The concept of "topple" in the Bible often refers to the act of overthrowing or causing something to fall, typically in the context of divine judgment or the downfall of nations and idols. This theme is prevalent throughout the Scriptures, illustrating God's sovereignty and power over earthly kingdoms and false gods.

Divine Judgment and Nations:

The Bible frequently uses the imagery of toppling to describe God's judgment against nations that have turned away from His commandments. In Isaiah 13:19, the prophet speaks of Babylon's downfall: "And Babylon, the jewel of kingdoms, the glory of the pride of the Chaldeans, will be overthrown by God like Sodom and Gomorrah." This passage highlights the certainty and completeness of God's judgment, likening the toppling of Babylon to the utter destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Similarly, in Jeremiah 51:58, the Lord declares, "The broad walls of Babylon will be leveled, and her high gates will be set on fire; the peoples will labor for nothing, and the nations will exhaust themselves only to fuel the flames." Here, the toppling of Babylon's defenses symbolizes the futility of human efforts against divine will.

Idols and False Gods:

The Bible also uses the concept of toppling in the context of idols and false gods. In 1 Samuel 5:3-4, the Philistines capture the Ark of the Covenant and place it in the temple of Dagon. The next morning, they find their idol toppled: "When the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the LORD. So they took Dagon and put him back in his place. But the following morning when they rose, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the LORD. His head and hands had been broken off and were lying on the threshold; only his body remained." This event demonstrates the superiority of the God of Israel over the false gods of the nations.

Moral and Spiritual Implications:

The theme of toppling extends beyond physical destruction to moral and spiritual realms. Proverbs 16:18 warns, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." This verse underscores the idea that arrogance and self-reliance lead to a spiritual downfall, a toppling of one's moral standing before God.

In the New Testament, Jesus speaks of the spiritual toppling of those who reject His teachings. In Matthew 7:26-27, He compares such individuals to a foolish man who builds his house on sand: "The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its collapse." This parable illustrates the inevitable downfall of those who do not build their lives on the solid foundation of Christ's words.

Conclusion:

The biblical theme of toppling serves as a powerful reminder of God's ultimate authority over all creation. Whether it is the downfall of mighty empires, the destruction of idols, or the moral collapse of individuals, the Scriptures consistently affirm that nothing can stand against the will and power of God.1. (v. i.) To fall forward; to pitch or tumble down.

2. (v. t.) To throw down; to overturn.

4531. saleuo -- to agitate, shake, by ext. to cast down
... From salos; to waver, ie Agitate, rock, topple or (by implication) destroy;
figuratively, to disturb, incite -- move, shake (together), which can(-not) be ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4531.htm - 7k5307. naphal -- to fall, lie
... 2), lying (5), making (1), perish (1), present (1), presenting (3), prostrating
(1), remains (1), settled (1), surely fall (1), throw (2), topple (1), turns (1 ...
/hebrew/5307.htm - 7k

Book Nine the End of the Autobiography. ...
... shining white, and from death to life, crowded into the bosom of our thoughts and
burned and consumed our sluggish temper, that we might not topple back into ...
/.../augustine/confessions and enchiridion/book nine the end of.htm

Church Union.
... which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.' So long, however, as the general proportions
were the same, there was no fear that the new edifice would topple over if ...
//christianbookshelf.org/fagg/forty years in south china/viii church union.htm

Weak People Fall an Easy Prey to Heresy, which Derives Strength ...
... is usual, indeed, with persons of a weaker character, to be so built up (in confidence)
by certain individuals who are caught by heresy, as to topple over into ...
/.../the prescription against heretics/chapter iii weak people fall an.htm

Christ Repressing Rash Discipleship
... own strength. Vows which rest on no firmer foundation than these are sure
to sink and topple over into ruin. Discipleship which ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture a/christ repressing rash discipleship.htm

February the Ninth the Rock and the Bowing Wall
... The wicked is "as a bowing wall." The wall is out of perpendicular, out of conformity
with the truth of the plumb-line, and it will assuredly topple into ruin. ...
/.../my daily meditation for the circling year/february the ninth the rock.htm

May the Fourteenth Calamity as Revealer
... He feared because a great pillar had fallen: and he found the Pillar of the universe.
He thought everything would topple into disaster, and lo! ...
/.../my daily meditation for the circling year/may the fourteenth calamity as.htm

As his Lungs were Affected, He Meditates Withdrawing Himself from ...
... black Thou hadst made bright, and of dead, alive, crowded in the bosom of our thoughts,
burned and consumed our heavy torpor, that we might not topple into the ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/chapter ii as his lungs were.htm

The Grave of the Dead John and the Grave of the Living Jesus
... did? The keystone of the arch was in both cases withdrawn"why did the one
structure topple into ruin while the other stood firm? ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the grave of the dead.htm

Jotham
... under hatches"such a life is sure to be a topsy-turvy life, which, being based upon
the narrowest point, must, by the laws of equilibrium, topple over sooner ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/jotham.htm

Charity and Conflict.
... God grant us not to be of that number, for, if we are, He will topple us
from the very gates of Heaven down to the nethermost hell. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/booth/godliness/chapter v charity and conflict.htm

Topple (3 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To throw down; to overturn. Multi-Version Concordance Topple (3 Occurrences).
Psalms 62:4 They fully intend to throw him down from his lofty place. ...
/t/topple.htm - 7k

Tops (37 Occurrences)

/t/tops.htm - 18k

Level (31 Occurrences)
... or a garden. 16. (vt) To bring to a lower level; to overthrow; to topple
down; to reduce to a flat surface; to lower. 17. (vt) To ...
/l/level.htm - 19k

Topmost (4 Occurrences)

/t/topmost.htm - 7k

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