bear witness; to testify under oath; to make deposition.

2507. kathaireo -- to take down, pull down
... down, pull down. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: kathaireo Phonetic Spelling:
(kath-ahee-reh'-o) Short Definition: I take down, depose, destroy Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2507.htm - 7k

3179. methistemi -- to change, pervert
... Methistano meth-is-tan'-o from meta and histemi; to transfer, ie Carry away, depose
or (figuratively) exchange, seduce -- put out, remove, translate, turn away ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3179.htm - 6k

5182. necheth -- to descend
... put (1), stored (1). carry, come down, depose, lay up, place. (Aramaic)
corresponding to nachath; to descend; causatively, to bring ...
/hebrew/5182.htm - 6k

1920. hadaph -- to thrust, drive, push
... root Definition to thrust, drive, push NASB Word Usage depose (1), driven (2), driving
(1), push (1), push her away (1), pushed (2), reject (1), thrust (2 ...
/hebrew/1920.htm - 6k

Dispute Between Theophilus and Peter Leading to an Attempt on the ...
... Book VI. Chapter IX."Dispute between Theophilus and Peter leading to an Attempt
on the Part of the Former to depose John Bishop of Constantinople. ...
/.../chapter ix dispute between theophilus and.htm

The Canons of the Holy and Ecumenical Seventh Council. Canon I.
... Accordingly those whom they placed under anathema, we likewise anathematize; those
whom they deposed, we also depose; those whom they excommunicated, we also ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/the canons of the holy 3.htm

On the Deposition of Macedonius, Eudoxius Obtains the Bishopric of ...
... Acacius, Eudoxius, and those at Constantinople who took part with them, became
exceedingly anxious that they also on their side might depose some of the ...
/.../chapter xlii on the deposition of.htm

Bishop Hosius Said: Decreed, that if any Bishop is Accused...
... Bishop Hosius said: Decreed, that if any bishop is accused, and the bishops of the
same region assemble and depose him from his office, and he appealing, so to ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon v bishop hosius said .htm

Arius the Heresiarch
... The Patriarch replied by a detailed account of Arius' teaching and his trial,
giving the reasons why the Synod had thought fit to depose him. ...
/.../forbes/saint athanasius/chapter 2 arius the heresiarch.htm

The Following Postscript Occurs at P. 78 of John Knox's ...
... him self vnworthie of regiment abouc the people of God (and suche be all idolaters
and cruel persecuters) moste iustely may the same men depose and punishe him ...
/.../knox/the first blast of the trumpet/the following postscript occurs at.htm

The Life of Mr. David Calderwood.
... church, &c. persons clothed with power and authority to suspend and
depose."""Not in this court," answered Mr. Calderwood. At ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr david 2.htm

The Life of Mr. John Welwood.
... To whom he said, His name is Welwood, but if ye take that unhappy course to
depose them, he will perhaps turn out their Torwood at last. ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr john 10.htm

Prolonged Agony
... the dotard, whose dignity had been offended, and the adventurer, who hated a virtue
so far above his own"urged the wavering Emperor to depose the Patriarch. ...
/.../chapter l prolonged agony.htm

Episcopal Conspirators
... and Asia Minor, who received him with adulations because of his high rank, and to
whom he sedulously announced that he was on his way to depose the Patriarch ...
/.../chapter xlv episcopal conspirators.htm

Depose (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Depose (1 Occurrence). Isaiah 22:19 And I will have you
forced out of your place of authority, and pulled down from your position. ...
/d/depose.htm - 7k

Deposed (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Depose. Multi-Version Concordance Deposed
(5 Occurrences). Acts 19:27 There is danger, therefore ...
/d/deposed.htm - 8k

Deportment (12 Occurrences)

/d/deportment.htm - 10k

Immanuel (3 Occurrences)
... In the event of Ahaz' refusal, they planned to depose him, and to set the son
of Tabeel, a choice of their own, upon the throne of David. ...
/i/immanuel.htm - 16k

Disorder (6 Occurrences)
... disorder the head or stomach. 7. (vt) To depose from holy orders. Multi-Version
Concordance Disorder (6 Occurrences). Matthew 9:23 When ...
/d/disorder.htm - 8k

Deprive (17 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To divest of office; to depose; to dispossess of dignity, especially
ecclesiastical. Multi-Version Concordance Deprive (17 Occurrences). ...
/d/deprive.htm - 11k

Abijah (32 Occurrences)
... she continued to hold it, when, after a brief reign, Abijah was succeeded by Asa;
though it was a position from which Asa had the authority to depose her (1 ...
/a/abijah.htm - 25k

Canaan (102 Occurrences)
... Hittites, Mitannians from Mesopotamia, and other foreigners appear as governors
of the towns; the Egyptian government was too weak to depose them and was ...
/c/canaan.htm - 64k

Arrest (22 Occurrences)
... by the Roman procurator; but he was still accorded the title (Acts 4:6). Many of
the Jews did not concede the right of the procurator to depose him, and looked ...
/a/arrest.htm - 45k

Canaanites (63 Occurrences)
... Hittites, Mitannians from Mesopotamia, and other foreigners appear as governors
of the towns; the Egyptian government was too weak to depose them and was ...
/c/canaanites.htm - 55k

Who was Cyril of Jerusalem? | GotQuestions.org

Who was King Abijah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Depose: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus