The term "exorbitant" refers to something that exceeds the bounds of reason, propriety, or law, often implying an excessive or unreasonable nature. In a biblical context, the concept of exorbitance can be related to various forms of excess, particularly in financial dealings, moral behavior, and the pursuit of wealth or power.

Biblical References and Principles

While the specific term "exorbitant" does not appear in the Bible, the Scriptures address the underlying principles of excess and unreasonable demands, particularly in the context of wealth and justice. The Bible consistently warns against greed, exploitation, and the pursuit of wealth at the expense of righteousness and justice.

1. Usury and Unjust Gain: The Bible speaks against the practice of usury, which can be understood as charging exorbitant interest on loans. In Exodus 22:25 , God commands the Israelites, "If you lend money to one of My people among you who is poor, you must not be like a moneylender to him; you must not charge him interest." This principle underscores the importance of fairness and compassion in financial dealings.

2. Greed and Covetousness: The New Testament warns against greed, which can lead to exorbitant desires and actions. In Luke 12:15 , Jesus cautions, "Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." This teaching highlights the danger of allowing material desires to overshadow spiritual values.

3. Exploitation and Oppression: The prophets frequently condemned those who exploited others for personal gain. In Isaiah 10:1-2 , the prophet declares, "Woe to those who enact unjust statutes and issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of justice and withhold the rights of the oppressed of My people, to make widows their prey and rob the fatherless." Such actions are seen as exorbitant in their injustice and are condemned by God.

4. Wealth and Responsibility: The Bible teaches that wealth comes with responsibility and should not be pursued or used in an exorbitant manner. In 1 Timothy 6:17-18 , Paul instructs, "Command those who are rich in this present age not to be arrogant, nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share."

Moral and Ethical Implications

The biblical perspective on exorbitance is closely tied to the broader themes of justice, mercy, and humility. Believers are called to live lives marked by moderation, fairness, and generosity, avoiding the pitfalls of excessive desires and actions. The Scriptures encourage a focus on spiritual wealth and the well-being of others, rather than the pursuit of material excess.

In summary, while the Bible does not use the term "exorbitant" explicitly, it provides clear guidance on avoiding excessive and unreasonable behaviors, particularly in the realms of finance, justice, and personal conduct. These teachings serve as a reminder of the importance of aligning one's life with God's principles of righteousness and compassion.1. (a.) Going beyond normal standards; inordinate; as, exorbitant prices, demands, or claims; going beyond the appointed rules or established limits of right or propriety; excessive; extravagant

2. (a.) Not comprehended in a settled rule or method; anomalous.

Knox and the Book of Discipline
... outlawry), were made, we saw, when there were not a dozen "true ministers" in the
nascent Kirk, and, of course, the claims became more exorbitant when "true ...
/.../lang/john knox and the reformation/chapter xiii knox and the.htm

Acts XV
... the whole body of the Church, were soon to become only a small element in its
constituency, their fears were excited, and their demands became more exorbitant. ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xv.htm

God and Mammon.
... Throughout all the middle ages, here in England, just as much as on the Continent,
they lent money at exorbitant interest; and then their debtors, to escape ...
/.../kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon xxvi god and mammon.htm

A Rebuke against Extortion
... of grain. In order to obtain food for their families, the poor were obliged
to buy on credit and at exorbitant prices. They were ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 54 a rebuke against.htm

In his Temple
... The dealers demanded exorbitant prices for the animals sold, and they shared their
profits with the priests and rulers, who thus enriched themselves at the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 16 in his temple.htm

Rom. Ix. 1
... Holy Ghost.". Did I not seem yesterday to you to have spoken some great and
exorbitant things of Paul's love toward Christ? And great ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xvi rom ix 1.htm

Rom. vi. 19
... seemed to be saying something great and burdensome, and too much for human nature;
through a desire to show that he is not making any exorbitant demand, nor ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xii rom vi 19.htm

The Present Distress of Nations.
... The "distress" and suffering caused by the exorbitant cost of living when it is
becoming more and more difficult to secure even the bare necessaries of life. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/6 the present distress of.htm

Augsburg Confession of Faith.
... tenets of communion in one kind, clerical celibacy, private masses, auricular
confession, legendary traditions, monastic vows, and the exorbitant power of the ...
/.../hayward/the book of religions/augsburg confession of faith.htm

Of the Synod at Milan.
... bishops was then dissolved. Footnotes: [389] So also Sozomen, IV. 9; but
the number appears exorbitant. Valesius conjectures that the ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of scholasticus/chapter xxxvi of the synod at.htm

Exorbitant (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (a.) Going beyond normal standards; inordinate; as, exorbitant prices, demands,
or claims; going beyond the appointed rules or established limits of right ...
/e/exorbitant.htm - 7k

Usury (17 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary The sum paid for the use of money, hence interest;
not, as in the modern sense, exorbitant interest. The ...
/u/usury.htm - 15k

Exorcism

/e/exorcism.htm - 14k

Usurer (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) One who lends money at a rate of interest beyond that established by law;
one who exacts an exorbitant rate of interest for the use of money. ...
/u/usurer.htm - 7k

Usurious (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Practicing usury; taking illegal or exorbitant
interest for the use of money; as, a usurious lender. ...
/u/usurious.htm - 6k

Unreasonable (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Not reasonable; irrational; immoderate; exorbitant.
Multi-Version Concordance Unreasonable (3 Occurrences). ...
/u/unreasonable.htm - 7k

Rapacity (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The act or practice of extorting or exacting by oppressive injustice;
exorbitant greediness of gain. Multi-Version Concordance Rapacity (2 Occurrences). ...
/r/rapacity.htm - 7k

Banking
... Testament (see Luke 19:23) means literally, "what is born of money," "what money
brings forth or produces." "Usury" has come to mean "exorbitant interest," but ...
/b/banking.htm - 13k

Arrogant (60 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Overtly and excessively proud; making, or having the disposition to make,
exorbitant claims of rank or estimation; giving one's self an undue degree of ...
/a/arrogant.htm - 22k

Arrogance (30 Occurrences)
... (n.) The act or habit of arrogating, or making undue claims in an overbearing manner;
that species of pride which consists in exorbitant claims of rank, dignity ...
/a/arrogance.htm - 15k

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Exorbitant: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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