The Destruction of Betrayal
Betrayal refers to the act of disloyalty someone has towards another thing or someone. It often involves a violation of trust or confidence. It can manifest in various forms, such as falseness or treachery by exposing someone to an enemy.
Ethics, morality or even philosophically, betrayal is considered both a "people" problem and a moral issue, prompting discussions about trust and standards.
Mistrust is a major form of betrayal as it rips apart the fabric of the relationship.
Marriage to GOD: Lack of faith (not trusting Him) from infidelity
Marriage to our mate: Lack of trust (losing faith in them) from infidelity
In Hebrew, the root word for our English derived word "betray" can be translated to have a meaning connected to clothing, according to some details I located.
A more general and more frequently used term for betrayal, refers to the breaking of trust, is the word bigda.
When specifically referring to the betrayal of a relationship, the word pesha can also be used, while livgód is the most common verb used to express the action of "betraying"
Some may not know that the Hebrew language uses A LOT of idioms to communicate. All throughout Scripture, you will read (or have read) where someone has severely messed up their clothing. The “tearing of their garments” is quite the “statement”. A verb qara, a verb expresses grief, anger, outrage, shock and indignation.
In the Scriptures, the tearing of one’s clothes was an outward expression of big feelings, primarily grief and extreme resentment.
I have a few listed below:
Genesis 37:29, 34 After Joseph’s brothers decided to throw him into a pit, Reuben returned and found that his brother Joseph was no longer there. Not knowing that the other brothers had sold Joseph to slave traders, Reuben tore his garments in guilt and grief. When they told their father, Jacob, that his son had (presumably) died, he also tore his garments in agony.
Genesis 44:13 When Joseph saw that his brothers did not recognize him in Egypt, he planned to trick them by slipping a vessel into Benjamin’s sack and accusing them of stealing. When the vessel was discovered in Benjamin’s sack the brothers all tore their clothes in fear of losing their youngest brother.
Numbers 14:6-9 When the spies (land surveyors) went into the promised land and reported that it was too risky to enter, two of the spies (Joshua and Caleb) couldn’t believe the people’s lack of faith and they tore their clothes in anguish.
Joshua 7:5-12 Joshua also tore his clothes again, this time in fear, when he heard that the men of Ai were coming to destroy them.
We’ve learned the Hebrew word for garment is beged, which is a reminder of the first betrayal. The first time that clothes appear in humanity is after Adam and Eve go against the Commandment of the LORD and eat from the fruit tree in the garden of Eden. “Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked, so they sewed fig leaves together and made covering for themselves”.
Before the sin, body and soul were one, both created and infused into one being by the creator himself, the body was just as much a source of honor and respect as the soul was.
This act of betrayal had its consequences: Now, the humans will forever want to wear clothes, as their body is now a source of embarrassment and shame. It was the bodily instincts that made the fruit tree desirable and a delight to the eyes which lead to this betrayal.
The Bible acknowledges the hurt of betrayal. The unfaithfulness of betrayal in GOD’s Word carries profound implications, especially in the context of relationships built on trust and loyalty. The duplicity of Judas Iscariot is indeed a essential example, illustrating not just personal treachery but also the broader themes of human fallibility and the struggle between good and evil. In Matthew 26:14-16, Judas’s decision to betray the Christ for monetary gain emphasizes a unadulterated difference between spiritual values and worldly desires. This act figuratively represents the ultimate betrayal of faith, illustrating how greed can corrupt relationships and lead to devastating spiritual consequences.
NOTE: “Peddling the Gospel is one form of betrayal of faith”
Beyond Judas, the concept of betrayal permeates various narratives in Scripture.
In 2 Samuel 15, we encounter Absalom, King David’s son, who betrays his father by seizing the throne. This event reflects the complexity of familial bonds and the heart-wrenching consequences of disloyalty
As noted in Proverbs 27:6, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.”
Betrayal is often depicted as an affront not just to the individual being betrayed, but also to GOD, Who calls for loyalty and love among His creation.
Thus, the Biblical approach to betrayal invites readers to reflect on their commitments, morals, and the sanctity of relationships.
…from Jesus’ deceptive downfall, by Judas, to stories of deception among friends and family, we learn of the many reasons and opportunities for backstabbing.
Scripture offers guidance on forgiveness, trust, and finding comfort in GOD’s Presence when we feel abandoned.