Topical Encyclopedia
The term "contemptible" refers to something or someone that is deserving of scorn or disdain. In the biblical context, it often describes actions, attitudes, or individuals that are morally or spiritually reprehensible. The concept of contemptibility is woven throughout Scripture, highlighting the contrast between righteousness and wickedness.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, the idea of contempt is frequently associated with those who reject God's commandments and live in opposition to His will. For instance, in
Malachi 1:6-7 , God addresses the priests of Israel, saying, "A son honors his father, and a servant his master. But if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is your fear of Me? says the LORD of Hosts to you priests who despise My name. But you ask, ‘How have we despised Your name?’ By presenting defiled food on My altar." Here, the priests' actions are deemed contemptible because they fail to honor God appropriately.
The Psalms also reflect on the contemptible nature of the wicked.
Psalm 15:4 describes a righteous person as one "who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the LORD." This verse underscores the biblical principle that contempt is rightly directed towards those who act wickedly, while honor is reserved for those who revere God.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the concept of contemptibility is often linked to hypocrisy and false teaching. Jesus frequently rebukes the Pharisees and scribes for their contemptible behavior. In
Matthew 23:27-28 , Jesus declares, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness." Their outward appearance of piety is deemed contemptible because it masks inner corruption.
The Apostle Paul also addresses contemptible behavior in the church. In
1 Corinthians 11:22 , he admonishes the Corinthians for their conduct during the Lord's Supper: "Do you not have your own homes in which to eat and drink? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you for this? Of course not!" Here, the contemptible actions of the wealthier members of the church are highlighted as they disregard the needs of the poorer members.
Moral and Spiritual ImplicationsThe Bible consistently portrays contemptible behavior as that which is contrary to God's nature and commands. It is often associated with pride, hypocrisy, and a lack of reverence for God.
Proverbs 6:16-19 lists things that are detestable to the Lord, including "haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies, and a person who stirs up conflict in the community." These actions are contemptible because they violate the moral order established by God.
In contrast, believers are called to live lives that are honorable and pleasing to God.
Romans 12:9 exhorts, "Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good." This call to detest evil and embrace good reflects the biblical mandate to reject contemptible behavior and pursue righteousness.
ConclusionThe biblical understanding of what is contemptible serves as a guide for believers to discern between actions and attitudes that honor God and those that do not. By aligning with God's standards, Christians are encouraged to live lives marked by integrity, humility, and reverence for the Lord.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Deserving of scorn or disdain; mean; vile; despicable.
2. (a.) Despised; scorned; neglected; abject.
3. (a.) Insolent; scornful; contemptuous.
Greek
1848. exoutheneo -- to despise, treat with contempt... Word Origin from exoudeneo Definition to despise, treat with contempt NASB Word
Usage
contemptible (1), despise (3), despised (1), no account (1), regard with
...Strong's Hebrew
7052. qeloqel --contemptible, worthless... 7051, 7052. qeloqel. 7053 .
contemptible, worthless. Transliteration: qeloqel
Phonetic Spelling: (kel-o-kale') Short Definition: miserable.
...7043. qalal -- to be slight, swift or trifling
... root Definition to be slight, swift or trifling NASB Word Usage abated (2), accursed
(1), brought a curse (1), contempt (1),contemptible (1), curse (15...
959. bazah -- to despise
... despises (2), disdained (1), disdained* (1). despise, disdain,contemptible,
think to scorn, vile person. A primitive root; to disesteem...
Library
HowContemptible it is to be Overcome by Covetousness.
... Prolegomena. Chapter XX. Howcontemptible it is to be overcome by covetousness.
And so if we want to strive lawfully in our spiritual...
The Christians are not the Only Contemners of the Gods Contempt of...
... of Them Often Displayed by Heathen Official Persons. Homer Made the Gods
Contemptible. [604] Pour out now all your venom; fling...
Moab is My Washpot
... MOAB, which had threatened Israel, was to be so completely subdued, and become so
utterlycontemptible as to be likened to a washpot or basin in which men wash...
He Says, Indeed, that "We Ridicule the Egyptians, Although they...
... He says, indeed, that "we ridicule the Egyptians, although they present many by
no meanscontemptible mysteries [3485] for our consideration, when they teach...
Ephesians v. 15, 16, 17
... Wine has been given us for cheerfulness, not for drunkenness. Whereas now it appears
to be an unmanly andcontemptible thing for a man not to get drunk....
We are not Binding Heavy Burdens and Laying them Upon Your...
... Nor hath he said, "If then ye have secular law-suits, bring them before us;" or,
"Appoint us to judge them;" but, "Them which arecontemptible in the Church...
Bad Ecclesiastics and Base Plots
... He appointed the worthless Severian of Gabala to fulfil this function, and Severian
of Gabala was acontemptible intriguer of the most vulgar description....
As the Rind of a Pomegranate are Thy Cheeks, Besides that which is...
... But I reply, that this is the very thing that most subjects her to humiliation,
God making use of it to render the soul morecontemptible because of the...
Self-Contempt.
... humiliations.Contemptible as they are in the eyes of others, the souls raised
by God to this state are far morecontemptible in their own....
Concerning the Three Kinds of Theology According to Varro, Namely...
... served men; in a word, in this all manner of things are attributed to the gods,
such as may befall, not merely any man, but even the mostcontemptible man." He...
Thesaurus
Contemptible (14 Occurrences)...Contemptible (14 Occurrences).
... Psalms 31:11 Because of all my adversaries I have
become utterly
contemptible to my neighbors, A fear to my acquaintances.
...Ahasu-e'rus (30 Occurrences)
... Esther 1:17 For this deed of the queen will come abroad unto all women, to make
their husbandscontemptible in their eyes, when it will be said: The king...
Contempt (55 Occurrences)
... Psalms 31:11 Because of all my adversaries I have become utterlycontemptible
to my neighbors, A fear to my acquaintances. Those...
Polluted (80 Occurrences)
... altar. You say,'How have we polluted you?' In that you say,'Yahweh's table
contemptible.' (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV). Malachi...
Queen's (3 Occurrences)
... Esther 1:17 For this deed of the queen will come abroad unto all women, to make
their husbandscontemptible in their eyes, when it will be said: The king...
Vile (59 Occurrences)
... Ordinarily, however, the idea ofcontemptible, despicable, is read into the word.
William Evans. Multi-Version Concordance Vile (59 Occurrences)....
Villany (4 Occurrences)
... Ordinarily, however, the idea ofcontemptible, despicable, is read into the word.
William Evans. VILLANY. See VILE. Multi-Version Concordance...
Nobody (21 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) No person; no one; not anybody. 2. (n.) A person of no influence or importance;
an insignificant orcontemptible person. Multi-Version Concordance...
Neighbors (40 Occurrences)
... (WEB ASV WBS NAS RSV NIV). Psalms 31:11 Because of all my adversaries I have become
utterlycontemptible to my neighbors, A fear to my acquaintances....
Little (2458 Occurrences)
... little air or water. 4. (a.) Small in dignity, power, or importance; not
great; insignificant;contemptible. 5. (a.) Small in force...
Resources
Who was Beelzebub? | GotQuestions.orgWho is the king of the North in Daniel 11? | GotQuestions.orgWho is the king of the South in Daniel 11? | GotQuestions.orgContemptible: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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