The term "despoiled" refers to the act of being stripped of possessions, dignity, or value, often through force or deceit. In the biblical context, it frequently describes the plundering or taking away of goods, land, or spiritual blessings, often as a result of divine judgment or human sinfulness.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the concept of being despoiled is often associated with the consequences of disobedience to God. The Israelites, when they turned away from God's commandments, faced the threat of being despoiled by their enemies. For instance, in Deuteronomy 28:31, as part of the curses for disobedience, it is stated: "Your ox will be slaughtered before your eyes, but you will not eat any of it. Your donkey will be forcibly taken from you and will not be returned. Your sheep will be given to your enemies, with no one to help you."

The prophets frequently warned Israel and Judah of impending despoilment due to their idolatry and injustice. In Jeremiah 15:13, God declares, "Your wealth and your treasures I will give up as plunder, without charge for all your sins, within all your borders." This reflects the divine judgment that would lead to the despoiling of the nation by foreign powers.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of being despoiled takes on a spiritual dimension. Colossians 2:8 warns believers, "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ." Here, the despoiling is not of physical goods but of spiritual truth and freedom in Christ.

The New Testament also speaks of Christ's victory over spiritual forces that seek to despoil believers. Colossians 2:15 states, "And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." This passage highlights the triumph of Christ over the spiritual forces that aim to despoil humanity of its intended relationship with God.

Theological Implications

Theologically, the concept of being despoiled serves as a warning against the consequences of sin and the importance of remaining faithful to God. It underscores the reality of spiritual warfare and the need for vigilance against forces that seek to rob believers of their spiritual inheritance. The Bible presents God as both the one who allows despoilment as a form of judgment and the one who restores and redeems those who turn back to Him.

In a broader sense, the theme of despoilment and restoration is central to the biblical narrative, illustrating the consequences of human rebellion and the hope of redemption through divine intervention.(imp. & p. p.) of Despoil.962. bazaz -- to spoil, plunder
... root Definition to spoil, plunder NASB Word Usage booty (1), completely despoiled
(1), despoiled (1), looted (3), pillage (1), plunder (11), plunder of those ...
/hebrew/962.htm - 6k

8154. shasah -- to spoil, plunder
... root Definition to spoil, plunder NASB Word Usage despoiled (1), pillage (1), plunder
(1), plundered (3), plunderers (2), plundering (1), taken spoil (1). ...
/hebrew/8154.htm - 6k

7997b. shalal -- to spoil, plunder
... Word Usage capture (5), loot (1), looted (1), make a spoil (1), makes himself a
prey (1), plunder (2), plundered (1), spoil of those who despoiled (1), take ...
/hebrew/7997b.htm - 5k

Indignant Irony Exposing the Valentinian Fable About the Judicial ...
... I have to return after death to the place where there is no more giving in marriage,
where I have to be clothed upon rather than to be despoiled,"where, even ...
/.../against the valentinians/chapter xxxii indignant irony exposing the.htm

On all the Saints.
... Christ. O the marvel! Since the hour when Christ despoiled Hades, men have
danced in triumph over death. "O death, where is thy sting! ...
/.../dubious or spurious writings of gregory thaumaturgus/on all the saints.htm

The Scheme of Necessity Denies that Man is Responsible for the ...
... through God's grace, become so again."(3) And Calvin, in his Institutes, has written
a chapter to show that "man, in his present state, is despoiled of freedom ...
/.../a theodicy or vindication of the divine glory/chapter i the scheme of.htm

The Connection Between the Seventh and the Eighth Chapters
... sin and death, or freedom from condemnation, could not be obtained except by the
condemnation of sin, that is, except sin had been previously despoiled of the ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 2/the connection between the seventh.htm

Covetousness is a Great Evil; and it is not Possible in a Single ...
... of trouble (ie, in the troubles of the inroads by the barbarians), and make gain
out of the blood and ruin of men who have been utterly despoiled, or taken ...
/.../canonical epistle of gregory thaumaturgus/canon ii covetousness is a.htm

Prepositional Phrases
... depth of despair. dereliction of duty. derogation of character. despoiled of riches.
destitute of power. desultoriness of detail [desultoriness = haphazard; random ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section v prepositional phrases.htm

Gregory Consoles Himself.
... There lives still the Saviour of all men, even of the half-dead and the despoiled,
the Protector and Physician for all, the Word, that sleepless Keeper of all. ...
/.../argument xvii gregory consoles himself.htm

Oration on the Palms.
... II.-To-day, holy David rejoices with great joy, being by babes despoiled of his
lyre, with whom also, in spirit, leading the dance, and rejoicing together, as ...
/.../methodius/the writings of methodius fragments/oration on the palms.htm

The General Service to the Venerated and vivifying Cross.
... It hath brought out of the hades the race of man and having greatly despoiled the
hades and overturned the enemy did utterly destroy the arrogance of the demons ...
/.../anonymous/the general menaion/chapter iii the general service.htm

Hence Neither is it Lawful to Accuse those who have Left All...
... the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria shall be taken away before the king
of Assyria." [2336] The Magi then as now having been despoiled and divided ...
/.../peter/the writings of peter of alexandria/canon xiii hence neither is.htm

Despoiled (13 Occurrences)
...Despoiled (13 Occurrences). Colossians 2:15 having despoiled the principalities
and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. ...
/d/despoiled.htm - 10k

Spoiled (69 Occurrences)
... They despoiled the Egyptians. ... (Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS). Judges 2:16 Yahweh raised
up judges, who saved them out of the hand of those who despoiled them. ...
/s/spoiled.htm - 27k

Plundered (44 Occurrences)
... They despoiled the Egyptians. ... 1 Samuel 14:48 He did valiantly, and struck the Amalekites,
and delivered Israel out of the hands of those who despoiled them. ...
/p/plundered.htm - 19k

Amaziah (41 Occurrences)
... A depleted treasury, a despoiled palace and temple, and a discouraged people were
among the consequences of his father's war with Hazael, king of Syria. ...
/a/amaziah.htm - 30k

Spoil (140 Occurrences)
... Exodus 12:36 Yahweh gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that
they let them have what they asked. They despoiled the Egyptians. ...
/s/spoil.htm - 40k

Despoil (13 Occurrences)

/d/despoil.htm - 10k

Valiantly (9 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 14:48 He did valiantly, and struck the Amalekites, and delivered Israel
out of the hands of those who despoiled them. (WEB JPS ASV DBY NAS RSV NIV). ...
/v/valiantly.htm - 10k

Offscouring (2 Occurrences)
... The weeping prophet uses it as he looks upon his erstwhile fair and holy city,
despoiled, defiled, derided by the profane, the enemies of God and of His people ...
/o/offscouring.htm - 8k

Favorably (10 Occurrences)
... Exodus 12:36 And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians,
so that they let them have what they asked. And they despoiled the Egyptians. ...
/f/favorably.htm - 9k

Fearfulness (7 Occurrences)
... and the land of Israel: They shall eat their bread with fearfulness, and drink their
water in dismay, that her land may be desolate, and despoiled of all that ...
/f/fearfulness.htm - 8k

Despoiled: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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