Jealousy is a complex emotion that appears in various contexts throughout the Bible, often associated with both human relationships and the divine nature of God. It is typically understood as a feeling of resentment or suspicion, particularly in the context of rivalry or perceived threats to one's possessions or relationships.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, jealousy is frequently depicted as a destructive force in human relationships. One of the earliest examples is found in the account of Cain and Abel, where Cain's jealousy of Abel's favorable offering to God leads to the first murder (Genesis 4:3-8). This narrative illustrates how jealousy can escalate into violence and sin.

Another significant instance of jealousy is seen in the relationship between Rachel and Leah, the wives of Jacob. Rachel's jealousy of Leah's fertility causes strife and competition between the sisters (Genesis 30:1). This account highlights the familial discord that jealousy can engender.

Jealousy is also portrayed in the context of divine relationships. God describes Himself as a "jealous God" in the Ten Commandments, emphasizing His desire for exclusive devotion from His people: "You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God" (Exodus 20:5). Here, God's jealousy is not seen as a flaw but as a righteous demand for faithfulness and loyalty from His covenant people.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, jealousy continues to be viewed negatively, often listed among vices that believers are urged to avoid. The Apostle Paul warns against jealousy in his letters, associating it with works of the flesh: "The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage..." (Galatians 5:19-20). Paul encourages believers to live by the Spirit, which produces virtues contrary to jealousy.

James also addresses jealousy, linking it to disorder and evil practices: "For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice" (James 3:16). This underscores the destructive potential of jealousy within the Christian community.

Theological Implications

Theologically, jealousy in the Bible is often contrasted between human and divine perspectives. Human jealousy is typically portrayed as sinful, leading to discord and strife. In contrast, God's jealousy is depicted as a rightful and holy demand for exclusive worship and fidelity. This divine jealousy underscores God's covenant relationship with His people, where He seeks their undivided love and commitment.

Practical Applications

For believers, the biblical teaching on jealousy serves as a caution against allowing such emotions to take root in their hearts. Christians are encouraged to cultivate contentment, love, and humility, which counteract the negative effects of jealousy. By focusing on the fruits of the Spirit, believers can overcome jealousy and foster harmonious relationships within the body of Christ.

In summary, jealousy in the Bible is a multifaceted concept that reveals the potential for both human sinfulness and divine holiness. It serves as a warning against the dangers of envy and a reminder of God's rightful claim to the devotion of His people.(adv.) In a jealous manner.3863. parazeloo -- to provoke to jealousy
... Transliteration: parazeloo Phonetic Spelling: (par-ad-zay-lo'-o) Short Definition:
I make jealous Definition: I make jealous, provoke to jealously, provoke to ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3863.htm - 7k

5355. phthonos -- envy
... Trench, 90). Word Origin a prim. word Definition envy NASB Word Usage
envy (7), envying (1), jealously (1). envy. Probably akin ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5355.htm - 7k

Monos
... The Indian Government jealously watches the emigration, and through agents of its
own rigidly tests the bona-fide 'voluntary' character of the engagement. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter vi monos.htm

The Priest of the World and King of Men
... the sign of kingship"to set them on the high priest's head, thus uniting the sacerdotal
and regal offices, which had always been jealously separated in Israel ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the priest of the world.htm

Seeking Richly Rewarded
... We must go carefully and jealously here, and must search ourselves to see if
in very deed and truth we are such as really seek the Lord. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 60 1914/seeking richly rewarded.htm

Elijah, the Praying Prophet
... the presence of God." The archangel Gabriel had scarcely more unflinching devotion,
more courage, and more readiness of obedience, and more jealously of God's ...
/.../bounds/prayer and praying men/v elijah the praying prophet.htm

What Carey did for Science --Founder of the Agricultural and ...
... We have now to see him on the scientific or the physical and economic side, while
he still jealously keeps his strength for the one motive power of all, the ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter xii what carey did.htm

Love's Complaining
... He is ever "the faithful and true witness." He loves much, and therefore he never
judges harshly. He loves much, and therefore he always judges jealously. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 32 1886/loves complaining.htm

The Testimony of the Lectionaries Shewn to be Absolutely Decisive ...
... The same general Order of Service went on unbroken,"conducted by a Priesthood whose
spiritual succession was at least as jealously guarded as had been the ...
/.../chapter x the testimony of.htm

The Testimony of the Lectionaries Shewn to be Absolutely Decisive ...
... The same general Order of Service went on unbroken,"conducted by a Priesthood whose
spiritual succession was at least as jealously guarded as had been the ...
/.../chapter x the testimony of.htm

The First Sayings of Jesus --His Ideas of a Divine Father and of a ...
... with women of doubtful character, are also explained by the passion which attached
him to the glory of his Father, and which made him jealously anxious for all ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/renan/the life of jesus/chapter v the first sayings.htm

Robbie Goodman's Prayer
... short week's time, so that now, as the sad anniversary came near to hand, Mrs. Ellis'
heart ached for her lost birdlings and yearned more jealously than ever ...
/.../touching incidents and remarkable answers to prayer/robbie goodmans prayer.htm

Jealously (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Jealously (1 Occurrence). James 4:5 Or do you think that
the Scripture says in vain, "The Spirit who lives in us yearns jealously"? ...
/j/jealously.htm - 6k

Yearns (8 Occurrences)
... eat. (WEY). James 4:5 Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, "The
Spirit who lives in us yearns jealously"? (WEB WEY RSV). ...
/y/yearns.htm - 8k

Jealousies (2 Occurrences)

/j/jealousies.htm - 7k

Envious (16 Occurrences)
... a.) Feeling or exhibiting envy; actuated or directed by, or proceeding from, envy; --
said of a person, disposition, feeling, act, etc.; jealously pained by ...
/e/envious.htm - 11k

Eye (145 Occurrences)
... by the eyelids automatically closing when there is the least possibility of danger
made it the emblem of that which was most precious and jealously protected. ...
/e/eye.htm - 54k

Passion (82 Occurrences)
... or inordinate desire; also, the capacity or susceptibility of being so affected;
as, to be in a passion; the passions of love, hate, jealously, wrath, ambition ...
/p/passion.htm - 37k

Apple (8 Occurrences)
... by the eyelids automatically closing when there is the least possibility of danger
made it the emblem of that which was most precious and jealously protected. ...
/a/apple.htm - 17k

Caused (468 Occurrences)
... James 4:5 Or do you suppose that it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, "The
Spirit which He has caused to dwell in our hearts yearns jealously over us"? ...
/c/caused.htm - 37k

Nonimmersionist
... These initiations were secret, jealously guarded from the knowledge of all outsiders;
still enough is known about them for us to be sure that among them ...
/n/nonimmersionist.htm - 38k

Non-immersionist
... These initiations were secret, jealously guarded from the knowledge of all outsiders;
still enough is known about them for us to be sure that among them ...
/n/non-immersionist.htm - 38k

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Jealously: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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