In the context of the Bible, the term "renegade" refers to individuals who abandon their faith, allegiance, or loyalty to God, often turning to idolatry or other forms of rebellion against divine commandments. The concept of renegades is woven throughout the biblical narrative, illustrating the consequences of forsaking God and the call to repentance and restoration.

Old Testament Examples

1. Israel's Rebellion: The nation of Israel frequently fell into renegade behavior by turning away from God to worship idols. This pattern is evident in the Book of Judges, where the Israelites repeatedly "did evil in the sight of the LORD" (Judges 2:11), forsaking Him for the gods of the surrounding nations. Their renegade actions led to oppression by their enemies until they cried out to God for deliverance.

2. King Saul: Saul, the first king of Israel, is a prominent example of a renegade leader. Initially chosen by God, Saul's disobedience and failure to fully carry out God's commands led to his rejection as king. In 1 Samuel 15:11, God expresses regret for making Saul king, saying, "I regret that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from following Me and has not carried out My instructions" .

3. Jeroboam: Jeroboam, the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel after the division, led the people into idolatry by setting up golden calves in Bethel and Dan. His actions are described as causing Israel to sin, marking him as a renegade leader who turned the nation away from true worship (1 Kings 12:28-30).

New Testament Insights

1. Judas Iscariot: In the New Testament, Judas Iscariot is the quintessential renegade. As one of the twelve apostles, Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, leading to Jesus' arrest and crucifixion. His actions are seen as a profound act of betrayal and apostasy (Matthew 26:14-16).

2. Warnings Against Apostasy: The New Testament contains numerous warnings against becoming a renegade. The Book of Hebrews cautions believers about the dangers of falling away from the faith, urging them to hold firmly to their confession and not to harden their hearts (Hebrews 3:12-14).

3. The Prodigal Son: While not a renegade in the traditional sense, the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) illustrates the theme of rebellion and redemption. The younger son squanders his inheritance in a distant land, living a life of dissipation. His eventual return to the father symbolizes repentance and the hope of restoration for those who have strayed.

Theological Implications

Renegades in the Bible serve as cautionary tales, highlighting the spiritual dangers of turning away from God. They underscore the importance of faithfulness, obedience, and the need for repentance. The biblical narrative consistently calls individuals and nations to return to God, offering forgiveness and restoration to those who repent. The accounts of renegades remind believers of the consequences of apostasy and the enduring mercy of God for those who seek Him with a contrite heart.

Book ii. --Of the Harmony of the Old and New Laws.
... After the faith was broken by the dint Of the foe's breathing renegades,
[1394] and sworn. ... Grand trophy of the renegades: for sign. ...
/.../fathers of the third century tertullian appendix/book ii of the harmony of.htm

Book iii. --Of the Harmony of the Fathers of the Old and New ...
... And following misdeed, (while raves on earth. The horde of robber-renegades, [1467] )
to flee. 25 The giants'sacrilegious cruel race; Faithful in all himself. ...
/.../fathers of the third century tertullian appendix/book iii of the harmony of.htm

Certain General Principles of Parabolic Interpretation These ...
... his senses so as to return to his Father,"the result will be, that, not adulterers
and fornicators, but idolaters, and blasphemers, and renegades, and every ...
/.../tertullian/on modesty/chapter ix certain general principles of.htm

Then Hades, Receiving Prince Satan, Said to Him, with Vehement ...
... been joyful as captives. O Prince Satan, father of all impious wretches
and renegades, why didst thou wish to do this? Of those who ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of nicodemus /chapter 7 23 then hades.htm

Letter Xlii. To Marcella.
... Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him neither in this world nor in the world to come."
[893] Now if Novatian affirms that none but Christian renegades can sin ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xlii to marcella.htm

David Appointing Solomon
... to David for making the latter so. Self was at the bottom of these two
renegades' action. The fair fellowship, which had been made ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/david appointing solomon.htm

Why Saul Became Paul
... It is like the acts of the renegades whom one sometimes hears of, who are found
by travellers, dressed in turban and flowing robes, and bearing some Turkish ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/why saul became paul.htm

Asa
... outside the Church, then, are to be combated, and not tolerated, by all true
Christians"even though in the result they are maligned as renegades to their ...
//christianbookshelf.org/milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/asa.htm

St John the Baptist
... "He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath
meat, let him do likewise." The publicans, the renegades, who were farming the ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xxviii st john the.htm

John Mark
... So let us learn that God treats His renegades as Paul treated Mark, and not as Barnabas
would have treated him, He is ready, even infinitely ready, to forgive ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/john mark.htm

Renegades (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Renegades (1 Occurrence). Judges 12:4 Then Jephthah
gathered together all the men of Gilead, and fought ...
/r/renegades.htm - 6k

Renew (16 Occurrences)

/r/renew.htm - 13k

Rendure (1 Occurrence)

/r/rendure.htm - 6k

Samaritans (9 Occurrences)
... Among these renegades was Manasseh, brother of the high priest, who had married
a daughter of Sanballat, the Persian governor of Samaria. ...
/s/samaritans.htm - 16k

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