Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical terms, "spoils" refers to the goods, wealth, or property taken by force or as a result of victory in battle. The concept of spoils is prevalent throughout the Old Testament, where it often signifies God's provision and judgment. The acquisition and distribution of spoils were integral to the warfare practices of ancient Israel and surrounding nations.
Old Testament ContextThe Hebrew word for spoils is "shalal," which appears frequently in the context of warfare. The spoils of war included livestock, precious metals, clothing, and other valuable items. In many instances, the spoils were seen as a divine blessing for obedience and victory. For example, in the conquest of Canaan, God commanded the Israelites to take spoils from their defeated enemies as part of His promise to give them the land (
Joshua 8:2).
One notable instance of spoils is found in the account of Abraham, who rescued his nephew Lot and recovered the spoils taken by the kings who had captured Sodom and Gomorrah. After his victory, Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils to Melchizedek, the king of Salem and priest of God Most High (
Genesis 14:18-20). This act is often cited as an early example of tithing.
The distribution of spoils was also regulated by Mosaic Law. In
Numbers 31, after the Israelites defeated the Midianites, God instructed Moses on how to divide the spoils. A portion was to be given to the warriors, another to the rest of the community, and a tribute was to be offered to the Lord (
Numbers 31:25-30).
New Testament ContextWhile the New Testament does not focus heavily on the concept of spoils, it does use the term metaphorically. In
Colossians 2:15, the Apostle Paul writes, "And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." Here, the imagery of spoils is used to describe Christ's victory over spiritual forces, suggesting that through His death and resurrection, Jesus has claimed victory and taken spoils from the powers of darkness.
Theological ImplicationsTheologically, spoils in the Bible can be seen as a symbol of God's justice and provision. The taking of spoils was often a sign of divine favor and a reward for faithfulness. However, the misuse or wrongful taking of spoils could lead to judgment, as seen in the account of Achan, who took forbidden spoils from Jericho, resulting in Israel's defeat at Ai (Joshua 7).
The concept of spoils also underscores the theme of spiritual warfare in the Christian life. Believers are called to be victorious over sin and evil, with the understanding that Christ has already secured the ultimate victory. The spoils of this spiritual battle are the blessings and inheritance promised to those who remain faithful.
ConclusionIn summary, the concept of spoils in the Bible serves as a multifaceted symbol of victory, provision, and divine justice. It reflects the historical practices of ancient warfare while also pointing to deeper spiritual truths about God's sovereignty and the believer's triumph in Christ.
Greek
205. akrothinion -- the top of a heap, ie the best of thespoils... the top of a heap, ie the best of the
spoils. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: akrothinion Phonetic Spelling: (ak-roth-in'-ee-on) Short Definition
...4661. skulon -- arms stripped from a foe, iespoils
... arms stripped from a foe, iespoils. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration:
skulon Phonetic Spelling: (skoo'-lon) Short Definition: spoil taken from a...
3470. momos -- blame, disgrace, blemish
... 3470 -- literally, a blemish (spot, blot); (figuratively) whatspoils a reputation,
causing undue blame (disgrace, censure). Word Origin a prim....
4812. sulagogeo -- to carry off as spoil
... Word Origin from the same as sulao and ago Definition to carry off as spoil
NASB Word Usage takes...captive (1). takespoils. From...
Strong's Hebrew
698. orbah -- an artifice...spoils. Feminine of 'oreb (only in the plural); ambuscades --
spoils. see
HEBREW 'oreb. 697, 698. orbah. 699 . Strong's Numbers.
Library
December 23. "Out of theSpoils Won in Battles, did they Dedicate...
... DECEMBER 23. "Out of thespoils won in battles, did they dedicate to maintain
the house of the Lord" (I. Chron. xxvi. 27). "Out...
Saul's Expedition against the Nation of the Ammonites and victory...
... Saul. CHAPTER 5. Saul's Expedition Against The Nation Of The Ammonites
And Victory Over Them And TheSpoils He Took From Them. 1...
Whether Robbery May be Committed Without Sin?
... Forspoils are taken by violence, and this seems to belong to the essence of robbery,
according to what has been said [2918](A[4]). Now it is lawful to take...
He Returns to Explain the Prophecy of Isaiah.
... first of all how it is said of Hezekiah, that before he knew how to call father
or mother, he received the power of Damascus and thespoils of Samaria in the...
There were Some Bold Young Men of the Village of Dabaritta...
... Now I had a mind to preserve thesespoils for Ptolemy, who was my countryman; and
it is prohibited [12] by our laws even to spoil our enemies; so I said to...
Of the Prophecies of the Birth and Achievements of Christ.
... butter and honey shall he eat;" [1253] : "since, ere the child learn to call father
or mother, he shall receive the power of Damascus and thespoils of Samaria...
He Proves that this Prophecy Harmonizes with Christ Alone, from...
... For that expression of Isaiah He shall take the power of Damascus andspoils of
Samaria,' foretold that the power of the evil demon that dwelt in Damascus...
Argument: Then He Shows that C??cilius had Been Wrong in Asserting...
... All their temples are built from thespoils of violence, that is, from the ruins
of cities, from thespoils of the gods, from the murders of priests....
Schin.
... 160. Then follows, "I am as glad of Thy word as one that findeth greatspoils"
(ver.162). By the same words he conquered, of which he stood in awe....
The Marvel Is, not that Men have Failed to Know Christ...
... 6. For a Conqueror came, adorned with wondrousspoils, the Lord was in His holy
Temple, before Him went angels and archangels, marvelling at the prey wrested...
Thesaurus
Spoils (19 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Spoils (19 Occurrences). Matthew 6:19 Lay not
up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and
...Booty (32 Occurrences)
... He also devoted of thespoils of war for the temple (1 Samuel 30:24-26; 2
Samuel 8:11; 1 Chronicles 26:27). Noah Webster's Dictionary....
Spoil (140 Occurrences)
... as the peculiar property of a successful party or faction, to be bestowed for its
own advantage; -- commonly in the plural; as to the victor belong thespoils....
Warfare (18 Occurrences)
... Significance 2. Preliminaries 3. Operations of War 4. Strategy 5. Important Requisites
6. Characteristics 7. Defeat and Victory 8.Spoils and Trophies 9...
War (529 Occurrences)
... Significance 2. Preliminaries 3. Operations of War 4. Strategy 5. Important Requisites
6. Characteristics 7. Defeat and Victory 8.Spoils and Trophies 9...
Plunder (118 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Hebrews 7:4 Now consider how great this man was, to whom even Abraham,
the patriarch, gave a tenth out of the bestspoils. (See NIV)....
Dig (24 Occurrences)
... Matthew 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and
rustspoils, and where thieves dig through and steal; (DBY)....
Collar (6 Occurrences)
... 39:23). The "collars" (Hebrews netiphoth) among thespoils of the Midianites
(Judges 8:26; RV, "pendants") were ear-drops. The same...
Reuben (73 Occurrences)
... few;' it is all he can do `to live and not die.' We hear of nothing beyond the
multiplication of their cattle in the land of Gilead, theirspoils of `camels...
Spoiling (20 Occurrences)
Resources
Why did God judge the sin of Achan so severely? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of the Valley of Achor in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Sisera in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgSpoils: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
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Topical Bible •
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