The term "despoil" refers to the act of stripping or plundering someone or something of possessions, often by force. In the biblical context, despoiling is frequently associated with warfare, conquest, and divine judgment. It is a concept that appears throughout the Scriptures, illustrating both the consequences of sin and the fulfillment of God's justice.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, despoiling is often depicted in the narratives of Israel's battles and conquests. For instance, when the Israelites entered the Promised Land, they were commanded to conquer and despoil the cities of the Canaanites as an act of divine judgment against the inhabitants' idolatry and wickedness. In Joshua 11:14 , it is recorded, "The Israelites took all the plunder and livestock of these cities for themselves, but they put every person to the sword until they had completely destroyed them, not sparing anyone who breathed."

The act of despoiling is also seen in the context of divine retribution against Israel when they turned away from God. In Judges 2:14 , it is written, "Then the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He handed them over to raiders who plundered them. He sold them to their enemies all around, whom they were no longer able to resist."

Prophetic Warnings

The prophets frequently warned of despoiling as a consequence of disobedience to God. In Isaiah 10:6 , God speaks of using Assyria as an instrument of judgment: "I will send him against a godless nation; I will dispatch him against a people destined for My rage, to take spoil and seize plunder, and to trample them down like clay in the streets." This passage highlights the sovereignty of God in using nations to execute His judgment, allowing them to despoil those who have turned away from His commandments.

New Testament Perspective

While the New Testament does not focus as heavily on physical despoiling, the concept is present in a spiritual sense. Colossians 2:15 speaks of Christ's victory over spiritual powers: "And having disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." Here, the despoiling is metaphorical, referring to Christ's triumph over sin and the demonic forces, stripping them of their power and authority.

Theological Implications

The theme of despoiling in the Bible serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin and the reality of divine justice. It underscores the seriousness with which God views idolatry, disobedience, and rebellion. At the same time, it points to the hope of redemption and restoration through Christ, who has despoiled the spiritual forces of evil, offering believers victory and freedom.

In summary, the concept of despoiling in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing both physical and spiritual dimensions. It serves as a powerful illustration of God's justice and mercy, calling believers to live in obedience and faithfulness to Him.1. (v. t.) To strip, as of clothing; to divest or unclothe.

2. (v. t.) To deprive for spoil; to plunder; to rob; to pillage; to strip; to divest; -- usually followed by of.

3. (n.) Spoil.

650. apostereo -- to defraud, deprive of
... apostereo Phonetic Spelling: (ap-os-ter-eh'-o) Short Definition: I deprive one of
something, rob Definition: I defraud, deprive of, despoil; mid: I endure ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/650.htm - 7k

4813. sulao -- to plunder
... rob. From a derivative of sullo (to strip; probably akin to haireomai; compare skulon);
to despoil -- rob. see GREEK haireomai. see GREEK skulon. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4813.htm - 6k

2704. kataphtheiro -- to destroy entirely
... 2704 (from 2596 , ", according to," intensifying 5351 , "corrupt") -- properly,
corrupted all the way (ly degenerated); corrupted; to despoil, bringing to a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2704.htm - 7k

554. apekduomai -- to strip off from oneself
... disarm. Middle voice from apo and ekduo; to divest wholly oneself, or (for oneself)
despoil -- put off, spoil. see GREEK apo. see GREEK ekduo. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/554.htm - 7k

7703. shadad -- to deal violently with, despoil, devastate, ruin
... shadad. 7704 . to deal violently with, despoil, devastate, ruin. Transliteration:
shadad Phonetic Spelling: (shaw-dad') Short Definition: destroyed. ...
/hebrew/7703.htm - 6k

Ephesians vi. 8-May
... For what is his argument? Having said that the enemies are fierce, he adds further,
that they despoil us of vast blessings. What are these? ...
/.../homily xxii ephesians vi 8-may.htm

Impressive Phrases
... deny, dismiss, exclude, and repudiate. deprive, dispossess, divest, and despoil.
describe, delineate, depict, and characterize. designed ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section iv impressive phrases.htm

Demonstration xxii. --Of Death and the Latter Times.
... willing to receive Him. Then He burst his gates, and entered into him, and
began to despoil all his possessions. But when the dead ...
/.../aphrahat/aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration xxii of death and the.htm

Whence Sins Extended to Man.
... Man, inasmuch as he is liable to many accidents and dangers, fears lest any greater
violence should arise which may strike, despoil, lacerate, dash down, and ...
/.../chap xv whence sins extended to.htm

Greek and Jew
... on the way, and such deeds were remembered even in war-ridden Judea; he had come
to Jerusalem wearing his kinsman's name that he might despoil that kinsman's ...
/.../miller/the city of delight/chapter viii greek and jew.htm

Treatise ix. On the Advantage of Patience.
... with the Holy Spirit, and sent forth for the calling and training of the heathen,
bears witness and instructs us, saying, "See that no man despoil you through ...
/.../cyprian/the treatises of cyprian/treatise ix on the advantage.htm

Whether Our Soul is Immortal.
... not corrupted by the evil proper to itself, and the evil of the soul is cowardice,
intemperance, envy, and the like, and all these things do not despoil it of ...
/.../dubious or spurious writings of gregory thaumaturgus/vi whether our soul is.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Luke xvi. 9, "Make to Yourselves ...
... For if thou wert to despoil any one who was weak, thyself being stronger and of
greater power, and he were to come with thee to the judge, any man you please ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lxiii on the words.htm

HymnOf the Baptized
... no foulness. 9. The good things of Heaven, my brethren, ye have
received:"beware of the Evil One, lest he despoil you. 10. The ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xiii hymn of the.htm

Then Shall the Holy Angels Run on their Commission to Gather ...
... Then shall be arraigned the collectors of tribute, who despoil the poor man of more
than is ordered, and who make real gold like adulterate, in order to mulct ...
/.../the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/piece xxxviii then shall the.htm

Despoil (13 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Despoil (13 Occurrences). ... Psalms 109:11 Let the usurer
cast the net over all that he hath, and let strangers despoil his labour; (DBY). ...
/d/despoil.htm - 10k

Despoiled (13 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Despoil. Multi-Version Concordance
Despoiled (13 Occurrences). Colossians 2:15 having despoiled ...
/d/despoiled.htm - 10k

Neighbour (139 Occurrences)
... her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and ye shall put them
upon your sons, and upon your daughters; and ye shall despoil the Egyptians ...
/n/neighbour.htm - 34k

Usurer (2 Occurrences)
... usury. (KJV DBY WBS YLT). Psalms 109:11 Let the usurer cast the net over all
that he hath, and let strangers despoil his labour; (DBY). ...
/u/usurer.htm - 7k

Eventide (10 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 17:14 At eventide, behold, terror; and before the morning they are not. This
is the portion of them that despoil us, and the lot of them that rob us. ...
/e/eventide.htm - 11k

Despitefully (3 Occurrences)

/d/despitefully.htm - 7k

Chases (5 Occurrences)
... (WEB NIV). Proverbs 19:26 A son that dealeth shamefully and reproachfully will
despoil his father, and chase away his mother. (See RSV). ...
/c/chases.htm - 7k

Shameful (27 Occurrences)
... (Root in JPS NAS RSV NIV). Proverbs 19:26 A son that dealeth shamefully and
reproachfully will despoil his father, and chase away his mother. (Root in JPS NAS). ...
/s/shameful.htm - 15k

Agony (20 Occurrences)
... Version (the Revised Version (British and American) "distress") in describing the
distress of the people at the attempt of Heliodorus to despoil the treasury ...
/a/agony.htm - 18k

Vineyards (55 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Job 24:6 They cut his provender in the
field; and they despoil the vineyard of the wicked. (See NIV). ...
/v/vineyards.htm - 25k

Despoil: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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