Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the concept of frustration often relates to the thwarting of plans, purposes, or desires, whether human or divine. The term "frustrate" and its derivatives are used to describe the act of preventing the accomplishment of a goal or intention. This entry explores the biblical understanding of frustration, its implications, and its occurrences in Scripture.
Divine Frustration of Human PlansThe Bible frequently depicts God as the one who frustrates the plans of humans, especially when those plans are contrary to His will. In
Job 5:12, it is written, "He thwarts the schemes of the crafty, so that their hands find no success." This verse highlights God's sovereignty in ensuring that human schemes that oppose His purposes do not prosper. Similarly,
Psalm 33:10 states, "The LORD frustrates the plans of the nations; He thwarts the devices of the peoples." Here, the psalmist emphasizes God's control over the affairs of nations, ensuring that His divine plan prevails over human intentions.
Human Experience of FrustrationFrustration is also a common human experience depicted in the Bible, often as a result of sin or disobedience. In
Haggai 1:6, the prophet describes the frustration of the Israelites due to their neglect of God's house: "You have planted much but harvested little. You eat but never have enough; you drink but never have your fill. You put on clothes but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a bag with holes." This passage illustrates the futility and dissatisfaction that result from prioritizing personal gain over obedience to God.
Frustration in the Context of Spiritual WarfareIn the New Testament, frustration can also be seen in the context of spiritual warfare. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, speaks of the frustration of creation due to the fall of man: "For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope" (
Romans 8:20). This futility, or frustration, is a temporary state that points to the ultimate redemption and restoration that God has planned.
God's Purpose in FrustrationWhile frustration can be a source of distress, the Bible also reveals that God can use it for His purposes. In the account of Joseph, his brothers' plans to harm him were frustrated by God's greater plan for good. Joseph later acknowledges this in
Genesis 50:20, saying, "As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people." This demonstrates that God can transform human frustration into a means of fulfilling His divine purposes.
ConclusionThe biblical concept of frustration serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the futility of opposing His will. While humans may experience frustration due to their own actions or external circumstances, Scripture assures believers that God is ultimately in control, working all things for the good of those who love Him (
Romans 8:28).
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Vain; ineffectual; useless; unprofitable; null; void; nugatory; of no effect.
2. (v. t.) To bring to nothing; to prevent from attaining a purpose; to disappoint; to defeat; to baffle; as, to frustrate a plan, design, or attempt; to frustrate the will or purpose.
3. (v. t.) To make null; to nullify; to render invalid or of no effect; as, to frustrate a conveyance or deed.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
FRUSTRATEfrus'-trat (parar; atheteo): "Frustrate" (from frustra, "vain") is the translation of parar, "to break," "to make void," "to bring to nothing" (Ezra 4:5), "to frustrate their purpose" (Isaiah 44:25, "that frustrateth the signs of the liars"); of atheteo, "to displace," "to reject or make void or null":Galatians 2:21, "I do not frustrate the grace of God" (by setting up the righteousness which is "through the law"), the Revised Version (British and American) "make void"; compare APC 1Macc 11:36, "Nothing hereof shall be revoked," the Revised Version (British and American) "annulled" (atheteo).
Revised Version has "frustrateth" for "disappointeth" (Job 5:12, parar).
The adjective appears (APC 2Esdras 10:34), "frustrate of my hope" (APC Judith 11:11, "frustrate of his purpose" (apraktos)).
W. L. Walker
Greek
1581. ekkopto -- to cut off, cut down, cut out, fig. tofrustrate... to
frustrate. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: ekkopto Phonetic Spelling:
(ek-kop'-to) Short Definition: I cut out, cut off Definition: I cut out (off, away
...114. atheteo -- to do away with what has been laid down, set aside
... and a derivative of tithemi; to set aside, ie (by implication) to disesteem, neutralize
or violate -- cast off, despise, disannul,frustrate, bring to nought...
2617. kataischuno -- to curse vehemently
... kat-ahee-skhoo'-no) Short Definition: I shame, disgrace, put to utter confusion
Definition: I shame, disgrace, bring to shame, put to utter confusion,frustrate...
Strong's Hebrew
6565a. parar -- to break,frustrate... 6565, 6565a. parar. 6565b . to break,
frustrate. Transliteration: parar
Short Definition: break. Word Origin a prim. root Definition
...6565. parar -- to break,frustrate
... 6564, 6565. parar. 6565a . to break,frustrate. Transliteration: parar
Phonetic Spelling: (paw-rar') Short Definition: defeat. break...
5106. nu -- to hinder, restrain,frustrate
... 5105, 5106. nu. 5107 . to hinder, restrain,frustrate. Transliteration: nu
Phonetic Spelling: (noo) Short Definition: forbid. Word Origin a prim....
Library
Impressive Phrases
... animosity, malice, enmity, and hatred. annul,frustrate, reverse, and destroy.... base,
cowardly, abject, and hideous. battle, defeat,frustrate, and ruin....
Other Self-Asserting Augustae --Verina, Ariadne, Sophia, Martina...
... and machinations. She even formed a plot to assassinate him, which he was
fortunate enough to discover andfrustrate. Recognizing...
The Assumption of Moses
... And the devil wished tofrustrate this purpose. He saw an opportunity of using the
mortal remains of Moses to draw away the Israelites from true religion....
Concerning the Outward Manifestations by which this Second...
... may, by itself pronouncing against the sinner, stand in the stead of God's indignation,
and by temporal mortification (I will not sayfrustrate, but) expunge...
Death to Self is the Way Out into a Life of Sacrifice.
... even in God's service. And these things hold down, hold in our souls, and
frustrate the Spirit in His working. The latent self-life...
Prayer and vigilance
... It entails effort, wrestling, struggling; it demands the putting forth of the full
energy of the spirit in order tofrustrate the foe and to come off, at the...
Motives from the Benefits of Work
... it, that when you see the excellency of it, you may be the more set upon it, and
the more loath, by any negligence or failing of yours, tofrustrate or destroy...
Preface
... disputed points to be settled. "The patience of the godly shall not be
frustrate" (Ecclus. xvi.13). In conclusion I must record...
Introduction to the Treatise De Synodis.
... and mastered the complete argument. His aim throughout is tofrustrate the
heretic and assist the Catholic. In the first or historical...
Conclusion
... But yet GOD to whose Gospell she declared her selfe enemie, in the end [did]frustrate
her of her deuises. The Historie of the Church of Scotland, pp.192-193....
Thesaurus
Frustrate (7 Occurrences)... 2. (vt) To bring to nothing; to prevent from attaining a purpose; to disappoint;
to defeat; to baffle; as, to
frustrate a plan, design, or attempt; to
...Frustrated (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofFrustrate. Multi-Version Concordance
Frustrated (7 Occurrences). Luke 7:30 But the Pharisees...
Thwart (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (v.) To block or prevent; tofrustrate; as,
to thwart an attempted change; to thwart a rebellion. 2...
Discomfit (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To thwart the plans of;frustrate; disconcert.
2. (vt) To break up andfrustrate the plans of; to...
Plans (55 Occurrences)
... Ezra 4:5 and hired counselors against them, tofrustrate their purpose, all the
days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia....
Fruit-trees (5 Occurrences)
Fruit-trees. Fruit-tree, Fruit-trees.Frustrate . Multi-Version Concordance...
(BBE). Fruit-tree, Fruit-trees.Frustrate . Reference Bible.
Resist (23 Occurrences)
... obstruct. 2. (vt) To strive against; to endeavor to counteract, defeat,
orfrustrate; to act in opposition to; to oppose. 3. (vt...
Dash (30 Occurrences)
... used with against. 2. (vt) To break, as by throwing or by collision; to
shatter; to crust; tofrustrate; to ruin. 3. (vt) To put...
Disappoint (2 Occurrences)
... enemy of his spoil. 2. (vt) Tofrustrate; to fail; to hinder of result. Int.
Standard Bible Encyclopedia. DISAPPOINT. dis-a-point': "To...
Delude (2 Occurrences)
... to make a fool of. 2. (vt) Tofrustrate or disappoint. Multi-Version
Concordance Delude (2 Occurrences). Colossians 2:4 Now this...
Resources
How should a Christian view the intellect? | GotQuestions.orgWhy are Psalms 14 and 53 nearly identical? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did God give some people a higher IQ than He gave others? | GotQuestions.orgFrustrate: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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