Topical Encyclopedia
Definition:To desecrate means to treat a sacred place, object, or concept with violent disrespect or irreverence. In biblical terms, desecration involves the violation or profanation of something considered holy or set apart for God's purposes.
Biblical Context:Desecration is a serious offense in the Bible, as it involves the defilement of what is consecrated to God. The concept is closely tied to the holiness of God and the sanctity of His dwelling places, objects, and people.
Old Testament References:In the Old Testament, desecration often pertains to the Temple, sacred objects, or the Sabbath. The Israelites were repeatedly warned against defiling the sanctuary or engaging in idolatrous practices that would desecrate holy things.
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Temple Desecration: In
2 Kings 21:7, King Manasseh is described as having desecrated the Temple by placing an Asherah pole within it: "He took the carved Asherah pole he had made and put it in the temple, of which the LORD had said to David and to his son Solomon, 'In this temple and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will put My Name forever.'"
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Sabbath Desecration: The Sabbath was a sign of the covenant between God and Israel, and its desecration was a grave sin. In
Ezekiel 20:13, God laments, "But the house of Israel rebelled against Me in the wilderness. They did not follow My statutes and they rejected My ordinances, which if a man keeps, he will live by them, and they utterly desecrated My Sabbaths. So I resolved to pour out My wrath on them in the wilderness to consume them."
New Testament References:The New Testament continues the theme of desecration, particularly in relation to the Temple and the body as a temple of the Holy Spirit.
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Temple Cleansing: Jesus' cleansing of the Temple is a response to its desecration by merchants and money changers. In
John 2:16, Jesus declares, "To those selling doves He said, 'Get these out of here! How dare you turn My Father’s house into a marketplace!'"
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Body as Temple: The Apostle Paul emphasizes the sanctity of the believer's body as a temple of the Holy Spirit. In
1 Corinthians 6:19-20, he writes, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body."
Theological Significance:Desecration is not merely a physical act but a spiritual affront to God's holiness. It reflects a heart that is irreverent and rebellious against God's authority. The Bible consistently calls believers to honor what is sacred, recognizing that God Himself is holy and demands holiness from His people.
Consequences of Desecration:Throughout Scripture, the consequences of desecration are severe, often resulting in divine judgment. The desecration of holy things leads to a breach in the relationship between God and His people, necessitating repentance and restoration.
Application for Believers:Believers are called to uphold the sanctity of what God has declared holy, whether it be places of worship, the Sabbath, or their own bodies. This involves living a life that reflects reverence for God and His commandments, avoiding actions and attitudes that would desecrate what is sacred.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
v. t.) To divest of a sacred character or office; to divert from a sacred purpose; to violate the sanctity of; to profane; to put to an unworthy use; -- the opposite of consecrate.
Greek
953. bebeloo -- to profane... See 952 (). Word Origin from bebelos Definition to profane NASB Word Usage break
(1),
desecrate (1). profane. From bebelos; to
desecrate -- profane.
...2840. koinoo -- to make common
... koinoo Phonetic Spelling: (koy-no'-o) Short Definition: I make unclean, regard as
unclean Definition: I make unclean, pollute,desecrate, mid: I regard (treat...
Strong's Hebrew
1351. gaal -- to defile... A primitive root, (rather identified with ga'al, through the idea of freeing, ie
Repudiating); to soil or (figuratively)
desecrate -- defile, pollute, stain.
...2490c. chalal -- to pollute, defile, profane
... 10), begin to use its fruit (2), beginning (3), begun (7), begun to use its fruit
(2), cast you as profane (1), defile (2), defiled (3),desecrate (1), enjoy (1...
Library
The King, Hearing These Words, Answered, that He was Both Willing...
... declared that he received the faith of Christ: and when he inquired of the aforesaid
high priest of his religion, who should firstdesecrate the altars and...
Godly Fear and Its Goodly Consequence
... confession. It is easy to secularize religion in a wrong sense. There are many
I doubt not thatdesecrate the pulpit to worldly ends. How...
Lutherans in Pennsylvania.
... Germans here, and probably the most of them, who despise God's Word and all good
outward order, blaspheme and frightfully and publiclydesecrate the Sacraments...
What Kind of Spirit is Required for the Study of Holy Scripture.
... all Christian action is symbolized, viz., to do good works in Christ, to cling with
constancy to Him, to hope for heaven, and not todesecrate the sacraments....
But when the Student of the Holy Scriptures...
... all Christian action is symbolized, viz., to do good works in Christ, to cling with
constancy to Him, to hope for heaven, and not todesecrate the sacraments....
Prayer for Preservation from Sinful Words.
... A thought, a sign, a look, a tone,. May cast upon Thy Name disgrace. Thy name
they alsodesecrate,. Who read Thy Word, who pray, and praise,....
December the First a Faithful Friend
... How we impoverish ourselves by separating these precious gifts from their Giver?
Wedesecrate many a fair shrine by emptying it of God....
Severinus in Germany.
... relaxation from fasting and watching." The warm-hearted Severinus could not restrain
his tears, that a man of his holy calling shoulddesecrate his position by...
Scriptural Uses of the General Words for Prayer
... This is the thing which the Lord has decreed: A man who has vowed a vow to the Lord
or sworn an oath or entered a bond, on his soul shall notdesecrate his word...
Manasseh
... would see by reading this chapter, did not set it up in an obscure part of the land,
but put it in the very temple of God; and when he woulddesecrate the name...
Thesaurus
Desecrate (9 Occurrences)... an unworthy use; -- the opposite of consecrate. Multi-Version Concordance
Desecrate (9 Occurrences). Matthew 12:5 Or have you not
...Desecrated (17 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofDesecrate. Multi-Version Concordance
Desecrated (17 Occurrences). Acts 21:28 They laid hands...
Violate (14 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To do violence to, as to anything that should be held sacred or respected;
to profane; todesecrate; to break forcibly; to trench upon; to infringe....
Descry (1 Occurrence)
Profane (69 Occurrences)
... 5. (v.) To violate, as anything sacred; to treat with abuse, irreverence, obloquy,
or contempt; todesecrate; to pollute; as, to profane the name of God; to...
Pollute (42 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To make foul, impure, or unclean; to defile; to
contaminate; to soil; todesecrate; -- used of physical or moral defilement....
Desecrating (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) ofDesecrate. Multi-Version
Concordance Desecrating (5 Occurrences). Nehemiah 13:17 Then...
Maccabees
... institutions (1 Maccabees 1:11, 15, 43, 49, 54, 60, 62; 2:20;, 27, 42, 48, 50;
3:21, etc.), and deprecating attempts to compel Jews todesecrate the Sabbath...
Books (16 Occurrences)
... institutions (1 Maccabees 1:11, 15, 43, 49, 54, 60, 62; 2:20;, 27, 42, 48, 50;
3:21, etc.), and deprecating attempts to compel Jews todesecrate the Sabbath...
Resources
Who is the king of the North in Daniel 11? | GotQuestions.orgWho is the king of the South in Daniel 11? | GotQuestions.orgWho is Felix in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgDesecrate: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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