Robbery

ROBBERY. Illegal seizure of another’s property. Early in Israel’s history such a crime was forbidden by law (Lev.19.13). In the days of the judges it was unsafe to travel the highways because of robberies by highwaymen (Judg.5.6; Judg.9.25). Houses were built to resist robbers, who were often base enough to seize the money of orphans and widows (Isa.10.2). Honor did not exist among thieves (Ezek.39.10). So depraved had Israel become by Hosea’s day that companies of priests had turned to pillage (Hos.6.9).