Bible Dictionary: Robbery

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Smith's Bible Dictionary

Robbery

Robbery 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; ROBBERY

rob'-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 Version Job 5:5; Job 18:9, "robber" stands for the doubtful word tsammim, the Revised Version (British and American) "hungry" in J Obadiah 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 in Proverbs 21:7 Daniel 11:14 Nahum 3:1 are obvious. In Philippians 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 also GRASP.

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. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/724.htm - 6k

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 by robbery Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/726.htm - 7k

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.
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/725.htm - 6k

727. harpax -- rapacious
... ravenous; a robber, an extortioner. Cognate: 727 -- properly, ; a (like in
a robbery). See 726 (). Word Origin from harpazo Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/727.htm - 6k

Strong's Hebrew

1498. gazel -- robbery
... 1497, 1498. gazel. 1499 . robbery. Transliteration: gazel Phonetic Spelling:
(gaw-zale') Short Definition: robbery. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/1498.htm - 6k

957. baz -- spoiling, robbery, spoil, booty
... 956, 957. baz. 958 . spoiling, robbery, spoil, booty. Transliteration:
baz Phonetic Spelling: (baz) Short Definition: prey. Word ...
/hebrew/957.htm - 6k

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 by robbery (1), tear off ...
/hebrew/1497.htm - 6k

1500. gezelah -- plunder, spoil
... 1499, 1500. gezelah. 1501 . plunder, spoil. Transliteration: gezelah Phonetic
Spelling: (ghez-ay-law') Short Definition: robbery. Word Origin fem. ...
/hebrew/1500.htm - 6k

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.
/hebrew/6563.htm - 6k

7701. shod -- violence, havoc, devastation, ruin
... destruction (12), devastation (7), violence (5). desolation, destruction,
oppression, robbery, spoiled wasting. Or showd (Job 5:21 ...
/hebrew/7701.htm - 6k

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. ...
/hebrew/2863.htm - 6k

Library

Whether Theft and Robbery are Sins of Different Species?
... OF THEFT AND ROBBERY (NINE ARTICLES) Whether theft and robbery are sins
of different species? Objection 1: It would seem that theft ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether theft and robbery are.htm

Of Theft and Robbery (Nine Articles)
... OF THEFT AND ROBBERY (NINE ARTICLES). ... (3) Whether theft is the secret taking of
another's property? (4) Whether robbery is a species of sin distinct from theft? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/of theft and robbery nine.htm

Whether Robbery May be Committed Without Sin?
... OF THEFT AND ROBBERY (NINE ARTICLES) Whether robbery may be committed without sin?
Objection 1: It would seem that robbery may be committed without sin. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether robbery may be committed.htm

Whether Theft is a More Grievous Sin than Robbery?
... OF THEFT AND ROBBERY (NINE ARTICLES) Whether theft is a more grievous sin
than robbery? Objection 1: It would seem that theft is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether theft is a more.htm

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 it robbery that He ...
/.../chapter xxii argumentthat the same.htm

Palm Sunday
... ["Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God; but
made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant."]. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/palm sunday.htm

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 or robbery, as a fellow evil-doer. Indirectly ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether restitution is binding on.htm

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 not robbery to be equal with God." Acknowledge David's Lord. ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xlii on the same.htm

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 not robbery to be ...
/.../12 we must consider the.htm

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 or robbery; sometimes they are ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether men are bound to 3.htm

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. ...
/r/robbery.htm - 16k

Exercised (20 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 18:7 and hath not oppressed any; he hath restored to the debtor his pledge,
hath not exercised robbery, hath given his bread to the hungry, and covered ...
/e/exercised.htm - 12k

Robber (14 Occurrences)
... violence or by putting him in fear. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ROBBER;
ROBBERY. rob'-er, rob'-er-i: "Robber" represents no ...
/r/robber.htm - 13k

Wronged (22 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 18:7 and has not wronged any, but has restored to the debtor his pledge,
has taken nothing by robbery, has given his bread to the hungry, and has ...
/w/wronged.htm - 13k

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 of robbery, or has ...
/c/commits.htm - 18k

Extortion (14 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 6:4 then it shall be, if he has sinned, and is guilty, he shall restore
that which he took by robbery, or the thing which he has gotten by oppression ...
/e/extortion.htm - 12k

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 ...
/c/code.htm - 40k

Loan (9 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 18:7 and has not wronged any, but has restored to the debtor his pledge,
has taken nothing by robbery, has given his bread to the hungry, and has ...
/l/loan.htm - 16k

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 of robbery, or have ...
/p/pledge.htm - 28k

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 of robbery, or has ...
/e/extorted.htm - 7k

Bible Concordance

Robbery (18 Occurrences)

Matthew 23:25 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and unrighteousness.
(See NAS)

Luke 11:39 The Lord said to him, "Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter, but your inward part is full of extortion and wickedness.
(See NAS)

Philippians 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
(KJV WBS YLT)

Hebrews 10:34 for also with my bonds ye sympathised, and the robbery of your goods with joy ye did receive, knowing that ye have in yourselves a better substance in the heavens, and an enduring one.
(YLT)

Leviticus 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 of robbery, or has oppressed his neighbor,
(WEB JPS ASV YLT NAS RSV)

Leviticus 6:4 then it shall be, if he has sinned, and is guilty, he shall restore that which he took by robbery, or the thing which he has gotten by oppression, or the deposit which was committed to him, or the lost thing which he found,
(WEB JPS ASV NAS RSV)

Psalms 62:10 Don't trust in oppression. Don't become vain in robbery. If riches increase, don't set your heart on them.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Proverbs 21:7 The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.
(KJV WBS)

Isaiah 61:8 "For I, Yahweh, love justice, I hate robbery with iniquity; and I will give them their recompense in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 18:7 and has not wronged any, but has restored to the debtor his pledge, has taken nothing by robbery, has given his bread to the hungry, and has covered the naked with a garment;
(WEB JPS ASV DBY NAS RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 18:12 has wronged the poor and needy, has taken by robbery, has not restored the pledge, and has lifted up his eyes to the idols, has committed abomination,
(WEB JPS ASV DBY NAS RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 18:16 neither has wronged any, has not taken anything to pledge, neither has taken by robbery, but has given his bread to the hungry, and has covered the naked with a garment;
(WEB JPS ASV DBY NAS RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 18:18 As for his father, because he cruelly oppressed, robbed his brother, and did that which is not good among his people, behold, he shall die in his iniquity.
(See JPS DBY)

Ezekiel 22:29 The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery; yes, they have troubled the poor and needy, and have oppressed the foreigner wrongfully.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 33:15 if the wicked restore the pledge, give again that which he had taken by robbery, walk in the statutes of life, committing no iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die.
(WEB JPS ASV DBY NAS RSV)

Amos 3:10 For they know not to do right, saith the LORD, who store up violence and robbery in their palaces.
(KJV JPS ASV WBS RSV)

Nahum 3:1 Woe to the bloody city! It is all full of lies and robbery. The prey doesn't depart.
(WEB KJV)

Malachi 1:13 You say also,'Behold, what a weariness it is!' and you have sniffed at it," says Yahweh of Armies; "and you have brought that which was taken by violence, the lame, and the sick; thus you bring the offering. Should I accept this at your hand?" says Yahweh.
(See NAS)

Subtopics

Robbery

Robbery: Forbidden

Robbery: Forgiven

Robbery: Instances of

Robbery: Punished With Death

Related Terms

Exercised (20 Occurrences)

Robber (14 Occurrences)

Wronged (22 Occurrences)

Commits (39 Occurrences)

Extortion (14 Occurrences)