Topical Encyclopedia
A "by-word" in biblical terms refers to a person, group, or nation that becomes an object of scorn, ridicule, or derision. It is often used to describe a situation where someone or something has fallen from a place of honor or respect to one of disgrace or infamy. The concept of a by-word is deeply rooted in the covenantal relationship between God and His people, where blessings and curses are contingent upon obedience or disobedience to God's commandments.
Old Testament UsageThe term "by-word" is frequently found in the Old Testament, particularly in the context of the consequences of Israel's disobedience to God. In
Deuteronomy 28:37, as part of the curses for disobedience, it is stated: "You will become an object of horror, scorn, and ridicule among all the nations to which the LORD will drive you." Here, the Israelites are warned that if they fail to keep God's commandments, they will become a by-word among the nations.
Similarly, in
1 Kings 9:7, God warns Solomon that if Israel turns away from Him, "then I will cut off Israel from the land I have given them, and I will reject this temple I have consecrated for My Name. Israel will then become a byword and an object of ridicule among all peoples." This passage underscores the conditional nature of God's promises, where the status of being a by-word is a direct result of covenantal unfaithfulness.
Psalms and Wisdom LiteratureThe theme of becoming a by-word is also present in the Psalms and Wisdom Literature. In
Psalm 44:14, the psalmist laments, "You have made us a byword among the nations; the peoples shake their heads at us." This expression of lament highlights the shame and dishonor experienced by the people of Israel when they are subjected to the scorn of surrounding nations.
In the book of Job, Job himself becomes a by-word among his friends and community.
Job 17:6 states, "He has made me a byword of the people; I am the one in whose face they spit." Job's suffering and the misunderstanding of his plight by others lead to his becoming a symbol of misfortune and divine displeasure.
Prophetic LiteratureThe prophets also speak of the concept of a by-word in relation to the judgment of nations. In
Jeremiah 24:9, God declares concerning Judah, "I will make them a horror and an evil to all the kingdoms of the earth, a reproach and a byword, a taunt and a curse, in all the places where I will banish them." This prophetic declaration serves as a warning of the severe consequences of national apostasy and idolatry.
Theological ImplicationsThe use of "by-word" in the Bible carries significant theological implications. It serves as a stark reminder of the seriousness of sin and the reality of divine judgment. The transformation from a position of blessing to one of being a by-word illustrates the moral and spiritual decline that results from turning away from God. It also emphasizes the importance of faithfulness to God's covenant and the repercussions of failing to uphold His statutes.
In summary, the concept of a by-word in the Bible is a powerful symbol of disgrace and judgment, often used to illustrate the consequences of disobedience to God. It serves as a cautionary tale for individuals and nations alike, highlighting the importance of maintaining a faithful relationship with the Lord.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Hebrew millah (
Job 30:9), a word or speech, and hence object of talk; Hebrew mashal (
Psalm 44:14), a proverb or parable. When it denotes a sharp word of derision, as in
Deuteronomy 28:37,
1 Kings 9:7,
2 Chronicles 7:20, the Hebrew sheninah is used. In
Jeremiah 24:9 it is rendered "taunt."
Greek
1731. endeiknumi -- to indicate (by word or act), to prove... to indicate (
by word or act), to prove. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration:
endeiknumi Phonetic Spelling: (en-dike'-noo-mee) Short Definition: I show forth
...2727. katecheo -- to teachby word of mouth
... to teachby word of mouth. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: katecheo Phonetic
Spelling: (kat-ay-kheh'-o) Short Definition: I instruct orally Definition: I...
3942. paroimia -- abyword, a parable, an allegory
... abyword, a parable, an allegory. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration:
paroimia Phonetic Spelling: (par-oy-mee'-ah) Short Definition: an allegory...
2753. keleuo -- to command
... order, command. From a primary kello (to urge on); "hail"; to inciteby word, ie
Order -- bid, (at, give) command(-ment). (ekeleuon) -- 1 Occurrence....
5419. phrazo -- to show forth, tell
... expound. Probably akin to phrasso through the idea of defining; to indicate (by
word or act), ie (specially), to expound -- declare. see GREEK phrasso....
1653. eleeo -- to have pity or mercy on, to show mercy
... From eleos; to compassionate (by word or deed, specially, by divine grace) -- have
compassion (pity on), have (obtain, receive, shew) mercy (on)....
2036 -- answer, bid, bring word, command
... A primary verb (used only in the definite past tense, the others being borrowed
from ereo, rheo, and phemi); to speak or say (by word or writing) -- answer, bid...
2967. koluo -- to hinder
... forbid, hinder, prevent. From the base of kolazo; to estop, ie Prevent (by word
or act) -- forbid, hinder, keep from, let, not suffer, withstand....
Strong's Hebrew
4914. meshol -- abyword... a
byword. Transliteration: meshol Phonetic Spelling: (mesh-ol') Short Definition:
byword. Word Origin from mashal Definition a
byword NASB Word Usage
byword (1)
...8148. sheninah -- a sharp (cutting) word, taunt
... 8147, 8148. sheninah. 8149 . a sharp (cutting) word, taunt. Transliteration:
sheninah Phonetic Spelling: (shen-ee-naw') Short Definition:byword....byword, taunt...
4405. millah -- a word, speech, utterance
... to say (1),byword (1), said (1), speaking (1), speech (5), talking (1), utterances
(1), what to say (1), word (2), words (22). answer,by-word, matter, any...
4912. mashal -- a proverb, parable
... Word Origin from mashal Definition a proverb, parable NASB Word Usagebyword (3),
discourse (9), parable (3), parables (1), proverb (15), proverbs (6), taunt (2...
5046. nagad -- to be conspicuous
... primitive root; properly, to front, ie Stand boldly out opposite; by implication
(causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (alwaysby word of mouth...
8034. shem -- a name
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition a name NASB Word Usagebyword (1),
defamed* (1), defames* (1), fame (8), famous (3), famous* (1), memorial (1...
Library
Whether the Judgment Will Take Placeby Word of Mouth?
... OF THE GENERAL JUDGMENT, AS TO THE TIME AND PLACE AT WHICH IT WILL BE (FOUR ARTICLES)
Whether the judgment will take placeby word of mouth?...
Celsus Proceeds to Say of God that "Of Him are all Things...
... But when Celsus adds, that "He is not to be reachedby word," [4620] I make a
distinction, and say that if he means the word that is in us"whether the word...
Whether the Image of Christ Should be Adored with the Adoration of...
... Wherefore the Apostle says (2:Thess.2:14): "Stand fast; and hold the traditions
which you have learned, whetherby word""-that isby word of mouth"-"or by...
2 Thessalonians i. 9, 10
... He raises up their minds. "That ye be not quickly shaken," he says, "nor yet be
troubled, either by spirit, orby word, or by epistle as from us, as that the...
For There were Even in the Apostles' Times Some who Preached the...
... inferior motion of the man ought to be obedient, will not lack deserved opprobrium,
when a thing is done that ought not to be done, whether by member orby word...
The Parting Message.
... This is the spot He chooses for the good-by word.... What would you expect it to be?
It was the good-by word between men who were lovers, dearest friends....
A Secret Life of Prayer.
... There are four things in that good-by word.... Notice again the four statements
in that good-by word. Your chief concern is to win men....
Letter cxxvi. To Marcellinus and Anapsychia.
... he refers his questioners to his treatise against Rufinus and also to their bishop
Augustin who will, he says, explain the matter to themby word of mouth....
Letter xxi. St. Ambrose Excuses Himself for not Having Gone to the...
... He says further that he is willing to discuss the matters in dispute at a synod,
and that he would have told the Emperorby word of mouth what he is now writing...
To Apollonius.
... his hearers by his persuasive eloquence, and was gifted with the power alike of
knowing what measures should be taken and of enforcing themby word of mouth....
Thesaurus
Byword (14 Occurrences)... 2. (n.) The object of a contemptuous saying. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
BYWORD.
... Multi-Version Concordance
Byword (14 Occurrences).
...By-word (6 Occurrences)
By-word.Byword,By-word. Caanan . Easton's Bible Dictionary Hebrew millah... the
people. (WBS).Byword,By-word. Caanan . Reference Bible.
Ridicule (14 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 28:37 You shall become an astonishment, a proverb, and abyword, among
all the peoples where Yahweh shall lead you away. (See NIV)....
Object (76 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 28:37 You shall become an astonishment, a proverb, and abyword, among
all the peoples where Yahweh shall lead you away. (See NIV)....
Simile (61 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Deuteronomy 28:37 and thou hast been for an astonishment, for a simile, and
for abyword among all the peoples whither Jehovah doth lead thee. (YLT)....
Insult (25 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) Gross abuse offered to another, eitherbyword or act; an act or
speech of insolence or contempt; an affront; an indignity....
Taunt (38 Occurrences)
... Taunt (38 Occurrences). Deuteronomy 28:37 You shall become an astonishment, a proverb,
and abyword, among all the peoples where Yahweh shall lead you away....
Proverb (24 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 9:7); and in adversities of experience, both individual and collective,
the thing that was most keenly felt was to have become abyword (mashal) (Psalm...
Reject (56 Occurrences)
... which I have given them; and this house, which I have made holy for my name, will
I cast out of my sight; and Israel shall be a proverb and abyword among all...
Silas (22 Occurrences)
... representative of the Jerusalem church than Paul and Barnabas, Silas and Judas were
further commissioned to confirm the contents of the letterby "word of mouth...
Resources
What is the value of doing a word study in understanding the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the spiritual gifts of the word of wisdom and the word of knowledge? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to preach the Word (2 Timothy 4:2)? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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