Lectionary Calendar
Sunday, December 22nd, 2024
the Fourth Week of Advent
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Extortion
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
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eks -tor´shun : This particular word occurs twice in King James Version: Ezekiel 22:12 ( עשק , ‛ōsheḳ ), and Matthew 23:25 ( ἁρπαγή , harpagḗ ), and indicates that one who is an extortioner is guilty of snatching away from another by strife, greed and oppression that which does not lawfully belong to him. The element of covetousness and usury is involved in the meaning of this word; for it is greedily gotten gain. The publicans were considered as being specially guilty of this sin; this is clear from the Pharisee's deprecatory remark: "I am not ... an extortioner ..... as this publican" (Luke 18:11 ). Paul classes extortion (pleonexı́a , literally, "over-reaching") among a category of the grossest crimes known to humanity (1 Corinthians 5:10 , 1 Corinthians 5:11 ); indeed, so grievous is it that it closes the door of heaven in the face of the one guilty of it (1 Corinthians 6:10 ).
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Bibliography Information
Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. Entry for 'Extortion'. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/isb/e/extortion.html. 1915.
