Topical Encyclopedia
In the Bible, the concept of "hate" is multifaceted, encompassing both human emotions and divine judgment. The term is used to describe intense dislike or aversion, and it appears in various contexts throughout Scripture. Understanding the biblical perspective on hate requires examining its use in relation to God, human relationships, and moral conduct.
Divine HatredGod's hatred is often directed toward sin and unrighteousness. In
Proverbs 6:16-19 , it is written, "There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies, and a person who stirs up conflict in the community." This passage highlights God's moral standards and His aversion to behaviors that disrupt harmony and justice.
In
Malachi 1:2-3 , God declares, "I have loved you, says the LORD. But you ask, 'How have You loved us?' Was not Esau Jacob’s brother? declares the LORD. Yet I have loved Jacob, but Esau I have hated." This expression of divine hatred is understood within the context of God's sovereign choice and His covenantal relationship with Israel, rather than personal animosity.
Human HatredHuman expressions of hate are often depicted as contrary to God's will. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addresses the issue of hatred in human relationships.
Matthew 5:43-44 states, "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Here, Jesus calls His followers to transcend natural inclinations toward hatred and instead embrace love and forgiveness.
The Apostle John further elaborates on the incompatibility of hatred with Christian love. In 1
John 2:9 , he writes, "Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness." This underscores the belief that hatred is antithetical to the Christian life, which is characterized by love and unity.
Moral and Ethical ImplicationsThe Bible consistently portrays hatred as a destructive force that leads to sin and division. In
Galatians 5:19-21 , hatred is listed among the "acts of the flesh," which are opposed to the fruit of the Spirit. The passage warns that "those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."
Conversely, believers are encouraged to cultivate love, which is the fulfillment of the law.
Romans 13:9-10 states, "The commandments, 'You shall not commit adultery,' 'You shall not murder,' 'You shall not steal,' 'You shall not covet,' and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law."
ConclusionThe biblical treatment of hate reveals a clear distinction between divine and human perspectives. While God’s hatred is directed toward sin and injustice, human hatred is often condemned as contrary to the nature of God and the teachings of Christ. Believers are called to reject hatred and embrace love, reflecting the character of God in their relationships and actions.
Greek
3404. miseo -- to hate... Word Origin from misos (hatred) Definition to hate NASB Word Usage hate
(13), hated (12), hateful (1),
hates (12), hating (2). hate.
...Strong's Hebrew
8135. sinah -- hating, hatred... Word Origin from sane Definition hating, hatred NASB Word Usage hate (1),
hated (1),
hates (1), hatred (14). exceedingly hateful,.
...8130. sane -- to hate
... root Definition to hate NASB Word Usage detest (1), enemy (3), enmity (1), foes
(1), hate (78), hated (28), hated her intensely (1),hates (19), hating (2...
Library
Psalm 11. God Loves the Righteous andHates the Wicked.
... THE Psalms of David, In Metre. Psalm 11. God loves the righteous andhates
the wicked. 1 My refuge is the God of love; Why do my...
No Man, Then,Hates Himself. On this Point...
... BOOK I. Chapter 24. No man, then,hates himself. On this point? 24.
No man, then,hates himself. On this point, indeed, no...
Psalm 11 God Loves the Righteous andHates the Wicked.
... THE PSALMS OF DAVID PSALM 11 God loves the righteous andhates the wicked. LM God
loves the righteous andhates the wicked. My refuge is the God of love;...
No ManHates his Own Flesh, not Even those who Abuse It.
... Book I. Chapter 24."No ManHates His Own Flesh, Not Even Those Who Abuse
It. 24. No man, then,hates himself. On this point, indeed...
Here Upon Earth Souls Love what GodHates
... THE FOURTH CENTURY 86 Here upon Earth souls love what Godhates. Here upon
Earth souls love what Godhates, and hate what God loves....
But the Devil, whoHates and Envies what is Good...
... Life of Antony. Section 5. But the devil, whohates and envies what is
good? 5. But the devil, whohates and envies what is good...
For it Often Happens that a Man Has an Enemy whom HeHates...
... Book I. Chapter 13. " 21. For it often happens that a man has an enemy
whom hehates? "21. For it often happens that a man...
Let us do those Things that Please God, and Flee from those He...
... Chapter XXX."Let us do those things that please God, and flee from those
Hehates, that we may be blessed. Seeing, therefore, that...
Let us do those Things that Please God, and Flee from those He...
... The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians. Chapter XXX."Let Us Do Those Things
that Please God, and Flee from Those HeHates, that We May Be Blessed....
Whether a Man Can Hate Himself?
... Objection 3: Further, Boethius says (De Consol. ii) that "avarice makes a man
hateful"; whence we may conclude that everyonehates a miser....
Thesaurus
Hates (37 Occurrences)...Hates (37 Occurrences). John 3:20 For everyone who does evil
hates the light,
and doesn't come to the light, lest his works would be exposed.
...Loves (97 Occurrences)
... He whohates his life in this world will keep it to eternal life.... Proverbs 12:1 Whoever
loves correction loves knowledge, but he whohates reproof is stupid....
Reproof (29 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV). Proverbs 12:1 Whoever loves correction
loves knowledge, but he whohates reproof is stupid. (WEB...
Enemy (134 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) One hostile to another; one whohates, and desires or attempts the injury
of, another; a foe; an adversary; as, an enemy of or to a person; an enemy to...
Dislikes (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Dislikes (3 Occurrences). Deuteronomy 22:13 If any
man takes a wife, and goes in to her, andhates her, (See NIV)....
Spurns (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Spurns (5 Occurrences). Deuteronomy 22:13 If any man
takes a wife, and goes in to her, andhates her, (See RSV)....
Discipline (63 Occurrences)
... (WEB NAS NIV). Proverbs 13:24 One who spares the rodhates his son, but one
who loves him is careful to discipline him. (WEB NAS RSV NIV)....
Works (379 Occurrences)
... (WEB ASV DBY YLT). John 3:20 For everyone who does evilhates the light, and
doesn't come to the light, lest his works would be exposed. (WEB ASV DBY YLT)....
Hate (177 Occurrences)
... John 7:7 The world can't hate you, but ithates me, because I testify about it,
that its works are evil.... John 15:23 He whohates me,hates my Father also....
Darkness (177 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). 1 John 2:9 He who says he is in the
light andhates his brother, is in the darkness even until now....
Resources
What are the seven things God hates? | GotQuestions.orgWhy does God hate sin? | GotQuestions.orgDoes God hate shrimp? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
