Topical Encyclopedia
The term "overthrew" in the Bible often refers to God's decisive action in bringing judgment or change, typically involving the destruction or removal of a particular entity, nation, or system. This concept is woven throughout the biblical narrative, illustrating God's sovereignty and justice.
Old Testament Instances1.
Sodom and Gomorrah: One of the most notable instances of divine overthrow is the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. In
Genesis 19:24-25 , it is recorded, "Then the LORD rained down sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens. Thus He overthrew those cities and the entire plain, including all the inhabitants of the cities and everything that grew on the ground." This event serves as a powerful example of God's judgment against sin and immorality.
2.
The Egyptian Army: In the Exodus narrative, God overthrew the Egyptian army in the Red Sea as they pursued the Israelites.
Exodus 14:27-28 states, "So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea returned to its normal state. As the Egyptians were fleeing toward it, the LORD swept them into the sea. The waters flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had chased the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived." This act of overthrow was a demonstration of God's deliverance and protection for His people.
3.
The Canaanite Nations: Throughout the conquest of Canaan, God overthrew various nations to fulfill His promise to Israel. In
Deuteronomy 7:23 , it is written, "But the LORD your God will give them over to you and throw them into great confusion until they are destroyed." This reflects God's faithfulness to His covenant and His role as the divine warrior on behalf of Israel.
Prophetic OverthrowsThe prophets frequently spoke of future overthrows as part of God's judgment against nations that opposed His will. For example, in
Jeremiah 51:1 , the prophet declares, "This is what the LORD says: 'See, I will stir up the spirit of a destroyer against Babylon and the people of Leb-kamai.'" Such prophecies often served as warnings to nations and a call to repentance.
New Testament ContextWhile the New Testament does not frequently use the term "overthrew," the concept is present in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. The ultimate overthrow is seen in the defeat of sin and death through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Colossians 2:15 states, "And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." This victory signifies the overthrow of spiritual forces opposed to God's kingdom.
Theological SignificanceThe theme of overthrow in the Bible underscores God's authority over creation and history. It serves as a reminder of His power to judge and redeem, bringing about His purposes despite human rebellion. The biblical narrative of overthrow is not merely about destruction but also about the establishment of God's righteous order and the hope of restoration for those who align with His will.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp.) of Overthrow.
Strong's Hebrew
4114. mahpekah -- an overthrow... 4113, 4114. mahpekah. 4115 . an overthrow. Transliteration: mahpekah Phonetic
Spelling: (mah-pay-kaw') Short Definition:
overthrew.
...5287. naar -- to shake, shake out or off
... 5286, 5287. naar. 5288 . to shake, shake out or off. Transliteration: naar
Phonetic Spelling: (naw-ar') Short Definition:overthrew. Word Origin a prim....
2015. haphak -- to turn, overturn
... Usage become (1), came (1), change (1), changed (6), changes (1), come (1), drained
(1), give (1), had a change (1), inundate (1),overthrew (5), overthrow (5...
2040. haras -- to throw down, break or tear down
... to throw down, break or tear down NASB Word Usage break down (2), break through
(2), broken down (1), destroyed (2), destroyers (1),overthrew (2), overthrow (5...
Library
How JudasOverthrew the Forces of Apollonius and Seron and Killed...
... CHAPTER 7. How JudasOverthrew The Forces Of Apollonius And Seron And Killed The
Generals Of Their Armies Themselves; And How When, A Little While Afterwards...
How GodOverthrew the Nation of the Sodomites, Out of his Wrath...
... From The Creation To The Death Of Isaac. CHAPTER 11. How GodOverthrew The Nation
Of The Sodomites, Out Of His Wrath Against Them For Their Sins....
How the Jews were Crucified Before the Walls of the City...
... How The Jews Were Crucified Before The Walls Of The City Concerning Antiochus Epiphanes;
And How The JewsOverthrew The Banks That Had Been Raised By The Romans...
of the Statue of Christ in Paneas which JulianOverthrew and Made...
... Book V. Chapter XXI." Of the Statue of Christ in Paneas which Julianoverthrew and
made Valueless; he erected his own Statue; this was overthrown by a Thunder...
How Alexander, Upon the League of Mutual Defense which Cleopatra...
... How Alexander, upon the League of Mutual Defense Which Cleopatra Had Agreed with
Him, Made an Expedition Against Coelesyria, and UtterlyOverthrew the City of...
Christ Cleansing the Temple
... cattle, not their owners, whom He 'drove out.' And then, dropping the scourge, He
turned to the money-changers, and, with the same hand,overthrew their tables...
Fix Thou Our Hearing, that it be not Loosed and Wander!
... The Sabbathoverthrew thy walls, itoverthrew the ungrateful; the day of the
Resurrection of the Son, raised again thy ruins; the day of Resurrection raised...
How, Upon Antiochus's Prohibition to the Jews to Make Use of the...
... He alsooverthrew the idol altar, and cried out, "If," said he, "any one be zealous
for the laws of his country, and for the worship of God, let him follow me...
How Joram and Jehoshaphat Made an Expedition against the Moabites...
... And when the kings fell into the land of Moab, theyoverthrew the cities that were
in it, and spoiled their fields, and marred them, filling them with stones...
Isaiah's
... children. And BABYLON, The glory of kingdoms, The beauty of the Chaldeans'
pride, Shall be as when Godoverthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. It...
Thesaurus
Overthrew (17 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp.) of Overthrow. Multi-Version Concordance
Overthrew (17 Occurrences). Matthew 21:12 Jesus entered
...Gomorrah (25 Occurrences)
... that it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow
of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the LORDoverthrew in his...
Overthrow (48 Occurrences)
... Genesis 19:25 and heoverthrew those cities, and all the Plain, and all the inhabitants
of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground. (See JPS YLT)....
Tables (41 Occurrences)
... Matthew 21:12 Jesus entered into the temple of God, and drove out all of those who
sold and bought in the temple, andoverthrew the money changers' tables and...
Changers (5 Occurrences)
... Matthew 21:12 Jesus entered into the temple of God, and drove out all of those who
sold and bought in the temple, andoverthrew the money changers' tables and...
Area (66 Occurrences)
... Matthew 21:12 Jesus entered into the temple of God, and drove out all of those who
sold and bought in the temple, andoverthrew the money changers' tables and...
Sodom (49 Occurrences)
... that it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow
of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the LORDoverthrew in his...
Zeboiim (7 Occurrences)
... that it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow
of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim, which Jehovahoverthrew in his...
Gomor'rah (23 Occurrences)
... that it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow
of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim, which the LORDoverthrew in His...
Doves (25 Occurrences)
... Matthew 21:12 Jesus entered into the temple of God, and drove out all of those who
sold and bought in the temple, andoverthrew the money changers' tables and...
Resources
What were Admah and Zeboiim in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat happened in the intertestamental period? | GotQuestions.orgDoes the Bible mention Alexander the Great? | GotQuestions.orgOverthrew: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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