Dictionary of Bible Themes A strong feeling of possessiveness, often caused by the possibility that something which belongs, or ought to belong, to one is about to be taken away. The word can be used in a positive sense (e.g., the jealousy of God), meaning a passionate commitment to something which rightly belongs to one. It can also be used in a negative sense (e.g., human jealousy), to mean a self-destructive human emotion similar to envy. Exodus 20:4-6God's jealousy for his people See also God's jealousy demands an exclusive response from his people Exodus 34:14Deuteronomy 32:16,21 Ezekiel 16:1-63 God pictured as a jealous husband with an unfaithful wife Joel 2:18See also God is jealously protective of his people Isaiah 26:11Zechariah 1:14-15; 8:2 Deuteronomy 4:24 See also God possessiveness expresses itself in judgment on his people's unfaithfulness Deuteronomy 6:15; 29:20Joshua 24:19 1 Kings 14:22 Ezekiel 23:25; 36:6 Nahum 1:2 Zephaniah 1:18; 3:8 Mark 7:21-23 Human jealousy is potentially destructive Human jealousy arises from sin Proverbs 14:30pp Mt 15:19-20 See also Human jealousy can be destructive Job 5:2Proverbs 27:4 Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 Galatians 5:19-21 See also Human jealousy is criticised by Scripture Psalms 37:1-2Proverbs 23:17 Romans 13:13 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Titus 3:3-5 James 3:14-16 Genesis 4:3-5 Examples of jealousy In the OT Genesis 27:41Cain and Abel Genesis 30:1Esau and Jacob Genesis 37:4Rachel and Leah Acts 7:9Joseph's brothers: 1 Samuel 18:6-9Isaiah 11:13 Saul and David Acts 5:17; 13:45; 17:5Ephraim and Judah 1 Corinthians 3:3In the early church 2 Corinthians 12:20See also 1190 glory5763 attitudes, positive to God 5766 attitudes to life 5790 anger, divine 6133 coveting 8734 evil 8790 oppression 8828 spite 8831 syncretism |
    |