Forgery
Summary
The fraudulent alteration or fabrication of documents, exemplified in Scripture by Jezebel's forged letters to condemn Naboth.
☩Definition
Forgery is a fraudulent interference with, or alteration of, truth to the prejudice of another person. It consists in deliberate untruthfulness of an assertion, or in the deceitful presentation of an object, based on an intention to deceive and injure while using the externals of honesty. This crime encompasses false witness, falsification of documents, and counterfeiting money—all of which undermine justice and social order.
☩Jezebel's Forgery
The most notorious biblical example of forgery is Jezebel's letters condemning Naboth. When Naboth refused to sell his ancestral vineyard to King Ahab, Jezebel wrote letters in Ahab's name, sealed them with his seal, and sent them to the elders and nobles of Naboth's city (1 Kings 21:8). These forged letters instructed them to proclaim a fast, set Naboth on high, and have two 'sons of Belial' bear false witness that he blasphemed God and the king, resulting in his execution by stoning.
Related Verses1 mention
1 Kings· 1 verse
References
- 1.Charles G. Herbermann et al. (ed.), "Forgery, Forger," in The Catholic Encyclopedia, vol. VI (Robert Appleton Company, 1907–1912).