King James Bible Dictionary

USURP', verb transitive s as z. [Latin usurpo.]

To seize and hold in possession by force or without right; as, to usurp a throne; to usurp the prerogatives of the crown; to usurp power. To usurp the right of a patron, is to oust or dispossess him.

Vice sometimes usurps the place of virtue.

[Usurp is not applied to common dispossession of private property.]

Of Political functions:

By Absalom
2 Samuel 15:1-12

By Adonijah
1 Kings 1:5-9

By Baasha
1 Kings 15:27-28

By Zimri
1 Kings 16:9-10

By Jehu
2 Kings 9:11-37

By Athaliah
2 Kings 11:1-16

By Shallum
2 Kings 15:10

In ecclesiastical affairs:

By Saul, in assuming priestly functions
1 Samuel 13:8-14

By Solomon, in thrusting Abiathar out of the priesthood
1 Kings 2:26-27

By Uzziah, in assuming priestly offices
2 Chronicles 26:16-21

By Ahaz
2 Kings 16:12-13
Church, The Collective Body of Believers, Church and State, State Superior to the Church; Government, Ecclesiastical

Of executive power:

In ordering Naboth's death and confiscation of his vineyard
1 Kings 21:7-19

In the scheme of Joseph to dispossess the Egyptians of their real and personal property
Genesis 47:13-26

Of Pharaoh, making bondservants of the Israelites
Exodus 1:9-22

Moses accused of
Numbers 16:3

USURPA'TION, noun [supra.] The act of seizing or occupying and enjoying the property of another, without right; as the usurpation of a throne; the usurpation of the supreme power. usurpation in a peculiar sense, denotes the absolute ouster and dispossession of the patron of a church, by presenting a clerk to a vacant benefice, who is thereupon admitted and instituted.

USURP'ED, participle passive Seized or occupied and enjoyed by violence, or without right.

USURP'ER, noun One who seizes or occupies the property of another without right; as the usurper of a throne, of power, or of the rights of a patron.

USURP'ING, participle present tense Seizing or occupying the power or property of another without right.

The worst of tyrants, an usurping crowd.

USURP'INGLY, adverb By usurpation; without just right or claim.