Topical Encyclopedia
The term "estranged" in the biblical context often refers to a state of alienation or separation, particularly in relationships between individuals or between humanity and God. This concept is deeply rooted in the narrative of sin and redemption found throughout Scripture.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, estrangement is frequently associated with the consequences of sin and disobedience. The Hebrew word often translated as "estranged" is "zûr," which can mean to turn aside, to be a stranger, or to be alienated. This is evident in passages such as
Psalm 58:3 : "The wicked are estranged from the womb; the liars go astray from birth." Here, estrangement is depicted as an inherent condition of the wicked, emphasizing the natural human tendency to deviate from God's ways.
Estrangement is also seen in the context of idolatry and unfaithfulness to God. In
Ezekiel 14:5 , God speaks of the Israelites, saying, "I will take hold of the hearts of the house of Israel, who are all estranged from Me through their idols." This highlights the spiritual separation that occurs when God's people turn to false gods, illustrating the relational breach between the Creator and His creation.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the concept of estrangement is addressed through the reconciliation offered in Christ. The Greek word "apallotrioō" is used to describe being alienated or estranged.
Ephesians 4:18 speaks of those who are "darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts." This passage underscores the spiritual separation from God that results from sin and ignorance.
The redemptive work of Christ is central to overcoming estrangement.
Colossians 1:21-22 states, "Once you were alienated from God and were hostile in your minds because of your evil deeds. But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy, unblemished, and blameless in His presence." Through Jesus' sacrificial death, believers are restored to a right relationship with God, bridging the gap caused by sin.
Relational EstrangementBeyond the spiritual dimension, the Bible also addresses estrangement in human relationships. The account of the Prodigal Son in
Luke 15:11-32 illustrates familial estrangement and reconciliation. The younger son's departure and subsequent return to his father symbolize the restoration of broken relationships, mirroring the reconciliation available between humanity and God.
Theological ImplicationsEstrangement in the Bible serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of sin and the need for divine intervention. It highlights the brokenness of human nature and the separation from God that results from disobedience. However, it also points to the hope and restoration found in Jesus Christ, who reconciles the estranged and restores them to fellowship with God.
In summary, the biblical concept of estrangement encompasses both the spiritual alienation from God due to sin and the potential for reconciliation through Christ. It serves as a call to repentance and a reminder of the transformative power of God's grace in restoring broken relationships.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Estrange.
Strong's Hebrew
5361. naqa -- to be alienated orestranged... 5360, 5361. naqa. 5362 . to be alienated or
estranged. Transliteration: naqa
Phonetic Spelling: (naw-kah') Short Definition: alienated. Word Origin a prim.
...2114a. zur -- to be a stranger
... root Definition to be a stranger NASB Word Usage adulteress (3), adulteress* (1),
alien (2), aliens (2), another (2), enemies (1),estranged (4), foreign (2...
Library
1 John iii. 1-3
... How much then must it imply, when creatures separated by an infinite chasm from
their Creator, when menestranged by sin from a holy God, are taken into this...
Objections to Prayer
... Moreover, if it be true that sinners areestranged from birth and the righteous
man has been set apart from his mother's womb, and if, while as yet they are...
Would that the Memory of the Fathers Would Exhale from the Tombs
... The People were for separating Thy beauteous root from Thy fountain, though they
separated it not: [false] teachingsestranged Thy beauty also from the stock...
Connexion with the Old Testament Theocracy.
... from without. It needed first a proper material; and this could not be found
in human nature,estranged from God by sin. The history...
1 John iii. 12-15
... The world, asestranged from God, has therefore fallen a prey to death. Christians
also were once, as belonging to the world, subject to the same death....
Redemption for Man Lost to be Sought in Christ.
... the cross is not in accordance with human wisdom, we must, however, humbly embrace
it if we would return to God our Maker, from whom we areestranged, that he...
Of the Cross, and Other Tortures of Jesus, and of the Figure of...
... image of a greater energy, which showed that His teaching was about to have such
might, that the nations throughout the world, which wereestranged from God...
How Christ Performed the Office of Redeemer in Procuring Our...
... destruction must have been your doom; but spontaneously and of free indulgence he
retained you in his favour, not suffering you to beestranged from him, and...
1 John ii. 22, 23
... Now as the Father,"He who with inexpressible father-love draws to himself the beings
estranged from him by sin,"as such he has first revealed himself in...
Knox and Queen Mary (Continued): 1563-1564
... Again, though he wasestranged from Moray, that leader was also, in some degree,
estranged from Lethington, who did not allow him to know the details of his...
Thesaurus
Estranged (12 Occurrences)...Estranged (12 Occurrences).
... Colossians 1:21 And you,
estranged as you once were and
even hostile in your minds, amidst your evil deeds, (WEY RSV).
...Estrangement (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The act of estranging, or the state of beingestranged;
alienation. Multi-Version Concordance Estrangement (1 Occurrence)....
Loaded (21 Occurrences)
... corruptly! They have forsaken Yahweh. They have despised the Holy One of
Israel. They areestranged and backward. (WEB NIV). Isaiah...
Lie (291 Occurrences)
... 2. A Racial Sin: The whole race is guilty of this sin: "The wicked areestranged
from the womb: they go astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies" (Psalm...
Lying (203 Occurrences)
... 2. A Racial Sin: The whole race is guilty of this sin: "The wicked areestranged
from the womb: they go astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies" (Psalm...
Erred (14 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). Psalms 58:3 The wicked have beenestranged
from the womb, They have erred from the belly, speaking lies. (YLT)....
Estimations (1 Occurrence)
Profaned (43 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 19:4 Because they have forsaken me, and haveestranged this place, and
have burned incense in it to other gods, that they didn't know, they and their...
Promises (35 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 2:12 At that time you were living apart from Christ,estranged from the
Commonwealth of Israel, with no share by birth in the Covenants which are...
Perdition (14 Occurrences)
... "To be lost" here signifies to have becomeestranged from God, to miss realizing
the relations which man normally sustains toward Him....
Resources
What does the Bible say about estrangement? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that “righteousness and peace kiss each other” in Psalm 85:10? | GotQuestions.orgWhy am I here? | GotQuestions.orgEstranged: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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