Topical Encyclopedia
The term "uprooted" in the Bible often conveys themes of judgment, displacement, and divine intervention. It is used both literally and metaphorically to describe the removal or destruction of people, nations, or plants. The imagery of uprooting is powerful, symbolizing the complete removal and eradication of something from its place of origin or growth.
Old Testament UsageIn the Old Testament, the concept of being uprooted is frequently associated with God's judgment against nations and individuals who have turned away from His commandments. For instance, in
Deuteronomy 29:28 , it is written, "The LORD uprooted them from their land in His anger, rage, and great wrath, and He cast them into another land, where they are today." This passage refers to the consequences faced by the Israelites for their disobedience and idolatry, resulting in their exile.
The prophetic books often use the imagery of uprooting to describe the fate of nations that oppose God's will.
Jeremiah 12:14-17 speaks of God's intention to uproot the wicked nations surrounding Israel: "This is what the LORD says: 'As for all My wicked neighbors who seize the inheritance I gave My people Israel, I will uproot them from their lands, and I will uproot the house of Judah from among them.'" Here, the act of uprooting serves as a divine response to injustice and rebellion.
New Testament UsageIn the New Testament, the concept of uprooting is less frequent but still significant. Jesus uses the metaphor of uprooting in His teachings to illustrate the power of faith and the consequences of spiritual barrenness. In
Matthew 15:13 , Jesus states, "Every plant that My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted." This declaration underscores the idea that only what is rooted in God will endure, while all else will be removed.
The apostle Paul also touches on the theme of being uprooted in his epistles. In
Romans 11:17-24, Paul uses the metaphor of an olive tree to explain the relationship between Israel and the Gentiles. He warns the Gentiles not to boast over the natural branches (Israel) that were broken off, as they too could be uprooted if they do not remain in faith.
Theological ImplicationsTheologically, the imagery of uprooting serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and justice. It emphasizes the transient nature of human endeavors apart from God and the ultimate accountability of nations and individuals to divine authority. The act of uprooting is both a warning and a call to repentance, urging believers to remain steadfast in their faith and obedience to God.
In a broader sense, the concept of being uprooted can also reflect the Christian experience of being called out of the world and into a new life in Christ. Believers are often described as sojourners and pilgrims, having been uprooted from their former ways and planted in the kingdom of God. This spiritual uprooting is a transformative process, leading to growth and fruitfulness in the life of a believer.
ConclusionThe biblical theme of being uprooted is rich with meaning and application. It serves as a vivid illustration of God's power to remove and destroy, as well as His ability to plant and establish. Whether in judgment or in grace, the act of uprooting is a testament to the dynamic and active presence of God in the world and in the lives of His people.
Greek
1610. ekrizoo -- to uproot... roots. Word Origin from ek and rhizoo Definition to uproot NASB Word Usage
uproot (1),
uprooted (3). pluck up by the root, root up.
...262. amarantinos -- unfading
... See 263 (). [The flower has incredible resiliency (ability to endure). It
easily revives when moistened, even after it isuprooted.]....
Strong's Hebrew
5265. nasa -- to pull out or up, set out, journey... 4), quarried (1), quarries (1), removed (1), set (53), set journey (1), set aside
(1), sets (1), setting (1), take our journey (1),
uprooted (1), wander (1
...5428. nathash -- to pull or pluck up, root out
... root Definition to pull or pluck up, root out NASB Word Usage pluck (3), plucked
(2), root (1), rooted (1), snatched away (1), uproot (9),uprooted (4)....
6131. aqar -- to pluck or root up
... Word Origin denominative verb from eqer Definition to pluck or root up NASB Word
Usage uproot (1),uprooted (1). dig down, pluck up, root up....
8327. sharash -- to deal with the roots
... verb from shoresh Definition to deal with the roots NASB Word Usage take root (1),
taken root (2), taking root (1), took (1), uproot (2),uprooted (1)....
5255. nasach -- to pull or tear away
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to pull or tear away NASB Word Usage tear away
(1), tear down (1), torn (1),uprooted (1). destroy, pluck, root....
Library
Whether Heretics Ought to be Tolerated?
... Notandum), "to be excommunicated is not to beuprooted." A man is excommunicated,
as the Apostle says (1:Cor.5:5) that his "spirit may be saved in the day of...
Whether Vengeance Should be Wrought by Means of Punishments...
... Reply to Objection 1: Our Lord forbids the uprooting of the cockle, when
there is fear lest the wheat beuprooted together with it....
Whether the Ten Precepts of the Decalogue are Set in Proper Order?
... But according to Boethius in his commentary on the Categories [*Lib. iv, cap.
De Oppos.], vices should beuprooted before virtues are sown....
To Monna Agnese who was the Wife of Messer Orso Malavolti
... All this results from the sensitive spiritual self-will that grows from
the tree of Pride which was cut down, but notuprooted....
Of the Affections and their Use; of Patience, and the Chief Good...
... Therefore (as I said) fear is not to beuprooted, as the Stoics maintain, nor to
be restrained, as the Peripatetics wish, but to be directed into the right way...
Jesus Fails to Attend the Third Passover.
... are full of encouragement to those who adhere to the simple teachings of God; for
they show that God guarantees that every error shall beuprooted, and that...
Demonstration vi. --Of Monks.
... Let us be fruitful vines, that we may not beuprooted out of His vineyard. Let us
be a sweet odour, that our fragrance may breathe forth to all around....
The Testament of Asher Concerning Two Faces of vice and virtue.
... For many in killing the wicked do two works, an evil by a good; but the whole is
good, because he hathuprooted and destroyed that which is evil....
Kingo's Childhood and Youth
... The Reformation haduprooted much of the cultural life that had grown up during
the long period of Catholic supremacy, but had produced no adequate substitute....
Of God, and that the one God, and by Whose Providence the World is...
... he proclaimed not with dissimulation as an Academic, but truly and in accordance
with the feeling of his mind, because the truth cannot beuprooted from human...
Thesaurus
Uprooted (29 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Uprooted (29 Occurrences). Matthew 15:13 But he answered,
"Every plant which my heavenly Father didn't plant will be
uprooted.
...Uproot (17 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 7:20 Then I will have this peopleuprooted out of my land which I have
given them; and this house, which I have made holy for my name, I will put...
Rooted (15 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Rooted (15 Occurrences). Matthew 15:13 But he answered,
"Every plant which my heavenly Father didn't plant will beuprooted....
Uprooting (10 Occurrences)
... the Lord has said against all my evil neighbours, who put their hands on the heritage
which I gave my people Israel: See, I will have themuprooted from their...
Plant (92 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Plant (92 Occurrences). Matthew 15:13 But he answered,
"Every plant which my heavenly Father didn't plant will beuprooted....
Uproots (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Uproots (1 Occurrence). Job 19:10 I am broken down by
him on every side, and I am gone; my hope isuprooted like a tree. (See NIV)....
Unrestrained (3 Occurrences)
... by fear while caring only for themselves; clouds without water, driven away by the
winds; trees that cast their fruit, barren, doubly dead,uprooted; (WEY)....
Love-feasts (1 Occurrence)
... by fear while caring only for themselves; clouds without water, driven away by the
winds; trees that cast their fruit, barren, doubly dead,uprooted; (WEY ASV...
Woods (37 Occurrences)
... Lebanon. (BBE). Psalms 80:13 It isuprooted by the pigs from the woods, the
beasts of the field get their food from it. (BBE). Psalms...
Recite (5 Occurrences)
... of this in a book, so that it may be kept in memory, and say it again in the ears
of Joshua: that all memory of Amalek is to be completelyuprooted from the...
Resources
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