The term "riddance" in the Bible is often associated with the removal or deliverance from evil, sin, or undesirable elements. It signifies a divine intervention where God acts to purify or cleanse His people, ensuring their sanctity and holiness. The concept of riddance is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, reflecting God's desire for His people to be set apart and free from corruption.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the idea of riddance is frequently connected to God's judgment and the purging of sin from among His people. One of the most notable instances is found in the context of the Passover and the Exodus. In Exodus 12:12-13, God promises to pass through Egypt and strike down the firstborn, executing judgment on the gods of Egypt. This act of divine riddance was a means of delivering the Israelites from bondage and purifying them from the influence of Egyptian idolatry.

The concept is further illustrated in the laws concerning the removal of leaven during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. In Exodus 12:15, the Israelites are commanded to remove leaven from their houses, symbolizing the riddance of sin and corruption. This act serves as a physical representation of the spiritual cleansing that God desires for His people.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the theme of riddance is evident in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. Jesus' ministry was marked by acts of deliverance, where He cast out demons and healed the sick, signifying the riddance of evil and the establishment of God's kingdom. In Matthew 12:28 , Jesus states, "But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you." This declaration underscores the divine authority and power to rid the world of evil influences.

The apostle Paul also addresses the concept of riddance in his epistles. In 1 Corinthians 5:7 , Paul exhorts the church to "Get rid of the old leaven, that you may be a new unleavened batch, as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed." Here, Paul draws a parallel between the physical act of removing leaven and the spiritual act of purging sin from the community of believers.

Theological Significance

Theologically, riddance is an essential aspect of God's redemptive plan. It reflects His holiness and justice, as well as His mercy and grace. God's actions to rid His people of sin and evil are not merely punitive but are intended to restore and renew. The ultimate act of riddance is seen in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who bore the sins of humanity and provided a way for believers to be cleansed and reconciled to God.

In the eschatological sense, the Bible speaks of a future riddance when God will fully and finally remove all evil from creation. Revelation 21:4 promises a time when "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away." This ultimate riddance will usher in a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

Practical Application

For believers, the concept of riddance calls for a life of holiness and separation from sin. It encourages self-examination and repentance, aligning one's life with God's standards. The call to "rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind" (1 Peter 2:1) is a continual process of sanctification, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

In summary, riddance in the biblical context is a multifaceted concept that encompasses God's judgment, deliverance, and sanctification. It is a testament to His desire for a holy people, set apart for His purposes and glory.1. (n.) The act of ridding or freeing; deliverance; a cleaning up or out.

2. (n.) The state of being rid or free; freedom; escape.

RID; RIDDANCE

rid, rid'-ans: "Rid" originally meant "rescue" (the King James Version Genesis 37:22 Exodus 6:6 Psalm 82:4; Psalm 144:7, 11), whence the meaning "remove" or "clean out" (Leviticus 26:6 the King James Version, with "riddance" in Leviticus 23:22 Zephaniah 1:18). The word occurs in the American Standard Revised Version and in the English Revised Version in Exodus 6:6.

629. apolutrosis -- a release effected by payment of ransom
... From a compound of apo and lutron; (the act) ransom in full, ie (figuratively) riddance,
or (specially) Christian salvation -- deliverance, redemption. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/629.htm - 7k3617. kalah -- completion, complete destruction, consumption ...
... 2). altogether, be, utterly consumed, consummation, was determined, utter
end, riddance. From kalah; a completion; adverb, completely ...
/hebrew/3617.htm - 6k

3615. kalah -- to be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished ...
... an) end (of), expire, (cause to) fail, faint, finish, fulfil, X fully, X have, leave
(off), long, bring to pass, wholly reap, make clean riddance, spend, quite ...
/hebrew/3615.htm - 7k

Synopsis. --The Cardinal Point in the Present Discussion
... The present interest of chief moment is a riddance of the hoary fallacy that vitiates
the current idea of a supernatural Revelation by looking for its specific ...
/.../miracles and supernatural religion/viii synopsis the cardinal point in.htm

Letter cc. To Amphilochius, Bishop of Iconium.
... By him, then, I beseech your reverence especially to pray for me, that the Lord
may grant to me a riddance from this troublesome body of mine; to His Churches ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter cc to amphilochius bishop.htm

God's Dealings with the Earth During the Tribulation Period.
... deliver them in the day of the Lord's wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured
by the fire of His jealousy: for He shall make even a speedy riddance of all ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/3 gods dealings with the.htm

Rom. xvi. 17, 18
... of those who "caused divisions and offences among them," he has mentioned "the God
of peace" also, that they might feel hopeful about the riddance of these ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxxii rom xvi 17.htm

How Fruits Grow
... of that Life upon mind and character and will; and partly in the inspiration to
live and work for others, with all that that brings of self-riddance and Joy in ...
/.../the greatest thing in the world and other addresses/how fruits grow.htm

Why an External Guide is Necessary in the Beginning. ...
... Sec. Sec. 23, 24. Frequent consultations harmful. Sec. 25. Two general remedies
against difficulties: viz.1. Riddance.2. Patience. Sec. Sec. 26, 27. ...
/.../chapter ii why an external.htm

The Gaze of the Soul
... no attention to itself at all. While we are looking at God we do not see
ourselves"blessed riddance. The man who has struggled ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tozer/the pursuit of god/vii the gaze of the.htm

The Need and Nature of Conversion
... could get rid of the disease, the pain, the headaches, the qualms of conscience
which follow upon indulgence in sin, it would be a mischievous riddance for you ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 48 1902/the need and nature of.htm

Concerted Prayer
... By joining their prayers to his, there was the desired end of riddance from men
who were hurtful to the Church of God and who were a hindrance to the running ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the essentials of prayer/xi concerted prayer.htm

Manasseh and Josiah
... deliver them in the day of the Lord's wrath: but the whole land shall be devoured
by the fire of His jealousy: for He shall make even a speedy riddance of all ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 32 manasseh and josiah.htm

Riddance (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The state of being rid or free; freedom; escape. Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia. RID; RIDDANCE. ... Multi-Version Concordance Riddance (2 Occurrences). ...
/r/riddance.htm - 8k

Rid (39 Occurrences)
... destroy. 6. (vt) To get over; to dispose of; to dispatch; to finish. 7. (pp)
of Ride. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. RID; RIDDANCE. rid ...
/r/rid.htm - 19k

Ridden (5 Occurrences)

/r/ridden.htm - 8k

Reapest (3 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 23:22 And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not make clean
riddance of the corners of thy field when thou reapest, neither shalt thou ...
/r/reapest.htm - 7k

Dispatch (5 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) The act of sending a message or messenger in haste or on important
business. 8. (vt) Any sending away; dismissal; riddance. ...
/d/dispatch.htm - 9k

Maker (55 Occurrences)
... Psalm 144:3); "make an end" (Judges 3:18; Judges 15:17); "make an end" is also
"to bring to nought," "to destroy" (Isaiah 38:12); "make riddance" (Leviticus 23 ...
/m/maker.htm - 35k

Speedy (5 Occurrences)
... deliver them in the day of the LORD's wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured
by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all ...
/s/speedy.htm - 8k

Clean (298 Occurrences)
... clean over the Jordan" (literally, "finished with regard to J."); Leviticus 23:22
King James Version: "Shall not make a clean riddance" (literally, "shall not ...
/c/clean.htm - 44k

Make (12882 Occurrences)
... Psalm 144:3); "make an end" (Judges 3:18; Judges 15:17); "make an end" is also
"to bring to nought," "to destroy" (Isaiah 38:12); "make riddance" (Leviticus 23 ...
/m/make.htm - 22k

Stranger (152 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 23:22 And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not make clean
riddance of the corners of thy field when thou reapest, neither shalt thou ...
/s/stranger.htm - 57k

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