The term "overturn" in the biblical context often refers to God's sovereign ability to reverse, disrupt, or change the course of events, nations, or individuals according to His divine will and purpose. This concept is woven throughout Scripture, illustrating God's supreme authority over creation and history.

Old Testament References

1. Ezekiel 21:27 · "A ruin, a ruin, I will make it a ruin! It will not be restored until the arrival of Him to whom it belongs, to whom I have assigned judgment." In this passage, God declares His intention to overturn the existing order until the rightful ruler, interpreted by many as a messianic prophecy, comes to establish true justice and authority.

2. Job 12:15-25 · Job speaks of God's power to overturn the natural and social order: "He deprives the earth’s leaders of reason and makes them wander in a trackless wasteland." This passage highlights God's ability to confound human wisdom and leadership, demonstrating His ultimate control over human affairs.

3. Isaiah 29:16 · "You have turned things upside down, as if the potter were regarded as clay. Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'He did not make me'? Can the pot say to the potter, 'He knows nothing'?" Here, the prophet Isaiah uses the imagery of overturning to describe the folly of questioning God's authority and wisdom, emphasizing the Creator's right to shape His creation as He sees fit.

New Testament References

1. John 2:15 · "So He made a whip out of cords and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; He scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables." Jesus' actions in the temple serve as a physical manifestation of overturning corrupt practices and restoring the sanctity of worship, symbolizing a deeper spiritual cleansing and reformation.

2. Acts 17:6 · "But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting, 'These men who have turned the world upside down have now come here.'" The early Christians were accused of overturning societal norms and challenging established beliefs, reflecting the transformative power of the Gospel to disrupt and renew.

Theological Implications

The concept of overturning in the Bible underscores the theme of divine intervention and the reordering of human affairs according to God's purposes. It serves as a reminder of God's omnipotence and the transient nature of human power and plans. Throughout Scripture, God is depicted as the ultimate authority who can overturn kingdoms, humble the proud, and elevate the humble, aligning with His redemptive plan for humanity.

Practical Application

Believers are encouraged to trust in God's sovereign ability to overturn circumstances for His glory and their good. This trust calls for humility, recognizing that human understanding is limited and that God's ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). In times of uncertainty or injustice, Christians are reminded to seek God's will and remain steadfast in faith, knowing that He can and will bring about His perfect purposes in His perfect timing.1. (v. t.) To turn or throw from a basis, foundation, or position; to overset; as, to overturn a carriage or a building.

2. (v. t.) To subvert; to destroy; to overthrow.

3. (v. t.) To overpower; to conquer.

4. (n.) The act off overturning, or the state of being overturned or subverted; overthrow; as, an overturn of parties.

390. anastrepho -- to overturn, turn back
... to overturn, turn back. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: anastrepho Phonetic
Spelling: (an-as-tref'-o) Short Definition: I overturn, turn upside down ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/390.htm - 7k

396. anatrepo -- to overturn, destroy
... to overturn, destroy. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: anatrepo Phonetic Spelling:
(an-at-rep'-o) Short Definition: I subvert, overturn, overthrow ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/396.htm - 6k

2690. katastrepho -- to overturn
... to overturn. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: katastrepho Phonetic Spelling:
(kat-as-tref'-o) Short Definition: I overturn, overthrow Definition: I overturn ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2690.htm - 6k

2692. katastrophe -- an overthrowing
... overthrow, subverting. From katastrepho; an overturn ("catastrophe"), ie Demolition;
figuratively, apostasy -- overthrow, subverting. see GREEK katastrepho. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2692.htm - 6k

2015. haphak -- to turn, overturn
... 2014, 2015. haphak. 2016 . to turn, overturn. Transliteration: haphak Phonetic
Spelling: (haw-fak') Short Definition: turned. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/2015.htm - 6k

5557. salaph -- to twist, pervert, overturn
... 5556, 5557. salaph. 5558 . to twist, pervert, overturn. Transliteration: salaph
Phonetic Spelling: (saw-laf') Short Definition: overthrows. Word Origin a prim ...
/hebrew/5557.htm - 6k

5754. avvah -- distortion, ruin
... from avah Definition distortion, ruin NASB Word Usage ruin (3). overturn. Intensive
from avah abbreviated; overthrow -- X overturn. see HEBREW avah. ...
/hebrew/5754.htm - 6k

The Overturning which is visible on Every Hand.
... every hand. "I will overturn, overturn, overturn it, and it shall be no
more, until He come whose right it is" (Ezek.21:27). In ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/5 the overturning which is.htm

The Antichrist Will be a Jew
... I will overturn, overturn, overturn it: and it shall be no more until he comes whose
right it is, and I will give it him." The dispensational place and scope ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/i the antichrist will be.htm

The Profane and Wicked Prince of Israel
... I will overturn, overturn, overturn it: and it shall be no more, until He come
whose right it is; and I will give it Him" (Ezek.21:25-27). ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/19 the profane and wicked.htm

Antichrist in Ezekiel
... high. I will overturn, overturn, overturn it; and it shall be no more,
until He come whose right it is; and I will give it Him." ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/3 antichrist in ezekiel.htm

Ezekiel's Discourse
... high. I will overturn, overturn, overturn it: this also shall be no more,
until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him. 4. ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/vi ezekiels discourse.htm

I am Told, to Take Another Point, that one of his Followers ...
... to my brethren when they asked me for my opinion, not intending to prescribe for
others what they may think right to believe, nor to overturn their resolution ...
/.../32 i am told to.htm

The Figurative Language of Scripture.
... mighty overturnings among the nations, social, moral, and political, that are here
predicted, as Jehovah says by Ezekiel: "I will overturn, overturn, overturn ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxv the figurative language.htm

A vision of the Latter-Day Glories
... She shall say, "Overturn! overturn! overturn! until he come, whose right it is;
and I will give it HIM" The destiny of the church is universal monarchy. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/a vision of the latter-day.htm

Manasseh
... It seemed to be his great ambition to overturn and destroy the sacred edifice which
his father's hands, with untiring prayer and devotion, had raised. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/manasseh.htm

The Last King of Judah
... "I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it," was the divine edict concerning the throne
of the house of David; "and it shall be no more, until He come whose ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 36 the last king.htm

Overturn (5 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To turn or throw from a basis, foundation, or position; to overset; as,
to overturn a carriage or a building. ...Overturn (5 Occurrences). ...
/o/overturn.htm - 8k

Trace (7 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 21:27 I will overturn, overturn, overturn it: this also shall be no more,
until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him. (See RSV). ...
/t/trace.htm - 10k

King (25505 Occurrences)
... amid his wheels, sees in the course of Providence many revolutions, but they are
all to bring about the dominion of Christ: "I will overturn, overturn, overturn...
/k/king.htm - 64k

Overturned (41 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Overturn. Multi-Version Concordance
Overturned (41 Occurrences). Matthew 21:12 Entering ...
/o/overturned.htm - 18k

Upset (9 Occurrences)
... hammering on the ends. 4. (vt) To overturn, overthrow, or overset; as, to
upset a carriage; to upset an argument. 5. (vt) To disturb ...
/u/upset.htm - 9k

Subvert (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To overturn from the foundation; to
overthrow; to ruin utterly. 2. (vt) To pervert, as the mind ...
/s/subvert.htm - 9k

Restored (77 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 21:27 I will overturn, overturn, overturn it: this also shall be no more,
until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him. (See NIV). ...
/r/restored.htm - 29k

Overtook (35 Occurrences)

/o/overtook.htm - 17k

Overwhelm (18 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Job 12:15 Behold, He withholdeth the waters, and they dry up; also
He sendeth them out, and they overturn the earth. (See RSV). ...
/o/overwhelm.htm - 11k

Overthrow (48 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To overturn; to upset; to vanquish an
established ruler. 2. (vt) To cause to fall or to fail; to ...
/o/overthrow.htm - 21k

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