Topical Encyclopedia In biblical terms, the concept of a "ban" often refers to the practice of dedicating something or someone to destruction as an offering to God. This practice is most notably seen in the Old Testament, where it is associated with the Hebrew term "herem." The ban was a divine command that required the Israelites to destroy everything in a conquered city, including people, animals, and possessions, as an act of devotion to God. This was intended to prevent the Israelites from being influenced by the idolatrous practices of the surrounding nations.Biblical Instances of the Ban One of the most prominent examples of the ban is found in the conquest of Jericho. In Joshua 6:17-21 , God commands the Israelites to destroy the city completely: "The city and all that is in it are to be devoted to the LORD for destruction. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall live, because she hid the spies we sent." The Israelites were instructed to spare nothing, and all the silver, gold, and articles of bronze and iron were to be consecrated to the Lord and placed in His treasury. Another significant instance is the command given to King Saul in 1 Samuel 15. God instructs Saul to "go and attack the Amalekites and devote to destruction all that belongs to them" (1 Samuel 15:3). Saul, however, disobeys by sparing King Agag and the best of the livestock, leading to his rejection as king by God. Theological Significance The ban served several purposes in the biblical narrative. It was a means of executing divine judgment on nations that had reached the fullness of their iniquity. The Canaanites, for example, were judged for their idolatry and moral corruption. The ban also acted as a safeguard for the Israelites, preventing them from adopting pagan practices and ensuring their purity as God's chosen people. From a theological perspective, the ban underscores the holiness and justice of God. It highlights the seriousness of sin and the necessity of complete devotion to God. The Israelites were reminded that their success in conquest was not due to their own strength but to their obedience to God's commands. Moral and Ethical Considerations The concept of the ban raises challenging moral and ethical questions, particularly regarding the destruction of entire populations. From a conservative Christian viewpoint, these actions are understood within the context of God's sovereign will and His ultimate plan for redemption. The ban is seen as a specific command for a particular time and place, not as a general principle for all of God's people throughout history. New Testament Perspective In the New Testament, the concept of the ban is transformed through the work of Christ. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross fulfills the requirements of the law and offers redemption to all people. The focus shifts from physical destruction to spiritual renewal and the call to live a life devoted to God. The Apostle Paul, in Romans 12:1 , urges believers to "offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God," emphasizing a life of spiritual dedication rather than physical destruction. The ban, as seen in the Old Testament, serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of sin and the call to holiness, while the New Testament offers the hope of redemption and transformation through Jesus Christ. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) A public proclamation or edict; a public order or notice, mandatory or prohibitory; a summons by public proclamation.2. (n.) A calling together of the king's (esp. the French king's) vassals for military service; also, the body of vassals thus assembled or summoned. In present usage, in France and Prussia, the most effective part of the population liable to military duty and not in the standing army. 3. (n.) Notice of a proposed marriage, proclaimed in church. See Banns. 4. (n.) An interdiction, prohibition, or proscription. 5. (n.) A curse or anathema. 6. (n.) A pecuniary mulct or penalty laid upon a delinquent for offending against a ban; as, a mulct paid to a bishop by one guilty of sacrilege or other crimes. 7. (v. t.) To curse; to invoke evil upon. 8. (v. t.) To forbid; to interdict. 9. (v. i.) To curse; to swear. 10. (n.) An ancient title of the warden of the eastern marches of Hungary; now, a title of the viceroy of Croatia and Slavonia. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia BAN(A, Ban; B, Bainan; 1 Esdras 5:37 = Tobiah (Ezra 2:60 Nehemiah 7:62); some manuscripts of the Septuagint read Boua): The descendants of Ban were not able to trace their ancestry to show "how they were of Israel." Greek 331. anathema -- that which is laid up, ie a votive offering ... 331 (from 303 , "up" a process, which intensifies 5087 , "to place") -- properly, place , referring to something (given ) ; a divine curse/ban ("accursed"); an ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/331.htm - 7k 2878. korban -- an offering 4838. sumparalambano -- to take along with 3335. metalambano -- to partake of 1949. epilambanomai -- to lay hold of 5274. hupolambano -- to take or bear up, to receive, to assume 353. analambano -- to take up, raise 3880. paralambano -- to receive from 4878. sunantilambanomai -- to take hold with at the side, hence to ... 482. antilambano -- to take instead of, take hold of Strong's Hebrew 2764a. cherem -- devoted thing, devotion, ban... 2764, 2764a. cherem. 2764b . devoted thing, devotion, ban. Transliteration: cherem Short Definition: under. Word Origin from charam ... /hebrew/2764a.htm - 6k 5021. Nebushaz-ban -- "O Nebo, deliver me," a Bab. officer 2763. charam -- to ban, devote, exterminate 2763a. charam -- to ban, devote, exterminate 2764. cherem -- devoted thing, devotion, ban 3835. laban -- to be white 4344. Makbannay -- one of David's heroes Library Under the Ban of Theodosius and of the Latrocinium. Under Ban of the Ritual The Vengeance of Rome Fifth Sunday in Lent On the Morrow of the Transfiguration The Healing of the Man Born Blind. "Thou Shalt Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother. " The Third Continental Journey, or the Journey to Greece. St. Bernard Survival of the Fittest Thesaurus Ban (12 Occurrences)... 6. (n.) A pecuniary mulct or penalty laid upon a delinquent for offending against a ban; as, a mulct paid to a bishop by one guilty of sacrilege or other crimes ... /b/ban.htm - 11k Nebushaz'ban (1 Occurrence) Sheshbazzar (4 Occurrences) Accursed (26 Occurrences) Succoth-benoth (1 Occurrence) Succothbenoth (1 Occurrence) Nebushazban (2 Occurrences) Urbane (1 Occurrence) Banaias Hormah (9 Occurrences) Resources Why did the Old Testament Law command against the eating of pork? | GotQuestions.orgHow should a Christian view gun control? | GotQuestions.org Is it wrong for a woman to get an epidural and/or other pain relievers during childbirth? | GotQuestions.org Ban: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Ban (12 Occurrences)Deuteronomy 7:26 Deuteronomy 13:17 Joshua 6:17 Joshua 6:18 Joshua 7:1 Joshua 7:11 Joshua 7:12 Joshua 7:15 Joshua 22:20 1 Chronicles 2:7 Isaiah 34:5 Isaiah 43:28 Subtopics Related Terms |
    |