Definition and Context:
The term "looted" refers to the act of taking goods by force, typically during a time of war or chaos. In the biblical context, looting often occurs during military conquests or as a result of divine judgment. The Bible provides numerous accounts of looting, both as a consequence of disobedience to God and as a part of the spoils of war.

Biblical Instances:

1. The Conquest of Ai:
In the book of Joshua, the Israelites, under God's command, conquer the city of Ai. After the initial failed attempt due to Achan's sin, God instructs Joshua to set an ambush. Upon victory, the Israelites are allowed to take the livestock and goods of Ai as plunder. "You shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king, except that you may carry off their plunder and livestock for yourselves" (Joshua 8:2).

2. The Fall of Jerusalem:
The looting of Jerusalem is a significant event in biblical history, marking the judgment of God upon His people for their persistent disobedience. In 2 Kings 25:13-15, the Babylonians, led by King Nebuchadnezzar, capture Jerusalem and loot the treasures of the temple. "The Chaldeans broke up the bronze pillars, the stands, and the bronze Sea in the house of the LORD, and they carried the bronze to Babylon" (2 Kings 25:13).

3. The Amalekites' Raid on Ziklag:
In 1 Samuel 30, the Amalekites raid and loot the city of Ziklag, taking captive the families of David and his men. David seeks the Lord's guidance and pursues the Amalekites, ultimately recovering all that was taken. "David recovered everything the Amalekites had taken, including his two wives" (1 Samuel 30:18).

4. The Plundering of Egypt:
Before the Exodus, God instructs the Israelites to ask the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold. The Egyptians, eager to see the Israelites leave after the plagues, comply, effectively looting their own wealth. "The Israelites did as Moses had instructed and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold, and for clothing" (Exodus 12:35).

Theological Implications:

Looting in the Bible often serves as a tool of divine justice or judgment. It can be seen as a means by which God provides for His people or punishes the wicked. The act of looting, when sanctioned by God, is portrayed as a fulfillment of His promises or as a consequence of His wrath. However, unauthorized looting, as seen in the sin of Achan (Joshua 7), results in severe consequences, highlighting the importance of obedience to God's commands.

Moral and Ethical Considerations:

The biblical accounts of looting raise questions about morality and ethics, particularly in the context of war. While looting is depicted as permissible under divine command, it is not condoned as a general practice. The Bible emphasizes the importance of justice, righteousness, and obedience to God's laws, suggesting that looting outside of God's directive is sinful and destructive.

Conclusion:
The concept of looting in the Bible is multifaceted, serving as both a divine instrument and a moral test. It underscores the sovereignty of God in the affairs of nations and individuals, reminding believers of the importance of aligning with His will and commands.(imp. & p. p.) of Loot.7997b. shalal -- to spoil, plunder
... root Definition to spoil, plunder NASB Word Usage capture (5), loot (1), looted
(1), make a spoil (1), makes himself a prey (1), plunder (2), plundered (1 ...
/hebrew/7997b.htm - 5k

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

Ep. xxix. Of the Same Year. ...
... Here C??sarius had bequeathed all his property to the poor; but his house had been
looted by his servants, and his friends could only find a comparatively ...
/.../cyril/select letters of saint gregory nazianzen/ep xxix of the same.htm

Of the Sedition of Antioch.
... On the whole incident see Chrysostom's famous Homilies on the Statues. [883] The
mob looted the baths, smashed the hanging lamps, attacked the pr??torium ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/chapter xix of the sedition of.htm

"Go Forward on Your Knees"
... The mission premises were attacked by a mob, and everything was looted. The two
men were roughly handled, one being dragged about the courtyard. ...
/.../goforth/how i know god answers prayer/iii go forward on your.htm

Prolonged Agony
... The faithful were scattered; wounds were dealt freely on every side; the clergy
were savagely beaten; and the soldiers looted everything on which they could ...
/.../chapter l prolonged agony.htm

An Old Subscription List
... In one compartment there was a great display of emeralds, and diamonds, and rubies,
and I know not what, that had been looted from some Indian rajah or other. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/an old subscription list.htm

The Tangled Web
... But the uncertain torch revealed nothing and he led her in and across to a solitary
place where rugs from some looted house had been folded up for a pallet and ...
/.../miller/the city of delight/chapter xvii the tangled web.htm

On Eating.
... is written in the Acts of the Apostles, "and he saw heaven opened, and a vessel
let down on the earth by the four corners, and all the four-looted beasts and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/clement/the instructor paedagogus/chap i on eating.htm

Christian Churches.
... The barbarians have their share of responsibility in causing the abandonment and
the desolation of the Campagna; they may have looted and damaged some edifices ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/chapter iii christian churches.htm

The Rise of the Assyrian Empire
... He looted the palace and the temples, dragged the statue of Merodach from its sanctuary
and carried it off into Assyria, together with the badges of supreme ...
/.../chapter iithe rise of the.htm

The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 4. <. ...
/.../chapter iiithe eighteenth theban dynasty.htm

Looted (9 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Looted (9 Occurrences). Genesis 34:27 Jacob's sons came
on the dead, and plundered the city, because they had defiled their sister. ...
/l/looted.htm - 9k

Loot (15 Occurrences)

/l/loot.htm - 11k

Looter (1 Occurrence)

/l/looter.htm - 6k

Accursed (26 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 20:16-18). The ban did not always apply to the gold and silver
of looted cities (Joshua 6:24). Such valuable articles ...
/a/accursed.htm - 18k

Amaziah (41 Occurrences)
... From Beth-horon in the south to the border of the northern state they had looted
the villages and killed some of the country people who had attempted to defend ...
/a/amaziah.htm - 30k

Who is the king of the North in Daniel 11? | GotQuestions.org

Who is the king of the South in Daniel 11? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Gedaliah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Looted: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus