Topical Encyclopedia The term "oppressive" in the biblical context often refers to unjust or cruel exercise of authority or power, leading to the suffering or subjugation of others. The Bible addresses oppression in various forms, including social, economic, and spiritual dimensions, and consistently condemns it as contrary to God's will for justice and righteousness.Old Testament Context In the Old Testament, oppression is frequently mentioned in the context of social justice. The Israelites were reminded of their own experience of oppression in Egypt and were commanded to treat others with fairness and compassion. Exodus 3:9 states, "And now the cry of the Israelites has reached Me, and I have seen how severely the Egyptians are oppressing them." This verse highlights God's awareness and concern for the oppressed, leading to His intervention in liberating the Israelites. The Law given to Moses includes specific commands against oppression. Leviticus 19:13 instructs, "You must not defraud your neighbor or rob him. You must not withhold until morning the wages due a hired hand." This command underscores the importance of fair treatment and timely justice in economic dealings. The prophets also spoke out against oppression. Isaiah 1:17 exhorts, "Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow." Here, the call is to actively pursue justice and rectify situations of oppression, particularly for the vulnerable in society. New Testament Context In the New Testament, Jesus Christ's ministry is marked by a profound concern for the oppressed. In Luke 4:18 , Jesus reads from the scroll of Isaiah, declaring, "The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed." This mission statement emphasizes the liberation and healing that Jesus brings to those suffering under various forms of oppression. The early church also addressed issues of oppression, particularly within the community of believers. James 5:4 warns, "Look, the wages you withheld from the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts." This passage condemns economic oppression and assures that God hears the cries of those who are wronged. Theological Implications The biblical condemnation of oppression is rooted in the character of God, who is just, merciful, and compassionate. God's people are called to reflect these attributes in their interactions with others. The consistent biblical narrative is one of liberation and justice, where God acts on behalf of the oppressed and calls His followers to do the same. Throughout Scripture, the call to oppose oppression is linked with the broader mandate to love one's neighbor and to act justly. Micah 6:8 encapsulates this divine requirement: "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" In summary, the Bible presents oppression as a grave sin that contradicts God's desire for justice and righteousness. Believers are called to stand against oppression in all its forms, advocating for the vulnerable and ensuring that justice prevails in their communities. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (a.) Unreasonably burdensome; unjustly severe, rigorous, or harsh; as, oppressive taxes; oppressive exactions of service; an oppressive game law.2. (a.) Using oppression; tyrannical; as, oppressive authority or commands. 3. (a.) Heavy; overpowering; hard to be borne; as, oppressive grief or woe. Greek 1419. dusbastaktos -- hard to be borne, oppressive ... hard to be borne, oppressive. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: dusbastaktos Phonetic Spelling: (doos-bas'-tak-tos) Short Definition: difficult to ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1419.htm - 7k 926. barus -- heavy Strong's Hebrew 4001. mebusah -- a treading down, subjugation... 4000, 4001. mebusah. 4002 . a treading down, subjugation. Transliteration: mebusah Phonetic Spelling: (meb-oo-saw') Short Definition: oppressive. ... /hebrew/4001.htm - 6k 6216. ashoq -- oppressor, extortioner 2929. Talmon -- an Israelite name 4157. muaqah -- compression, distress Library Equalization of the More Oppressive Taxes. And Then the Future Captivity under an Oppressive King is ... The Fourth vial. What the History of Sallust Reveals Regarding the Life of the ... The Rending of the Kingdom Fresh Troubles Of the Advent of Jesus; of the Fortunes of the Jews, and their ... Last Journey and Death, 1858 --Concluding Remarks. On the Government of God The Record of a Quaker Conscience Thesaurus Oppressive (6 Occurrences)... 1. (a.) Unreasonably burdensome; unjustly severe, rigorous, or harsh; as, oppressive taxes; oppressive exactions of service; an oppressive game law. ... /o/oppressive.htm - 8k Tyrannize (1 Occurrence) Sultry (1 Occurrence) Burden (111 Occurrences) Heavy (110 Occurrences) Quit (12 Occurrences) Oppressively (1 Occurrence) Oppressions (5 Occurrences) Light (2869 Occurrences) Gadara Resources Was the American Revolution a violation of Romans 13:1-7? | GotQuestions.orgWhat should we learn from the account of Samson and Delilah? | GotQuestions.org Law vs. grace-why is there so much conflict among Christians on the issue? | GotQuestions.org Oppressive: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Oppressive (6 Occurrences)Judges 6:2 Psalms 66:11 Psalms 73:16 Isaiah 10:1 Isaiah 18:2 Isaiah 18:7 Subtopics Related Terms |
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