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# persecute

verb (persecute, persecutes, persecuted, persecuting)

«persecute» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To persecute people is to treat them cruelly and unfairly for a long time, especially because of their religion, race, beliefs or who they are. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/persecute/#m1)
2. To persecute someone can also mean to keep annoying or bothering them. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/persecute/#m2)

### In the lessons

In history and religious education, the early Christians were persecuted by Roman rulers, and many groups (such as Jews) have been persecuted through history; this tells the reader about injustice and suffering. In the Bible, Saul persecuted Christians before he became the apostle Paul. In ethics lessons pupils learn that persecution is wrong. Phrases: "persecuted for their faith", "flee persecution", "persecute minorities".

### Examples

- Many families fled their country because they were persecuted for their religion. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/persecute/#x1)
- (Bible) Before he became Paul, Saul persecuted the followers of Jesus. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/persecute/#x2)
- The early Christians were persecuted by Roman emperors. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/persecute/#x3)
- People should never be persecuted for the colour of their skin. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/persecute/#x4)
- Refugees often escape from being persecuted. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/persecute/#x5)
- The bullies persecuted him with nasty messages for weeks. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/persecute/#x6)
- Nevertheless, he does not cease to persecute me and to kill my subjects. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/persecute/#x7)

### Note

Noun: persecution; a person who persecutes is a persecutor. Do not confuse with "prosecute", which means to accuse someone in a court of law: the police and lawyers prosecute criminals, but cruel rulers persecute innocent people.

## In Jewish tradition

It means to chase and hurt enemies, here Israel's enemies who hated them. In the Psalms and Job it is a cry of one who is hunted and attacked for no reason and asks God for help and justice.

**Interpretation.** The tradition reads the Psalms' cry as trust that God will judge fairly and help the wronged.

### Examples

- And the LORD thy God will put all these curses upon thine enemies, and on them that hate thee, that persecuted thee. (Torah DEU.30.7, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/persecute/#x1)
- When wilt Thou execute judgment on them that persecute me? (Writings PSA.119.84, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/persecute/#x2)
- All Thy commandments are faithful; they persecute me for nought; help Thou me. (Writings PSA.119.86, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/persecute/#x3)
- Why do ye persecute me as God, and are not satisfied with my flesh? (Writings JOB.19.22, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/persecute/#x4)

### Note

Noun: persecution; a person who persecutes is a persecutor. Do not confuse with "prosecute", which means to accuse someone in a court of law: the police and lawyers prosecute criminals, but cruel rulers persecute innocent people.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «persecute» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/persecute/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«persecute» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/persecute.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «persecute» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/persecute/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«persecute» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/persecute.html) on Mova free.