USURPATION

USURPATION. → OF POLITICAL FUNCTIONS
* By Absalom 2Sa 15:1-12
* By Adonijah 1Ki 1:5-9
* By Baasha 1Ki 15:27,28
* By Zimri 1Ki 16:9,10
* By Jehu 2Ki 9:11-37
* By Athaliah 2Ki 11:1-16
* By Shallum 2Ki 15:10

→ IN RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS
* By King Saul, in assuming priestly functions 1Sa 13:8-14
* By King Solomon, in thrusting Abiathar out of the priesthood 1Ki 2:26,27
* By King Uzziah, in assuming priestly offices 2Ch 26:16-21
* By King Ahaz 2Ki 16:12,13
* See CHURCH AND STATE, STATE SUPERIOR TO THE CHURCH
* See GOVERNMENT, ECCLESIASTICAL

→ OF EXECUTIVE POWER
* In ordering Naboth' s death and confiscation of his vineyard 1Ki 21:7-19
* In the plan of Joseph to dispossess the Egyptians of their real and personal property Ge 47:13-26
* Of Pharaoh, making bondservants of the Israelites Ex 1:9-22
* Moses accused of Nu 16:3

---

usurpation. Usurpation, n. an illegal possession, seizure, force

---

U′sur‐pa″tion (?), n. [[L. usurpatio � making use, usurpation: cf. F. usurpation.]] 1. 1. The act of usurping, or of seizing and enjoying; an authorized, arbitrary assumption and exercise of power, especially an infringing on the rights of others; specifically, the illegal seizure of sovereign power; — commonly used with of, also used with on or upon; as, the usurpation of a throne; the usurpation of the supreme power.
He contrived their destruction, with the usurpation of the regal dignity upon him. Sir T. More. A law which is a usurpation upon the general government. O. Ellsworth. Manifest usurpation on the rights of other States. D. Webster. ☞ Usurpation, in a peculiar sense, formerly denoted the absolute ouster and dispossession of the patron of a church, by a stranger presenting a clerk to a vacant benefice, who us thereupon admitted and instituted. 2. 2. Use; usage; custom. Bp. Pearson.