robber

Everyday

A person who steals from a person or place, often using force or threats, like a bank robber. tree →

In the lessons

In stories and games («cops and robbers») robbers are the villains; a highway robber stopped coaches on the road. In safety lessons, if a robber asks for your phone or bag, give it — your safety matters more than things.

Examples

• The robbers escaped with bags of money. tree →
• The police caught the bank robber. tree →
• We played cops and robbers in the park. tree →
• Robin Hood was a robber who helped the poor. tree →
• A robber took her bag at the bus stop. tree →
• The highway robber shouted «Stand and deliver!» tree →

Note

Robber = robs (often with force); thief = steals, maybe secretly; burglar = breaks into buildings. Verb: rob (robbed, robbing).

In Jewish tradition

The prophets say Israel fell to robbers because of sin, and Jeremiah calls the Temple "a den of robbers" when people sin and then come to worship as if safe.

Interpretation. The commentators read Jeremiah as warning that the Temple does not protect people who steal and cheat; worship must go with honest living.

Examples

• Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to the robbers? (Prophets ISA.42.24, JPS 1917) tree →
• She also lieth in wait as a robber, and increaseth the faithless among men. (Writings PRO.23.28, JPS 1917) tree →
• Is this house, whereupon My name is called, become a den of robbers in your eyes? (Prophets JER.7.11, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Robber = robs (often with force); thief = steals, maybe secretly; burglar = breaks into buildings. Verb: rob (robbed, robbing).