Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and ContextRobbery, in biblical terms, refers to the unlawful taking of property from another person with the intent to permanently deprive them of it. It is considered a serious offense against both divine and human law, reflecting a violation of the commandment, "You shall not steal" (
Exodus 20:15). Robbery is not only a crime against individuals but also an affront to God's order and justice.
Old Testament ReferencesThe Old Testament contains numerous references to robbery, often highlighting its moral and social implications. In
Leviticus 19:13, the Israelites are commanded, "You must not defraud your neighbor or rob him. The wages due a hired hand must not remain with you until morning" . This verse underscores the importance of fairness and integrity in dealings with others.
The prophets frequently condemned robbery as a symptom of societal decay and injustice.
Isaiah 61:8 declares, "For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery and wrongdoing. In My faithfulness, I will give them their recompense and make an everlasting covenant with them" . Here, robbery is juxtaposed with God's love for justice, emphasizing that such acts are contrary to His nature and will.
New Testament ReferencesIn the New Testament, robbery is addressed within the broader context of sin and righteousness. Jesus, in His teachings, often highlighted the spiritual dimensions of theft and greed. In
John 10:10, He contrasts His mission with that of a thief: "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness" . This passage illustrates the destructive nature of robbery and theft, both physically and spiritually.
The Apostle Paul also speaks against robbery in his epistles. In
1 Corinthians 6:10, he lists thieves among those who "will not inherit the kingdom of God" , indicating the severity of such actions in the eyes of God.
Moral and Ethical ImplicationsRobbery is not merely a legal issue but a moral one, reflecting a heart turned away from God's commandments. It is often associated with other sins such as greed, covetousness, and violence. The Bible calls believers to a higher standard of living, one that respects the property and rights of others.
Ephesians 4:28 advises, "He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with his own hands, that he may have something to share with the one in need" . This verse encourages transformation and restitution, promoting honest labor and generosity.
Theological SignificanceTheologically, robbery is seen as a breach of trust and a failure to love one's neighbor as oneself. It disrupts the harmony and community that God desires for His people. The Bible consistently calls for justice, restitution, and reconciliation, urging those who have wronged others to make amends and seek forgiveness.
ConclusionWhile the Bible unequivocally condemns robbery, it also offers a path to redemption and restoration. Through repentance and faith in Christ, individuals can find forgiveness and the strength to live righteously, reflecting God's justice and love in their lives.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
RobberyRobbery has ever been one of the principal employments of the nomad tribes of the East. From the time of Ishmael to the present day the Bedouin has been a "wild man," and a robber by trade. (Genesis 16:12) The Mosaic law on the subject of theft is contained in (Exodus 2:2) There seems no reason to suppose that the law underwent any alteration in Solomon's time. Man-stealing was punishable with death. (Exodus 21:16;24:7) Invasion of right in land was strictly forbidden. (27:17;Isaiah 5:8;Micah 2:2)
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Practised by the Ishmaelites (
Genesis 16:12), the Chaldeans and Sabeans (
Job 1:15, 17), and the men of Shechem (
Judges 9:25. See also
1 Samuel 27:6-10; 30;
Hosea 4:2;
6:9). Robbers infested Judea in our Lord's time (
Luke 10:30;
John 18:40;
Acts 5:36, 37;
21:38;
2 Corinthians 11:26). The words of the Authorized Version, "counted it not robbery to be equal," etc. (
Philippians 2:6, 7), are better rendered in the Revised Version, "counted it not a prize to be on an equality," etc., i.e., "did not look upon equality with God as a prize which must not slip from his grasp" = "did not cling with avidity to the prerogatives of his divine majesty; did not ambitiously display his equality with God."
"Robbers of churches" should be rendered, as in the Revised Version, "of temples." In the temple at Ephesus there was a great treasure-chamber, and as all that was laid up there was under the guardianship of the goddess Diana, to steal from such a place would be sacrilege (Acts 19:37).
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The act or practice of robbing; theft.
2. (n.) The crime of robbing. See Rob.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ROBBER; ROBBERYrob'-er, rob'-er-i: "Robber" represents no particular Hebrew word in the Old Testament, but in the Apocrypha and the New Testament is always a translation of lestes (see THIEF). In the King James VersionJob 5:5;Job 18:9, "robber" stands for the doubtful word tsammim, the Revised Version (British and American) "hungry" in JObadiah 5:5 and "snare" in 18:9. The meaning is uncertain, and perhaps tseme'im, "thirsty," should be read in both places.Psalm 62:10, "Become not vain in robbery," means "put not your trust in riches dishonestly gained." RV's changes of the King James Version inProverbs 21:7Daniel 11:14Nahum 3:1 are obvious. InPhilippians 2:6 the King James Version reads "thought it not robbery to be equal with God." the English Revised Version has "a prize," while the English Revised Version margin and the American Standard Revised Version read "a thing to be grasped," the American Standard Revised Version rewording "counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped." The Greek here is harpagmos, a word derived from harpazo, "to ravish away," "carry off," "plunder" (compare "harpy"). Properly speaking, the termination -mos should give the derived noun an active sense, "the act of plundering," whence the King James Version's "robbery." The verse would then mean "who thought that being on an equality with God did not consist in grasping," and this translation gives good sense in the context and has some excellent scholarly support. But a passive significance is frequently found despite a -mos termination, giving to harpagmos the sense of "thing grasped," as in the Revised Version (British and American). Usually English commentators take "grasped" as meaning "clung to"-"did not think equality with God should be clung to tenaciously"-but "to cling to" seems unknown as a translation of harpazo. Hence, render "a thing to be grasped at"-did not seek equality with God by selfish methods but by humbling himself." It is to be noticed, naturally, that Paul is thinking of "equality with God" simply in the sense of "receiving explicit adoration from men" (Philippians 2:10, 11), and that the metaphysical relation of the Son to the Father is not at all in point.
See alsoGRASP.
Burton Scott Easton
Greek
724. harpage -- pillage, plundering... harpage Phonetic Spelling: (har-pag-ay') Short Definition: the act of plundering,
plunder, spoil Definition: the act of plundering; plunder, spoil,
robbery.
...726. harpazo -- to seize, catch up, snatch away
... snatch away. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: harpazo Phonetic Spelling:
(har-pad'-zo) Short Definition: I seize, snatch, obtain byrobbery Definition: I...
725. harpagmos -- the act of seizing or the thing seized
... plunder. From harpazo; plunder (properly concrete) --robbery. see GREEK harpazo.
(arpagmon) -- 1 Occurrence. 724, 725. harpagmos. 726 . Strong's Numbers.
727. harpax -- rapacious
... ravenous; a robber, an extortioner. Cognate: 727 -- properly, ; a (like in
arobbery). See 726 (). Word Origin from harpazo Definition...
Strong's Hebrew
1498. gazel --robbery... 1497, 1498. gazel. 1499 .
robbery. Transliteration: gazel Phonetic Spelling:
(gaw-zale') Short Definition:
robbery. Word Origin
...957. baz -- spoiling,robbery, spoil, booty
... 956, 957. baz. 958 . spoiling,robbery, spoil, booty. Transliteration:
baz Phonetic Spelling: (baz) Short Definition: prey. Word...
1497. gazal -- to tear away, seize, rob
... 1), consume (1), force (1), rob (3), robbed (6), robs (2), seize (2), seized (2),
snatch (1), snatched (2), steal (1), take (1), taken byrobbery (1), tear off...
1500. gezelah -- plunder, spoil
... 1499, 1500. gezelah. 1501 . plunder, spoil. Transliteration: gezelah Phonetic
Spelling: (ghez-ay-law') Short Definition:robbery. Word Origin fem....
6563. pereq -- parting of ways, plunder
... crossway,robbery. From paraq; rapine; also a fork (in roads) -- crossway,robbery.
see HEBREW paraq. 6562, 6563. pereq. 6564 . Strong's Numbers.
7701. shod -- violence, havoc, devastation, ruin
... destruction (12), devastation (7), violence (5). desolation, destruction,
oppression,robbery, spoiled wasting. Or showd (Job 5:21...
2863. chetheph -- prey
... Word Origin from chathaph Definition prey NASB Word Usage robber (1). prey. From
chathaph; properly, rapine; figuratively,robbery -- prey. see HEBREW chathaph....
Library
Whether Theft andRobbery are Sins of Different Species?
... OF THEFT ANDROBBERY (NINE ARTICLES) Whether theft androbbery are sins
of different species? Objection 1: It would seem that theft...
Of Theft andRobbery (Nine Articles)
... OF THEFT ANDROBBERY (NINE ARTICLES).... (3) Whether theft is the secret taking of
another's property? (4) Whetherrobbery is a species of sin distinct from theft?...
WhetherRobbery May be Committed Without Sin?
... OF THEFT ANDROBBERY (NINE ARTICLES) Whetherrobbery may be committed without sin?
Objection 1: It would seem thatrobbery may be committed without sin....
Whether Theft is a More Grievous Sin thanRobbery?
... OF THEFT ANDROBBERY (NINE ARTICLES) Whether theft is a more grievous sin
thanrobbery? Objection 1: It would seem that theft is...
Argument --That the Same Divine Majesty is in Christ, He once More...
... to another branch of the argument, should we pass over that passage in the apostle:
"Who, although He was in the form of God, did not think itrobbery that He...
Palm Sunday
... ["Who, being in the form of God, thought it notrobbery to be equal with God; but
made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant."]....
Whether Restitution is Binding on those who have not Taken?
... of assistance. Thirdly, on the part of the thing taken, by taking part
in the theft orrobbery, as a fellow evil-doer. Indirectly...
On the Same Words of the Gospel, Matt. xxii. 42
... How is He also David's Lord? Tell us, O Apostle: "who being in the form of God,
thought it notrobbery to be equal with God." Acknowledge David's Lord....
We must Consider the Fact, which Comes First, and So in Order...
... souls; that the soul of the Saviour existed before it was born of Mary, and that
it is this soul which "being in the form of God thought it notrobbery to be...
Whether Men are Bound to Pay Tithes of all Things?
... Now a man does not always remain in possession of all his profit from land and stock,
since sometimes he loses them by theft orrobbery; sometimes they are...
Thesaurus
Robbery (18 Occurrences)... The words of the Authorized Version, "counted it not
robbery to be equal," etc.
... See Rob. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ROBBER;
ROBBERY.
...Exercised (20 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 18:7 and hath not oppressed any; he hath restored to the debtor his pledge,
hath not exercisedrobbery, hath given his bread to the hungry, and covered...
Robber (14 Occurrences)
... violence or by putting him in fear. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ROBBER;
ROBBERY. rob'-er, rob'-er-i: "Robber" represents no...
Wronged (22 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 18:7 and has not wronged any, but has restored to the debtor his pledge,
has taken nothing byrobbery, has given his bread to the hungry, and has...
Commits (39 Occurrences)
... 6:2 "If anyone sins, and commits a trespass against Yahweh, and deals falsely with
his neighbor in a matter of deposit, or of bargain, or ofrobbery, or has...
Extortion (14 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 6:4 then it shall be, if he has sinned, and is guilty, he shall restore
that which he took byrobbery, or the thing which he has gotten by oppression...
Code (6 Occurrences)
... CONTENTS OF THE CODE 1. The Principles of Legal Process 2. Theft, Burglary,Robbery
3. Laws concerning Vassalage 4. Immovables 5. Trader and Agent 6. Taverns 7...
Loan (9 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 18:7 and has not wronged any, but has restored to the debtor his pledge,
has taken nothing byrobbery, has given his bread to the hungry, and has...
Pledge (55 Occurrences)
... 6:2 If any one sin, and commit a trespass against Jehovah, and deal falsely with
his neighbor in a matter of deposit, or of bargain, or ofrobbery, or have...
Extorted (3 Occurrences)
... 6:2 "If anyone sins, and commits a trespass against Yahweh, and deals falsely with
his neighbor in a matter of deposit, or of bargain, or ofrobbery, or has...
Resources
Is it possible to be Christian and pro-choice at the same time? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the difference between natural evil and moral evil? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about vandalism? | GotQuestions.orgRobbery: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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