Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Overview:Rejection, in a biblical context, refers to the act of dismissing, refusing, or not accepting someone or something. It is a theme that appears throughout Scripture, often highlighting the human experience of being rejected by others, as well as the spiritual implications of rejecting God and His commandments.
Old Testament Instances:Rejection is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, often associated with the Israelites' relationship with God. The Israelites frequently rejected God's laws and commandments, leading to consequences such as exile and suffering. In
1 Samuel 8:7, God tells Samuel, "Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you. For it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected Me as their king." This passage illustrates the spiritual dimension of rejection, where the people's desire for a human king signifies their rejection of God's direct rule.
The prophets also faced rejection as they delivered God's messages. Jeremiah, known as the "weeping prophet," experienced significant rejection from his own people. In
Jeremiah 6:10, he laments, "To whom can I speak and give warning? Who will listen to me? Their ears are closed so they cannot hear. The word of the LORD is offensive to them; they find no pleasure in it."
New Testament Instances:In the New Testament, rejection is most poignantly seen in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Despite His teachings, miracles, and fulfillment of prophecy, Jesus was rejected by many, including the religious leaders of His time.
John 1:11 states, "He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him." This rejection culminated in His crucifixion, an event that was both a fulfillment of prophecy and a demonstration of humanity's rejection of God's redemptive plan.
The apostles also faced rejection as they spread the Gospel. In
Acts 13:46, Paul and Barnabas respond to the rejection by the Jews in Antioch by saying, "It was necessary to speak the word of God to you first. But since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles."
Theological Implications:Rejection in the Bible often serves as a warning against the spiritual consequences of turning away from God. It underscores the importance of accepting God's word and His messengers.
Hebrews 12:25 cautions, "See to it that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape when they refused Him who warned them on earth, how much less will we escape if we reject Him who warns us from heaven?"
Personal and Spiritual Reflection:Believers are encouraged to find solace in the fact that Jesus Himself experienced rejection and can empathize with those who face similar trials.
Hebrews 4:15 reminds us, "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin."
Furthermore, Christians are called to respond to rejection with love and perseverance, following the example of Christ.
Romans 12:14 advises, "Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse."
Conclusion:Rejection, while painful, is an integral part of the biblical narrative, offering lessons on faithfulness, perseverance, and the importance of accepting God's truth. Through the examples of biblical figures and the teachings of Jesus, believers are encouraged to remain steadfast in their faith, even in the face of rejection.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) Act of rejecting, or state of being rejected.
Greek
580. apobole -- a throwing away,rejection... a throwing away,
rejection. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: apobole
Phonetic Spelling: (ap-ob-ol-ay') Short Definition: a casting away,
rejection...557. apelegmos -- refutation, ie by impl. contempt
... Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: apelegmos Phonetic Spelling:
(ap-el-eg-mos') Short Definition: refutation,rejection, disrepute Definition...
1692. emeo -- to vomit
... 1692 -- properly, vomit (); (figuratively) repulsed, showing utterrejection (desiring
total separation); "to reject with extreme disgust" (, 6, 321)....
1585. eklanthanomai -- to forget utterly
... This (rejection) means to dismiss (used only in Heb 12:5). Word Origin from ek and
lanthano Definition to forget utterly NASB Word Usage forgotten (1). forget....
1578. ekklino -- to deviate, to turn away (from someone or...
... and " and 2827 , "bend") -- properly, to bow out (turn away), with its inevitable
(out-come); exclude; avoid by deliberate, decisiverejection (turning away...
Strong's Hebrew
470. Eliqa -- "God ofrejection," one of David's heroes... 469, 470. Eliqa. 471 . "God of
rejection," one of David's heroes. Transliteration:
Eliqa Phonetic Spelling: (el-ee-kaw') Short Definition: Elika.
...5007a. neatsah -- contempt
... contempt. Transliteration: neatsah Short Definition:rejection. Word Origin from
naats Definition contempt NASB Word Usagerejection (2). 5007, 5007a....
2925. taltelah -- a hurling
... Word Origin from tul Definition a hurling NASB Word Usage headlong (1). captivity.
From tuwl; overthrow orrejection -- captivity. see HEBREW tuwl. 2924, 2925...
5079. niddah -- impurity
... From nadad; properly,rejection; by implication, impurity, especially personal
(menstruation) or moral (idolatry, incest) -- X far, filthiness, X flowers...
Library
The ContemptuousRejection.
... The Tragic Break in the Plan The ContemptuousRejection.... The nation'srejection
began with the formal presentation of Him to it by John....
The MurderousRejection.
... The Tragic Break in the Plan The MurderousRejection. This crisis leads at
once into the final stage, the murderousrejection. Jesus...
The AggressiveRejection.
... The Tragic Break in the Plan The AggressiveRejection. Then came the second
stage, the aggressiverejection. This is the plotting stage....
Rejection of Errors
... Second Head of DoctrineRejection of Errors. The true doctrine having
been explained, the Synod rejects the errors of those:...
Rejection of Errors
... First Head of Doctrine. Divine Election and ReprobationRejection of Errors.
The true doctrine concerning election and reprobation...
Rejection of Errors
... Third and Fourth Heads of DoctrineRejection of Errors. The true doctrine having
been explained, the Synod rejects the errors of those:...
Rejection of Errors
... Fifth Head of DoctrineRejection of Errors. The true doctrine having
been explained, the Synod rejects the errors of those:...
Rejection of Christianity.
...REJECTION OF CHRISTIANITY.... The settled habit of their minds was, and long had
been, an indiscriminaterejection of all reports of the kind....
Of the PredictedRejection of Idols.
... the harmony of the gospels.Book I. Chapter XXVIII."Of the Predicted
Rejection of Idols. 43. It cannot be questioned that what...
HisRejection by the Jews Foretold.
... Chapter XLIX."Hisrejection by the Jews foretold. And again, how it was
said by the same Isaiah, that the Gentile nations who...
Thesaurus
Rejection (3 Occurrences)...Rejection (3 Occurrences). Romans 11:15 For if the
rejection of them is the reconciling
of the world, what would their acceptance be, but life from the dead?
...Rejecting (9 Occurrences)
Rejects (8 Occurrences)
Proper (62 Occurrences)
... as shammua`, which are generally adjectives; and formations by means of the ending
-am or -on, as Adullam, Zalmon, Gideon, or, with therejection of the final...
Rebuke (77 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 19:3 They said to him, "Thus says Hezekiah,'This day is a day of trouble,
of rebuke, and ofrejection; for the children have come to the point of birth...
Samuel (129 Occurrences)
... judged most suitable. To the same source should possibly be assigned the
announcement of Saul'srejection in 13:8-15a. The course...
Genesis
... COMPOSITION OF GENESIS IN GENERAL 1. Unity of the Biblical Text (1) The Toledhoth
(2) Further Indication of Unity 2.Rejection of the Documentary Theory (1) In...
Offer (403 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To bring to or before; to hold out to; to present for acceptance orrejection;
as, to offer a present, or a bribe; to offer one's self in marriage....
Loruhamah (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Not pitied, the name of the prophet Hosea's first daughter,
a type of Jehovah's temporaryrejection of his people (Hosea 1:6; 2:23)....
Lo-ruhamah (3 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Not pitied, the name of the prophet Hosea's first daughter,
a type of Jehovah's temporaryrejection of his people (Hosea 1:6; 2:23)....
Resources
How can I overcome feelings of rejection? | GotQuestions.orgHow can I heal from the hurt of a broken relationship? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Charles Taze Russell? | GotQuestions.orgRejection: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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