Topical Bible: Widows: The Wicked: Slay

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In the biblical context, widows are often depicted as vulnerable members of society who require protection and care. The Scriptures frequently emphasize the importance of justice and compassion towards widows, reflecting God's concern for their well-being. However, there are instances where the wicked are described as those who oppress or even slay widows, highlighting their moral depravity and the severity of their actions.

The Bible explicitly condemns the mistreatment of widows, associating such actions with wickedness. In the Old Testament, the prophets often rebuke Israel for failing to uphold justice for widows. For example, in Isaiah 1:23 , the prophet declares, "Your rulers are rebels, friends of thieves. They all love bribes and chase after gifts. They do not defend the cause of the fatherless, and the widow’s case does not come before them." This verse underscores the neglect and exploitation faced by widows at the hands of corrupt leaders, equating their failure to protect widows with wickedness.

The Psalms also reflect on the plight of widows and the wickedness of those who harm them. Psalm 94:6 states, "They slay the widow and the foreigner; they murder the fatherless." This verse portrays the wicked as those who commit acts of violence against the most defenseless members of society, including widows. The psalmist calls for divine justice against such evildoers, emphasizing that God is aware of their actions and will not ignore their cries for help.

In the New Testament, the theme of caring for widows continues, with the early church being instructed to provide for their needs. James 1:27 highlights the importance of this responsibility: "Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world." The wicked, therefore, are those who fail to uphold this standard of care and instead exploit or harm widows.

The biblical narrative consistently portrays the slaying or oppression of widows as a grave sin, indicative of a broader moral corruption. The wicked are those who, in their disregard for God's commandments, choose to prey upon the vulnerable, including widows. This behavior is met with strong condemnation throughout Scripture, as it stands in stark contrast to the divine mandate to protect and provide for those in need.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 94:6
They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Epistle Lxviii. To Florentius Pupianus, on Calumniators.
... a wicked tongue;" [2798] and again: "A wicked doer giveth ... chaste virgins, so many
praiseworthy widows; finally, all ... come now therefore, let us slay him." [2806 ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle lxviii to florentius pupianus.htm

Article xxvii (xiii): of Monastic Vows.
... David to the kingdom, and of Abraham to slay his son ... not less foolish than it is
wicked, and nourishes ... concerning widows, who, as they served the Church, were ...
/.../the apology of the augsburg confession/part 35 article xxvii xiii .htm

Letter xxxix. To Paula.
... foolish when I saw the prosperity of the wicked, and I ... image of Bl??silla, his aim
is to slay the mother of ... Both of us widows indeed, we have been both rewarded ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xxxix to paula.htm

Rhapsody
... four kinds, saith the Lord: the sword to slay, and the ... Their widows are increased
to me above the sand of the ... deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/rhapsody.htm

Psalm CXXXII.
... but since he was not commanded to slay him, but ... in the protection of their husbands:
widows seem desolate ... I will avenge her." [5614] If the wicked judge heard ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxxxii.htm

How the Bishop is to Treat the Innocent, the Guilty, and the ...
... and regardless of doing justice to the widows," [2673] those ... all the servants under
him are wicked." [2677] So ... and are clothed with the wool; ye slay the strong ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iii how the bishop is.htm

Matt. xxii. 15
... But nevertheless not even so do their wicked acts cease ... too fight every day, and
slay their adversaries ... From countless tears, from widows defrauded, from orphans ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxx matt xxii 15.htm

The Death of the Christian
... it is to lose anxiety, it is to slay care, it is ... When death comes to a wicked man,
he finds him moored ... persons could break through them, and if widows were not ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the death of the christian.htm

V. ...
... love, to procure a common fund for widows and worthy ... no favor or salvation, and only
become more wicked from day ... might become weak and that he might slay them. ...
/.../the epistles of st peter and st jude preached and explained/chapter ii v 2.htm

Seasonable Counsel: Or, Advice to Sufferers.
... him, cast him down: deliver my soul, O Lord, from the wicked, which is ... Their "possessors
slay them, and hold themselves not guilty: and they that sell them say ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/seasonable counsel or advice to.htm