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Bible Encyclopedias
RUIN.
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
or The words used in the Hebrew thus rendered in the A.V. are very expressive. The ruin of a city by dilapidation, separating all its stones: Isaiah 25:2, "Thou hast made of a fenced city a ruin" (or separation,
מִפֵּלָה; so of a country, Isaiah 23:13; מִפָּלָה, Isaiah 17:1; מִפֶּלֶת Ezekiel 13:13; Ezekiel 27:27). Ruin of strongholds by breaking them up: Psalms 89:40, "Thou hast brought his strongholds to ruin" (i.e. to a breaking, מִחְתָּה ). This word elsewhere means terror, and expresses the alarm attendant on the taking of a fortified place. Demolished structures: Ezekiel 36:35-36 (the root is הָרִס, to tear down, as in Amos 9:11; like κατασκάπτω, Acts 15:16; but in Luke 6:49, it is ῥῆγμα, a tearing).
Figuratively, ruin, a fall, or stumbling, from some cause of, or temptation to, sin: 2 Chronicles 28:23, "They [the gods of Damascus] were the ruin (מִכַשֵׁלָה, a stumbling-block) of him [Ahaz] and of all Israel;" so מַכַשׁוֹל, Ezekiel 18:30; Ezekiel 21:15. Ruin, destruction: Proverbs 24:22, "Their calamity shall rise suddenly; who knoweth the ruin (פַּיד, destruction) of them both?" Ruin, a cause for repentance: 26:28, "A flattering mouth worketh ruin" (מַדְחֶה, contrition or repentance).
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McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'RUIN.'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/r/ruin.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.
