Definition and Nature:
Tyranny, in a biblical context, refers to the oppressive and unjust use of power by a ruler or governing authority. It is characterized by the abuse of authority, where leaders impose their will upon others without regard for justice, mercy, or the welfare of the people. The Bible often contrasts tyranny with righteous leadership, which is marked by justice, humility, and service.

Biblical Examples and References:
The Bible provides several examples of tyrannical rulers and the consequences of their actions. One of the most notable examples is Pharaoh of Egypt, who oppressed the Israelites with harsh labor and refused to let them go, despite God's command through Moses. This is depicted in the Book of Exodus, where Pharaoh's heart is hardened, leading to the plagues and eventual liberation of the Israelites (Exodus 5-12).

Another example is King Ahab of Israel, who, along with his wife Jezebel, led the nation into idolatry and injustice. Ahab's reign is marked by the murder of Naboth to seize his vineyard, an act of tyranny condemned by the prophet Elijah (1 Kings 21:1-24).

Warnings Against Tyranny:
The Bible warns against the dangers of tyranny and the corrupting influence of power. In Deuteronomy 17:14-20, God provides guidelines for Israel's kings, emphasizing that they should not acquire excessive wealth or power, but rather, they should fear the Lord and follow His commandments. This passage underscores the importance of humility and obedience to God as safeguards against tyranny.

Proverbs 29:2 states, "When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan." This highlights the impact of leadership on the well-being of a nation and the suffering that results from oppressive rule.

God's Sovereignty and Justice:
Despite the presence of tyrannical rulers, the Bible affirms God's ultimate sovereignty and justice. Psalm 2 speaks of the futility of nations and rulers who conspire against the Lord, declaring that God has installed His King, and His plans will prevail. This psalm serves as a reminder that earthly power is temporary and subject to God's authority.

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is presented as the ultimate righteous ruler, contrasting with earthly tyrants. His kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36), and His leadership is characterized by servanthood and sacrifice (Mark 10:42-45).

Christian Response to Tyranny:
Christians are called to respond to tyranny with faith and perseverance. Romans 13:1-7 instructs believers to submit to governing authorities, recognizing that all authority is established by God. However, this submission is not absolute, as demonstrated by the apostles who, when commanded to stop preaching the gospel, declared, "We must obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29).

Prayer is also a powerful response to tyranny. Paul exhorts Timothy to pray for kings and all those in authority, so that believers may lead peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

Conclusion:
While the Bible acknowledges the reality of tyranny, it consistently points to God's justice and the hope of righteous leadership through Christ. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's sovereignty, pray for their leaders, and live out their faith with integrity, even in the face of oppression.1. (n.) Arbitrary or despotic exercise of power; cruel government or discipline; as, the tyranny of a schoolmaster.

2. (n.) Severity; rigor; inclemency.

897. Babulon -- "gate of god(s)," Babylon, a large city situated ...
... Babylon. Of Hebrew origin (Babel); Babylon, the capitol of Chaldaea (literally or
figuratively (as a type of tyranny)) -- Babylon. see HEBREW Babel. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/897.htm - 7k6217. ashuqim -- oppression, extortion
... oppressedion. Or mashuq {aw-shook'}; passive participle of ashaq; used in plural
masculine as abstractly, tyranny -- oppressed(-ion). (Doubtful.). ...
/hebrew/6217.htm - 6k

Of the Tyranny of Eugenius and the victory Won through Faith by ...
... Book V. Chapter XXIV."Of the tyranny of Eugenius and the victory won through
faith by the Emperor Theodosius. In this manner the ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/chapter xxiv of the tyranny of.htm

Retirement of Athanasius, and Tyranny of Gregory and Philagrius.
... Section 5. Retirement of Athanasius, and tyranny of Gregory and Philagrius.
When all this was done, they did not stop even here; but ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/section 5 retirement of athanasius.htm

The Tyranny of Lust Being Thus Overthrown, Charity Reigns through ...
... Book 3 Chapter 23. The tyranny of lust being thus overthrown, charity
reigns through its supremely just laws? 23. The tyranny ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books/chapter 23 the tyranny of.htm

The Ancient Form of Government Utterly Corrupted by the Tyranny of ...
... BOOK FOURTH. OF THE HOLY CATHOLIC CHURCH CHAPTER 5. THE ANCIENT FORM OF
GOVERNMENT UTTERLY CORRUPTED BY THE TYRANNY OF THE PAPACY. ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 5 the ancient form.htm

Verse the Twenty-Fourth
... the circumcision of Christ." Wherefore, according to this mode of reading it, the
meaning of the exclamation is, "Who shall deliver me from this tyranny of sin ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/verse the twenty-fourth.htm

How the Senators Determined to Restore the Democracy; but the ...
... to be their principal advantage, when they can utterly overthrow the entire families
of their enemies; while all lovers of liberty are the enemies of tyranny. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 how the senators.htm

Concerning the Sacrament of Penance
... I must now briefly repeat these statements, in order to unveil the tyranny which
attacks us on this point as unsparingly as in the sacrament of the bread. ...
/.../first principles of the reformation/concerning the sacrament of penance.htm

The victory of Faith.
... sometimes meaning another;-but we will endeavour to explain its general
principles"and these we will divide into three heads; first, the tyranny of the ...
/.../robertson/sermons preached at brighton/ii the victory of faith.htm

On Christian Liberty
... (Galatians 4:6.) Its subjects are all believers, who are freed from the tyranny
of sin and of the law, and received by God on account of Christ as sons ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 20 on christian liberty.htm

Sin Slain
... I speak in sober earnestness when I declare that all the sufferings that have ever
been exercised upon man have never been equal to the tyranny which man has ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/sin slain.htm

Tyranny (4 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) Arbitrary or despotic exercise of power; cruel government or discipline;
as, the tyranny of a schoolmaster. ...Tyranny (4 Occurrences). ...
/t/tyranny.htm - 7k

Nineveh (23 Occurrences)
... "After having ruled for more than six hundred years with hideous tyranny and violence,
from the Caucasus and the Caspian to the Persian Gulf, and from beyond ...
/n/nineveh.htm - 52k

Oppression (67 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The act of oppressing, or state of being oppressed. 2. (n.) That which
oppresses; a hardship or injustice; cruelty; severity; tyranny. ...
/o/oppression.htm - 29k

Liberty (32 Occurrences)
... not simply in external freedom, or in possession of the formal power of choice,
but in deliverance from the darkening of the mind, the tyranny of sinful lusts ...
/l/liberty.htm - 20k

Grievance (7 Occurrences)
... or the complaint itself; a wrong done and suffered; that which gives ground for
remonstrance or resistance, as arising from injustice, tyranny, etc.; injury. ...
/g/grievance.htm - 10k

Final (16 Occurrences)
... Romans 6:22 But now that you have been set free from the tyranny of Sin, and have
become the bondservants of God, you have your reward in being made holy, and ...
/f/final.htm - 11k

Tyrannus's (1 Occurrence)

/t/tyrannus's.htm - 6k

Tyrant (2 Occurrences)

/t/tyrant.htm - 7k

Rod (138 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A kind of scepter, or badge of office; hence, figuratively, power; authority;
tyranny; oppression. 4. (n.) A support for a fishing line; a fish pole. ...
/r/rod.htm - 42k

Recovery (6 Occurrences)
... to the poor; He has sent me to announce release to the prisoners of war and recovery
of sight to the blind: to send away free those whom tyranny has crushed ...
/r/recovery.htm - 8k

What does the Bible say about good versus evil? | GotQuestions.org

What is moral government theology? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Nero? | GotQuestions.org

Tyranny: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus