Topical Encyclopedia In biblical times, the term "robber" referred to individuals who engaged in theft, often with violence or threat, and were considered lawbreakers and sinners. The Bible provides various references to robbers, illustrating both literal and metaphorical uses of the term.Old Testament Context The Old Testament frequently addresses the issue of theft and robbery, emphasizing the moral and legal prohibitions against such acts. In the Mosaic Law, stealing was explicitly condemned, and restitution was required for those who committed theft (Exodus 22:1-4). Robbery was seen as a violation of God's commandments and an affront to the community's well-being. The prophets often used the imagery of robbery to describe the spiritual and moral decay of Israel. For example, in Hosea 6:9, the prophet compares the priests to bands of robbers: "As marauders lie in ambush for a man, so do bands of priests; they murder on the road to Shechem and commit atrocities." New Testament Context In the New Testament, the term "robber" is used both literally and figuratively. The most notable mention of robbers is in the account of Jesus' crucifixion, where He was crucified between two robbers. Matthew 27:38 states, "Two robbers were crucified with Him, one on His right and the other on His left." This fulfilled the prophecy that the Messiah would be "numbered with the transgressors" (Isaiah 53:12). The parable of the Good Samaritan, found in Luke 10:30-37, also features robbers. Jesus describes a man who was attacked by robbers, stripped, beaten, and left half-dead. This parable highlights the call to love and show mercy to one's neighbor, contrasting the actions of the robbers with the compassion of the Samaritan. In John 10:1, Jesus uses the imagery of a robber to describe false teachers and leaders: "Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever does not enter the sheepfold by the gate, but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber." Here, the term "robber" is used metaphorically to warn against those who seek to harm or exploit the flock of God. Theological Implications Robbery, in the biblical sense, is not merely a physical act of theft but also a symbol of spiritual and moral corruption. It represents a heart turned away from God's commandments and a life that seeks personal gain at the expense of others. The Bible consistently calls believers to a life of integrity, honesty, and love for one's neighbor, standing in stark contrast to the actions of a robber. The transformation of a sinner, including a robber, is a testament to the power of God's grace. The account of Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector who repented and made restitution, illustrates the possibility of redemption and change (Luke 19:1-10). This narrative underscores the hope and forgiveness available through Christ, even for those who have lived as robbers. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (n.) One who robs; in law, one who feloniously takes goods or money from the person of another by violence or by putting him in fear.International Standard Bible Encyclopedia ROBBER; ROBBERYrob'-er, rob'-er-i: "Robber" represents no particular Hebrew word in the Old Testament, but in the Apocrypha and the New Testament is always a translation of lestes (see THIEF). In the King James Version Job 5:5; Job 18:9, "robber" stands for the doubtful word tsammim, the Revised Version (British and American) "hungry" in J Obadiah 5:5 and "snare" in 18:9. The meaning is uncertain, and perhaps tseme'im, "thirsty," should be read in both places. Psalm 62:10, "Become not vain in robbery," means "put not your trust in riches dishonestly gained." RV's changes of the King James Version in Proverbs 21:7 Daniel 11:14 Nahum 3:1 are obvious. In Philippians 2:6 the King James Version reads "thought it not robbery to be equal with God." the English Revised Version has "a prize," while the English Revised Version margin and the American Standard Revised Version read "a thing to be grasped," the American Standard Revised Version rewording "counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped." The Greek here is harpagmos, a word derived from harpazo, "to ravish away," "carry off," "plunder" (compare "harpy"). Properly speaking, the termination -mos should give the derived noun an active sense, "the act of plundering," whence the King James Version's "robbery." The verse would then mean "who thought that being on an equality with God did not consist in grasping," and this translation gives good sense in the context and has some excellent scholarly support. But a passive significance is frequently found despite a -mos termination, giving to harpagmos the sense of "thing grasped," as in the Revised Version (British and American). Usually English commentators take "grasped" as meaning "clung to"-"did not think equality with God should be clung to tenaciously"-but "to cling to" seems unknown as a translation of harpazo. Hence, render "a thing to be grasped at"-did not seek equality with God by selfish methods but by humbling himself." It is to be noticed, naturally, that Paul is thinking of "equality with God" simply in the sense of "receiving explicit adoration from men" (Philippians 2:10, 11), and that the metaphysical relation of the Son to the Father is not at all in point. Greek 3027. lestes -- a robber ... a robber. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: lestes Phonetic Spelling: (lace-tace') Short Definition: a robber, brigand, bandit Definition: a ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3027.htm - 7k 912. Barabbas -- "son of Abba," Barabbas, the Isr. robber released ... 727. harpax -- rapacious 2417. hierosulos -- robbing temples 2416. hierosuleo -- to rob a temple Strong's Hebrew 6782. tsammim -- perhaps a snare, trap... robber. From the same as tsammah; a noose (as fastening); figuratively, destruction -- robber. see HEBREW tsammah. 6781b, 6782. tsammim. 6783 . ... /hebrew/6782.htm - 6k 6530. parits -- violent one 2863. chetheph -- prey 7703. shadad -- to deal violently with, despoil, devastate, ruin 1980. halak -- to go, come, walk 962. bazaz -- to spoil, plunder 1121. ben -- son 2541. chamots -- the ruthless (ones) 2412. Chatipha -- one of the Nethinim Library Martin Converts a Robber to the Faith. Martin Demolishes an Altar Consecrated to a Robber. And I Joseph Begged the Body of Jesus, and Put it in a New Tomb... After I had Beheld These Things, as I was Going into Galilee with ... The Penitent Thief Having Therefore done Many and Dreadful Things against Jesus that ... Petilianus Said: "Which Holy Spirit Certainly Cannot Come on You.. ... The Second Word Three Afternoons Off the Track The Penitent Thief. Ch. 23:39-43 Thesaurus Robber (14 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ROBBER; ROBBERY. ... See also GRASP. Burton Scott Easton. Multi-Version Concordance Robber (14 Occurrences). ... /r/robber.htm - 13k Rebellion (51 Occurrences) Fight (265 Occurrences) Thief (41 Occurrences) Robbery (18 Occurrences) Clubs (7 Occurrences) Swords (50 Occurrences) Barabbas (10 Occurrences) Leading (101 Occurrences) Runner (5 Occurrences) Resources What is ethical relativism? | GotQuestions.orgDid Adam and Eve know what death was when God commanded them not to eat from the tree of knowledge? | GotQuestions.org What are the seven I AM statements in the Gospel of John? | GotQuestions.org Robber: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Robber (14 Occurrences)Matthew 24:43 Matthew 26:55 Mark 14:48 Luke 12:39 Luke 22:52 John 10:1 John 18:40 1 Corinthians 5:11 Job 5:5 Job 18:9 Proverbs 6:11 Proverbs 23:28 Proverbs 24:34 Ezekiel 18:10 Subtopics Related Terms |
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