In the context of the Bible, the term "spoilers" refers to those who plunder, destroy, or bring ruin. This concept is often associated with enemies or invaders who devastate lands and peoples, acting as instruments of judgment or chaos. The notion of spoilers is prevalent throughout the Old Testament, where it is used to describe both literal and metaphorical destruction.

Old Testament References

The term "spoilers" is frequently found in the prophetic and historical books of the Old Testament. In Judges 2:14 , it is written, "Then the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He handed them over to plunderers who raided them. He sold them to their enemies all around, whom they were no longer able to resist." Here, spoilers are depicted as a divine instrument of judgment against Israel for their disobedience and idolatry.

In 2 Kings 17:20 , the text states, "So the LORD rejected all the descendants of Israel, afflicted them, and delivered them into the hands of plunderers, until He had banished them from His presence." This passage highlights the role of spoilers as agents of divine retribution, emphasizing the consequences of Israel's persistent sin.

The book of Jeremiah also contains references to spoilers. Jeremiah 12:12 declares, "Over all the barren heights in the wilderness destroyers have come, for the sword of the LORD devours from one end of the land to the other. No flesh has peace." Here, spoilers are synonymous with destroyers, illustrating the comprehensive nature of the devastation they bring.

Symbolic and Metaphorical Use

Beyond the literal sense, spoilers can also be understood in a symbolic or metaphorical context. They represent the forces of chaos and destruction that oppose God's order and righteousness. In this sense, spoilers can be seen as manifestations of evil or sin that seek to undermine the divine plan.

The concept of spoilers is not limited to physical destruction but extends to spiritual and moral realms. In Proverbs 24:15 , it is advised, "Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, near the dwelling of the righteous; do not destroy his resting place." This verse warns against the moral and spiritual spoilers who seek to corrupt or harm the righteous.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the presence of spoilers in the biblical narrative underscores the reality of sin and its consequences. Spoilers serve as a reminder of the fallen state of the world and the ongoing spiritual battle between good and evil. They highlight the need for divine intervention and redemption, pointing to the ultimate hope found in God's promise of restoration.

The role of spoilers also emphasizes the importance of faithfulness and obedience to God. The Israelites' experiences with spoilers often resulted from their failure to uphold the covenant with God. Thus, the concept serves as a cautionary tale, urging believers to remain steadfast in their commitment to God's commands.

Conclusion

While the term "spoilers" may not be as commonly used in contemporary language, its biblical significance remains relevant. It encapsulates the themes of judgment, destruction, and the struggle between divine order and chaos. Through the lens of Scripture, spoilers are both a historical reality and a spiritual metaphor, reflecting the ongoing tension between sin and redemption in the human experience.

I Will Run in My Affections, to Him who Heals Freely
... me. 11. The husbandmen were plundered, the spoilers heaped the grain; what
thou had borrowed and sown these destroyed. With one's ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn vi i will run.htm

Israel's Obstinacy and God's Patience
... And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and He delivered them into the
hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and He sold them into the hands of their ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture f/israels obstinacy and gods patience.htm

Nor Should I Think it Needful to Discuss Whether God Pursues a ...
... they forsake the God of their fathers, and serve idols, Baalim and Ashtaroth; [8248]
and the Lord in anger delivered them up to the hands of spoilers, and they ...
/.../scorpiace antidote for the scorpions sting/chapter iii nor should i.htm

I Would Now have These Most Religious Protectors and vindicators ...
... on them; and that mines of silver are made into dishes (it were little if this applied
only to senators, and not to freedmen or even mere whip-spoilers [84] ). ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/apology/chapter vi i would now.htm

Others of Your Writers, in their Wantonness, Even Minister to Your ...
... Perhaps they too would be spoilers of them, if they worshipped in them. What then
do they worship, since their objects of worship are different from yours? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/apology/chapter xv others of your.htm

At the Front or the Base
... off. Wearied already with their long march, they set off at once in pursuit
of the spoilers, who had had a long start of them. When ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/at the front or the.htm

'Fit, Though Few'
... If any thorough deliverance from the misery which departure from God has wrought
is to be effected, we must destroy the idols before we attack the spoilers. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/fit though few.htm

A Homily on Guria and Shamuna, Composed by Mar Jacob.
... duteously: Bulwarks of our land, who became to us as it were a defence. Against
all spoilers in all the wars that surrounded us: Havens ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/a homily on guria and.htm

John x. 14, 15
... Having therefore mentioned the marks of a shepherd, Christ hath put two kinds of
spoilers; one, the thief who kills and steals; the other, one who doth not ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily lx john x 14.htm

Psalm 137
... 3For there a song required they,. who did us captive bring: Our spoilers call'd
for mirth, and said,. A song of Sion sing. ^4O how the Lord's song shall we sing ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/scottish psalter and paraphrases/psalm 137.htm

Spoilers (19 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Spoilers (19 Occurrences). ... Judges 2:16 And Jehovah raiseth
up judges, and they save them from the hand of their spoilers; (YLT). ...
/s/spoilers.htm - 12k

Plunderers (9 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 17:20 Yahweh rejected all the seed of Israel, and afflicted them, and delivered
them into the hand of spoilers, until he had cast them out of his sight ...
/p/plunderers.htm - 9k

Spoiler (11 Occurrences)
... Spoiler (11 Occurrences). 1 Samuel 14:48 And he did valiantly, and smote the Amalekites,
and delivered Israel out of the hands of their spoilers. ...
/s/spoiler.htm - 11k

Raiders (12 Occurrences)
... Judges 2:14 The anger of Yahweh was kindled against Israel, and he delivered them
into the hands of spoilers who despoiled them; and he sold them into the ...
/r/raiders.htm - 9k

Parties (13 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 13:17 The spoilers came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies:
one company turned to the way that leads to Ophrah, to the land of Shual ...
/p/parties.htm - 10k

Consuming (26 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 12:12 On all high places in the plain have spoilers come in, For the sword
of Jehovah is consuming, From the end of the land even unto the end of the ...
/c/consuming.htm - 14k

Quaked (13 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 14:15 There was a trembling in the camp, in the field, and among all the
people; the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled; and the earth ...
/q/quaked.htm - 10k

Vicinity (18 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 13:17 The spoilers came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies:
one company turned to the way that leads to Ophrah, to the land of Shual ...
/v/vicinity.htm - 11k

Kicketh (6 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 17:20 And Jehovah kicketh against all the seed of Israel, and afflicteth
them, and giveth them into the hand of spoilers, till that He hath cast them ...
/k/kicketh.htm - 8k

Outposts (2 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 14:15 There was a trembling in the camp, in the field, and among all the
people; the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled; and the earth ...
/o/outposts.htm - 7k

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