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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadMcClintock Biblical Encyclopedia: Ruin
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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: Isa_25:2, “Thou hast made of a fenced city a ruin” (or separation,
îִôֵּìָä ; so of a country, Isa_23:13; îִôָּìָä , Isa_17:1; îִôֶּìֶú Eze_13:13; Eze_27:27). Ruin of strongholds by breaking them up: Psa_89:40, “Thou hast brought his strongholds to ruin” (i.e. to a breaking, îִçְúָּä ). This word elsewhere means terror, and expresses the alarm attendant on the taking of a fortified place. Demolished structures: Eze_36:35-36 (the root is äָøִñ , to tear down, as in Amo_9:11; like êáôáóêÜðôù , Act_15:16; but in Luk_6:49, it is ῥῆãìá , a tearing).
Figuratively, ruin, a fall, or stumbling, from some cause of, or temptation to, sin: 2Ch_28:23, “They [the gods of Damascus] were the ruin ( îִëַùֵׁìָä , a stumbling-block) of him [Ahaz] and of all Israel;” so îַëַùׁåֹì , Eze_18:30; Eze_21:15. Ruin, destruction: Pro_24:22, “Their calamity shall rise suddenly; who knoweth the ruin ( ôַּéã , destruction) of them both?” Ruin, a cause for repentance: 26:28, “A flattering mouth worketh ruin” ( îַãְçֶä , contrition or repentance).