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Robbery

Culture & Society

What is the meaning of Robbery in the Bible?

Robbery in the ancient Near East frequently involved organized raiding by nomadic or semi-nomadic groups, often driven by territorial disputes and the acquisition of livestock.

SIGNIFICANCE

Examining these accounts clarifies the socio-economic tensions between settled agrarian communities and migratory tribes, providing context for the legal and moral frameworks found in biblical narratives.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Robbery. 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 Robbery in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Robbery 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

"Robbery." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/robbery/
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