Definition and Context
In biblical terms, "overthrowing" refers to the act of bringing down, destroying, or defeating a person, city, nation, or system. This concept is often associated with divine judgment, where God intervenes to dismantle or punish those who oppose His will or violate His commandments. Overthrowing can also be seen in the context of military conquests, political upheavals, or spiritual victories.

Biblical Instances

1. Sodom and Gomorrah: One of the most notable examples of overthrowing in the Bible is the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. These cities were overthrown due to their grievous sins. Genesis 19:24-25 states, "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."

2. The Egyptian Army: During the Exodus, God overthrew the Egyptian army in the Red Sea as they pursued the Israelites. Exodus 14:27-28 recounts, "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."

3. The Fall of Jericho: The overthrowing of Jericho is another significant event, where God delivered the city into the hands of the Israelites. Joshua 6:20 describes, "When the trumpets sounded, the people shouted, and when they heard the blast of the trumpet, the people gave a great shout, and the wall collapsed. So each man charged straight in, and they took the city."

4. The Overthrow of Nations: Throughout the prophetic books, God often speaks of overthrowing nations as a form of judgment. For instance, in Jeremiah 18:7-10 , God declares, "At any time I might announce that a nation or kingdom will be uprooted, torn down, and destroyed. But if that nation I warned turns from its evil, then I will relent of the disaster I had planned to inflict."

5. Spiritual Overthrow: In the New Testament, the concept of overthrowing extends to spiritual realms. In 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 , Paul writes, "The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We tear down arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

Theological Significance

The act of overthrowing in the Bible underscores God's sovereignty and justice. It serves as a reminder that God is the ultimate authority who can dismantle any power or structure that stands against His purposes. Overthrowing is often a response to persistent sin, rebellion, or idolatry, highlighting the seriousness with which God views disobedience. It also reflects the hope of deliverance and victory for those who align themselves with God's will, as seen in the deliverance of the Israelites and the spiritual triumphs in the New Testament.

Moral and Ethical Implications

From a moral and ethical standpoint, the biblical theme of overthrowing calls believers to examine their own lives and societies. It serves as a warning against complacency in sin and a call to repentance and alignment with God's standards. The narratives of overthrowing encourage believers to trust in God's justice and to seek His guidance in overcoming personal and communal challenges.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Overthrow.2692. katastrophe -- an overthrowing
... an overthrowing. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: katastrophe Phonetic
Spelling: (kat-as-trof-ay') Short Definition: overthrow, destruction ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2692.htm - 6k

The Overthrowing of the Arguments Above Urged by Way of Objection.
... the divine institutes. Book IV. Of True Wisdom and Religion. Chap. XXIV."The
Overthrowing of the Arguments Above Urged by Way of Objection. ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xxiv the overthrowing of the.htm

Of the Fact that the God of the Hebrews, Although the People were ...
... Book I. Chapter XIV."Of the Fact that the God of the Hebrews, Although the People
Were Conquered, Proved Himself to Be Unconquered, by Overthrowing the Idols ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter xiv of the fact that.htm

The Oblation of Fine Flour was a Figure of the Eucharist.
... world, with all things therein, for the sake of man, and for delivering us from
the evil in which we were, and for utterly overthrowing [2058] principalities ...
/.../chapter xli the oblation of fine.htm

The Limits of Liberty
... In that event, the responsibility of overthrowing what God had built lies
at the door of the tempter. The metaphor of 'overthrowing ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/the limits of liberty.htm

Perhaps There is no Book Within the Whole Canon of Scripture So ...
... a joyful shout over this verse; for to disconnect the books of the Bible from the
writers whose name they bear is a long step toward overthrowing the authority ...
/.../jennings/old groans and new songs/chapter i perhaps there is.htm

the harmony of the gospels
... Chapter XIV.--Of the Fact that the God of the Hebrews, Although the People Were
Conquered, Proved Himself to Be Unconquered, by Overthrowing the Idols, and by ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/the harmony of the gospels/

I Affirm that not one of the Faithful Has ever a Crown Upon his ...
... It is undoubted, so that we ought to inquire into the reason of the thing; but without
prejudice to the practice, not for the purpose of overthrowing it, but ...
/.../tertullian/the chaplet or de corona/chapter ii i affirm that.htm

The Transplanting of Congregationalism
... the Puritans saw in every objectionable ceremonial of the English church some hidden
purpose, some Jesuitical contrivance for overthrowing Protestantism. ...
/.../chapter ii the transplanting of.htm

Introduction.
... church, does itself evince one of the two grand points which the church maintains,
(without affecting the other) and is so far from overthrowing its doctrines ...
/.../introduction.htm

God's Sovereignty Defined
... Psa.115:3). To say that God is Sovereign is to declare that He is "The Governor
among the nations" (Psa.22:28), setting up kingdoms, overthrowing empires, and ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter one gods sovereignty defined.htm

Overthrowing (10 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Overthrow. Multi-Version
Concordance Overthrowing (10 Occurrences). Acts 13:19 Then ...
/o/overthrowing.htm - 9k

Overthrow (48 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To cause to fall or to fail; to subvert; to defeat; to make a ruin of; to
destroy. 3. (n.) The act of overthrowing; the state of being overthrow; ruin. ...
/o/overthrow.htm - 21k

Overthrown (44 Occurrences)

/o/overthrown.htm - 20k

Vindicate (18 Occurrences)
... to justify. 4. (vt) To maintain, as a law or a cause, by overthrowing enemies.
5. (vt) To liberate; to set free; to deliver. 6. (vt ...
/v/vindicate.htm - 11k

Upset (9 Occurrences)
... 2 Timothy 2:18 men who have erred concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection
is already past, and overthrowing the faith of some. (See NAS RSV). ...
/u/upset.htm - 9k

Upsetting (3 Occurrences)
... 2 Timothy 2:18 men who have erred concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection
is already past, and overthrowing the faith of some. (See RSV). ...
/u/upsetting.htm - 7k

Overthroweth (7 Occurrences)

/o/overthroweth.htm - 8k

Jeroham (11 Occurrences)
... (6) Father of Azariah, one of the captains who supported Jehoiada in overthrowing
Queen Athaliah (2 Chronicles 23:1). David Francis Roberts. ...
/j/jeroham.htm - 12k

Lifts (26 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 10:5 overthrowing reasonings and every high thing that lifts itself
up against the knowledge of God, and leading captive every thought into the ...
/l/lifts.htm - 13k

Fight (265 Occurrences)
... (BBE). 2 Corinthians 10:4 The weapons with which we fight are not human weapons,
but are mighty for God in overthrowing strong fortresses. (WEY BBE NIV). ...
/f/fight.htm - 38k

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