The term "overthrew" in the Bible often refers to God's decisive action in bringing judgment or change, typically involving the destruction or removal of a particular entity, nation, or system. This concept is woven throughout the biblical narrative, illustrating God's sovereignty and justice.

Old Testament Instances

1. Sodom and Gomorrah: One of the most notable instances of divine overthrow is the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. In Genesis 19:24-25 , it is recorded, "Then the LORD rained down sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens. Thus He overthrew those cities and the entire plain, including all the inhabitants of the cities and everything that grew on the ground." This event serves as a powerful example of God's judgment against sin and immorality.

2. The Egyptian Army: In the Exodus narrative, God overthrew the Egyptian army in the Red Sea as they pursued the Israelites. Exodus 14:27-28 states, "So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea returned to its normal state. As the Egyptians were fleeing toward it, the LORD swept them into the sea. The waters flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had chased the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived." This act of overthrow was a demonstration of God's deliverance and protection for His people.

3. The Canaanite Nations: Throughout the conquest of Canaan, God overthrew various nations to fulfill His promise to Israel. In Deuteronomy 7:23 , it is written, "But the LORD your God will give them over to you and throw them into great confusion until they are destroyed." This reflects God's faithfulness to His covenant and His role as the divine warrior on behalf of Israel.

Prophetic Overthrows

The prophets frequently spoke of future overthrows as part of God's judgment against nations that opposed His will. For example, in Jeremiah 51:1 , the prophet declares, "This is what the LORD says: 'See, I will stir up the spirit of a destroyer against Babylon and the people of Leb-kamai.'" Such prophecies often served as warnings to nations and a call to repentance.

New Testament Context

While the New Testament does not frequently use the term "overthrew," the concept is present in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. The ultimate overthrow is seen in the defeat of sin and death through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Colossians 2:15 states, "And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." This victory signifies the overthrow of spiritual forces opposed to God's kingdom.

Theological Significance

The theme of overthrow in the Bible underscores God's authority over creation and history. It serves as a reminder of His power to judge and redeem, bringing about His purposes despite human rebellion. The biblical narrative of overthrow is not merely about destruction but also about the establishment of God's righteous order and the hope of restoration for those who align with His will.(imp.) of Overthrow.4114. mahpekah -- an overthrow
... 4113, 4114. mahpekah. 4115 . an overthrow. Transliteration: mahpekah Phonetic
Spelling: (mah-pay-kaw') Short Definition: overthrew. ...
/hebrew/4114.htm - 6k

5287. naar -- to shake, shake out or off
... 5286, 5287. naar. 5288 . to shake, shake out or off. Transliteration: naar
Phonetic Spelling: (naw-ar') Short Definition: overthrew. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/5287.htm - 6k

2015. haphak -- to turn, overturn
... Usage become (1), came (1), change (1), changed (6), changes (1), come (1), drained
(1), give (1), had a change (1), inundate (1), overthrew (5), overthrow (5 ...
/hebrew/2015.htm - 6k

2040. haras -- to throw down, break or tear down
... to throw down, break or tear down NASB Word Usage break down (2), break through
(2), broken down (1), destroyed (2), destroyers (1), overthrew (2), overthrow (5 ...
/hebrew/2040.htm - 6k

How Judas Overthrew the Forces of Apollonius and Seron and Killed ...
... CHAPTER 7. How Judas Overthrew The Forces Of Apollonius And Seron And Killed The
Generals Of Their Armies Themselves; And How When, A Little While Afterwards ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 7 how judas overthrew.htm

How God Overthrew the Nation of the Sodomites, Out of his Wrath ...
... From The Creation To The Death Of Isaac. CHAPTER 11. How God Overthrew The Nation
Of The Sodomites, Out Of His Wrath Against Them For Their Sins. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 11 how god overthrew.htm

How the Jews were Crucified Before the Walls of the City ...
... How The Jews Were Crucified Before The Walls Of The City Concerning Antiochus Epiphanes;
And How The Jews Overthrew The Banks That Had Been Raised By The Romans ...
/.../chapter 11 how the jews.htm

of the Statue of Christ in Paneas which Julian Overthrew and Made ...
... Book V. Chapter XXI." Of the Statue of Christ in Paneas which Julian overthrew and
made Valueless; he erected his own Statue; this was overthrown by a Thunder ...
/.../sozomen/the ecclesiastical history of sozomenus/chapter xxi of the statue.htm

How Alexander, Upon the League of Mutual Defense which Cleopatra ...
... How Alexander, upon the League of Mutual Defense Which Cleopatra Had Agreed with
Him, Made an Expedition Against Coelesyria, and Utterly Overthrew the City of ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 13 how alexander upon.htm

Christ Cleansing the Temple
... cattle, not their owners, whom He 'drove out.' And then, dropping the scourge, He
turned to the money-changers, and, with the same hand, overthrew their tables ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/christ cleansing the temple.htm

Fix Thou Our Hearing, that it be not Loosed and Wander!
... The Sabbath overthrew thy walls, it overthrew the ungrateful; the day of the
Resurrection of the Son, raised again thy ruins; the day of Resurrection raised ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn iii fix thou our.htm

How, Upon Antiochus's Prohibition to the Jews to Make Use of the ...
... He also overthrew the idol altar, and cried out, "If," said he, "any one be zealous
for the laws of his country, and for the worship of God, let him follow me ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 how upon antiochuss.htm

How Joram and Jehoshaphat Made an Expedition against the Moabites ...
... And when the kings fell into the land of Moab, they overthrew the cities that were
in it, and spoiled their fields, and marred them, filling them with stones ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 3 how joram and.htm

Isaiah's
... children. And BABYLON, The glory of kingdoms, The beauty of the Chaldeans'
pride, Shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. It ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/x isaiahs.htm

Overthrew (17 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp.) of Overthrow. Multi-Version Concordance
Overthrew (17 Occurrences). Matthew 21:12 Jesus entered ...
/o/overthrew.htm - 12k

Gomorrah (25 Occurrences)
... that it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow
of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the LORD overthrew in his ...
/g/gomorrah.htm - 17k

Overthrow (48 Occurrences)
... Genesis 19:25 and he overthrew those cities, and all the Plain, and all the inhabitants
of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground. (See JPS YLT). ...
/o/overthrow.htm - 21k

Tables (41 Occurrences)
... Matthew 21:12 Jesus entered into the temple of God, and drove out all of those who
sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the money changers' tables and ...
/t/tables.htm - 20k

Changers (5 Occurrences)
... Matthew 21:12 Jesus entered into the temple of God, and drove out all of those who
sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the money changers' tables and ...
/c/changers.htm - 8k

Area (66 Occurrences)
... Matthew 21:12 Jesus entered into the temple of God, and drove out all of those who
sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the money changers' tables and ...
/a/area.htm - 26k

Sodom (49 Occurrences)
... that it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow
of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the LORD overthrew in his ...
/s/sodom.htm - 28k

Zeboiim (7 Occurrences)
... that it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow
of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim, which Jehovah overthrew in his ...
/z/zeboiim.htm - 9k

Gomor'rah (23 Occurrences)
... that it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow
of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim, which the LORD overthrew in His ...
/g/gomor'rah.htm - 13k

Doves (25 Occurrences)
... Matthew 21:12 Jesus entered into the temple of God, and drove out all of those who
sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the money changers' tables and ...
/d/doves.htm - 14k

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Overthrew: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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