The term "inhabiters" in the Bible generally refers to those who dwell or reside in a particular place. This term is often used in a broader theological context to describe the people living in a land, city, or region, and it can carry significant implications regarding their spiritual and moral state.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, "inhabiters" frequently refers to the people living in the Promised Land, often in the context of God's commands to the Israelites. For example, in the book of Joshua, God instructs the Israelites to drive out the current inhabitants of Canaan to prevent them from leading the Israelites into idolatry and sin (Joshua 23:12-13, BSB). The term underscores the distinction between the people of God and the pagan nations surrounding them.

The prophets also use the term to address the moral and spiritual condition of the inhabitants of various regions. Isaiah, for instance, speaks of the "inhabiters of the earth" in the context of God's judgment and the need for repentance (Isaiah 24:5-6, BSB). This usage highlights the universal scope of God's sovereignty and the accountability of all peoples to His divine law.

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, the term "inhabiters" is less frequently used but carries significant eschatological implications. In the book of Revelation, the term is used to describe those who dwell on the earth in contrast to the faithful who are called to endure persecution and remain steadfast in their faith. Revelation 8:13 (BSB) warns, "Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the other three angels!" This passage emphasizes the impending judgment on those who reject God and follow the ways of the world.

Theological Implications

The concept of "inhabiters" in the Bible often serves to delineate between those who are part of God's covenant community and those who are not. It reflects the biblical theme of separation between the holy and the profane, the righteous and the wicked. The term also underscores the transient nature of earthly dwelling compared to the eternal dwelling promised to believers. Hebrews 11:13-16 (BSB) speaks of the patriarchs as "strangers and exiles on the earth," highlighting the believer's ultimate citizenship in heaven.

Moral and Spiritual Lessons

The use of "inhabiters" in Scripture serves as a reminder of the moral and spiritual responsibilities of those who dwell in any land. It calls believers to live as distinct and holy people, set apart for God's purposes, and to be mindful of the influence of the surrounding culture. The warnings to the "inhabiters of the earth" in Revelation serve as a sobering reminder of the consequences of rejecting God's authority and the urgency of repentance and faith in Christ.

In summary, the term "inhabiters" in the Bible carries rich theological significance, emphasizing themes of judgment, separation, and the call to holiness. It challenges believers to consider their own spiritual state and their role as God's people in a world that often stands in opposition to His will.

The Question Whether Christ be Come Taken Up.
... and they who inhabit Mesopotamia, Armenia, Phrygia, Cappadocia, and they who dwell
in Pontus, and Asia, and Pamphylia, tarriers in Egypt, and inhabiters of the ...
/.../tertullian/an answer to the jews/chapter vii the question whether christ.htm

1 John ii. 27-iii. 8
... But why is he not known? "The world knoweth Him not." Who is "the world"? Those
inhabiters of the world. Just as we say, "a house;" meaning, its inhabitants. ...
/.../ten homilies on the epistle of john to the parthians/homily iv 1 john ii.htm

"The Time of Trouble. "
... souls. The apostle John in vision heard a loud voice in heaven exclaiming,
"Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /39 the time of trouble.htm

The Time of Trouble
... souls. The apostle John in vision heard a loud voice in heaven exclaiming:
"Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 39 the time of.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... the light day, of which the godly are the children (1 Thess 5:5); but the darkness
he called night, of which all ungodly men are the inhabiters and children ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

The Fourth vision "In Heaven"
... object. [272] This is the order of the words according to GLTTr.A. WH. and
RV. [273] GLTTr.A. WH. and RV. omit "the inhabiters of.". ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the fourth vision in heaven.htm

Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
... And this the head of Antichrist understandeth very well: Wherefore the Holy Ghost
saith, 'Woe to the inhabiters of the earth, and of the sea! ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/of antichrist and his ruin .htm

The Barren Fig-Tree;
... burnt.'. Ay, but these fig-trees and vines are church-members, inhabiters
of Jerusalem. So was the fig-tree mentioned in the text. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the barren fig-tree.htm

Fifthly, as this Revelation, to the Judgment of Right and Sober ...
... foresaw and intended to allude to that Babylon which had (Revelation 17:4.) a golden
cup in her hand full of abominations, (ver.2.) and the inhabiters of the ...
/.../xiv proposition xiv fifthly as.htm

Christ a Complete Saviour:
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/christ a complete saviour .htm

Inhabiters (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Inhabiters (2 Occurrences). Revelation 8:13 ... in them.
Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for ...
/i/inhabiters.htm - 7k

Inhabitest (1 Occurrence)

/i/inhabitest.htm - 6k

Inhabitant (54 Occurrences)
... We have the obsolete inhabiters for "inhabitants" in Revelation 8:13 the King James
Version (but the Revised Version (British and American) "them that dwell ...
/i/inhabitant.htm - 25k

Inhabit (29 Occurrences)
... We have the obsolete inhabiters for "inhabitants" in Revelation 8:13 the King James
Version (but the Revised Version (British and American) "them that dwell ...
/i/inhabit.htm - 16k

Inhabited (64 Occurrences)

/i/inhabited.htm - 26k

Knoweth (152 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS). Revelation 12:12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell
in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! ...
/k/knoweth.htm - 35k

Beheld (95 Occurrences)
... Revelation 8:13 And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven,
saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by ...
/b/beheld.htm - 33k

Midst (657 Occurrences)
... Revelation 8:13 And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven,
saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by ...
/m/midst.htm - 37k

Captivity (141 Occurrences)
... 27,290 people inhabiters of it) I took away captive; 50 chariots the property
of my royalty, which were in it I appropriated. (. ...
/c/captivity.htm - 79k

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