Topical Encyclopedia
The term "overthrown" in the Bible often refers to the act of being defeated, destroyed, or brought to ruin, typically as a result of divine judgment or intervention. This concept is prevalent throughout the Scriptures, illustrating the consequences of disobedience to God and the ultimate triumph of His will.
Old Testament Instances1.
Sodom and Gomorrah: One of the most notable examples of being overthrown is the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. These cities were overthrown due to their grievous sins.
Genesis 19:24-25 states, "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."
2.
The Egyptian Army: In the Exodus narrative, the Egyptian army is overthrown in the Red Sea as they pursue the Israelites.
Exodus 14:27-28 recounts, "So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea returned to its normal state. As the Egyptians fled before 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."
3.
The Canaanite Nations: The conquest of Canaan by the Israelites involved the overthrow of various nations that occupied the land.
Deuteronomy 7:1-2 commands, "When the LORD your God brings you into the land you are entering to possess, and He drives out before you many nations... you must devote them to complete destruction. Make no treaty with them and show them no mercy."
New Testament References1.
The Overthrow of the Money Changers: In the New Testament, Jesus overthrows the tables of the money changers in the temple, symbolizing the cleansing of corruption and the restoration of true worship.
Matthew 21:12 describes, "Then Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those selling doves."
2.
Spiritual Overthrow: The New Testament also speaks of spiritual overthrow, where false teachings and ungodly behaviors are condemned. In
2 Peter 2:6 , the apostle Peter warns, "If He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction, reducing them to ashes as an example of what is coming on the ungodly..."
Theological ImplicationsThe concept of being overthrown serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and justice. It underscores the biblical principle that sin leads to destruction, while obedience to God brings life and blessing. The overthrow of nations, individuals, and spiritual strongholds throughout the Bible illustrates the ultimate authority of God over all creation and His commitment to righteousness.
Moral and Ethical LessonsThe biblical accounts of being overthrown often carry moral and ethical lessons for believers. They serve as warnings against pride, idolatry, and disobedience, urging individuals and nations to seek repentance and align themselves with God's will. The narratives encourage a life of faithfulness, humility, and reverence for God's commandments, highlighting the importance of living in accordance with divine principles to avoid the fate of being overthrown.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
p. p.) of Overthrow.
Greek
2647. kataluo -- to destroy, overthrow... luo Definition to destroy, overthrow NASB Word Usage abolish (2), destroy (5),
destroyed (1), find lodging (1), guest (1), overthrow (1),
overthrown (1), tear
...Strong's Hebrew
4384. makshelah -- somethingoverthrown, a stumbling block... 4383, 4384. makshelah. 4385 . something
overthrown, a stumbling block.
Transliteration: makshelah Phonetic Spelling: (mak-shay-law') Short Definition:
...3782. kashal -- to stumble, stagger, totter
... 1), brought down (1), cast down (1), downfall (1), fail (1), failed (1), failing
(1), fall (4), fall down (1), feeble (3), feeble* (1),overthrown (1), stumble...
2248. chabula -- a hurtful act, crime
... hurt. (Aramaic) from chabal; properly,overthrown, ie (morally) crime -- hurt. see
HEBREW chabal. 2247, 2248. chabula. 2249 . Strong's Numbers.
4114. mahpekah -- an overthrow
... overthrew. Word Origin from haphak Definition an overthrow NASB Word Usage
overthrew (3), overthrow (2),overthrown (1). when. From...
2015. haphak -- to turn, overturn
... change (1), changed (6), changes (1), come (1), drained (1), give (1), had a change
(1), inundate (1), overthrew (5), overthrow (5),overthrown (3), overthrows...
2040. haras -- 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),overthrown (1), overthrows (1...
5221. nakah -- to smite
... 1), destroyed (2), drove (1), indeed defeated (1), inflicted (4), kill (11), kill*
(1), killed (36), killing (3), kills (10), made (1),overthrown (1), pin (2...
5186. natah -- to stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend
... bow (down, - ing), carry aside, decline, deliver, extend, go down, be gone, incline,
intend, lay, let down, offer, outstretched,overthrown, pervert, pitch...
Library
The Tyranny of Lust Being ThusOverthrown, Charity Reigns through...
... Book 3 Chapter 23. The tyranny of lust being thusoverthrown, charity
reigns through its supremely just laws? 23. The tyranny...
An Instance Showing How King Hezekiah wasOverthrown by the Dart...
... Prolegomena. Chapter X. An instance showing how King Hezekiah wasoverthrown
by the dart of vainglory. For so we read that Hezekiah...
What Philosophers were Famous when Tarquinius Priscus Reigned Over...
... What Philosophers Were Famous When Tarquinius Priscus Reigned Over the Romans, and
Zedekiah Over the Hebrews, When Jerusalem Was Taken and the TempleOverthrown...
of the Statue of Christ in Paneas which Julian Overthrew and Made...
... Book V. Chapter XXI." Of the Statue of Christ in Paneas which Julian overthrew and
made Valueless; he erected his own Statue; this wasoverthrown by a Thunder...
The Same is Taught from the History of Jonah.
... of that city himself, with his nobles also, put on sackcloth and remained fasting
and praying, and obtained their request that the city should not beoverthrown...
The Author Distinguishes the Faith from the Errors of Pagans...
... "Every kingdom divided against itself shall quickly beoverthrown," saith the Lord....
But truly, seeing that it cannot beoverthrown, it is plainly undivided....
Of those who Fancy That, on Account of the Saints' Intercession...
... For He did not say, "Nineveh shall beoverthrown if they do not repent and amend
their ways," but without any such condition He foretold that the city should...
War! War! War!
... from their left, and one man went against it"Jonah"and as he approached it he began
to cry, "Yet forty days and Nineveh shall beoverthrown." He entered...
Although, Even if There Went Before no Testimonies Concerning...
... sudden shone on the human race, when we see, (the false gods now abandoned, and
their images every where broken in pieces, their templesoverthrown or changed...
The Triacontad of the Heretics Errs Both by Defect and Excess...
... It is also impossible, therefore, that Sophia suffered passion apart from Theletus;
and thus, again, their whole system of argument isoverthrown....
Thesaurus
Overthrown (44 Occurrences)...Overthrown (44 Occurrences).
... They last for a time; then, when suffering or persecution
comes because of the Message, they are immediately
overthrown. (WEY).
...Subvert (4 Occurrences)
... For "overthrown me" (Job 19:6) the Revised Version (British and American) has
"subverted me (in my cause)," margin "overthrown me"; for "perverteth" (Proverbs...
Overthrowing (10 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Proverbs 21:12 The righteous man considereth the house of the wicked,
How the wicked areoverthrown to their ruin. (See JPS YLT)....
Hymenaeus (2 Occurrences)
... 3. Incipient Gnosticism: This teaching of Hymeneus had been so far successful:
it had "overthrown the faith of some" (2 Timothy 2:18)....
Overthrow (48 Occurrences)
... him. (WEB KJV ASV WBS). Proverbs 12:7 The wicked areoverthrown, and are
no more, but the house of the righteous shall stand. (Root...
Persians (6 Occurrences)
... 4. Pseudo-Smerdis: After a reign of 7 months, the usurper wasoverthrown and slain
by Darius and his 6 brother-nobles (their names in Herodotus iii.70 are...
Ruin (135 Occurrences)
... Luke 11:17 And, knowing their thoughts, He said to them, "Every kingdom in which
civil war rages goes to ruin: family attacks family and isoverthrown....
Desolate (189 Occurrences)
... Psalms 9:6 The enemy are come to an end, they are desolate for ever; And the cities
which thou hastoverthrown, The very remembrance of them is perished. (ASV)....
Falls (79 Occurrences)
... (WEB NAS RSV NIV). Proverbs 24:16 for a righteous man falls seven times, and rises
up again; but the wicked areoverthrown by calamity. (WEB NAS RSV NIV)....
Tyre (59 Occurrences)
... murdered by his brothers, the eldest of whom succeeded him, followed by Astartus
and Aserymus murdered by his brother, Pheles, who wasoverthrown by the high...
Resources
What is the significance of Babylon in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of the word 'hallelujah'? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Miriam in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgOverthrown: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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