The bible has ALOT to say to condemn abuse, or oppression, as often referenced by in the bible. It's something God hates!
There isn't a specific case of domestic abuse in the Bible that we can examine, though scripture does hint to abuse in Abigail's marriage to Nabal. 1 Samuel 25:3 -"The name of the man was Nabal, and the name of his wife Abigail. And she was a woman of good understanding and beautiful appearance; but the man was HARSH and EVIL in his doings. He was of the house of Caleb." As you read through this passage you see Nabal is very cruel, harsh, unkind, demeaning, belittling, drunk, foolish, entitled, prideful, and selfish.
A great example is the relationship between David and King Saul, although not an intimate partner relationship, definitely highlights many of the characteristics of an abusive relationship. I've included a blog post below that goes over Saul's abusive personality.
Psalm 11:5, "The Lord tests the righteous, but his soul HATES the wicked and the one who loves VIOLENCE."
Psalm 72:14, "From OPPRESSION and VIOLENCE he redeems their life, and precious is their blood in his sight."
Proverbs 6:16-19, "There are six things the Lord HATES—no, seven things he detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family."
Portions of Psalm 55, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. Indeed, I would wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.... For it is not an enemy who reproaches me; Then I could bear it. Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me; Then I could hide from him. But it was you, a man my equal, my companion and my acquaintance...The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords. Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. But You, O God, shall bring them down to the pit of destruction."
Luke 4:18-19, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim LIBERTY to the CAPTIVES and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are OPPRESSED; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”
The exodus of God's people from slavery in Egypt, across the Red Sea, and toward the promised land is a beautiful depiction of God setting people free from oppression at the hands of cruel and wicked men. The Bible from start to finish, has a theme of freedom. Freedom from sin, freedom from fear, freedom from bondage, freedom from legalism, freedom from oppression, freedom from hopelessness, freedom from despair, and freedom from enslavement.
2 Corinthians 3:17, "Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty."
John 8:36, "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed."
Abusive and oppressive behaviors are rooted in pride. Here are a few verses that describe what God thinks about the proud and arrogant:
James 4:8, "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
Proverbs 8:13, "The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverted mouth, I hate."
Proverbs 16:5, "Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished."
Proverbs 16:18, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."
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