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The term "predatory" is not explicitly found in the Bible; however, the concept is evident throughout Scripture, often associated with behaviors that exploit, oppress, or take advantage of others. In a biblical context, predatory actions are typically condemned as they contradict the principles of love, justice, and righteousness that God commands His people to uphold.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, predatory behavior is frequently linked with oppression and injustice. The prophets often spoke against those who preyed upon the vulnerable, such as widows, orphans, and the poor. For instance, inIsaiah 10:1-2 , the prophet declares, "Woe to those who enact unjust statutes and issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of fair treatment and withhold justice from the oppressed of My people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless."

The imagery of predatory animals is also used to describe nations or leaders who act with aggression and exploitation. InEzekiel 22:27 , the leaders of Israel are compared to wolves: "Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey, shedding blood, and destroying lives for dishonest gain."

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, Jesus and the apostles warn against false teachers and leaders who exhibit predatory characteristics. These individuals are often described as wolves in sheep's clothing, a metaphor that highlights their deceptive and harmful nature. InMatthew 7:15 , Jesus cautions, "Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves."

The apostle Paul also warns the early church about such individuals. InActs 20:29-30 , he states, "I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them."

Moral and Ethical Implications

The Bible consistently calls for the protection of the weak and the pursuit of justice, standing in stark contrast to predatory behavior. Believers are encouraged to act with integrity, compassion, and fairness. InMicah 6:8 , the Lord's requirement is clear: "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"

The teachings of Jesus further emphasize love and selflessness, urging His followers to serve rather than exploit others. InMatthew 20:25-28 , Jesus contrasts the worldly model of leadership with His own: "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them. It shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many."

Conclusion

While the Bible does not use the term "predatory," it clearly addresses the behaviors and attitudes associated with it. Through the teachings of the prophets, Jesus, and the apostles, Scripture calls for a life marked by justice, mercy, and humility, opposing any form of exploitation or oppression.1. (a.) Living by preying upon others; plundering; pillaging.

2. (a.) Characterized by plundering; practicing rapine; plundering; pillaging; as, a predatory excursion; a predatory party.

3. (a.) Hungry; ravenous; as, predatory spirits.

5861. ayit -- a bird of prey
... Word Origin from it Definition a bird of prey NASB Word Usage bird of prey (3),
birds of prey (4),predatory (1). bird, fowl, ravenous bird....

Description of the Wilderness, and the Question About the Death of...
... [1363] Cf. Amos 1:1. [1364] Saraceni (Sarakenoi) a name given by the classical
geographers to a tribe of Arabia Felix, famous for itspredatory propensities....

Gladden -- the Prince of Life
... The fact to which He guides our thought is this"that there are ways of living, forms
of conduct, which arepredatory and destructive of life, and other ways...

Leadership for Service
...Predatory action may not be as glaringly shameful there, but is it any the
more moral? Now what about you and me? Study for the Week. I....

The Cross as a Social Principle
... time a collision of interests, but a clash of principles, of justice with wrong,
of truth with crafty subterfuges, or of solidarity withpredatory selfishness....

San Josef
... 'Daaga, having made a successfulpredatory expedition into the country of the
Yarrabas, returned with a number of prisoners of that nation....

The Draw-Net.
... the sand. Largepredatory fishes of a low type are also sometimes caught,
when they venture too near in search of prey. In some...

On the Death of Theodosius his Two Sons Divide the Empire. Rufinus...
... having invited into the Roman territories the Huns, [822] a barbarous nation, who
had already ravaged Armenia, and were then makingpredatory incursions into...

St. Donatus, Bishop of Euroea, and Theotimus, High-Priest of...
... As these tribes frequently devastated Scythia by theirpredatory incursions, he
tried to subdue the ferocity of their disposition by presenting them with food...

A New Age and New Standards
... 10). Where do we draw the line between the rightful, natural desire of sex
and lawlesspredatory lust? Sixth Day: The Sins of Words....

The Tangled Web
... all must be fed. Throughout those days ofpredatory warfare he made careful
selection of material for his army. As yet, while famine...

Predatory (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (a.) Characterized by plundering; practicing rapine; plundering; pillaging; as,
apredatory excursion; apredatory party....Predatory (1 Occurrence)....

Ituraea (1 Occurrence)
... They were skillful archers (Caesar, Bell. Afr. 20); a lawless (Strabo,
xvi.2, 10) andpredatory people (Cicero, Philipp. ii.112)....

Rechab (13 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Horseman, or chariot. (1.) One of Ishbosheth's "captains
of bands" or leaders ofpredatory troops (2 Samuel 4:2)....

Raid (15 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A hostile orpredatory incursion; an inroad or incursion of mounted
men; a sudden and rapid invasion by a cavalry force; a foray....

Precisely (5 Occurrences)

Predecessor (1 Occurrence)

Ammonite (22 Occurrences)
... 20:1; Zephaniah 2:8). Both of these tribes hired Balaam to curse Israel (Deuteronomy
23:4). The Ammonites were probably more of apredatory tribe, moving from...

Horde (8 Occurrences)
... troop or gang; especially, a clan or tribe of a nomadic people migrating from place
to place for the sake of pasturage, plunder, etc.; apredatory multitude....

Harry (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (vt) To agitate; to worry; to harrow; to harass. 3. (vi) To make apredatory
incursion; to plunder or lay waste. Multi-Version Concordance...

Saul (371 Occurrences)
... completed their discomfiture. Saul followed up his victory by makingpredatory
excursions on every side (1 Samuel 14:47). 4. Defeats...

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