In biblical terms, the concept of "thwart" is often associated with the idea of hindering, opposing, or preventing the plans or actions of others. This notion can be seen throughout Scripture, where both human and divine actions are described as thwarting or being thwarted.

Divine Thwarting

God's sovereignty is a central theme in the Bible, and His ability to thwart the plans of humans and nations is frequently highlighted. In the book of Job, we find a clear expression of this idea: "He thwarts the plans of the crafty, so that their hands achieve no success" (Job 5:12). This verse underscores the belief that God can and does intervene in human affairs to prevent the success of those who act with deceit or malice.

Similarly, in the Psalms, the psalmist declares, "The LORD foils the plans of the nations; He thwarts the purposes of the peoples" (Psalm 33:10). This passage reflects the understanding that God's will ultimately prevails over human intentions, emphasizing His control over the course of history.

Human Thwarting

While divine thwarting is often portrayed as righteous and just, human attempts to thwart can be seen in both positive and negative lights, depending on the context and motivations. For instance, in the book of Nehemiah, we see a positive example of thwarting when Nehemiah and the Israelites work to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem despite opposition. Their enemies attempt to thwart their efforts, but Nehemiah prays, "But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat" (Nehemiah 4:9). Here, the thwarting of the enemies' plans is seen as a righteous act of perseverance and faithfulness to God's mission.

Conversely, the New Testament provides examples of negative thwarting, particularly in the context of the early church. In Acts, the Jewish leaders attempt to thwart the spread of the Gospel by persecuting the apostles. Despite their efforts, the apostles proclaim, "We must obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29), demonstrating that human attempts to thwart God's work are ultimately futile.

Spiritual Warfare

The concept of thwarting also extends into the realm of spiritual warfare. The apostle Paul writes about the spiritual battle faced by believers, urging them to "put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes" (Ephesians 6:11). In this context, thwarting is seen as resisting and overcoming the plans of the enemy through spiritual strength and reliance on God's power.

Conclusion

Throughout the Bible, the theme of thwarting is intricately connected to the broader narrative of God's sovereignty, human agency, and the spiritual battle between good and evil. Whether through divine intervention or human action, the thwarting of plans serves to highlight the ultimate authority and purpose of God in the world.1. (v.) To block or prevent; to frustrate; as, to thwart an attempted change; to thwart a rebellion.

2. (a.) Fig.: Perverse; crossgrained.

3. (a.) Thwartly; obliquely; transversely; athwart.

4. (prep.) Across; athwart.

5. (n.) A seat in an open boat reaching from one side to the other, or athwart the boat.

6. (v. t.) To move across or counter to; to cross; as, an arrow thwarts the air.

7. (v. t.) To cross, as a purpose; to oppose; to run counter to; to contravene; hence, to frustrate or defeat.

8. (v. i.) To move or go in an oblique or crosswise manner.

9. (v. i.) Hence, to be in opposition; to clash.

1143. dakno -- to bite
... bite. A prolonged form of a primary root; to bite, ie (figuratively) thwart -- bite.
(daknete) -- 1 Occurrence. 1142, 1143. dakno. 1144 . Strong's Numbers.
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1143.htm - 6k

4570. sbennumi -- to quench
... sbennumi Phonetic Spelling: (sben'-noo-mee) Short Definition: I extinguish, suppress
Definition: (a) I extinguish, quench, (b) I suppress, thwart. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4570.htm - 6k

6565a. parar -- to break, frustrate
... 1), frustrate (2), frustrated (2), frustrates (1), indeed annuls (2), ineffective
(1), made my void (1), nullifies (1), shattered (1), thwart (2), thwarted (1 ...
/hebrew/6565a.htm - 5k

Thwarting God's Purpose
... And if we take that meaning, there emerge from this great word of the Master's two
thoughts, that to disbelieve God's word is to thwart God's purpose, and that ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/thwarting gods purpose.htm

Self-Denial.
... such, and his; they seem to think something is gained by abstinence from what is
pleasant, or by the doing of what is disagreeable"that to thwart the lower ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/unspoken sermons/self-denial.htm

Whether the Angels Receive Grace and Glory According to the Degree ...
... of his sensitive part. But when there is nothing to retard or thwart it,
nature is moved with its whole energy. So it is reasonable ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the angels receive grace.htm

Thus Has the Question Been on Both Sides Considered and Treated...
... a parricide, we commit it along with him, if, being able, we do not slay him before
he can do the deed when we cannot in some other way prevent or thwart him. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on lying/section 12 thus has the.htm

"What Doest Thou Here?"
... Much depends on the unceasing activity of those who are true and loyal, and for
this reason Satan puts forth every possible effort to thwart the divine purpose ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 13 what doest thou.htm

Against Foolish Talking and Jesting.
... commonly need exposition, and admit exception: otherwise frequently they would not
only clash with reason and experience, but interfere, thwart, and supplant ...
/.../against foolish talking and jesting.htm

The Sinner's Need of Christ
... interposed. It was the tempter's purpose to thwart the divine plan in man's
creation, and fill the earth with woe and desolation. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 2 the sinners need.htm

Conflict and Comfort.
... The strife involved in prayer implies opposition"the opposing force of one
who wishes above all things to check and thwart our prayers. ...
/.../thomas/the prayers of st paul/vi conflict and comfort.htm

God's Sovereignty Defined
... God is Sovereign is to declare that He is the Almighty, the Possessor of all power
in Heaven and earth, so that none can defeat His counsels, thwart His purpose ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter one gods sovereignty defined.htm

The Kingdom of Judah.
... (2) That Jehovah was the God not only of Judah and of Israel but off all nations.
(3) That no man, no set of men and no nation can thwart the plans of God. ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xiv the kingdom of.htm

Thwart (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (v.) To block or prevent; to frustrate; as, to thwart
an attempted change; to thwart a rebellion. ...Thwart (5 Occurrences). ...
/t/thwart.htm - 8k

Countervail (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (vt) To offset; to act against with equal force, power, or effect; to thwart
or overcome by such action; to furnish an equivalent to or for; to ...
/c/countervail.htm - 7k

Spite (28 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) Ill-will or hatred toward another, accompanied with the disposition to irritate,
annoy, or thwart; petty malice; grudge; rancor; despite. ...
/s/spite.htm - 14k

Thwarted (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Thwart. Multi-Version Concordance
Thwarted (3 Occurrences). Job 5:13 He takes the wise in ...
/t/thwarted.htm - 7k

Tryphon
... The successes of the Jewish leaders awakened the jealousy and suspicion of Tryphon,
who determined to thwart the further plans of Jonathan and to remove him as ...
/t/tryphon.htm - 9k

Traverse (5 Occurrences)
... 14. (v.) To lay in a cross direction; to cross. 15. (v.) To cross by way of opposition;
to thwart with obstacles; to obstruct; to bring to naught. 16. ...
/t/traverse.htm - 10k

Rub (1 Occurrence)
... 5. (vt) To scour; to burnish; to polish; to brighten; to cleanse; -- often with
up or over; as, to rub up silver. 6. (vt) To hinder; to cross; to thwart. ...
/r/rub.htm - 8k

Discomfit (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To thwart the plans of; frustrate; disconcert.
2. (vt) To break up and frustrate the plans of; to ...
/d/discomfit.htm - 9k

Prevent (32 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To be beforehand with; to anticipate. 3. (vt) To intercept; to hinder; to
frustrate; to stop; to thwart. 4. (vi) To come before the usual time. Int. ...
/p/prevent.htm - 17k

Arah (3 Occurrences)
... He is sometimes identified with Arah of Nehemiah 6:18 whose grand-daughter became
the wife of Tobiah, the Ammonite who tried to thwart Nehemiah in rebuilding ...
/a/arah.htm - 7k

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