Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical terms, the concept of acquittal is closely related to themes of justice, forgiveness, and divine judgment. The term "acquit" generally means to declare someone free from blame or guilt, and in the context of Scripture, it often pertains to God's judgment and the forgiveness of sins.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often associated with acquittal is "naqah," which means to be clean, pure, or free from guilt. The concept is frequently tied to God's justice and righteousness. For instance, in
Exodus 34:7, God describes Himself as "maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished." This passage highlights the balance between God's mercy and His justice, indicating that while God is willing to forgive, He also upholds justice by not acquitting the guilty without repentance.
The legal system in ancient Israel also reflects this balance. In
Deuteronomy 25:1, judges are instructed to "acquit the innocent and condemn the guilty," underscoring the importance of righteous judgment in maintaining societal order and reflecting God's own justice.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the concept of acquittal is deeply connected to the work of Jesus Christ. Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, believers are acquitted of their sins.
Romans 8:33-34 states, "Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is there to condemn? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God—and He is interceding for us." Here, the apostle Paul emphasizes that through Christ, believers are justified, or acquitted, before God.
The Greek term "dikaioō," often translated as "justify," carries the connotation of being declared righteous or acquitted. This is central to the doctrine of justification by faith, as seen in
Romans 5:1 : "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Theological ImplicationsTheologically, acquittal in the Bible is not merely a legal declaration but also a relational restoration. It signifies the believer's restored relationship with God through the atoning work of Christ. This acquittal is not based on human merit but on divine grace, as
Ephesians 2:8-9 affirms: "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast."
Furthermore, the concept of acquittal underscores the transformative power of the Gospel. As believers are acquitted of their sins, they are called to live in righteousness and holiness, reflecting the character of God who has justified them. This is echoed in 1
John 1:9 : "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Practical ApplicationFor Christians, the assurance of acquittal through Christ provides a foundation for spiritual confidence and peace. It encourages believers to approach God with boldness, knowing that their sins have been forgiven and they stand justified before Him. This assurance also motivates a life of gratitude, obedience, and service, as believers seek to honor the One who has graciously acquitted them.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To free from guilt or debt; to conduct oneself or behave; to clear off; to pay off; to requite
2. (p. p.) Acquitted; set free; rid of.
3. (v. t.) To pay for; to atone for.
4. (v. t.) To set free, release or discharge from an obligation, duty, liability, burden, or from an accusation or charge; -- now followed by of before the charge, formerly by from; as, the jury acquitted the prisoner; we acquit a man of evil intentions.
5. (v. t.) To clear one's self.
6. (v. t.) To bear or conduct one's self; to perform one's part; as, the soldier acquitted himself well in battle; the orator acquitted himself very poorly.
Greek
1344. dikaioo -- to show to be righteous, declare righteous... righteous, defend the cause of, justify Definition: I make righteous, defend the
cause of, plead for the righteousness (innocence) of,
acquit, justify; hence
...Strong's Hebrew
5352. naqah -- to be empty or clean... root Definition to be empty or clean NASB Word Usage
acquit (3), acquitted (2),
avenge (1), avenged (1), blameless (1), by means clear (1), completely
...6663. tsadeq -- to be just or righteous
... Word Origin denominative verb from tsedeq Definition to be just or righteous NASB
Word Usageacquit (1), acquitted (1), declare you right (1), do justice (1...
Library
Epistle Lii. To Natalis, Bishop .
... A like name does not avail toacquit you, if the cause for it is unlike.
For even the thief who was condemned to die endured the...
Whether an Accuser who Fails to Prove his Indictment is Bound to...
... For sometimes a man is led by a just error to make an accusation, in which case
the judgeacquit the accuser, as stated in Decret. II, qu. iii.[[*Append....
Whether an Accusation is Rendered Unjust by Calumny, Collusion or...
... and inscription* in a matter which he cannot prove, and come to an understanding
with the innocent party whom he has accused, let themacquit one another...
Mercy, Omnipotence, and Justice
... REV. CH SPURGEON. at the Music Hall, Royal Surrey Gardens. "The Lord is slow to
anger and great in power, and will not at allacquit the wicked.""Nahum 1:3....
"My Little Children, These Things Write I unto You, that Ye Sin...
... Is he just? Then sin not, for "he will notacquit the wicked nor hold them
guiltless,""them who doacquit themselves, and yet hold by their sins....
Ephesians ii. 8
... Christ, without their adhering to such Works as Circumcision; and for the sake of
that Faith in Reward, and for Encouragement, of it; shouldacquit them from...
Luke x. The Latter Part of the 25Th Verse.
... after they have receiv'd and professed this Faith in Christ: arguing as if a Faith
or Confidence in Jesus Christ, and his Merits, would do all;acquit from all...
A Blow at Self-Righteousness
... I have, and if there be one conviction in the book against me, there are some that
have a dozen convictions against them." No magistrate wouldacquit a man on...
Jesus Led Back from the Court of Herod to that of Pilate.
... If it is possible, let this chalice pass away.' She still felt a glimmering of hope,
because there was a report current that Pilate wished toacquit Jesus....
God in the Covenant
... equity." God is the God of all creatures, we repeat, in the sense that he is their
Judge; he will summon them all before his bar, and condemn oracquit them all...
Thesaurus
Acquit (11 Occurrences)... burden, or from an accusation or charge; -- now followed by of before the charge,
formerly by from; as, the jury acquitted the prisoner; we
acquit a man of
...Entirely (39 Occurrences)
... end of all the nations Whither I have scattered thee, Only, of thee I do not make
an end, And I have chastised thee in judgment, And do not entirelyacquit thee...
Quit (12 Occurrences)
... clear; to liberate. 5. (v.) To release from obligation, accusation, penalty,
or the like; to absolve; toacquit. 6. (v.) To discharge...
Acquittal (7 Occurrences)
Unpunished (24 Occurrences)
... Job 10:14 if I sin, then you mark me. You will notacquit me from my iniquity.
(See NIV). Proverbs 6:29 So is he who goes in to his neighbor's wife....
Griefs (7 Occurrences)
... suffering wrongfully. (ASV DBY). Job 9:28 I have been afraid of all my griefs,
I have known that Thou dost notacquit me. (YLT). Psalms...
Reproved (20 Occurrences)
... of all the nations Whither I have driven thee, And of thee I do not make an end,
And I have reproved thee in judgment, And do not entirelyacquit thee!' (YLT)....
Excuse (13 Occurrences)
... or the imputation of fault or blame; to clear from guilt; to release from a charge;
to justify by extenuating a fault; to exculpate; to absolve; toacquit....
Discharge (30 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To of something weighing upon or impeding over one, as a debt, claim,
obligation, responsibility, accusation, etc.; to absolve; toacquit; to clear....
Markest (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Markest (2 Occurrences). Job 10:14 If I sin, then thou
markest me, and thou wilt notacquit me from mine iniquity. (KJV JPS ASV WBS)....
Resources
Who was Moloch/Molech? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is bloodguilt (Joel 3:21)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat trials did Jesus face before His crucifixion? | GotQuestions.orgAcquit: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
