Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Meaning:The term "debase" refers to the act of reducing the quality, value, or purity of something. In a biblical context, it often pertains to moral or spiritual degradation, where individuals or societies lower their standards and turn away from God's commandments and righteousness.
Biblical References and Context:The concept of debasement is frequently addressed in the Bible, often in relation to idolatry, immorality, and the abandonment of God's laws. While the specific term "debase" may not appear frequently in the Berean Standard Bible, the idea is conveyed through various passages that describe the moral and spiritual decline of individuals or nations.
1.
Idolatry and Spiritual Decline: The Bible often associates debasement with idolatry, where people turn from worshiping the one true God to serve false gods and idols. This is seen as a profound moral and spiritual decline. In
Romans 1:21-23 , Paul describes how humanity, although knowing God, failed to honor Him and instead exchanged His glory for images resembling mortal man and animals, leading to a debased mind.
2.
Moral Corruption: Debasement is also linked to moral corruption and the pursuit of sinful desires. In
Romans 1:28-32 , Paul speaks of God giving people over to a debased mind because they did not see fit to acknowledge Him. This resulted in a litany of sins, including envy, murder, deceit, and malice, highlighting the moral decay that follows when individuals reject God's truth.
3.
Consequences of Debasement: The Bible warns of the consequences of debasement, both for individuals and nations. In the Old Testament, the Israelites often faced judgment and exile due to their spiritual and moral decline. For example, in
Jeremiah 2:19 , God warns Israel that their wickedness will punish them, and their apostasy will reprove them, emphasizing the inherent consequences of turning away from God.
4.
Call to Repentance: Despite the grim picture of debasement, the Bible consistently calls for repentance and a return to righteousness. In
2 Chronicles 7:14 , God promises healing and restoration if His people humble themselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from their wicked ways. This underscores the hope and redemption available through repentance and obedience to God.
Theological Implications:Debasement in the Bible serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of turning away from God and His commandments. It highlights the human tendency towards sin and the resulting moral and spiritual decline. However, it also points to God's mercy and the possibility of redemption through repentance and faith. The biblical narrative encourages believers to remain steadfast in their faith, resist the temptations of the world, and uphold the standards of holiness set by God.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
v.) To reduce to a lower state of worth, dignity, purity, station, etc.; to degrade; to lower; to deteriorate; to abase; as, to debase the character by crime; to debase the mind by frivolity; to debase style by vulgar words.
Strong's Hebrew
8213. shaphel -- to be or become low, to be abased... abase, bring cast, put down,
debase, humble self, be bring, lay, make,.
A primitive root; to depress or sink (expec. Figuratively
...Library
Spiritual Blindness.
... described? any influence, spreading from my conduct, of which men might truly
say that it also is helping todebase the moral currency?...
Where Sin Occurs God Cannot Wisely Prevent It.
... Clothed with a dignity of nature akin to that of his Maker, he chooses to
debase himself to the level of brutes and of devils. With...
"My Little Children, These Things Write I unto You, that Ye Sin...
... things are written that ye sin not." Consider what baseness is in it, for one that
hath such a noble design, as fellowship with the Highest, todebase his soul...
Against Rash and Vain Swearing.
... care, that we be not rude and saucy with God, in taking up His name, and prostituting
it to vile or mean uses; that we do not abuse ordebase His authority, by...
Worship
... No other act of which we as men are capable is so dignified or so worthy
of ourselves. Not to worship is todebase ourselves. This...
God Just as Well as Merciful; Accordingly, Mercy must not be...
... so that one (Scripture) may seem to draw tight, another to relax, the reins of
discipline"in uncertainty, as it were,"and the latter todebase the remedial...
Impressive Phrases
... define, explain, determine, and circumscribe. degrade, defame, humble, and
debase. delicacy, daintiness, tact, and refinement. delicious...
But that People which Forgets God, Forgets Itself. ...
... How can the men of any nation expect tyrants to remember and respect its destiny,
if they themselvesdebase this destiny to that of a machine with ten fingers...
Besides These Men, There is Still Another Class, -- Inventors of...
... functions; cultivates his highest faculty,"conscience; purifies religion, the
fundamental idea of mankind, from the superstitions thatdebase and dishonor it...
Desire to Please.
... Do notdebase and despise your noble nature by thus placing yourself in the same
category with animals, which can have nothing in common with the duties of...
Thesaurus
Debase (1 Occurrence)... (v.) To reduce to a lower state of worth, dignity, purity, station, etc.; to degrade;
to lower; to deteriorate; to abase; as, to
debase the character by crime
...Corrupt (59 Occurrences)
... putrid; to putrefy. 5. (vt) To change from good to bad; to vitiate; to
deprave; to pervert; todebase; to defile. 6. (vt) To draw...
Villain (1 Occurrence)
... rascal; a scamp. 4. (a.) Villainous. 5. (vt) Todebase; to degrade.
Multi-Version Concordance Villain (1 Occurrence). Proverbs 6:12...
Wentest (16 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 57:9 And thou wentest to the king with ointment, and didst increase thy perfumes,
and didst send thy messengers far off, and didstdebase thyself even...
Degrade (1 Occurrence)
... vt) To reduce in estimation, character, or reputation; to lessen the value of; to
lower the physical, moral, or intellectual character of; todebase; to bring...
Debased (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (imp. & pp) ofDebase. 2. (a.) Turned upside down from
its proper position; inverted; reversed. Multi-Version Concordance...
Debarred (1 Occurrence)
Profane (69 Occurrences)
... 6. (v.) To put to a wrong or unworthy use; to make a base employment of; todebase;
to abuse; to defile. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. PROFANE....
Base (127 Occurrences)
... 38. (v.) To abase; to let, or cast, down; to lower. 39. (v.) To reduce the
value of; todebase. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BASE....
Abase (7 Occurrences)
... a-bas': The English rendition of shaphel (Job 40:11 Ezekiel 21:26), and of its
derivative shephal (Daniel 4:37) = "bring down," "debase," "humble"; of `anah...
Resources
What is our inheritance in Christ? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is rape culture? | GotQuestions.orgDebase: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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