Topical Encyclopedia
The term "appeased" in the biblical context often refers to the calming or pacifying of anger, wrath, or conflict. It is a concept that appears in various narratives and teachings throughout the Scriptures, illustrating both human and divine interactions.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, the idea of appeasement is frequently associated with the calming of God's righteous anger or the resolution of human conflicts. One notable example is found in the account of Jacob and Esau. After years of estrangement, Jacob seeks to appease his brother Esau's anger by sending gifts ahead of their meeting.
Genesis 32:20 records Jacob's thought process: "For he thought, 'I will appease him with the gift that is going ahead of me. After that I will see his face; perhaps he will accept me.'"
The concept of appeasement is also evident in the sacrificial system established in the Mosaic Law. Sacrifices and offerings were instituted as a means to atone for sin and to restore fellowship between God and His people.
Leviticus 1:4 states, "He shall lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it will be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him." Here, the sacrificial act serves to appease God's holiness and justice, allowing for reconciliation.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the ultimate act of appeasement is found in the atoning work of Jesus Christ. The sacrificial death of Christ on the cross is portrayed as the means by which God's wrath against sin is satisfied.
Romans 3:25 declares, "God presented Him as the atoning sacrifice through faith in His blood, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand."
The appeasement of God's wrath through Christ's sacrifice is central to the message of the Gospel. It underscores the gravity of sin and the necessity of divine justice, while simultaneously highlighting God's love and mercy. The Apostle John emphasizes this in 1
John 2:2 : "He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world."
Human RelationshipsIn human relationships, the concept of appeasement can be seen in the call for reconciliation and peacemaking. Jesus taught the importance of resolving conflicts and seeking peace with others. In
Matthew 5:23-24 , He instructs, "Therefore if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift."
The biblical principle of appeasement in human interactions involves humility, forgiveness, and the pursuit of peace. It reflects the character of God, who desires harmony and reconciliation among His creation.
ConclusionThe theme of appeasement in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing divine-human relationships and interpersonal dynamics. It highlights the seriousness of sin, the necessity of atonement, and the transformative power of reconciliation. Through the lens of Scripture, appeasement is not merely about pacifying anger but is deeply connected to justice, mercy, and the restoration of relationships.
Greek
2435. hilasterion -- propitiatory... hil-as-tay'-ree-on) Short Definition: a sin offering, covering Definition: (a) a
sin offering, by which the wrath of the deity shall be
appeased; a means of
...448. anileos -- without mercy.
... 448 (from 1 , "without" and 2436 , "propitious,appeased") -- properly, without
propitiation (divine appeasement), ie without the mercy of God's -loyalty...
Strong's Hebrew
5162. nacham -- to be sorry, console oneself... root Definition to be sorry, console oneself NASB Word Usage am sorry (1),
appeased (1), become a consolation (1), change mind (6), change minds (1), changed
...5117. nuach -- to rest
... root Definition to rest NASB Word Usage abandon (2), allays (1), allow (1), appease
(1),appeased (1), been at rest (1), calm (1), came to rest (1), camped (1...
Library
The Emperor Valens,Appeased by the Oration of Themistius the...
... Book IV. Chapter XXXII."The Emperor Valens,appeased by the Oration of Themistius
the Philosopher, abates his Persecution of the Christians....
The Pelagians Argue that God Sometimes Closes the Womb in Anger...
... Book II. Chapter 27."The Pelagians Argue that God Sometimes Closes the Womb
in Anger, and Opens It WhenAppeased. Carefully consider...
Epistle ix. To the Clergy, Concerning Certain Presbyters who had...
... To the Clergy, Concerning Certain Presbyters Who Had Rashly Granted Peace to the
Lapsed Before the Persecution Had BeenAppeased, and Without the Privity of...
A Difficulty, How we are Justified in the Blood of the Son of God.
... by the death of His Son?" Was it indeed so, that when God the Father was wroth with
us, He saw the death of His Son for us, and wasappeased towards us?...
The Old Testament and Comparative Religion
... That the heart anger of my lord beappeased, A god unknown to me beappeased, A
goddess unknown to me beappeased, A known and unknown god beappeased, A known...
Of the Anger of God and Man.
... Therefore He who commands us to be angry is manifestly Himself angry; He who enjoins
us to be quicklyappeased is manifestly Himself easy to beappeased: for...
Epistle xxxix. To the People, Concerning Five Schismatic...
... of a fallacious peace, to a fatal rashness, leaving off prayers and supplications,
whereby, with long and continual satisfaction, the Lord is to beappeased....
Of the Power Delegated to Demons for the Trial and Glorification...
... the evil genius has been first of all propitiated, implying that the evil deities
had greater power than the good; for, until they have beenappeased and give...
Whether the Philosopher Suitably Assigns the Species of Anger?
... are "choleric," some "sullen," and some "ill-tempered" or "stern." According to
him, a person is said to be "sullen" whose anger "isappeased with difficulty...
Whether Anger is More Grievous than Hatred?
... Wherefore the Philosopher says (Rhet. ii, 4) that "the angry man isappeased
if many evils befall, whereas the hater is neverappeased."....
Thesaurus
Appeased (11 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Appeased (11 Occurrences). Acts 19:35 And when
the townclerk had
appeased the people, he said, Ye men of
...Appease (11 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. APPEASE. a-pez': "To make one at peace." Esau
isappeased, ie placated, won over by means of presents (Genesis 32:20)....
Knoweth (152 Occurrences)
... Acts 19:35 And when the townclerk hadappeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus,
what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is...
Nabal (18 Occurrences)
... She so courteously and persuasively pled her cause that David's anger wasappeased,
and he said to her, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel which sent thee this...
Jupiter (3 Occurrences)
... Acts 19:35 And when the townclerk hadappeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus,
what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is...
Worshipper (15 Occurrences)
... Acts 19:35 And when the townclerk hadappeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus,
what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is...
Worshiper (5 Occurrences)
... Acts 19:35 And when the town-clerk hadappeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus,
what man is there that knoweth not that the city of the Ephesians is a...
Insatiable (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Incapable of being satisfied orappeased; as, an
insatiable appetite, thirst, or desire. Multi-Version Concordance...
Implacable (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Not to beappeased; incapable of being pacified;
inexorable; as, an implacable prince. 2. (a.) Incapable...
Town-clerk (1 Occurrence)
... Acts 19:35 And when the town-clerk hadappeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus,
what man is there that knoweth not that the city of the Ephesians is a...
Resources
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