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Even a cursory look at a Bible concordance and Biblical Hebrew dictionary shows that there are at least 10 Hebrew words that mean or connote "oppression" and any of its cognates ("oppressor," "oppressed," "to oppress") in at least 50 instances in the Old Testament.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: "["Oppression"] is used in the King James Version to translate a variety of Hebrew words, all of which, however, agree in the general sense of wrong done by violence to others... But in the vast number of cases the reference is to social
oppression of one kind or another within Israel's own body."
The semantic range of the terms for "oppression" is quite broad. It is not strictly reserved for extreme and heinous instances (e.g. the slavery of Israel in Egypt). Rather, it is more often used to explain the...
The semantic range of the terms for "oppression" is quite broad. It is not strictly reserved for extreme and heinous instances (e.g. the slavery of Israel in Egypt). Rather, it is more often used to explain the...
systemic and institutionalized deprivation of justice for the vulnerable, including the poor, the stranger, the widow, and the orphan. The "oppressed" include those who are subtly and secretly being crushed down. The "oppressor" includes those who are silently complicit and/or
merely "go with the flow" of injustice.
Further, the biblical idea of "oppression" is not reserved for spiritual oppression (e.g. persecution). Rather, the scope of oppression is psychosomatic (including both body and soul). In fact, the Old Testament frequently argues that
Further, the biblical idea of "oppression" is not reserved for spiritual oppression (e.g. persecution). Rather, the scope of oppression is psychosomatic (including both body and soul). In fact, the Old Testament frequently argues that
one who engages in oppression is not right with God, even though they may be claiming to be "spiritually" free themselves.
All this is to say that the idea of oppression is not some novel idea but is rooted in the biblical text. The Bible actually provides a plethora of tools,
All this is to say that the idea of oppression is not some novel idea but is rooted in the biblical text. The Bible actually provides a plethora of tools,
ideas, and even a lens by which to see oppression at work in this sin-filled world. If any philosophical or ideological system of the relative present seems to resonate with the Bible's thoroughgoing idea of oppression, it's because of common grace. We shouldn't be surprised when
non-Christian thinkers are able to make insights of remarkable semblance to the Bible's understanding of oppression.
