Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

JEALOUSY

Heb. qinʾâ; Gk. zḗlos, phthónos describe an intense emotional range for which English has no single word — both negative, “jealousy,” and positive, “zeal,” “anger,” and “devotion.” In the OT the term denotes a passion for justice in a particular situation and is associated more with the covenant God than with people. God is decribed as “jealous” when the prohibition of the worship of other gods is not observed (Exod. 20:5; 34:14; Deut. 4:24; 5:9; 6:15). Jealousy is like a fire (Ezek. 36:5; Zeph. 1:18) and typifies the warrior God in action (Isa. 42:13). It is protective of the people (Isa. 26:11) and the land (Joel 2:18) and even of God (Num. 25:11). Joshua’s dedication to Moses is described as jealous (Num. 11:29; cf. 1 Kgs. 19:10). The sons of Jacob were jealous of Joseph (Gen. 37:11), as were the Philistines of Isaac (26:14). Jealousy kept the Israelite kingdoms divided (Isa. 11:13). It can destroy the one who possesses it as well as its object (Job 5:2; Prov. 6:34; Cant. 8:6).

In the NT jealousy is rarely used of God. It applies to humans in the positive sense of zeal (2 Cor. 9:2; 11:2; Rom. 10:2), but also negatively, as envy (Matt. 27:18; Rom. 13:13; 1 Cor. 3:3; 13:4; 2 Cor. 12:20; Gal. 5:20; Jas. 3:14; 1 Pet. 2:1). God can be provoked to jealousy (1 Cor. 10:22). Jewish religious leaders were jealous of the success of the early Christian preaching (Acts 5:17; 17:5). But Paul mentions a pious jealousy among the Romans (Rom. 10:2; 11:11, 14). A Christian should have zeal for the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:31; 14:1), for what is right (1 Pet. 3:13), and for good deeds (Tit. 2:14). While God has made to dwell in us a spirit tending toward jealousy, he also bestows a greater grace to the humble and resists the proud (Jas. 4:5-6).

Bibliography. J. A. Fischer, “Jealousy,” in Collegeville Pastoral Dictionary of Biblical Theology, ed. C. Stuhlmueller (Collegeville, 1996), 472-73.

Seán Kealy, C.S.Sp.

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

JEALOUSY

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)