Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Etymology:Blasphemy, derived from the Greek word "blasphēmia," refers to the act of speaking sacrilegiously about God or sacred things. It involves showing contempt or lack of reverence for God, and it can manifest through speech, actions, or attitudes that insult or demean the divine.
Biblical References and Context:Blasphemy is addressed in both the Old and New Testaments, highlighting its seriousness as an offense against God. In the Old Testament, blasphemy is explicitly condemned and is considered 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."
In the New Testament, blasphemy continues to be a grave sin. Jesus addresses the issue of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which He describes as an unforgivable sin. In
Matthew 12:31-32 , Jesus says, "Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the one to come."
Examples of Blasphemy in Scripture:1.
Old Testament: The account of Naboth's vineyard in
1 Kings 21 illustrates the misuse of blasphemy accusations. Jezebel orchestrates false charges of blasphemy against Naboth to seize his vineyard, demonstrating how the charge of blasphemy could be manipulated for personal gain.
2.
New Testament: Jesus Himself was accused of blasphemy by the religious leaders of His time. In
Mark 14:61-64 , during His trial, the high priest asks Jesus if He is the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One. Jesus affirms, "I am," leading the high priest to accuse Him of blasphemy, tearing his clothes and declaring, "Why do we need any more witnesses? You have heard the blasphemy."
Theological Implications:Blasphemy is not merely a verbal offense but reflects a heart posture that is irreverent and rebellious against God. It is a sin that reveals a deeper spiritual condition of unbelief or defiance. The unforgivable nature of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, as mentioned by Jesus, has been interpreted as a persistent and unrepentant rejection of the Spirit's work and testimony about Christ.
Contemporary Considerations:In modern Christian thought, blasphemy remains a serious concern, particularly in how individuals speak about God and the sacred. It calls for a reverence and respect for the divine, urging believers to be mindful of their words and actions. The charge of blasphemy also serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding the holiness and majesty of God in a world that often trivializes the sacred.
Greek
987. blasphemeo -- to slander, hence to speak lightly or profanely...... lightly or profanely of sacred things NASB Word Usage be spoken of as evil (1),
blaspheme (4), blasphemed (6), blasphemers (1),
blasphemes (3), blaspheming (4
...Strong's Hebrew
5344b. naqab -- to curse... naqab. 5345 . to curse. Transliteration: naqab Short Definition:
blasphemes. Word
Origin a prim. root Definition to curse NASB Word Usage
blasphemes (2).
...Library
Macedonius, after his Rejection from his See,Blasphemes against...
... Chapter XXVII."Macedonius, after his Rejection from his See,blasphemes against
the Holy Spirit; Propagation of his Heresy through the Instrumentality of...
Their Dangerous Errors.
... [1004] For what does any one profit me, if he commends me, butblasphemes my
Lord, not confessing that He was [truly] possessed of a body?...
Of Lies are Many Sorts, which Indeed All...
... for this the Priscillianist saith, also believing it so: but the catholic not so
believing, though so speaking." The one, then,blasphemes without knowing, the...
Epistle Lxxii. To Jubaianus, Concerning the Baptism of Heretics.
... Unless while one who denies Christ is denied by Christ, he who denies His Father
whom Christ Himself confessed is not denied; and he whoblasphemes against Him...
Testimonies of the Ancients against Eusebius.
... So also, in writing to the bishop Euphration, heblasphemes most openly; his letter
begins thus: I return to my Lord all thanks'; and farther on: For we do not...
Against the Sabellians.
... For heblasphemes in saying that the Son Himself is the Father, and vice versa;
but these in a certain manner announce three gods, in that they divide the holy...
Fragment iii.
... from God and for all who, without repentance, persevere in apostasy, then, by means
of a man of this sort, he, as if already condemned,blasphemes that God who...
Concerning Common and Distinctive Theology, and what is the Divine...
... And verily as we have mentioned in the Theological Outlines, if any one should say
that this is not spoken concerning the whole Deity, heblasphemes, and dares...
A Fuller Account of the Errors of Photinus, Apollinaris and...
... with the Church as to the unity of the Trinity, though not this even with entire
soundness of belief, [466] as to the Incarnation of the Lord,blasphemes openly...
On Prayer
... body. "Hearts," because the mere lifting up of the mind would not be prayer.
One whoblasphemes Him might also lift up his mind. We...
Thesaurus
Blasphemes (6 Occurrences)...Blasphemes (6 Occurrences). Matthew 9:3 Behold, some of the scribes said to
themselves, "This man
blasphemes." (WEB DBY NAS).
... he
blasphemes.
...Native-born (16 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 24:16 He whoblasphemes the name of Yahweh, he shall surely be put to
death; all the congregation shall certainly stone him: the foreigner as well as...
Native (35 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 24:16 He whoblasphemes the name of Yahweh, he shall surely be put to
death; all the congregation shall certainly stone him: the foreigner as well as...
Foreigner (99 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 24:16 He whoblasphemes the name of Yahweh, he shall surely be put to
death; all the congregation shall certainly stone him: the foreigner as well as...
Alien (102 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 24:16 He whoblasphemes the name of Yahweh, he shall surely be put to
death; all the congregation shall certainly stone him: the foreigner as well as...
Entire (119 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 24:16 He whoblasphemes the name of Yahweh, he shall surely be put to
death; all the congregation shall certainly stone him: the foreigner as well as...
Unabsolved (1 Occurrence)
... Unabsolved (1 Occurrence). Mark 3:29 but whoeverblasphemes against the Holy Spirit,
he remains for ever unabsolved: he is guilty of a sin of the Ages." (WEY)....
Obtain (63 Occurrences)
... Luke 12:10 "Moreover every one who shall speak against the Son of Man, may obtain
forgiveness; but he whoblasphemes the Holy Spirit will never obtain...
Themselves (911 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Matthew 9:3 Behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man
blasphemes." (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
Remains (118 Occurrences)
... Remains (118 Occurrences). Mark 3:29 but whoeverblasphemes against the Holy Spirit,
he remains for ever unabsolved: he is guilty of a sin of the Ages." (WEY)....
Resources
Didn't the Old Testament punish blasphemy with death? How is that different from radical Islam? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the unpardonable sin / unforgivable sin? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the unholy trinity in the end times? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
