Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Etymology:The term "blaspheme" originates from the Greek word "blasphēmein," which means to speak evil of, slander, or show contempt or disrespect for God or sacred things. In the biblical context, blasphemy is considered a grave sin, as it involves irreverence towards God, His name, His attributes, or His works.
Biblical References:Blasphemy is addressed in both the Old and New Testaments, highlighting its seriousness and the consequences associated with it.
·
Old Testament: In the Mosaic Law, blasphemy was a capital offense.
Leviticus 24:16 states, "Whoever blasphemes the name of the LORD must surely be put to death. The whole congregation must stone him. Whether he is a foreign resident or a native, if he blasphemes the Name, he must be put to death." This underscores the severity with which blasphemy was regarded in ancient Israel.
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New Testament: The New Testament continues to emphasize the seriousness of blasphemy, particularly against the Holy Spirit. In
Mark 3:28-29, Jesus warns, "Truly I tell you, the sons of men will be forgiven all sins and blasphemies, as many as they utter. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of eternal sin." This passage highlights the unforgivable nature of blaspheming the Holy Spirit, often interpreted as a willful and persistent rejection of the Holy Spirit's work and testimony about Christ.
Examples of Blasphemy in Scripture:·
Direct Blasphemy Against God: In
2 Kings 19:22, the Assyrian king Sennacherib is accused of blaspheming God by mocking and challenging His power: "Whom have you taunted and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes in pride? Against the Holy One of Israel!"
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Blasphemy Against Jesus: During Jesus' trial, the religious leaders accused Him of blasphemy for claiming to be the Son of God. In
Matthew 26:65, the high priest tore his clothes and said, "He has blasphemed! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy."
Theological Implications:Blasphemy is not merely about using God's name in vain but encompasses any act or speech that shows contempt for God or His divine authority. It reflects a heart attitude that is rebellious and irreverent towards the Creator. The Bible teaches that words are powerful and that believers are called to honor God with their speech.
James 3:9-10 reminds us, "With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be!"
Practical Considerations for Believers:Christians are encouraged to guard their hearts and tongues against blasphemy.
Ephesians 4:29 advises, "Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen." Believers are called to speak truthfully and reverently, reflecting the holiness of God in their words and actions.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v.) To speak of, or address, with impious irreverence; to revile impiously (anything sacred); as, to blaspheme the Holy Spirit.
2. (v.) Figuratively, of persons and things not religiously sacred, but held in high honor: To calumniate; to revile; to abuse.
3. (v. i.) To utter blasphemy.
Greek
987. blasphemeo -- to slander, hence to speak lightly or profanely...... things. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: blasphemeo Phonetic Spelling:
(blas-fay-meh'-o) Short Definition: I speak evil against,
blaspheme Definition:
...Strong's Hebrew
1442. gadaph -- to revile,blaspheme... gadaph. 1443 . to revile,
blaspheme. Transliteration: gadaph Phonetic Spelling:
(gaw-daf') Short Definition: blasphemed. Word Origin a prim.
...blaspheme, reproach
...5006. naats -- to spurn, treat with contempt
... root Definition to spurn, treat with contempt NASB Word Usageblaspheme (1), blasphemed
(1), despise (3), despised (5), given (1), rejects (1), spurn (3...
5344. naqab -- to pierce
... to pierce. Transliteration: naqab Phonetic Spelling: (naw-kab') Short Definition:
appoint. appoint,blaspheme, bore, curse, express, with holes, name, pierce,...
2778. charaph. -- to reproach
... 2778a . to reproach. Transliteration: charaph. Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-raf')
Short Definition: betroth. betroth,blaspheme, defy, rail, reproach, upbraid...
1288. barak -- to kneel, bless
... abundantly, altogether, at all,blaspheme, bless, congratulate, curse, greatly,.
A primitive root; to kneel; by implication to bless...
4167. muq -- to mock, deride
... root Definition to mock, deride NASB Word Usage mock (1). be corrupt. A primitive
root; to jeer, ie (intens.)Blaspheme -- be corrupt. 4166, 4167. muq. 4168...
Library
Whether the DamnedBlaspheme?
... OF THE SIN OF BLASPHEMY, IN GENERAL (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether the damnedblaspheme?
Objection 1: It would seem that the damned do notblaspheme....
The AriansBlaspheme Christ, if by the Words "Created" and "...
... Book I. Chapter XVI. The Ariansblaspheme Christ, if by the words "created"
and "begotten" they mean and understand? The Arians...
"Eternal Sin"
... "Verily I say unto you, All their sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and
their blasphemies wherewith soever they shallblaspheme: but whosoever shall...
James ii. 6, 7
... oppress the Christians, who drag them before the judgment-seat,"if not on account
of their faith, yet for the sake of extortion,"whoblaspheme that holy...
Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost and against the Son of Man. (Matt...
... form of my manifestation, and are unable to recognize the Son of God in the veil
of flesh, with those who, through prejudice or ignorance,blaspheme the Son of...
But Infirmity Pleadeth Its Part, and with Favor of the Crowds...
... [2465] But the reason why it is worse toblaspheme than to perjure one's self, is,
that in false swearing God is taken to witness a false thing, but in...
Almighty.
... 8. God then is One, the Father, the Almighty, whom the brood of heretics
have dared toblaspheme. Yea, they have dared toblaspheme...
John and Daniel have Predicted the Dissolution and Desolation of...
... Let those persons, therefore, whoblaspheme the Creator, either by openly expressed
words, such as the disciples of Marcion, or by a perversion of the sense...
Of Lies are Many Sorts, which Indeed All...
... in order that we may bring men to praise Him, without doubt we do by our example
and doctrine invite men not only to praise, but also toblaspheme God: because...
The Mistakes of Christ's Foes and Friends
... Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men,
and blasphemies wherewith soever they shallblaspheme: 29....
Thesaurus
Blaspheme (16 Occurrences)... 1. (v.) To speak of, or address, with impious irreverence; to revile impiously
(anything sacred); as, to
blaspheme the Holy Spirit.
...Blaspheme (16 Occurrences).
...Blasphemy (15 Occurrences)
... 26:65; Comp. Matthew 9:3; Mark 2:7). They who deny his Messiahshipblaspheme
Jesus (Luke 22:65; John 10:36). Blasphemy against the...
Hymenaeus (2 Occurrences)
... concerning faith. The apostle adds that he had delivered Hymeneus and Alexander
unto Satan, that they might learn not toblaspheme. 2...
Forgiven (61 Occurrences)
... Mark 3:28 Most certainly I tell you, all sins of the descendants of man will be
forgiven, including their blasphemies with which they mayblaspheme; (WEB KJV...
Blasphemed (28 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofBlaspheme. Multi-Version Concordance
Blasphemed (28 Occurrences). Matthew 26:65 Then the...
Belial (23 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 21:10 And set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness
against him, saying, Thou didstblaspheme God and the king....
Utter (111 Occurrences)
... Mark 3:28 Most certainly I tell you, all sins of the descendants of man will be
forgiven, including their blasphemies with which they mayblaspheme; (See NAS...
Often (74 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). Acts 26:11 Punishing them often in
all the synagogues, I tried to make themblaspheme. Being...
Oftentimes (7 Occurrences)
... Acts 26:11 And punishing them oftentimes in all the synagogues, I strove to make
themblaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even...
Obsession (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Obsession (1 Occurrence). Acts 26:11 Punishing them
often in all the synagogues, I tried to make themblaspheme....
Resources
What is blasphemy? What does it mean to blaspheme? | GotQuestions.orgWho were Hymenaeus and Alexander, and what does it mean that their faith was shipwrecked? | GotQuestions.orgWhy does God allow people to mock Him? | GotQuestions.orgBlaspheme: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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