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Extortion

Culture & Society

What is the meaning of Extortion in the Bible?

Extortion involves the illegal acquisition of property or money from another person through coercion, threats, or the abuse of power.

SIGNIFICANCE

Understanding extortion clarifies the biblical condemnation of exploiting the vulnerable and the importance of justice in social and economic interactions.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Extortion. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
  • Why did the biblical author mention Extortion in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Extortion clarify?

Source Attribution

Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.

How to Cite This Entry

"Extortion." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/extortion/
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