Prey
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Prey in the Bible?
Prey refers to the spoils, plunder, or booty acquired through warfare, encompassing various Hebrew lexical items that describe the taking of goods, livestock, or captives as spoils of war.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the concept of prey clarifies the economic motivations behind ancient Israelite military campaigns and the legal frameworks governing the distribution of war booty, providing deeper insight into the socio-economic realities depicted in biblical narratives.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Prey. 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 Prey in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Prey 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
"Prey." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/prey/