Topical Encyclopedia
The term "profanely" refers to actions or speech that show irreverence or disrespect toward what is considered sacred or holy. In the biblical context, profane behavior is often contrasted with holiness and righteousness, which are central to the life of a believer. The Bible frequently addresses the issue of profanity, emphasizing the importance of maintaining reverence for God and His commandments.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, the concept of profanity is closely linked to the violation of sacred things. The Hebrew word "ḥālal" is often translated as "profane" and is used to describe actions that desecrate or defile what is holy.
Leviticus 19:12 warns against swearing falsely by God's name, which would profane it: "You must not swear falsely by My name and so profane the name of your God. I am the LORD" . This underscores the importance of honoring God's name and character.
The priests, in particular, were instructed to avoid profaning the sacred duties and objects associated with the tabernacle and temple.
Leviticus 21:6 states, "They must be holy to their God and not profane the name of their God. For they present the offerings made by fire to the LORD, the food of their God. So they must be holy" . This highlights the expectation of holiness among those who serve in God's presence.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the Greek word "bebēlos" is used to describe what is profane. The apostle Paul warns Timothy to avoid "profane and idle babblings" (
1 Timothy 6:20), which can lead believers away from the truth. This admonition reflects the broader biblical theme of guarding one's speech and conduct to maintain purity and devotion to God.
The New Testament also emphasizes the transformation of believers, calling them to live lives that reflect their new identity in Christ.
Ephesians 4:29 instructs, "Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen" . This verse encourages believers to speak in ways that honor God and edify others, avoiding profane or corrupt speech.
Theological ImplicationsProfanity, in its various forms, is seen as a direct affront to the holiness of God. It reflects a heart that is not aligned with God's will and purposes. The Bible calls believers to a higher standard, one that reflects the character of God and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. By avoiding profane actions and speech, Christians demonstrate their reverence for God and their commitment to living according to His Word.
Practical ApplicationFor believers today, the call to avoid profanity extends beyond mere words to encompass attitudes and behaviors that dishonor God. This includes being mindful of the media consumed, the conversations engaged in, and the overall conduct displayed in daily life. By striving to live in a manner that is pleasing to God, Christians can be a light in a world that often disregards the sacred.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
adv.) In a profane manner.
Greek
987. blasphemeo -- to slander, hence to speak lightly orprofanely...... to slander, hence to speak lightly or
profanely of sacred things. Part of Speech:
Verb Transliteration: blasphemeo Phonetic Spelling: (blas-fay-meh'-o) Short
...764. asebeo -- to be impious, ie to be ungodly
... Verb Transliteration: asebeo Phonetic Spelling: (as-eb-eh'-o) Short Definition:
I am impious, irreverent, do impiously Definition: I am ungodly, actprofanely....
Library
Job was not Without Sin.
... Even if I should seem righteous, my mouth will speakprofanely." [512] And again,
further on, he says: "I know He will not leave me unpunished....
Third Commandment
... To take God's name "in vain" means either (1) lightly, without thinking, flippantly;
or (2)profanely, deceitfully.... USING GOD'S NAMEPROFANELY....
Of the Birth of Jesus in the Spirit and in the Flesh: of Spirits...
... Unless by chance we shall [profanely] imagine, as Orpheus supposed, that God is
both male and female, because otherwise He would have been unable to beget...
Preface. And as to Christ Thy Lord
... incomprehensible, governing all things by the word of his power, as may dash the
boldness of the most metaphysical, notional, orprofanely practical atheist...
It is Then My Purpose to Prove to You...
... 2. It is then my purpose to prove to you, if I can, that the Manicheesprofanely
and rashly inveigh against those, who, following the authority of the Catholic...
Concerning the Undifferencing and the Differentiation in Divinity...
... Indeed (as we made mention in the Outlines of Divinity), if any one deny that such
utterance refers to the whole Godhead, he blasphemeth andprofanely dares to...
The Kingdom of all Israel.
... and was, after a reign of forty years, at last slain by an Amalekite, who brought
his crown to David, and was executed by him for havingprofanely slain the...
Nineveh.
... but only distressed him; and instead of learning Who was his true Guardian, Ahaz
only came home delighted with the Syrian temples, andprofanely altered the...
"A Strange Lad!" Said Abbe Vergniaud, Abruptly. ...
... I said 'forgive me' as a prelude to my remarks," resumed Vergniaud, "I am talking
profanely, sceptically, and cynically,"I am talking precisely as the world...
Argument: the Impious Temerity of Theodorus, Diagoras, and...
... both expelled Protagoras of Abdera, and in public assembly burnt his writings, because
he disputed deliberately [1737] rather thanprofanely concerning the...
Thesaurus
Profanely (1 Occurrence)... (adv.) In a profane manner. Multi-Version Concordance
Profanely (1 Occurrence).
... Or
lest I be poor, and steal, And use
profanely the name of my God. (ASV).
...Profaned (43 Occurrences)
Profaneness (2 Occurrences)
Swear (99 Occurrences)
... 3. (vi) To make an appeal to God in an irreverent manner; to use the name of God
or sacred thingsprofanely; to call upon God in imprecation; to curse....
Profane (69 Occurrences)
... (See JPS DBY YLT). Proverbs 30:9 Lest I be full, and deny thee , and say, Who is
Jehovah? Or lest I be poor, and steal, And useprofanely the name of my God....
Resources
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