Topical Encyclopedia
The term "contemned" refers to the act of treating someone or something with disdain, scorn, or contempt. In the context of the Bible, it often describes the attitude of individuals or groups who reject or despise God's commands, His prophets, or His people. This attitude is frequently condemned in Scripture, as it reflects a heart that is hardened against divine authority and truth.
Biblical Usage and Examples1.
Contempt for God and His Commands: Throughout the Bible, contempt for God and His laws is depicted as a grave sin. In the Old Testament, the Israelites are often rebuked for their contemptuous behavior towards God. For instance, in
Numbers 14:11 , the LORD says to Moses, "How long will this people treat Me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in Me, despite all the signs I have performed among them?" This passage highlights the Israelites' persistent unbelief and disregard for God's miraculous works and commands.
2.
Contempt for Prophets and Messengers: Prophets, as God's messengers, often faced contempt from those to whom they were sent. In
2 Chronicles 36:16 , it is recorded, "But they mocked the messengers of God, despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets until the wrath of the LORD arose against His people, until there was no remedy." This verse underscores the serious consequences of contemning God's appointed spokesmen.
3.
Contempt for Christ: In the New Testament, Jesus Christ Himself was contemned by many during His earthly ministry. Isaiah's prophecy, as quoted in the Gospels, speaks of the Messiah being "despised and rejected by men" (
Isaiah 53:3). This rejection is seen in the attitudes of the religious leaders and others who refused to accept Jesus as the Son of God.
4.
Contempt in the Psalms and Wisdom Literature: The Psalms and Proverbs frequently address the theme of contempt, often contrasting the attitudes of the wicked with those who fear the Lord.
Psalm 123:3-4 pleads, "Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy, for we have endured much contempt. We have endured much scorn from the arrogant, much contempt from the proud." This passage reflects the suffering of the righteous at the hands of the contemptuous.
5.
Contempt and Judgment: The Bible warns that those who contemn God and His ways will face judgment.
Proverbs 19:16 states, "He who keeps a commandment preserves his soul, but he who is careless in his ways will die." This proverb highlights the peril of disregarding divine instruction.
Theological ImplicationsContempt in the biblical sense is not merely an emotional response but a willful decision to reject and devalue what is sacred. It is often associated with pride, arrogance, and a rebellious spirit. The Bible consistently teaches that such an attitude is antithetical to a life of faith and obedience. The contemned are often those who set themselves against God's purposes, and their actions serve as a warning to believers to remain humble and receptive to God's word.
Practical ApplicationFor believers, the concept of contemning serves as a reminder to maintain a posture of reverence and submission to God. It encourages self-examination to ensure that one's heart is aligned with God's will and that His commands are honored. Christians are called to respect and uphold the teachings of Scripture, to heed the guidance of spiritual leaders, and to live in a manner that reflects the holiness and love of Christ.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Contemn.
Library
The Wonderful Skill with which Origen Prepares Gregory and...
... Athenodorus for Philosophy. The Intellect of Each is Exercised First in Logic,
and the Mere Attention to Words isContemned. But after...
Treatise x. On Jealousy and Envy.
... people to be a slight and petty wrong; and, being thought trifling and of small
account, it is not feared; not being feared, it iscontemned; beingcontemned...
Some History of Tiberias. The Jerusalem Talmud was Written There...
... To whom they said, Wecontemned Diclot the hog-herd; wecontemned not Diocletianus
the king." Hence arose a suspicion among some learned men, that this was not...
Many Waters Cannot Quench Love, Neither Can the Floods Drown It...
... 7. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it; if a man would
give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly becontemned....
Preface.
... judgment regarding Him, should not have done this, but should have disdained such
a procedure, and in the nobleness of His nature havecontemned His accusers....
Treatise ii. On the Dress of virgins.
... But whatever things are earthly, and have been received in this world, and will
remain here with the world, ought so to becontemned even as the world itself...
Of the Holy Men who Flourished About this Time in Egypt, Namely...
... Its members were, however, devoted to virtue, theycontemned the things of earth,
excited the soul to heavenly contemplation, and prepared it to quit the body...
The Oration and Panegyric Addressed to Origen
... Athenodorus for Philosophy. The Intellect of Each is Exercised First in Logic,
and the Mere Attention to Words isContemned. Argument VIII...
On the Difficulties and Duties of the Christian Life.
... This gift of God cannot be purchased with money. If a man should give all the
substance of his house for love, it would utterly becontemned....
Christian Morals. Part ii.
... [100] By such circumscriptions of pleasure thecontemned philosophers reserved unto
themselves the secret of delight, which the Helluo's [101] of those days...
Thesaurus
Contemned (7 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Contemned (7 Occurrences). Psalms 15:4 In whose eyes a
vile person is
contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD.
...Roots (31 Occurrences)
... so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust; because
they have rejected the law of the LORD of hosts, andcontemned the word of...
Depraved (12 Occurrences)
... Psalms 15:4 In whose eyes the depraved person iscontemned, and who honoureth them
that fear Jehovah; who, if he have sworn to his own hurt, changeth it not...
Putiel (1 Occurrence)
... PUTIEL. pu'-ti-el (puTi'el, "contemned by El"): Father of the wife of Eleazar, Aaron's
son, and thus grandfather of Phinehas, Eleazar's son (Exodus 6:25)....
Contemn (6 Occurrences)
Changeth (10 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Psalms 15:4 In whose eyes a vile person iscontemned; but he honoureth them
that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not....
Contemneth (3 Occurrences)
Consumes (21 Occurrences)
... so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust; because
they have rejected the law of the LORD of hosts, andcontemned the word of...
Overflow (43 Occurrences)
... 8:7 Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it; if a man would
give all the substance of his house for love, he would utterly becontemned...
Hireling (17 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 16:14 But now the LORD hath spoken, saying, Within three years, as the years
of an hireling, and the glory of Moab shall becontemned, with all that...
Resources
What are the 95 Theses of Martin Luther? | GotQuestions.orgContemned: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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