The term "discomfit" in the Bible is used to describe a state of confusion, defeat, or overthrow, often in the context of battle or conflict. It is derived from the Hebrew word "hamam," which means to disturb, confuse, or trouble. In the biblical narrative, discomfiture is frequently depicted as a divine intervention where God causes the enemies of Israel to be thrown into chaos, leading to their defeat.

Biblical Instances:

1. Exodus 14:24 : "At morning watch, the LORD looked down on the army of the Egyptians from the pillar of fire and cloud, and He threw them into confusion." This passage describes how God intervened during the Israelites' escape from Egypt, causing confusion among the Egyptian forces, which ultimately led to their defeat at the Red Sea.

2. Joshua 10:10 : "And the LORD threw them into confusion before Israel, who defeated them in a great slaughter at Gibeon, chased them along the road to Beth-horon, and struck them down as far as Azekah and Makkedah." Here, the Lord discomfited the Amorite kings and their armies, granting Israel a decisive victory.

3. Judges 4:15 : "And the LORD routed Sisera and all his chariots and army with the edge of the sword before Barak, and Sisera abandoned his chariot and fled on foot." In this account, God discomfited the army of Sisera, leading to their defeat by the forces of Barak and Deborah.

4. 1 Samuel 7:10 : "As Samuel was offering the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to fight against Israel. But that day the LORD thundered loudly against the Philistines and threw them into such confusion that they fled before Israel." This event highlights how God used natural phenomena to discomfit the Philistines, ensuring Israel's victory.

Theological Significance:

In the biblical context, discomfiture is often portrayed as an act of divine judgment against those who oppose God's people. It underscores the belief in God's sovereignty and His active role in the affairs of nations. The discomfiture of enemies serves as a demonstration of God's power and His commitment to fulfilling His promises to Israel.

The concept also reflects the broader biblical theme of God as a warrior who fights on behalf of His people. This is seen in passages such as Exodus 15:3, "The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is His name." The discomfiture of enemies is a testament to God's ability to protect and deliver His people from seemingly insurmountable odds.

Application in Christian Life:

For believers, the accounts of discomfiture in the Bible serve as a reminder of God's faithfulness and His ability to intervene in the lives of His people. It encourages Christians to trust in God's power to overcome obstacles and adversities. The notion that God can discomfit the plans of the wicked provides assurance that no matter the challenges faced, God is in control and can bring about victory in His timing and manner.1. (v. t.) To thwart the plans of; frustrate; disconcert.

2. (v. t.) To break up and frustrate the plans of; to balk; to throw into perplexity and dejection; to disconcert.

3. (a.) Discomfited; overthrown.

4. (n.) Rout; overthrow; discomfiture.

DISCOMFIT; DISCOMFITURE

dis-kum'-fit, dis-kum'-fi-tur (hum, mehumah): These words are now obsolete or at least obsolescent and are confined in Biblical literature wholly to the Old Testament. The meaning in general is "to annoy," "harass," "confuse," "rout" and "destroy." The most common usage is that based upon the root meaning, "to trouble" or "annoy," sometimes to the point of destruction (Joshua 10:10 Judges 4:15 1 Samuel 7:10 2 Samuel 22:15).

The King James Version errs in the translation in Isaiah 31:8, where the meaning is obviously "to become subject to task work" or "to place a burden upon one." There seems also to be an unwarranted use of the word in Numbers 14:45, where it means rather "to bruise" or "strike." The purest use is perhaps in 1 Samuel 14:20, where the statement is made that "every man's sword was against his fellow, and there was a very great discomfiture."

Walter G. Clippinger

2000. hamam -- to make a noise, move noisily, confuse, discomfit
... 1999, 2000. hamam. 2001 . to make a noise, move noisily, confuse, discomfit.
Transliteration: hamam Phonetic Spelling: (haw-mam') Short Definition: routed. ...
/hebrew/2000.htm - 6k

3807. kathath -- to beat, crush by beating
... beat down, to pieces, break in pieces, crushed, destroy, discomfit, smite,
stamp. A primitive root; to bruise or violently strike ...
/hebrew/3807.htm - 6k

2522. chalash -- to be weak or prostrate
... discomfit, waste away, weaken. A primitive root; to prostrate; by implication, to
overthrow, decay -- discomfit, waste away, weaken. 2521, 2522. ...
/hebrew/2522.htm - 6k

2729. charad -- to tremble, be terrified
... be make afraid, be careful, discomfit, fray away, quake, tremble. A primitive
root; to shudder with terror; hence, to fear; also ...
/hebrew/2729.htm - 6k

Glossary
... curiosity skill. depart to part, separate. discomfit to defeat, conquer. discomfit
conquest. disease discomfort, anxiety. dress direct, directing. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/glossary.htm

To Sano Di Maco and all Her Other Sons in Siena
... sweet Jesus. Thus shall you discomfit the temptation of the devil, and
the words which he says, lighting on the lips of men. Our ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to sano di maco and.htm

To Gregory xi
... Out of war you will attain greatest peace; out of persecution, greatest unity; not
by human power, but by holy virtue, you will discomfit those visible demons ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to gregory xi 3.htm

Psalm 18
... my darkness to be light. ^29By thee through troops of men I break,. and them
discomfit all; And, by my God assisting me,. I overleap a wall. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/scottish psalter and paraphrases/psalm 18.htm

Lastly, He Has Ended his Epistle with an Exhortation and Warning ...
... general confusion with his quarrelsome uproar, to conceal what was asked of him,
than to give a reply to his question, which should at once discomfit him; never ...
/.../writings in connection with the donatist controversy /chapter 41 49 lastly.htm

Declaring the Nature of Internal Recollection, and Instructing the ...
... It is certain, that in recollection the Devil frequently charges the Soul more fiercely
with a Battalion of Thoughts, to discomfit the quiet of the Soul, and ...
/.../chap xi declaring the nature.htm

Of Divers Gifts of God's Chosen: and How Saints Come to Love in ...
... a perfect man be here perfectly healed, but in heaven where the light of joy comforts
his wits to behold God; and everlasting peace shall discomfit and cast ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter vi of divers gifts.htm

Seventh Sunday after Trinity Exhortation to Resist Sin.
... acquit themselves righteously and bravely. Paul uses the word to discomfit
them who pervert his teaching. For they say, "Ah, Paul ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/seventh sunday after trinity exhortation.htm

Discomfit (6 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) Rout; overthrow; discomfiture. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. DISCOMFIT;
DISCOMFITURE. ... Multi-Version Concordance Discomfit (6 Occurrences). ...
/d/discomfit.htm - 9k

Discomfited (12 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Discomfit. Multi-Version Concordance
Discomfited (12 Occurrences). Exodus 14:24 And it came ...
/d/discomfited.htm - 10k

Lightnings (17 Occurrences)
... NAS RSV). Psalms 144:6 Cast forth lightnings, and scatter them; send forth
thine arrows, and discomfit them: (DBY). Jeremiah 10:13 ...
/l/lightnings.htm - 11k

Worst (8 Occurrences)
... 3. (v.) To gain advantage over, in contest or competition; to get the better of;
to defeat; to overthrow; to discomfit. 4. (vi) To grow worse; to deteriorate. ...
/w/worst.htm - 8k

Worse (62 Occurrences)
... 4. (a.) In a worse degree; in a manner more evil or bad. 5. (vt) To make worse;
to put disadvantage; to discomfit; to worst. See Worst, v. ...
/w/worse.htm - 26k

Disturb (12 Occurrences)
... of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had devised against the Jews
to destroy them, and had cast pur, that is, the lot, to discomfit them, and ...
/d/disturb.htm - 10k

Disclosing (2 Occurrences)

/d/disclosing.htm - 7k

Hornet (3 Occurrences)
... I will send my terror before thee, and will discomfit all the people to whom thou
shalt come, and I will make all thine enemies turn their backs unto thee. ...
/h/hornet.htm - 11k

Hammeda'tha (5 Occurrences)
... of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had devised against the Jews
to destroy them, and had cast pur, that is, the lot, to discomfit them, and ...
/h/hammeda'tha.htm - 7k

Completely (213 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 2:15 Moreover the hand of the LORD was against them, to discomfit them
from the midst of the camp, until they were consumed. (See NIV). ...
/c/completely.htm - 36k

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Discomfit: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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