Rapine refers to the violent seizure of property, often associated with plunder, pillage, and the unlawful taking of goods by force. In biblical contexts, rapine is frequently condemned as an act of injustice and wickedness, contrary to the principles of righteousness and godly living.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament contains numerous references to acts of rapine, often in the context of war and conquest. The prophets frequently denounce such acts as violations of God's law. For instance, in the book of Isaiah, the prophet speaks against those who engage in rapine: "Your rulers are rebels, companions of thieves; they all love bribes and chase after gifts. They do not defend the cause of the fatherless, and the widow’s case does not come before them" (Isaiah 1:23). Here, rapine is associated with corruption and the failure to uphold justice.

The Mosaic Law explicitly forbids theft and covetousness, which are closely related to rapine. The Eighth Commandment, "You shall not steal" (Exodus 20:15), underscores the importance of respecting others' property. The law also provides for the protection of the vulnerable, such as widows and orphans, who are often the victims of rapine.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the teachings of Jesus and the apostles further emphasize the moral and ethical implications of rapine. Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount highlight the importance of love, mercy, and justice, which stand in stark contrast to acts of rapine. The apostle Paul, in his letters, admonishes believers to live peaceably and to avoid covetousness and greed, which can lead to acts of rapine. In Ephesians 4:28, Paul instructs, "He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with his own hands, that he may have something to share with the one in need" .

Prophetic Warnings and Divine Justice

The Bible consistently portrays God as a defender of justice who opposes rapine and promises to bring judgment upon those who engage in such acts. The prophets often warn of divine retribution against nations and individuals who commit rapine. For example, in the book of Amos, God declares His judgment against those who "trample on the needy and do away with the poor of the land" (Amos 8:4).

Moral and Ethical Implications

Rapine is fundamentally at odds with the biblical call to love one's neighbor and to act justly. The Bible encourages believers to pursue justice, mercy, and humility before God (Micah 6:8). Acts of rapine are seen as manifestations of human sinfulness and rebellion against God's righteous standards. Believers are called to be stewards of God's creation, respecting the property and rights of others, and to seek peace and reconciliation rather than engaging in violence and theft.

Conclusion

While the Bible acknowledges the reality of rapine in a fallen world, it consistently calls God's people to a higher standard of conduct, rooted in love, justice, and respect for others. Through the teachings of Scripture, believers are encouraged to reject rapine and to live in a manner that reflects the character of God, who is just and righteous.1. (n.) The act of plundering; the seizing and carrying away by force; spoliation; pillage; plunder.

2. (n.) Ravishment; rape.

3. (v. t.) To plunder.

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

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

Philippians ii. 11-May
... And generally speaking, they who have aught by rapine are afraid to lay it by, or
hide it, or not to keep constantly in that state which they have assumed. ...
/.../homily vii philippians ii 11-may.htm

Whether Since Christ's Passion the Legal Ceremonies Can be ...
... namely, that the prohibition of blood signifies the prohibition of murder; the
prohibition of things strangled, that of violence and rapine; the prohibition of ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether since christs passion the.htm

Of Querulousness.
... When therefore, we ravingly execrate the rapine of one man, the deceit of another
for our impoverishment, when we angrily charge our defamation on the malice ...
/.../allestree/the government of the tongue/section x of querulousness.htm

2 Timothy ii. 20, 21
... it is not the root of the thorn but of the olive that produces the oil [1389] ;
so it is not the root of covetousness, of iniquity, or of rapine, that produces ...
/.../homily vi 2 timothy ii.htm

1 Timothy iv. 3-Jan
... But when the possessors of these things are guilty of fraud and rapine, shall we
call them good? ... Let your riches be justly gained, and without rapine. ...
/.../homily xii 1 timothy iv.htm

Concerning John of Gischala. Concerning the Zealots and the High ...
... And, in the first place, all the people of every place betook themselves to rapine;
after which they got together in bodies, in order to rob the people of the ...
/.../chapter 3 concerning john of.htm

Matt. xiii. 53
... But if ye are able to keep clear of drunkenness, yet are ye partakers of another
most grievous sin; such revels being also full of much rapine. ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xlviii matt xiii 53.htm

John iv. 28, 29
... For instance: hast thou been grasping and covetous? Abstain from rapine, and
apply almsgiving to the wound. Hast thou been a fornicator? ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxxiv john iv 28.htm

Treatise v. An Address to Demetrianus.
... itself and disease the crimes of individuals are either detected or increased, while
mercy is not manifested to the weak, and avarice and rapine are waiting ...
/.../cyprian/the treatises of cyprian/treatise v an address to.htm

Matt. v. 1, 2
... [613] For since He is about to give commandment concerning mercy, to show how we
must show mercy, as, for instance, not of rapine or covetousness, He blesses ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xv matt v 1.htm

Rapine (5 Occurrences)
...Rapine (5 Occurrences). ... Philippians 2:6 who, subsisting in the form of God, did not
esteem it an object of rapine to be on an equality with God; (DBY). ...
/r/rapine.htm - 8k

Raven (7 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) of the color of the raven; jet black; as, raven curls; raven darkness. 3.
(n.) Rapine; rapacity. 4. (n.) Prey; plunder; food obtained by violence. ...
/r/raven.htm - 14k

Rapidly (7 Occurrences)

/r/rapidly.htm - 8k

Rapture (6 Occurrences)

/r/rapture.htm - 8k

Intemperance (1 Occurrence)
... 25 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye make clean the outside
of the cup and of the dish, but within they are full of rapine and intemperance ...
/i/intemperance.htm - 7k

Incontinence (2 Occurrences)
... hypocrites! because ye make clean the outside of the cup and the plate,
and within they are full of rapine and incontinence. (YLT). ...
/i/incontinence.htm - 7k

Tearing (11 Occurrences)
... 2:12 The lion is tearing parts 'for' his whelps, And is strangling for his lionesses,
And he doth fill 'with' prey his holes, And his habitations 'with' rapine...
/t/tearing.htm - 9k

Rapacity (2 Occurrences)
... hypocrites! because ye make clean the outside of the cup and the plate, and
within they are full of rapine and incontinence. (See RSV). ...
/r/rapacity.htm - 7k

Ravin (1 Occurrence)
... rav'-n, rav'-in: "Raven" (verb) is from "rapine," "violent plundering, used for
Taraph, in Genesis 49:27 Psalm 22:13 Ezekiel 22:25, 27, while "ravin" (noun) is ...
/r/ravin.htm - 8k

Esteem (25 Occurrences)
... (KJV DBY WBS). Philippians 2:6 who, subsisting in the form of God, did not esteem
it an object of rapine to be on an equality with God; (DBY). ...
/e/esteem.htm - 17k

Rapine: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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