Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Meaning:Derision refers to the act of mocking, ridiculing, or scornfully laughing at someone or something. In the biblical context, it often denotes a contemptuous or dismissive attitude towards God, His people, or His commandments. Derision is portrayed as an expression of pride and unbelief, often associated with the wicked or those who oppose God's will.
Biblical Instances of Derision:1.
Derision of God and His Prophets: Throughout the Bible, the prophets of God often faced derision from those who rejected their messages. For instance, the prophet Jeremiah experienced mockery and scorn from his contemporaries. In
Jeremiah 20:7, he laments, "I am ridiculed all day long; everyone mocks me." This derision was not merely personal but was directed at the message of God he carried.
2.
Derision of the Righteous: The righteous often endure derision from the wicked. In
Psalm 123:4, the psalmist expresses the contempt they face: "We have endured much scorn from the arrogant, much contempt from the proud." This highlights the tension between those who follow God's ways and those who oppose them.
3.
Derision of Jesus Christ: Jesus Christ Himself was subjected to derision, particularly during His trial and crucifixion. In
Luke 23:35, it is recorded, "The people stood watching, and the rulers sneered at Him, saying, 'He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.'" This mockery was a fulfillment of the prophecies concerning the suffering Messiah and demonstrated the hardness of human hearts.
4.
God's Response to Derision: The Bible also speaks of God's response to the derision of the wicked. In
Psalm 2:4, it is written, "The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them." This divine derision is not born of malice but is a demonstration of God's sovereignty and the futility of opposing His will.
Theological Implications:·
Pride and Unbelief: Derision is often rooted in pride and unbelief. Those who mock God or His people do so from a position of arrogance, failing to recognize their own need for repentance and salvation.
·
Perseverance of the Faithful: The faithful are called to endure derision with patience and trust in God. Jesus taught in
Matthew 5:11-12, "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven."
·
Divine Justice: While derision may seem to prevail temporarily, the Bible assures believers of God's ultimate justice. Those who mock God and His people will face His righteous judgment, as seen in
Proverbs 3:34, "He mocks the mockers but gives grace to the humble."
Practical Application:Believers are encouraged to respond to derision with grace and truth, following the example of Christ. They are to remain steadfast in their faith, knowing that God sees and will vindicate them in His time. Engaging with those who mock with love and patience can sometimes open doors for witnessing and sharing the gospel.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) Ridicule; mockery; scornful or contemptuous treatment which holds one up to ridicule.
2. (n.) An object of derision or scorn; a laughing-stock.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
DERISIONde-rizh'-un: Three verbs are so translated luts, "scorn" (Psalm 119:51); la`agh, "mock" (Psalm 2:4;Psalm 59:8Ezekiel 23:32); and sachaq, "laugh at" (Job 30:1Exodus 32:25 margin, "a whispering"; compare The Wisdom of Solomon 5:3). This word is found almost exclusively in the Psalms and Prophets; Jeremiah is fond of it. It is used both as a substantive and a verb, the latter in the phrase "to have in derision:"
Greek
1592. ekmukterizo -- to hold up the nose inderision of... to hold up the nose in
derision of. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: ekmukterizo
Phonetic Spelling: (ek-mook-ter-id'-zo) Short Definition: I deride, scoff
...1701. empaigmos -- mockery
... Cognate: 1701 -- scoffing (mocking). See 1702 (). mocking. From empaizo;derision --
mocking. see GREEK empaizo. (empaigmone) -- 1 Occurrence....
Strong's Hebrew
3933. laag -- a mocking,derision... 3932, 3933. laag. 3934 . a mocking,
derision. Transliteration: laag Phonetic
Spelling: (lah'-ag) Short Definition:
derision. Word
...7047. qeles --derision
... 7046, 7047. qeles. 7048 .derision. Transliteration: qeles Phonetic
Spelling: (keh'-les) Short Definition:derision. Word Origin...
7814. sechoq -- laughter,derision, sport
... 7813, 7814. sechoq or sechoq. 7815 . laughter,derision, sport. Transliteration:
sechoq or sechoq Phonetic Spelling: (sekh-oke') Short Definition: laughter...
8103. shimtsah -- whisper,derision
... 8102, 8103. shimtsah. 8104 . whisper,derision. Transliteration: shimtsah
Phonetic Spelling: (shim-tsaw') Short Definition:derision....
3887. luts -- ambassador, have inderision, interpreter, make a...
... luts. 3888 . ambassador, have inderision, interpreter, make a mock, mocker.
Transliteration: luts Phonetic Spelling: (loots) Short Definition: ambassador....
4890. mischaq -- object ofderision
... 4889, 4890. mischaq. 4891 . object ofderision. Transliteration: mischaq
Phonetic Spelling: (mis-khawk') Short Definition: laughing....
7048. qallasah --derision
... 7047, 7048. qallasah. 7049 .derision. Transliteration: qallasah Phonetic
Spelling: (kal-law-saw') Short Definition: mocking. Word...
7832. sachaq -- to laugh
... deride, have inderision, laugh, make merry, mocker, play, rejoice, laugh to
scorn,. A primitive root; to laugh (in pleasure or detraction...
8322. shereqah -- (object of derisive) hissing
... Word Origin from sharaq Definition (object of derisive) hissing NASB Word Usage
derision (1), hissing (6). hissing. From sharaq; aderision -- hissing....
3932. laag -- to mock, deride, stammer
... A primitive root; to deride; by implication (as if imitating a foreigner) to speak
unintelligibly -- have inderision, laugh (to scorn), mock (on), stammering....
Library
WhetherDerision Can be a Mortal Sin?
... OFDERISION [*Or mockery] (TWO ARTICLES) Whetherderision can be a mortal sin?
Objection 1: It would seem thatderision cannot be a mortal sin....
WhetherDerision is a Special Sin Distinct from those Already...
... OFDERISION [*Or mockery] (TWO ARTICLES) Whetherderision is a special
sin distinct from those already mentioned? Objection 1: It...
OfDerision [*Or Mockery] (Two Articles)
... OFDERISION [*Or mockery] (TWO ARTICLES). We must now speak ofderision, under which
head there are two points of inquiry:... (2) Whetherderision is a mortal sin?...
Of theDerision Ascribed to the Robbers, and of the Question...
... Chapter XVI."Of theDerision Ascribed to the Robbers, and of the Question Regarding
the Absence of Any Discrepancy Between Matthew and Mark on the One Hand...
Of Scoffing andDerision.
... Section VII. Of Scoffing andDerision.... Twas also the Prophet Jeremiah's complaint,
I am inDerision daily, everyone mocketh at me, Jer.20.7....
Psalm II.
... 3. "He that dwelleth in the heavens shall laugh them to scorn, and the Lord shall
have them inderision" (ver.4). The sentence is repeated; for "He who...
St. Ambrose Returns to the Main Question, and Shows that Whenever...
... sometimes indeed to a particular office; for if you understand it of His Godhead,
then God was made into an object of insult andderision inasmuch as it is...
Messiah Derided Upon the Cross
... persecuted servants, under the most exquisite tortures which malice could invent,
have frequently raised no other emotions, than those ofderision and scorn....
The Dying Thief
... By its foot was to be seen thederision of the scribes and the stupor of the soldiery;
and now here are the two thieves"the one chiming in with the universal...
An Awful Contrast
... "It was in contempt of this claim, inderision of this honor which he foretold for
himself, that "then did they spit in his face," as if they could bear it no...
Thesaurus
Derision (24 Occurrences)... to ridicule. 2. (n.) An object of
derision or scorn; a laughing-stock.
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
DERISION. de-rizh
...Laughter (14 Occurrences)
... of the muscles of the face, particularly of the lips, with a peculiar expression
of the eyes, indicating merriment, satisfaction, orderision, and usually...
Laughingstock (10 Occurrences)
... Exodus 32:25 When Moses saw that the people had broken loose, (for Aaron had
let them loose for aderision among their enemies), (See NIV)....
Ridicule (14 Occurrences)
... wit of that species which provokes contemptuous laughter; disparagement by making
a person an object of laughter; banter; -- a term lighter thanderision....
Mockery (12 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Insulting or contemptuous action or speech; contemptuous merriment;derision;
ridicule. 3. (n.) Subject of laughter,derision, or sport....
Scoff (18 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.)Derision; ridicule; mockery; derisive or mocking expression of scorn, contempt,
or reproach. 2. (n.) An object of scorn, mockery, orderision....
Mocking (25 Occurrences)
... & vb. n.) of Mock. 2. (a.) Imitating, esp. inderision, or so as to causederision;
mimicking; derisive. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. MOCK; MOCKER; MOCKING...
Mock (43 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To imitate; to mimic; esp., to mimic in
sport, contempt, orderision; to deride by mimicry. 2. (vt...
Ridiculed (12 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 23:32 Thus says the Lord Yahweh: You will drink of your sister's cup, which
is deep and large; you will be ridiculed and held inderision; it contains...
Laugh (23 Occurrences)
... 1. (vi) To show mirth, satisfaction, orderision, by peculiar movement of the muscles
of the face, particularly of the mouth, causing a lighting up of the face...
Resources
What is holy laughter? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is wrong with date-setting for the end times? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a scorner in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgDerision: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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