In the biblical context, the term "oppressor" refers to individuals, groups, or systems that unjustly exercise power or authority over others, often through violence, deceit, or exploitation. The concept of oppression is a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures, highlighting the moral and spiritual implications of such actions and God's response to them.

Old Testament References

The Old Testament frequently addresses the issue of oppression, particularly in the context of social justice and the treatment of the vulnerable. In Exodus 3:9, God acknowledges the suffering of the Israelites under Egyptian bondage: "And now the cry of the Israelites has reached Me, and I have seen how severely the Egyptians are oppressing them." Here, God is portrayed as a deliverer who hears the cries of the oppressed and acts on their behalf.

The Law given to Israel contains numerous injunctions against oppression. For example, Leviticus 19:13 commands, "You must not defraud your neighbor or rob him. You must not withhold until morning the wages due a hired hand." This reflects God's concern for justice and fair treatment in economic dealings.

The prophets also speak out against oppression. Isaiah 1:17 exhorts, "Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow." The prophets often called Israel to repentance for failing to uphold justice and for allowing oppression to flourish.

New Testament Insights

In the New Testament, the theme of oppression is addressed in the context of the Kingdom of God and the teachings of Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself identifies with the oppressed, as seen in Luke 4:18, where He declares, "The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed."

The early church is encouraged to stand against oppression and to care for those who are marginalized. James 5:4 warns against the oppression of workers: "Look, the wages you withheld from the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts."

God's Justice and the Oppressor

Throughout the Bible, God is depicted as a righteous judge who will ultimately hold oppressors accountable. Psalm 72:4 speaks of the ideal king who "will vindicate the afflicted among the people; He will save the children of the needy and crush the oppressor." This reflects the biblical hope that God will establish justice and righteousness on the earth.

The Scriptures consistently affirm that God is on the side of the oppressed and that He calls His people to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with Him (Micah 6:8). The biblical narrative encourages believers to resist oppression in all its forms and to advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves, embodying the justice and compassion of God in a fallen world.(n.) One who oppresses; one who imposes unjust burdens on others; one who harasses others with unjust laws or unreasonable severity.6216. ashoq -- oppressor, extortioner
... 6215, 6216. ashoq. 6217 . oppressor, extortioner. Transliteration: ashoq
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-shoke') Short Definition: oppressor. ...
/hebrew/6216.htm - 6k

4642. maashaqqah -- extortionate act
... maashaqqah. 4643 . extortionate act. Transliteration: maashaqqah Phonetic Spelling:
(mah-ash-ak-kaw') Short Definition: oppressor. ... oppression, oppressor. ...
/hebrew/4642.htm - 6k

2555. chamas -- violence, wrong
... cruelty, damage, false, injustice, oppressor, unrighteous, violence against,
done,. From chamac; violence; by implication, wrong; by meton. ...
/hebrew/2555.htm - 6k

6693. tsuq -- to constrain, bring into straits, press upon
... Definition to constrain, bring into straits, press upon NASB Word Usage bring distress
(1), constrains (1), distress (2), oppress (3), oppressor (2), pressed (1 ...
/hebrew/6693.htm - 6k

6184. arits -- awe-inspiring, terror-striking
... men (2). mighty, oppressor, in great power, strong, terrible, violent. From
arats; fearful, ie Powerful or tyrannical -- mighty, oppressor ...
/hebrew/6184.htm - 6k

5065. nagas -- to press, drive, oppress, exact
... to press, drive, oppress, exact NASB Word Usage drive hard (1), driver (1), exact
(2), exacted (1), hard-pressed (2), oppressed (2), oppressor (4), oppressors ...
/hebrew/5065.htm - 6k

7429. ramas -- to trample
... oppressor, stamp upon, trample under feet, tread down, upon. A primitive
root; to tread upon (as a potter, in walking or abusively ...
/hebrew/7429.htm - 6k

3238. yanah -- to oppress, maltreat, perhaps suppress
... to oppress, maltreat, perhaps suppress NASB Word Usage do him wrong (1), mistreat
(2), oppress (3), oppresses (1), oppressing (1), oppressor (2), oppressors (1 ...
/hebrew/3238.htm - 6k

8437. tolal -- perhaps to be wasted
... Tilon. From yalal; causing to howl, ie An oppressor -- that wasted. see HEBREW
yalal. 8436, 8437. tolal. 8438 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/8437.htm - 6k

3905. lachats -- to squeeze, press, oppress
... oppressing (2), oppressors (3), pressed (2). afflict, crush, force, hold
fast, oppressor, thrust self. A primitive root; properly, to ...
/hebrew/3905.htm - 6k

Habakkuk
... In contrast to the stupid and impotent gods worshipped by the oppressor is the great
God of Israel, whose temple is in the heavens, and before whom the earth ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/habakkuk.htm

The Kingdom and the King
... and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.4. For Thou hast broken the yoke of
His burden, and the staff of His shoulder, the rod of His oppressor, as in ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the kingdom and the king.htm

Zion Awakened
... that stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and fearest
continually all the day because of the fury of the oppressor, when he ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/zion awakened.htm

Israel in Egypt
... Affrighted Israel beheld her infuriated oppressor close at her rear, and trembled
for the issue"the hearts of the people failed them while they saw their ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/israel in egypt.htm

Rhapsody
... prose and verse: the prose is Divine denunciation, the verse passages are the imagined
triumphing of the down-trodden nations over their fallen oppressor. ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/rhapsody 2.htm

M. Mrs. Follen. Prayer for the Slave.
... break th' oppressor's rod. ... 5 Love to man, and love to God, Are the weapons of our
war; These can break th' oppressor's rod" Burst the bonds that we abhor. ...
/.../various/book of hymns for public and private devotion/581 7s m mrs follen.htm

That God Would Hear the Cries of the Slave.
... break th' oppressor's rod. ... 5 Love to man, and love to God, Are the weapons of our
war; These can break the oppressor's rod" Burst the bonds that we abhor. ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/802 that god would.htm

Imprisonment and Death of John
... And now from his dungeon he watched for the Lion of the tribe of Judah to cast down
the pride of the oppressor, and to deliver the poor and him that cried. ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 22 imprisonment and death.htm

The Marvels of Holy Scripture, --Moral and Physical. --Jael's Deed ...
... is left alone, distracted with anxiety, in the tent;"when, weak and unprotected
woman as she is, she beholds the Captain of the hateful oppressor of God's ...
/.../burgon/inspiration and interpretation/sermon vii the marvels of.htm

The God of all Comfort
... You have feared continually every day the fury of the oppressor,' and have forgotten
me who have stretched forth the heavens and laid the foundations of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 3 the god of.htm

Oppressor (28 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Oppressor (28 Occurrences). ... Esther 8:1 On that day did
king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews' oppressor to Esther the queen. ...
/o/oppressor.htm - 15k

Nahum (3 Occurrences)
... Judah had suffered much from the proud Assyrian, and it is not difficult to understand
how, with the doom of the cruel oppressor imminent, a prophet-patriot ...
/n/nahum.htm - 21k

Forgettest (6 Occurrences)
... that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and
hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if ...
/f/forgettest.htm - 8k

Founding (4 Occurrences)
... thy maker, Who is stretching out the heavens, and founding earth, And thou dost
fear continually all the day, Because of the fury of the oppressor, As he hath ...
/f/founding.htm - 8k

Fearest (10 Occurrences)
... that stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and fearest
continually all the day because of the fury of the oppressor, when he ...
/f/fearest.htm - 9k

Prepareth (21 Occurrences)
... stretched out the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and thou art afraid
continually all the day because of the fury of the oppressor, when he ...
/p/prepareth.htm - 13k

Robbed (27 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 21:12 House of David, thus says Yahweh, Execute justice in the morning,
and deliver him who is robbed out of the hand of the oppressor, lest my wrath ...
/r/robbed.htm - 14k

Constant (16 Occurrences)
... Maker, that stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth;
and fearest continually all the day because of the fury of the oppressor, as he ...
/c/constant.htm - 12k

Plundered (44 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 21:12 O house of David, thus said Jehovah: Decide ye judgment at morning,
And deliver the plundered from the hand of the oppressor, Lest My fury go ...
/p/plundered.htm - 19k

Foundations (49 Occurrences)
... Maker, who stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and
fear continually all the day because of the fury of the oppressor, when he ...
/f/foundations.htm - 21k

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