Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Context: The term "banish" refers to the act of expelling someone from a community or society, often as a form of punishment or due to a violation of laws or norms. In biblical contexts, banishment is often associated with divine judgment or the enforcement of community purity and holiness.
Old Testament References: Banishment is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, often linked to the consequences of sin and disobedience to God's commandments. One of the earliest examples is the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden due to their disobedience (
Genesis 3:23-24): "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."
The Mosaic Law also prescribes banishment for certain offenses, particularly those that threaten the holiness of the Israelite community. For instance, in
Leviticus 20:23 , God warns the Israelites not to follow the practices of the nations He is driving out before them, lest they be banished: "You must not walk in the customs of the nation I am driving out before you, for they did all these things, and therefore I abhorred them."
New Testament References: In the New Testament, the concept of banishment is often spiritualized, reflecting the separation from God due to sin. Jesus speaks of the final judgment where the unrighteous will be separated from the righteous, as seen in
Matthew 25:41 : "Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’"
The Apostle Paul also addresses the issue of banishment in the context of church discipline. In
1 Corinthians 5:13 , he instructs the church to expel the immoral brother: "God will judge those outside. 'Expel the wicked man from among you.'"
Theological Implications: Banishment in the Bible underscores the seriousness of sin and the necessity of maintaining holiness within the community of God's people. It serves as a warning of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of repentance and reconciliation with God. The ultimate form of banishment is eternal separation from God, which highlights the need for salvation through Jesus Christ.
Cultural and Historical Context: In ancient Israel, banishment served both as a punishment and a means of protecting the community from impurity and corruption. It was a tangible expression of the covenant relationship between God and His people, emphasizing the need for obedience and faithfulness.
Conclusion: The concept of banishment in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing physical, spiritual, and communal dimensions. It reflects the holiness of God and the call for His people to live in accordance with His will, while also pointing to the hope of restoration and redemption through Christ.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To condemn to exile, or compel to leave one's country, by authority of the ruling power.
2. (v. t.) To drive out, as from a home or familiar place; -- used with from and out of.
3. (v. t.) To drive away; to compel to depart; to dispel.
Greek
1544. ekballo -- to go out... to go out. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: ekballo Phonetic Spelling:
(ek-bal'-lo) Short Definition: I throw, cast, put out,
banish, bring forth, produce
...Strong's Hebrew
5080. nadach -- to impel, thrust,banish... 5079, 5080. nadach. 5081 . to impel, thrust,
banish. Transliteration: nadach
Phonetic Spelling: (naw-dakh') Short Definition: driven. Word Origin a prim.
...5628. sarach -- to go free, be unrestrained, overrun, exceed
... exceeding, hand, spread, stretch self,banish. A primitive root; to extend (even
to excess) -- exceeding, hand, spread, stretch self,banish. 5627, 5628....
5077. nadah -- to put away, exclude
... Or nada (2 Kings 17:21) {naw-daw'}; a primitive root; properly, to toss; figuratively,
to exclude, ieBanish, postpone, prohibit -- cast out, drive, put far...
Library
Why Art Thou Sorrowful?
... 4. That God hath once whispered a word in thine ear, Or sent thee from Heaven one
sorrow for sin, Is enough for a life both tobanish all fear, And to turn...
Whether These are the Four Principal Passions: Joy, Sadness, Hope...
... On the contrary, Boethius (De Consol. i) in enumerating the four principal passions,
says: "Banish joys:banish fears: Away with hope: away with tears."....
The Apocalypse of Sedrach.
... to make approach to Adam, and the first of the angels himself transgressed thy
commandment and did not make approach to him, and Thou didstbanish him, because...
Of Scrupulosity Arising from Certain Inward Temptations. ...
... Neither is it in the power of a soul either to prevent orbanish them at pleasure,
because the imagination is not so subject to reason as that it can be...
(On the Mysteries. V. )
... forgiveness for them. The kiss therefore is the sign that our souls are mingled
together, andbanish all remembrance of wrongs. For this...
On the Use of Ointments and Crowns.
... attention bestowed on this, appear to me to be rightly so averse to perfumes on
account of their rendering manhood effeminate, as tobanish their compounders...
The Word
... For this purpose have a care tobanish vain impertinent thoughts, which will distract
yell, and take you off from the work in hand....Banish dullness....
John Chapter viii. 28-32
...Banish from your thoughts everything bounded by corporeal limits, included in local
measurement, or spread out in a mass, how great soever its size....
Ephesians iv. 32 and v. 1, 2
... These are your jesters.Banish from your souls, I entreat you, this graceless
accomplishment.... Let usbanish this custom from our tables....
The Peace-Bringer in the Spiritual World
... The last thing the demons would have done would have been tobanish themselves,
as the death of the swine didbanish them, from their new shelter....
Thesaurus
Banish (13 Occurrences)... 3. (vt) To drive away; to compel to depart; to dispel. Multi-Version Concordance
Banish (13 Occurrences). Romans 11:26 and so all Israel will be saved.
...Ostracize (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) Tobanish from society; to cast out from social,
political, or private favor; as, he was ostracized by his former friends....
Banished (19 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofBanish. Multi-Version Concordance Banished
(19 Occurrences). 2 Corinthians 5:6 We have therefore a cheerful confidence....
Transport (18 Occurrences)
... goods; to transport troops. 2. (vt) To carry, or cause to be carried, into
banishment, as a criminal; tobanish. 3. (vt) To carry...
Remove (173 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To cause to leave a person or thing; to cause to cease to be; to take away;
hence, tobanish; to destroy; to put an end to; to kill; as, to remove a...
Exile (101 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) Tobanish or expel from one's own country or home; to drive away. 4. (a.)
Small; slender; thin; fine. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. EXILE....
Expel (29 Occurrences)
... as to expel air from a bellows. 2. (vt) To drive away from one's country;
tobanish. 3. (vt) To cut off from further connection...
Manasseh (140 Occurrences)
... 15). A systematic and persistent attempt was made, and all too successfully,
tobanish the worship of Jehovah out of the land. Amid...
Banid
Resources
Why did Abraham banish Ishmael (Genesis 21:14)? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Ezra in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Jewish aliyah? | GotQuestions.orgBanish: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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