Plundering, in the biblical context, refers to the act of seizing goods or property by force, often during times of war or conflict. This concept is prevalent throughout the Scriptures, illustrating both divine judgment and human sinfulness. The act of plundering is often associated with warfare, conquest, and divine retribution, serving as a tool for both punishment and provision.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, plundering is frequently mentioned in the context of Israel's battles and conquests. The Israelites, under God's command, were often instructed to take spoils from their enemies as a form of divine judgment. For instance, in the conquest of Jericho, God commanded the Israelites to devote the city to destruction, taking only the silver, gold, and vessels of bronze and iron for the treasury of the Lord (Joshua 6:19). This act of plundering was not merely for material gain but served as a means to fulfill God's covenant promises and execute His justice.

The book of Exodus recounts the plundering of the Egyptians by the Israelites as they departed from slavery. God instructed the Israelites to ask the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold, and the Lord gave them favor in the sight of the Egyptians, allowing them to plunder the Egyptians (Exodus 12:35-36). This event symbolizes God's deliverance and provision for His people.

Prophetic Warnings and Judgments

The prophets often spoke of plundering as a form of divine judgment against nations that opposed God and His people. In Isaiah 10:13-14, the Assyrian king boasts of his conquests and plundering, yet God promises to punish him for his arrogance and pride. Similarly, in Habakkuk 2:8, the prophet declares that because of the violence done to Lebanon and the destruction of animals, the nations that plundered will themselves be plundered.

New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, the concept of plundering takes on a more spiritual dimension. Jesus uses the imagery of plundering in His parable about binding the strong man: "But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house" (Mark 3:27). Here, Jesus illustrates His authority over Satan, depicting His mission to liberate those held captive by sin and evil.

Moral and Ethical Considerations

While plundering is depicted as a tool of divine justice in certain biblical narratives, it is also condemned when carried out unjustly or with greed. The Bible warns against covetousness and the unlawful taking of others' property. In Micah 2:1-2, the prophet condemns those who covet fields and seize them, warning of God's impending judgment on such actions.

Conclusion

Plundering in the Bible serves as a multifaceted concept, illustrating both the righteous judgment of God and the sinful tendencies of humanity. It underscores the themes of divine justice, provision, and the ultimate authority of God over all nations and peoples.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Plunder.724. harpage -- pillage, plundering
... pillage, plundering. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: harpage Phonetic
Spelling: (har-pag-ay') Short Definition: the act of plundering, plunder ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/724.htm - 6k8154. shasah -- to spoil, plunder
... root Definition to spoil, plunder NASB Word Usage despoiled (1), pillage (1), plunder
(1), plundered (3), plunderers (2), plundering (1), taken spoil (1). ...
/hebrew/8154.htm - 6k

The Jews Make all Ready for the War; and Simon, the Son of Gioras ...
... CHAPTER 22. The Jews Make All Ready For The War; And Simon, The Son Of Gioras,
Falls To Plundering. 1. And thus were the disturbances ...
/.../chapter 22 the jews make.htm

Concerning Masada and those Sicarii who Kept It; and How Silva ...
... against those that were willing to submit to the Romans, and treated them in all
respects as if they had been their enemies, both by plundering them of what ...
/.../chapter 8 concerning masada and.htm

Smuggling in Cornwall
... hear from me. I was afterward inquiring if that scandal of Cornwall, the
plundering of wrecked vessels, still subsisted. He said ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/smuggling in cornwall.htm

Hebrews x. 32-34
... Well then, the plundering was perhaps from the force of the plunderers, and no man
could prevent it; so that as yet it is not clear, that ye endured the ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxi hebrews x 32-34.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xix. 17, "If Thou Wouldest Enter ...
... as thyself." [2797] These do; why do I call to thee, to sell thy possessions, from
whom I cannot gain, that thou wouldest keep from plundering what is another's ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xxxv on the words.htm

John vi. 16-18
... one, "do the wicked grow rich, how the unjust and impure, plunderers and covetous?"
Not by God's giving; (away with the thought!) but by plundering, and taking ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xliii john vi 16-18.htm

I am Joseph of Arimath??a, who Begged from Pilate the Body of the ...
... And to Caiaphas and the multitude of the Jews it was not a passover, but it was
a great mourning to them, on account of the plundering of the sanctuary by the ...
/.../unknown/the narrative of joseph of arimathaea/chapter 1 i am joseph.htm

Discipline
... But such a people, the wise Balaam saw, would not be mere conquerors, like those
savage hordes, or plundering armies, which have so often swept over the earth ...
/.../kingsley/discipline and other sermons/sermon i discipline.htm

The visit to Media.
... wild boar."He is again reproved."Cyrus carries his game home."Distributes it among
his companions."Another hunting party."A plundering party."Cyrus ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter iii the visit to.htm

The Restoration of the Jews.
... sometimes deposing him and appointing another sovereign in his stead, sometimes
assessing a tax or tribute upon the land, and sometimes plundering the city ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter ix the restoration of.htm

Plundering (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Plunder. Multi-Version
Concordance Plundering (3 Occurrences). Hebrews 10:34 For you ...
/p/plundering.htm - 7k

Predatory (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Living by preying upon others; plundering;
pillaging. 2. (a.) Characterized by plundering; practicing ...
/p/predatory.htm - 7k

Plunder (118 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To take by pillage; to appropriate forcibly; as, the enemy plundered all
the goods they found. 3. (n.) The act of plundering or pillaging; robbery. ...
/p/plunder.htm - 37k

Kittim (8 Occurrences)
... Referring to the plundering of the temple of Aphrodite at Askalon by the Scythians
(i.105), he states that her temple in Cyprus was an offshoot from that ...
/k/kittim.htm - 15k

Naomi (25 Occurrences)
... as Epiphanes is concerned, but may have been suggested or colored by the story of
the death of Antiochus the Great, who met his death while plundering a temple ...
/n/naomi.htm - 17k

Nanaea
... as Epiphanes is concerned, but may have been suggested or colored by the story of
the death of Antiochus the Great, who met his death while plundering a temple ...
/n/nanaea.htm - 8k

Joyfully (37 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 10:34 For you both had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted
the plundering of your possessions, knowing that you have for yourselves a ...
/j/joyfully.htm - 16k

Jericho (59 Occurrences)
... qv) writes to the king of Egypt informing him that the `Abiri (Hebrews) had prevailed,
and had taken the fortress of Jericho, and were plundering "all the ...
/j/jericho.htm - 38k

Lasting (40 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 10:34 For you both had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted
the plundering of your possessions, knowing that you have for yourselves a ...
/l/lasting.htm - 19k

Gideon (45 Occurrences)
... qv) and Amalekites, with other "children of the east," crossed the Jordan each year
for seven successive years for the purpose of plundering and desolating the ...
/g/gideon.htm - 36k

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