In the context of the Bible, the term "villain" is not explicitly used; however, the concept of a villain can be understood through various characters and narratives that embody evil, opposition to God, and moral corruption. The Bible presents numerous figures who act in ways that are contrary to God's will, serving as examples of villainous behavior.

Old Testament Examples

1. Cain: Cain is often considered the first villain in the Bible. In Genesis 4, Cain becomes envious of his brother Abel, whose offering is favored by God. In a fit of jealousy and anger, Cain murders Abel, committing the first recorded act of fratricide. God confronts Cain, saying, "What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground" (Genesis 4:10).

2. Pharaoh of Egypt: The Pharaoh during the time of Moses is depicted as a villain due to his hard-heartedness and refusal to release the Israelites from slavery. Despite witnessing numerous plagues sent by God, Pharaoh's heart remains hardened, leading to the suffering of his people and ultimately the death of the Egyptian firstborns (Exodus 7-12).

3. Jezebel: Queen Jezebel, the wife of King Ahab, is notorious for her idolatry and persecution of God's prophets. She promotes the worship of Baal and seeks to kill the prophet Elijah. Her actions lead to her violent death, as prophesied by Elijah (1 Kings 16:31-33; 2 Kings 9:30-37).

New Testament Examples

1. Herod the Great: Herod is known for his role in the Massacre of the Innocents, as he orders the killing of all male infants in Bethlehem in an attempt to eliminate the newborn Jesus, whom he perceives as a threat to his throne (Matthew 2:16-18).

2. Judas Iscariot: Judas, one of the twelve disciples, is infamous for betraying Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. His betrayal leads to Jesus' arrest and crucifixion. Jesus acknowledges Judas' impending betrayal during the Last Supper, saying, "Truly I tell you, one of you will betray Me" (Matthew 26:21).

3. Satan: Often considered the ultimate villain in the Bible, Satan is depicted as the adversary of God and humanity. He tempts Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11) and is described as "a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8). Revelation 12:9 identifies him as "the great dragon... who deceives the whole world."

Characteristics of Villainy

Biblical villains often exhibit traits such as pride, deceit, jealousy, and rebellion against God. They serve as cautionary figures, illustrating the consequences of sin and disobedience. The Bible consistently contrasts these figures with those who are faithful and obedient to God, highlighting the moral and spiritual battles that define the human experience.

Moral and Spiritual Lessons

The narratives of villains in the Bible serve to underscore the importance of faithfulness, humility, and obedience to God. They remind believers of the reality of evil and the necessity of relying on God's strength to overcome temptation and opposition. As Ephesians 6:12 states, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."1. (n.) One who holds lands by a base, or servile, tenure, or in villenage; a feudal tenant of the lowest class, a bondman or servant.

2. (n.) A baseborn or clownish person; a boor.

3. (n.) A vile, wicked person; a man extremely depraved, and capable or guilty of great crimes; a deliberate scoundrel; a knave; a rascal; a scamp.

4. (a.) Villainous.

5. (v. t.) To debase; to degrade.

Meanwhile, Angela Sovrani was Detained in Her Studio by the ...
... "Sylvie! Do you mean to tell me that the Marquis Fontenelle is such a
villain?"". "Tais-toi! ... you know the rest! He is a villain? ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/xi meanwhile angela sovrani was.htm

The Missing Factor in Current Theories
... The Struggle for Life is the "Villain" of the piece, no more; and, like the "Villain"
in the play, its chief function is to re-act upon the other players for ...
/.../drummond/the lowell lectures on the ascent of man/ii the missing factor in.htm

On Trusting in the Mercy of God.
... your own place and appear in your own character; how can I rely on you to be a good
citizen"how can I expect you to be anything better than an arch villain? ...
/.../finney/sermons on gospel themes/ii on trusting in the.htm

A Moment's Flashing Glance of Half-Amused Dismay at Angela...
... Now Sylvie, your friend Sylvie"is so distinctly charming that she becomes provoking
and irritating. I am sure she has told you I am a terrible villain . . .". ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/xii a moments flashing glance.htm

I Knew How it Would Be.
... And so, unwarned of the risk he was encountering, an honest and confiding young
man was permitted to form a copartnership with a villain, who had already been ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arthur/words for the wise/i knew how it would.htm

The False Prophet
... spot. "And by the by," he pursued, "what does this stranger, whom I can not
remember having known, look like? A villain?". She answered ...
/.../miller/the city of delight/chapter xix the false prophet.htm

Another Portrait Gallery
... CHAPTER XXI ANOTHER PORTRAIT GALLERY. "In tragic life, God wot, No villain
need be! Passions spin the plot: We are betrayed by what ...
/.../chapter xxi another portrait gallery.htm

The Murket's Sacrifice
... "Curse that smooth villain Har-hat!" he cried in a tempest of wrath. "A murrain
upon his greedy, crafty lust! The gods blast him in his knavery! ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxxvi the murkets sacrifice.htm

The Tomb of the Pharaoh
... "The son of the noble Mentu is in trouble"the purity of an innocent one at stake,
and the foiling of a villain to accomplish," Kenkenes answered earnestly. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxiii the tomb of.htm

"Ye Shall be Hated of all Men"
... To be canonised and worshipped might be the end of such tortures. But to be counted
as a heretic and a villain, could lead to no such high distinction. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bevan/three friends of god/chapter liv ye shall be.htm

Villain (1 Occurrence)
... rascal; a scamp. 4. (a.) Villainous. 5. (vt) To debase; to degrade.
Multi-Version Concordance Villain (1 Occurrence). Proverbs 6:12 ...
/v/villain.htm - 7k

Villainy (4 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The quality or state of being a villain, or villainous; extreme depravity;
atrocious wickedness; as, the villainy of the seducer. ...
/v/villainy.htm - 7k

Knave (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A boy; especially, a boy servant. 2. (n.) Any male servant; a menial. 3.
(n.) A tricky, deceitful fellow; a dishonest person; a rogue; a villain. ...
/k/knave.htm - 7k

Dark (234 Occurrences)
... unrefined; ignorant. 4. (a.) Evincing black or foul traits of character; vile;
wicked; atrocious; as, a dark villain; a dark deed. 5. (a ...
/d/dark.htm - 44k

Bondman (108 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A man slave, or one bound to service without
wages. 2. (n.) A villain, or tenant in villenage. Int. ...
/b/bondman.htm - 36k

Accomplished (64 Occurrences)
... 3. (a.) Complete in acquirements as the result usually of training; -- commonly
in a good sense; as, an accomplished scholar, an accomplished villain. ...
/a/accomplished.htm - 25k

Abandoned (45 Occurrences)
... 3. (a.) Self-abandoned, or given up to vice; extremely wicked, or sinning without
restraint; irreclaimably wicked ; as, an abandoned villain. ...
/a/abandoned.htm - 19k

Scoundrel (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A mean, worthless fellow; a villain; a man
without honor or virtue. 2. (a.) Low; base; mean; unprincipled. ...
/s/scoundrel.htm - 7k

Villages (106 Occurrences)

/v/villages.htm - 38k

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