Topical Encyclopedia Manstealing, also known as kidnapping, is a grievous sin explicitly condemned in the Bible. It involves the act of forcibly taking a person against their will, often for the purpose of enslavement or exploitation. This act is a direct violation of the inherent dignity and freedom bestowed upon every individual by God.Biblical Condemnation The Bible unequivocally condemns manstealing, particularly in the context of the ancient practice of slavery. In the Old Testament, the Mosaic Law provides clear directives against this act. Exodus 21:16 states, "Whoever kidnaps another man must be put to death, whether he sells him or the man is found in his possession." This severe penalty underscores the gravity of the offense in the eyes of God and the community. Similarly, Deuteronomy 24:7 reiterates this command: "If a man is caught kidnapping one of his brothers among the Israelites and treats him as a slave or sells him, the kidnapper must die. You must purge the evil from among you." The emphasis on purging evil highlights the moral and social corruption that manstealing introduces into society. New Testament Perspective In the New Testament, the apostle Paul includes manstealers in a list of lawbreakers and sinners. In 1 Timothy 1:9-10 , Paul writes, "We realize that law is not enacted for the righteous, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for killers of father or mother, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave traders, for liars, for perjurers, and for anyone else who is averse to sound teaching." Here, "slave traders" is understood to include those who engage in manstealing, further affirming its sinful nature. Theological Implications Manstealing is fundamentally opposed to the biblical understanding of human dignity and freedom. Every person is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), and thus possesses inherent worth and the right to liberty. The act of manstealing not only violates the individual but also disrupts the divine order established by God. The biblical prohibition against manstealing reflects God's justice and His concern for the oppressed. Throughout Scripture, God is portrayed as a defender of the vulnerable and a deliverer of those in bondage. The Israelites' own experience of liberation from slavery in Egypt serves as a powerful reminder of God's desire for freedom and justice for all people. Historical Context In the ancient Near Eastern context, slavery was a common practice, yet the biblical laws concerning manstealing set Israel apart from surrounding nations. These laws were designed to protect individuals from being unjustly seized and sold into slavery, emphasizing the value of human life and freedom. Moral and Ethical Considerations From a moral and ethical standpoint, manstealing is a violation of the commandment, "You shall not steal" (Exodus 20:15), as it involves the theft of a person's freedom and autonomy. It is an affront to the principles of love and justice that are central to biblical teaching. Jesus' command to "love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:39) stands in stark contrast to the selfish and exploitative nature of manstealing. In summary, manstealing is a sin that is consistently condemned throughout Scripture. It is a violation of God's law, an affront to human dignity, and a disruption of the divine order. The biblical witness calls for justice, protection of the vulnerable, and the upholding of each person's God-given freedom. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (n.) The act or business of stealing or kidnapping human beings, especially with a view to e/slave them.International Standard Bible Encyclopedia KIDNAPPING (MANSTEALING)kid'-nap-ing The term itself occurs only in the New Testament andrapodistes ="manstealer") in 1 Timothy 1:10. The crime was directly forbidden in the Hebrew law (Exodus 21:16 Deuteronomy 24:7), and was made punishable with death. MANSTEALING man'-stel-ing. Library Appeal to the Christian Women of the South Thesaurus Manstealing... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. KIDNAPPING (MANSTEALING). ...MANSTEALING. man'-stel-ing. See CRIME, under "Kidnapping"; PUNISHMENT. ... /m/manstealing.htm - 7k Kidnapping (1 Occurrence) Man-slayers (1 Occurrence) Mantelet (1 Occurrence) Resources Manstealing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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