Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, the term "mob" refers to a disorderly or riotous crowd, often driven by a collective emotion or purpose, which can lead to violence or chaos. The Bible provides several instances where mobs play a significant role in the unfolding of events, often highlighting the dangers of collective human behavior when it is not guided by righteousness or divine wisdom.
Old Testament InstancesWhile the Old Testament does not frequently use the term "mob," the concept is evident in various narratives. One notable example is found in the account of Lot in Sodom. In
Genesis 19:4-5 , it is described how "all the men of the city of Sodom, both young and old, surrounded the house" of Lot, demanding that he bring out his guests so they could "know them." This gathering of men, driven by sinful desires, exemplifies a mob mentality that disregards moral and ethical standards.
Another instance is the rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram against Moses and Aaron in
Numbers 16. Although not explicitly called a mob, the assembly of 250 leaders who rose up against Moses can be seen as a collective uprising, challenging divinely appointed leadership and resulting in severe consequences.
New Testament InstancesThe New Testament provides clearer examples of mob actions, particularly in the context of the ministry of Jesus and the early Church. One of the most significant events involving a mob is the trial and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. In
Matthew 27:20-24 , the chief priests and elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas's release and to demand Jesus' crucifixion. The crowd, acting as a mob, cried out, "Crucify Him!" (
Matthew 27:22), demonstrating how easily public opinion can be swayed by influential leaders.
In the Acts of the Apostles, mobs frequently appear in response to the preaching of the Gospel. In
Acts 19:23-41, a riot breaks out in Ephesus instigated by Demetrius, a silversmith who feared the loss of income due to the spread of Christianity. The mob, confused and shouting, gathered in the theater, illustrating how economic and social fears can incite collective unrest.
Theological ImplicationsFrom a theological perspective, the Bible's depiction of mobs serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of collective human behavior when it is not aligned with God's will. Mobs often act impulsively, driven by emotion rather than reason or righteousness. This can lead to injustice, as seen in the crucifixion of Jesus, or to divine judgment, as in the rebellion of Korah.
The Bible encourages believers to seek wisdom and discernment, avoiding the pitfalls of following the crowd without consideration of God's truth.
Proverbs 1:10-11 warns, "My son, if sinners entice you, do not yield to them. If they say, 'Come along, let us lie in wait for blood, let us ambush the innocent without cause.'" This admonition highlights the importance of individual responsibility and the need to resist the pressure of unrighteous collective actions.
In summary, the concept of a mob in the Bible underscores the potential for human gatherings to deviate from God's path, emphasizing the need for spiritual vigilance and adherence to divine principles.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A mobcap.
2. (v. t.) To wrap up in, or cover with, a cowl.
3. (n.) The lower classes of a community; the populace, or the lowest part of it.
4. (n.) A throng; a rabble; esp., an unlawful or riotous assembly; a disorderly crowd.
5. (v. t.) To crowd about, as a mob, and attack or annoy; as, to mob a house or a person.
Greek
3791. ochleo -- to disturb, trouble... 3791 (from 3793, "a crowd") -- properly, to
mob; (figuratively) to push with force
("forcing along"), exercising torrent-like momentum (like the force of a ).
...3793. ochlos -- a crowd, multitude, the common people
... people. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: ochlos Phonetic Spelling:
(okh'los) Short Definition: a crowd Definition: a crowd,mob, the common...
3792. ochlopoieo -- to gather a crowd
... a riot. Word Origin from ochlos and poieo Definition to gather a crowd
NASB Word Usage formed amob (1). form amob. From ochlos...
1776. enochleo -- to crowd in, ie to annoy
... 1776 (from 1722 , "in," which intensifies 3791 , "tomob") -- properly, (amongst)
a tumultuous crowd (mob); (figuratively) to someone, as with the force of a...
4890. sundrome -- a running together, ie a concourse (esp. of a...
... Noun, Feminine Transliteration: sundrome Phonetic Spelling: (soon-drom-ay') Short
Definition: a running together Definition: a running together, concourse,mob...
5016. tarache -- a disturbance, stirring up
... troubling. Feminine from tarasso; disturbance, ie (of water) roiling, or (of amob)
sedition -- trouble(-ing). see GREEK tarasso. 5015, 5016. tarache. 5017 >...
4963. sustrophe -- a twisting together, hence a concourse or...
... Word Origin from sustrepho Definition a twisting together, hence a concourse or
conspiracy NASB Word Usage disorderly gathering (1).mob, riotous crowd....
Library
Beaten by theMob
... Chapter 7. Severe Weather; Ireland; Wesley's Protest against Lawlessness
cWesley and Faith-healing Beaten by theMob. "I should have...
AMob at Wednesbury
... Chapter 5. Wesley Refused Sacraments at Epworth; Cornwall and the Scilly Isles;
Natural Amphitheater at Gwennap; Wesley in Danger AMob at Wednesbury....
How Wesley Dealt with aMob
... Chapter 7. Severe Weather; Ireland; Wesley's Protest against Lawlessness cWesley
and Faith-healing How Wesley Dealt with aMob. Within...
Pelted by theMob at Leeds
... Chapter 6. First Methodist Conference; Pressgangs and Mobs; Wesley's Protest
against Ungodliness Pelted by theMob at Leeds. Monday...
Jesus is Seized by theMob
... THE NEW TESTAMENT JESUS IS SEIZED BY THEMOB. When... naked. Themob led Jesus
away and brought him to the house of the high priest....
Public Spirit
... all. Did it ever happen to any of you, to see amob of several thousands
put to instant flight by a mere handful of soldiers? And...
Visits to Kinsale and Cork
... but the soldiers assured them if they went to beat there they would be all cut in
pieces; that then the mayor came himself at the head of hismob, but could...
Wesley in Danger
... But we had not gone a hundred yards when themob of Walsal came, pouring in
like a flood, and bore down all before them. The Darlaston...
The Fulfilment
... He saw that themob was turning toward Akra, and to avoid it, the Christian climbed
up to the Tyropean Bridge, and from that point viewed the whole of...
The Journal of John Wesley
... Remarkable Service at Gwennap. AMob at Wednesbury. Wesley in Danger.... Riot Act and
a Sermon. Pelted by theMob at Leeds. Great Excitement at Newcastle....
Thesaurus
Mob (8 Occurrences)... 5. (vt) To crowd about, as a
mob, and attack or annoy; as, to
mob a house
or a person. Multi-Version Concordance
Mob (8 Occurrences).
...Rabble (7 Occurrences)
... 3. (vi) To speak in a confused manner. 4. (n.) A tumultuous crowd of vulgar,
noisy people; amob; a confused, disorderly throng....
Riot (14 Occurrences)
... ri'-ut: Properly, "unrestrained behavior" of any sort, but in modern English usually
connotingmob action, although such phrases as a "riotous banquet" are...
Alexander (5 Occurrences)
... the preaching of Paul (Acts 19:33). The Jews put him forward to plead their
cause before themob. It was probably intended that he...
Jason (5 Occurrences)
... the uproar organized by the Jews, who were moved to jealousy by the success of Paul
and Silas, he and several other "brethren" were severely handled by themob...
Occupied (32 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Acts 24:18 amid which certain Jews from Asia found me purified
in the temple, not with amob, nor with turmoil. (See NAS)....
Jealous (43 Occurrences)
... Acts 17:5 But the jealousy of the Jews was aroused, and, calling to their aid some
ill-conditioned and idle fellows, they got together a riotousmob and filled...
Justify (19 Occurrences)
... with attempted insurrection, there having been no real reason for this riot; nor
shall we be able to justify the behaviour of this disorderlymob." (WEY RSV)....
Jealousy (54 Occurrences)
... Acts 17:5 But the jealousy of the Jews was aroused, and, calling to their aid some
ill-conditioned and idle fellows, they got together a riotousmob and filled...
Learnt (12 Occurrences)
... As soon, however, as the Jews of Thessalonica learnt that God's Message had been
proclaimed by Paul at Beroea, they came there also, and incited themob to a...
Resources
The stoning of Stephen - Why were the Jews allowed to stone Stephen but had to go through Pilate to kill Jesus? | GotQuestions.orgWho is the Artemis mentioned in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Porcius Festus? | GotQuestions.orgMob: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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