In the biblical context, the term "enemy" refers to individuals or groups who oppose, threaten, or act against the people of God or God Himself. The concept of enemies is prevalent throughout the Scriptures, encompassing both physical adversaries and spiritual forces.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the Israelites frequently encountered enemies as they journeyed to the Promised Land and established their nation. These adversaries included neighboring nations such as the Philistines, Amalekites, and Canaanites. The Israelites were often instructed by God to engage in battle against these enemies to secure their inheritance. For instance, in Exodus 23:22, God promises, "But if you will indeed obey My voice and do all that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries."

The Psalms often reflect the struggles against enemies, with David and other psalmists crying out for deliverance and justice. Psalm 18:3 declares, "I called upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I was saved from my enemies."

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of enemies takes on a more spiritual dimension. Jesus Christ teaches a radical approach to dealing with enemies, emphasizing love and forgiveness. In Matthew 5:44, Jesus instructs, "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." This teaching underscores the transformative power of love and the call to reflect God's grace.

The Apostle Paul further elaborates on this theme in Romans 12:20-21, quoting Proverbs 25:21-22: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

Spiritual Warfare

The New Testament also highlights the spiritual nature of enmity. Ephesians 6:12 states, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world's darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Believers are called to put on the full armor of God to stand firm against these spiritual enemies.

God as Protector

Throughout the Bible, God is depicted as the ultimate protector and deliverer from enemies. In 2 Samuel 22:4, David proclaims, "I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies." This assurance of divine protection is a recurring theme, providing comfort and strength to believers facing opposition.

Conclusion

The biblical perspective on enemies encompasses both physical and spiritual dimensions, with a call to trust in God's protection and to respond with love and forgiveness. The teachings of Jesus and the apostles encourage believers to transcend natural inclinations towards vengeance, embodying the transformative power of God's love in the face of enmity.4273. prodotes -- a betrayer
... betrayer, traitor. From prodidomi (in the sense of giving forward into another's
(the enemy's) hands); a surrender -- betrayer, traitor. see GREEK prodidomi. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4273.htm - 6k340. ayab -- to be hostile to
... root Definition to be hostile to NASB Word Usage enemies (196), enemies' (2), enemy
(79), enemy to your enemies (1), enemy's (1), foes (2). be an enemy. ...
/hebrew/340.htm - 6k

November the Eleventh Foiling the Enemy's Plots
... NOVEMBER The Eleventh FOILING THE ENEMY'S PLOTS. LUKE xxii.24-34. I do not meet
my tempter alone. The engagement has been foreseen by my Lord. ...
/.../my daily meditation for the circling year/november the eleventh foiling the.htm

Spies in the Enemy's Camp.
... Homily II. Chapter XXXVII."Spies in the Enemy's Camp. "Some [945] of
our people attend feignedly upon Simon as companions, as ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter xxxvii spies in the enemys.htm

Giving God a Fresh Footing.
... Had we eyes to see spirit beings and spirit conflicts we would constantly see the
enemy's defeat in numberless instances through the persistent praying of some ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on prayer/giving god a fresh footing.htm

How the Philistines Made Another Expedition against the Hebrews ...
... in offering his sacrifices, upon account of the necessity he was in, and because
his soldiers were departing from him, out of their fear of the enemy's camp at ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 how the philistines.htm

How the Hebrews were Delivered from a Famine when the Gibeonites ...
... with them, and put them to flight, he was left alone, as he was in pursuit of them;
and when he was quite tired down, he was seen by one of the enemy, his name ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 12 how the hebrews.htm

How the Amalekites and the Neighbouring Nations, Made War with the ...
... They are also to suppose the enemy's army to be small, unarmed, weak, and such as
want those conveniences which they know must be wanted, when it is God's will ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 how the amalekites.htm

How David Fell in Love with Bathsheba, and Slew Her Husband Uriah ...
... He replied, that it was not right, while his fellow soldiers, and the general of
the army, slept upon the ground, in the camp, and in an enemy's country, that ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 7 how david fell.htm

The Defeat of the Midianites.
... reduced till only three hundred men remained, and the wonderful dream he heard related,
when he and his servant went down as spies into the enemy's camp, are ...
/.../mother stories from the old testament/the defeat of the midianites.htm

Third Tractate. On Providence (2).
... The entire scheme emerges from the general's mind with a certain plausible promise,
though it cannot cover the enemy's operations, and there is no power over ...
/.../plotinus/the six enneads/third tractate on providence 2.htm

Love in the Old Covenant.
... They sang imprecatory psalms. And to crown all, they indulged the bloodthirsty
desire of dashing the enemy's innocent babes against the stones. ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxix love in the old.htm

Enemy's (8 Occurrences)
...Enemy's (8 Occurrences). Exodus 23:4 "If you meet your enemy's ox or his donkey
going astray, you shall surely bring it back to him again. ...
/e/enemy's.htm - 8k

Siege (63 Occurrences)
... the surrounding or investing of a place by an army, and approaching it by passages
and advanced works, which cover the besiegers from the enemy's fire. ...
/s/siege.htm - 51k

Ram (96 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) A heavy steel or iron beak attached to the prow of a steam war vessel for
piercing or cutting down the vessel of an enemy; also, a vessel carrying such ...
/r/ram.htm - 41k

Eneneus

/e/eneneus.htm - 6k

Dolphin
... See Coryphaenoid. 3. (n.) A mass of iron or lead hung from the yardarm, in
readiness to be dropped on the deck of an enemy's vessel. ...
/d/dolphin.htm - 7k

Misjudge (1 Occurrence)
... Deuteronomy 32:27 Were it not that I dreaded the enemy's provocation, lest their
adversaries should misdeem, lest they should say: Our hand is exalted, and not ...
/m/misjudge.htm - 6k

Meetest (4 Occurrences)
... Meetest (4 Occurrences). Exodus 23:4 When thou meetest thine enemy's ox or his ass
going astray, thou dost certainly turn it back to him; (YLT). ...
/m/meetest.htm - 7k

Patrol (2 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) A movement, by a small body of troops beyond the line of outposts, to explore
the country and gain intelligence of the enemy's whereabouts. ...
/p/patrol.htm - 7k

Parapet (3 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A wall, rampart, or elevation of earth, for covering soldiers from an enemy's
fire; a breastwork. Multi-Version Concordance Parapet (3 Occurrences). ...
/p/parapet.htm - 7k

Pierce (30 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To penetrate; to enter; to force a way into or through; to pass into or
through; as, to pierce the enemy's line; a shot pierced the ship. ...
/p/pierce.htm - 15k

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