Topical Encyclopedia
Banishment, as depicted in the Bible, refers to the act of expelling or exiling an individual or group from a community or land, often as a form of punishment or divine judgment. This concept is woven throughout the biblical narrative, illustrating both the consequences of sin and the hope of redemption.
Old Testament Instances1.
Adam and Eve: The first instance of banishment occurs in
Genesis 3:23-24, where Adam and Eve are expelled from the Garden of Eden due to their disobedience. "So the LORD God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. After He drove the man out, He placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life" . This act signifies the separation from God's immediate presence due to sin.
2.
Cain: In
Genesis 4:12-14, Cain is cursed and becomes "a restless wanderer on the earth" after murdering his brother Abel. His banishment underscores the severity of taking innocent life and the resulting alienation from God and community.
3.
Israelites in the Wilderness: The Israelites' 40-year wandering in the wilderness (
Numbers 14:33-34) can be seen as a form of collective banishment due to their lack of faith and disobedience. This period serves as both punishment and preparation for entering the Promised Land.
4.
Exile of Israel and Judah: The Assyrian and Babylonian exiles represent significant national banishments. In
2 Kings 17:6, the northern kingdom of Israel is taken into Assyrian captivity, while
2 Kings 25:21 describes the Babylonian exile of Judah. These events are portrayed as divine judgment for persistent idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness.
New Testament Context1.
The Prodigal Son: Although not a literal banishment, the parable of the Prodigal Son (
Luke 15:11-32) illustrates self-imposed exile. The younger son's departure from his father's house and subsequent return highlight themes of repentance and reconciliation.
2.
Church Discipline: In the New Testament, banishment takes the form of church discipline. In
1 Corinthians 5:13, Paul instructs the Corinthian church to "Expel the wicked man from among you" , emphasizing the need for purity within the Christian community and the hope for the sinner's eventual restoration.
Theological SignificanceBanishment in the Bible often serves as a tangible expression of the spiritual separation caused by sin. It underscores the holiness of God and the serious consequences of disobedience. However, the biblical narrative also consistently points to the possibility of restoration and reconciliation. The return from exile, both physically and spiritually, is a recurring theme, culminating in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, who reconciles humanity to God and offers a way back from spiritual exile.
ConclusionBanishment in the biblical context is a multifaceted concept that reflects the gravity of sin and the hope of redemption. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God, while also pointing to His mercy and the promise of restoration for those who repent and seek His forgiveness.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) The act of banishing, or the state of being banished.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BANISHMENTban'-ish-ment.
SeePUNISHMENTS.
Strong's Hebrew
8332. sheroshu -- uprooting,banishment... sheroshu or sheroshi. 8333 . uprooting,
banishment. Transliteration: sheroshu
or sheroshi Phonetic Spelling: (sher-o-shoo') Short Definition:
banishment.
...4065. madduach -- something which draws aside, an enticement
... cause ofbanishment. From nadach; seduction -- cause ofbanishment. see HEBREW
nadach. 4064, 4065. madduach. 4066 . Strong's Numbers.
Library
Concerning theBanishment and Return of the Holy Liberius.
... Book II. Chapter XIV."Concerning theBanishment and Return of the Holy
Liberius. This victorious champion of the truth was sent...
Banishment of Eunomius by Theodosius the Great. Theophronius, his...
... Book VII. Chapter XVII."Banishment of Eunomius by Theodosius the Great.... The
emperor, about this period, condemned Eunomius tobanishment....
Banishment of the Christians, and Confiscation of their Property.
... The Life of the blessed emperor constantine, by eusebius pamphilus. Book I. Chapter
LII."Banishment of the Christians, and Confiscation of their Property....
The Edict ofBanishment, 1729-1736.
... BOOK TWO. The Revival under Zinzendorf. CHAPTER V. THE EDICT OFBANISHMENT,
1729-1736.... When Zinzendorf heard of hisbanishment, he was not amazed....
After theBanishment of Justice, Lust, Unjust Laws, Daring...
... Chap. VI."After theBanishment of Justice, Lust, Unjust Laws, Daring, Avarice,
Ambition, Pride, Impiety, and Other Vices Reigned....
Assault Upon the Monks, andBanishment of their Superiors, who...
... Book IV. Chapter XXIV."Assault upon the Monks, andBanishment of their
Superiors, who exhibit Miraculous Power. The emperor Valens...
After theBanishment of Athanasius, Arius Having Been Sent for by...
... Book I. Chapter XXXVII."After theBanishment of Athanasius, Arius having been sent
for by the Emperor, raises a Disturbance against Alexander Bishop of...
Chrysostom and Eudoxia. His SecondBanishment, AD 403
... Eudoxia. His SecondBanishment, ad 403.... assassination. At last on June 5, 404, the
timid and long hesitating Arcadius signed the edict ofbanishment....
Epistle Lvii. To Lucius the Bishop of Rome, Returned from...
... Epistle LVII. To Lucius The Bishop of Rome, Returned fromBanishment.
Argument."Cyprian, with His Colleagues, Congratulates Lucius...
Chrysostom and Theophilus. His First Deposition andBanishment.
... His First Deposition andBanishment.... As the sentence ofbanishment for life
became known, the indignation of the people was immense....
Thesaurus
Banishment (1 Occurrence)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
BANISHMENT. ban'-ish-ment. See PUNISHMENTS.
Multi-Version Concordance
Banishment (1 Occurrence).
...Apostle (25 Occurrences)
... The Book of Revelation, likewise traditionally ascribed to John, bears important
witness to the apostle'sbanishment in later life to the isle of Patmos in the...
Galilee (73 Occurrences)
... country (Ant., XIV, ix, 2). When Herod came to the throne, 37 BC, a period of peace
and prosperity for Galilee began, which lasted till thebanishment of his...
Visions (43 Occurrences)
... you false and foolish visions; They have not uncovered your iniquity, to bring back
your captivity, but have seen for you false oracles and causes ofbanishment...
Nod (2 Occurrences)
... NOD. nod (nodh): The land of Eden, to which Cain migrated after the murder
of his brother and hisbanishment by Yahweh (Genesis 4:16)....
Oracles (8 Occurrences)
... you false and foolish visions; They have not uncovered your iniquity, to bring back
your captivity, but have seen for you false oracles and causes ofbanishment...
Leper (34 Occurrences)
... of the priestly office began in his forehead, a form of the disease peculiarly unclean
(Leviticus 13:43-46) and requiring thebanishment and isolation of the...
Imprisonment (15 Occurrences)
... will not do the law of your God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed
on him with all diligence, whether it be to death, or tobanishment, or to...
Transport (18 Occurrences)
... goods; to transport troops. 2. (vt) To carry, or cause to be carried, into
banishment, as a criminal; to banish. 3. (vt) To carry...
Executed (39 Occurrences)
... will not do the law of your God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed
on him with all diligence, whether it be to death, or tobanishment, or to...
Resources
Why did Jacob give Joseph a coat of many colors? | GotQuestions.orgWho were the Cappadocian Fathers? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Lamech in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgBanishment: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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