Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, an insult is an expression or action that shows disrespect, contempt, or scorn towards another person. The Bible addresses the issue of insults in various passages, emphasizing the importance of maintaining respect and love for others, even in the face of provocation.
Old Testament ReferencesThe Old Testament provides several examples and teachings regarding insults. In Proverbs, wisdom literature often contrasts the behavior of the righteous with that of the wicked, highlighting the destructive nature of insults.
Proverbs 12:16 states, "A fool’s anger is known at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult." This verse underscores the virtue of patience and self-control, encouraging believers to rise above petty offenses.
Another significant passage is found in
2 Kings 2:23-24, where the prophet Elisha is mocked by a group of youths. They insult him by calling him "baldhead," and as a result, Elisha curses them in the name of the Lord, leading to a severe consequence. This narrative illustrates the seriousness with which God views disrespect towards His appointed servants.
New Testament TeachingsThe New Testament further develops the theme of responding to insults with grace and love. Jesus Christ, in His Sermon on the Mount, teaches about the appropriate response to insults. In
Matthew 5:39 , He instructs, "But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also." This radical teaching calls for a response of non-retaliation and forgiveness, reflecting the character of Christ Himself.
The Apostle Paul also addresses the issue of insults in his epistles. In
Romans 12:14 , he writes, "Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse." Paul encourages believers to respond to insults and persecution with blessings, demonstrating the transformative power of the Gospel in the believer's life.
Jesus as the ModelJesus Christ serves as the ultimate model for how to handle insults. Throughout His earthly ministry, He faced numerous insults and mockery, particularly during His trial and crucifixion. Despite the scorn He endured, Jesus responded with silence and forgiveness. In
1 Peter 2:23 , it is written, "When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly." Jesus' example teaches believers to trust in God's justice and to respond to insults with humility and love.
Practical ApplicationThe biblical teachings on insults call believers to a higher standard of conduct. Christians are encouraged to avoid engaging in insulting behavior and to respond to insults with patience, forgiveness, and love.
Ephesians 4:29 advises, "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 directive emphasizes the importance of using words to edify rather than to harm.
In summary, the Bible provides clear guidance on the issue of insults, urging believers to reflect the character of Christ in their interactions with others. By following these teachings, Christians can demonstrate the love and grace of God in a world often marked by disrespect and hostility.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The act of leaping on; onset; attack.
2. (v. t.) Gross abuse offered to another, either by word or act; an act or speech of insolence or contempt; an affront; an indignity.
3. (v. t.) To leap or trample upon; to make a sudden onset upon.
4. (v. t.) To treat with abuse, insolence, indignity, or contempt, by word or action; to abuse; as, to call a man a coward or a liar, or to sneer at him, is to insult him.
5. (v. i.) To leap or jump.
6. (v. i.) To behave with insolence; to exult.
Greek
1796. enubrizo -- toinsult... to
insult. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: enubrizo Phonetic Spelling:
(en-oo-brid'-zo) Short Definition: I
insult, outrage, treat contemptuously
...5195. hubrizo -- to run riot, to outrage,insult
... to run riot, to outrage,insult. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: hubrizo Phonetic
Spelling: (hoo-brid'-zo) Short Definition: Iinsult Definition: Iinsult...
1908. epereazo -- to revile
... to revile. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: epereazo Phonetic Spelling:
(ep-ay-reh-ad'-zo) Short Definition: Iinsult, treat wrongfully, molest Definition...
5196. hubris -- wantonness, insolence, an act of wanton violence
... an act of wanton violence. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: hubris
Phonetic Spelling: (hoo'-bris) Short Definition:insult, damage, loss...
2706. kataphroneo -- to think little of
... kataphroneo Phonetic Spelling: (kat-af-ron-eh'-o) Short Definition: I despise, scorn
Definition: I despise, scorn, and show it by activeinsult, disregard....
3679. oneidizo -- to reproach
... from a primitive root meaning "to upbraid, revile, like in showing one's teeth,"
K. Wuest) -- properly, to (), reproach; mock (curse);insult, (create shame...
818. atimazo -- to dishonor
... atimazo Phonetic Spelling: (at-im-ad'-zo) Short Definition: I disgrace, dishonor
Definition: I disgrace, treat disgracefully, dishonor,insult; I despise....
3075. lumainomai -- to outrage, to corrupt
... to ravage, destroy. Middle voice from a probably derivative of luo (meaning filth);
properly, to soil, ie (figuratively)insult (maltreat) -- make havock of....
3680. oneidismos -- a reproach
... reviling Definition: reproach, reviling. Cognate: 3680 (a masculine noun) --
reproach (reviling); aninsult aimed to () . In the NT...
3059. loidoria -- abuse, railing
... reproach. See 3058 (). Word Origin from loidoreo Definition abuse, railing
NASB Word Usageinsult (2), reproach (1). railing, reproach....
Strong's Hebrew
3639. kelimmah --insult, reproach, ignominy... 3638, 3639. kelimmah. 3640 .
insult, reproach, ignominy. Transliteration: kelimmah
Phonetic Spelling: (kel-im-maw') Short Definition: disgrace.
...3637. kalam -- to be humiliated
... disgraced (1), dishonored (7), embarrassed (1), feel ashamed (1), feel humiliated
(1), humiliated (10), humiliates (2), humiliating (1),insult (1), insulted (3...
2778a. charaph -- to reproach
... root Definition to reproach NASB Word Usage defied (2), defy (2), despised (1),
insult (1), reproach (7), reproached (8), reproaches (5), revile (2), reviled (1...
Library
Whether a Believer Can, after his Conversion, Put Away his...
... MARRIAGE (SIX ARTICLES) Whether a believer can, after his conversion, put away his
unbelieving wife if she be willing to cohabit with him withoutinsult to the...
Directions for those who Live Together.
... Let us keep away from us jibing, the originator ofinsult, from which strifes
and contentions and enmities burst forth.Insult, we...
Pilate Therefore, Leaving Christ Alone, Went Outside, and Says to...
... The Hebrews, hearing this, said to Pilate: Why do you seek to hear a greater
insult out of him against God? Pilate says: These words...
Against the Arians, and Concerning Himself.
... Do you againinsult us?... We will notinsult you, but we will convict you; we will
not threaten, but we will reproach you; we will not strike, but we will heal....
After Eutropius Having Been Found Outside the Church had Been...
... I was being forcibly dragged away, but I suffered noinsult from the act; for there
is only one realinsult, namely sin: and should the whole worldinsult thee...
The Comparison, Found in the Gospel of St. ...
... To understand it with reference to the Divine Generation is to doublyinsult the
Son, making Him inferior to St.... 161. Thus far the oneinsult....
2 Thessalonians iii. 5-Mar
... to what punishment would it not be equal? We do not do so, but as if we had been
greatly injured, we soinsult and turn away from those who beg of us....
Acts xvii. 32-34, xviii. 1
... and beat him before the judgment-seat: and Gallio cared for none of these things"
(v.17): but their beating him he did not take as aninsult to himself....
Martyrdom of Habib the Deacon.
... The governor said: Persist not in that daring mind with which thou art come into
my presence, andinsult not Zeus, the great boast of the emperors....
The Purpose and Healing Effects of the Incarnation. ...
... He enduredinsult, that thou mightest not grieve over the wrong done to thee. [2041].
95.... The greater theinsult, the greater is the gratitude due. 96....
Thesaurus
Insult (25 Occurrences)... To treat with abuse, insolence, indignity, or contempt, by word or action; to abuse;
as, to call a man a coward or a liar, or to sneer at him, is to
insult him
...Insulting (10 Occurrences)
... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) ofInsult. 2. (a.) Containing, or characterized by,insult
or abuse; tending toinsult or affront; as, insulting language, treatment, etc....
Insolence (11 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The quality of being unusual or novel. 3. (n.) Insolent conduct or
treatment;insult. 4. (vt) Toinsult. Multi-Version Concordance...
Insulted (18 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofInsult. Multi-Version Concordance
Insulted (18 Occurrences). Matthew 5:11 "Blessed are you...
Cheek (9 Occurrences)
... Smiting on the cheek was accounted a grievous injury andinsult (Job 16:10;
Lamentations 3:30; Micah 5:1). The admonition (Luke 6:29), "Unto him that smiteth...
Abuse (17 Occurrences)
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ABUSE. a-buz': "To dishonor," "to make mock of," "to
insult," etc.... (WEB NIV). Proverbs 9:7 He who corrects a mocker invitesinsult....
Bondman (108 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Mark 12:4 And again he sent to them another bondman; and at him they threw
stones, and struck him on the head, and sent him away withinsult. (DBY)....
Magus
... was entirely unknown by them; but his conception was detained by those powers and
angels which were put forth from her, and suffered everyinsult from them...
Zebul (5 Occurrences)
... Some, however, maintain that the words of Gaal about Zebul in Judges 9:28 are meant
as aninsult to the governor of the city; this is the view of Wellbausch...
Nahash (9 Occurrences)
... The grievousinsult which was put upon these ambassadors led to a war against the
Ammonites, who, with their allies the Syrians, were completely routed in a...
Resources
What does the Bible say about resentment? | GotQuestions.orgWhat did Jesus mean when He instructed us to turn the other cheek? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about dealing with difficult people? | GotQuestions.orgInsult: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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