[Greek] καταστρέφω (katastrephō),[Latin] eiciere: to overturn, to upset, to turn upside down, to turn over, to turn under, to throw down, to overthrow, to subvert, to take things down, to turn down, to cause desolation; Mt.21:12, Mk.11:15, Jn.2:15, Act.15:16
God overturns mountains in His anger (Job.9:5)
Background Information:
Ancient Greece: This term means to change or turn down (kata-). This term traditionally and historically means to subject, to subjugate, or to conquer one’s enemies. The Sparta subjected the Peloponnese to its will. The tragedy becomes a popular form of dramatic stage production. A catastrophe, a literary and stage device, provides a dramatic conclusion to the play. This plot device unravels the intrigue, provides plot surprises, provokes emotional responses, changes character development, and develops a tragic outcome. Aristotle considered that the catastrophe should not only be a turn to misfortune but also a turn for the better.
Greek Hellenism: This term means to destroy, to turn down, to overturn, to turn upside down, to subdue, to reverse, to seize, and to bring to an end. Aeschylus’ Eumenides 490 states “Here is the overturning of new laws.” Euripides’ Hippolytus 477 states “And if you are ill with it, use some good measures to subdue it.” Demosthenes’ On the Crown 18.244 states “But whenever Phillip was beaten in diplomacy, he attacked the place with an army and conquered it.” Polybius’ Histories 4.2.1 states “I thought that this was the best point, because it is where Aratus leaves off. I begin at this point because it was then that the history of the world entered a new phase.” Isocrates’ To Phillip 5.21 states “Has he not overthrown the Magnesians, Perrhaebean, and the Paeonians and taken them all under his yoke?” Aeschylus’ Suppliant Women 442 states “There is no escape. There is not result without grievous hurt.”
Old Testament: This term, occurring over 41 times, essentially means to destroy or to overthrow. These scriptures foretell the destruction that the Lord will bring in the future. Lot saw the watered Jordan plain, like the Lord’s own garden…This was before the Lord had destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 13:10). God removes the mountains before they know it; He overturns them in His anger (Job 9:5). In Hag.2:22 God overthrows and destroys the thrones of kingdoms (Hag.2:22). The Lord will raise up and restore the fallen runs of David’s hut (kingdom) (Amos 9:11). The earth rocked and shook; the foundations of the mountains trembled (Psa.18:8).
New Testament: This term is used in the sense of overturning and referencing the ruins of David’s fallen kingdom. As Jesus approaches the Temple, He sees the money-changers selling their wares in the sacred space. In later years, the Jews would also transact business in around the synagogue grounds. In His anger Jesus overturns the tables. At the Council of Jerusalem, James makes reference to Amos’ prophecy that the Lord will rebuild the ruins of David’s kingdom. The Lord will have a place for the Gentiles in this restoration.
Scripture:
“He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves.” Mt.21:12
Jesus became angry when He saw these money changers in the Temple grounds. These sellers to sell the wares to those people coming to Jerusalem for Passover.
“’After this I shall return and rebuild the fallen hut of David; from its ruins I shall rebuild it and raise it up again.’” Act. 15:16
James makes reference to Amos prophecy (Amos 9:11). The kingdom of David eventually fell down.
Etymology: The Latin verb eiciere literally means to throw out. This verb can be mean to eject, reject, expel, and to cast out. The Latin ejectus is the perfect passive participle of this verb.
Conclusion:
Catastrophe, catastrophic, eject
It was interesting to discover the many meanings of this term. Some of the more nuanced meanings include: to come to an end, being constrained (forced) to hear, to seize, to undo, and to die. I did not expect that this term would be a literary stage device promoting an emotional response. Aristotle must have been a “cup-half filled” type of guy.
It is interesting to note that in Genesis 13, reference is made to the Lord’s own garden, previously destroyed by the flood. In addition, reference is also made to Sodom and Gomorrah, not yet destroyed. Sodom and Gomorrah will later be destroyed in Genesis 19. Overturning is used in both a positive and negative way in the New Testament. However, Jesus overturns the tables as a corrective measure to restore the dignity of the Temple.
It is not surprising that catastrophe is directly related to a disaster. In its original meaning, a disaster is an “ill starred” event. God restores the ruins of David’s kingdom to bring a greater reign. Ultimately, Jesus gives up His life on the Cross to bring us new life and redemption. Essentially, from out of these (our) struggles and difficulties, God provides a way out for us.
Update: Biden: “We are about to go into a dark winter.” For many of us, it feels like our nation is under a dark cloud. Here are we now. Biden has become president. We are experiencing censorship, banning, and the repressing of the freedom of expression (free-speech). Even now this new administration is already implementing disastrous and circumspect policy decisions which will be detrimental to jobs and the economy. You know it will get worse. Then there will be the social policy decisions catastrophic to Christians and Christian institutions. Let’s hope this will be different with foreign policy. Unfortunately, this cloud will remain as many of us are still very unsettled and worried about our country.
Yes, Toto, we are not in Kansas any more. We are in that dark winter.