Topical Encyclopedia
The term "naughty" in a biblical context often refers to behavior that is disobedient, mischievous, or morally wrong. While the specific word "naughty" is not frequently used in most modern translations of the Bible, the concept is present throughout Scripture, describing actions and attitudes that are contrary to God's commands and righteousness.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often associated with "naughty" behavior is "ra" (רַע), which is commonly translated as "evil" or "wicked." This term is used to describe actions that are morally wrong or harmful. For example, in
Genesis 6:5, the Bible states, "Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time." Here, the pervasive evil of humanity is highlighted, which led to God's judgment through the flood.
The Book of Proverbs frequently addresses the concept of naughtiness through its teachings on wisdom and folly.
Proverbs 6:12-14 describes a "worthless person, a wicked man," who "walks with a perverse mouth, winks with his eyes, signals with his feet, and points with his fingers; who plots evil with deceit in his heart; he always stirs up dissension." This passage illustrates the characteristics of a person whose behavior is considered naughty or wicked, emphasizing deceit and discord.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the Greek word "ponēros" (πονηρός) is often used to describe evil or wicked behavior. Jesus addresses the nature of the human heart in
Matthew 15:19 , saying, "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander." Here, the term "evil thoughts" encompasses the idea of naughtiness as it relates to sinful intentions and actions.
The Apostle Paul also addresses the concept of naughtiness in his epistles. In
Ephesians 4:31-32 , he instructs believers to "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you." The call to abandon malice and embrace kindness reflects the transformation expected in the life of a believer, moving away from naughty or sinful behavior.
Moral and Spiritual ImplicationsFrom a biblical perspective, naughtiness is not merely a matter of minor mischief but is often indicative of a deeper spiritual issue. It reflects a heart that is not aligned with God's will and commands. The Bible consistently calls for repentance and a turning away from such behavior, urging individuals to seek righteousness and holiness.
The teachings of Scripture emphasize the importance of cultivating a heart that seeks after God and His righteousness. In doing so, believers are encouraged to exhibit the fruits of the Spirit, as outlined in
Galatians 5:22-23 : "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." These virtues stand in stark contrast to the naughtiness that is condemned throughout the Bible.
Ultimately, the biblical narrative underscores the need for redemption and transformation through Jesus Christ, who empowers believers to overcome sinful tendencies and live in accordance with God's righteous standards.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Naughty figs
(Jeremiah 24:2). "The bad figs may have been such either from having decayed, and thus been reduced to a rotten condition, or as being the fruit of the sycamore, which contains a bitter juice" (Tristram, Nat. Hist.). The inferiority of the fruit is here referred to as an emblem of the rejected Zedekiah and his people.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
superl.) Having little or nothing.
2. (superl.) Worthless; bad; good for nothing.
3. (superl.) hence, corrupt; wicked.
4. (superl.) Mischievous; perverse; froward; guilty of disobedient or improper conduct; as, a naughty child.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
NAUGHT; NAUGHTY; NAUGHTINESSnot, no'-ti, nes: In the sense of bad, worthless, worthlessness, the words in the King James Version represent the Hebrew ra`, changed in the Revised Version (British and American) to "bad" (2 Kings 2:19Proverbs 20:14Jeremiah 24:2), roa`, retained in the Revised Version (British and American) "naughtiness" (1 Samuel 17:28), hawwah, rendered in the Revised Version (British and American) inProverbs 11:6 "iniquity," and in 17:4 "mischievous." InProverbs 6:12, "naughty person," literally, "man of Belial," is in the Revised Version (British and American) "worthless person." In the New Testament, "superfluity of naughtiness" inJames 1:21 (for kakia) becomes margin the Revised Version (British and American) overflowing of wickedness," margin "malice," and in The Wisdom of Solomon 12:10, the King James Version's "naughty generation" (poneros) is made into "by birth.... evil."
James Orr
Strong's Hebrew
1942. havvah -- desire, chasm, destruction... greed (1). calamity, iniquity, mischief, mischievous thing, naughtiness,
naughty,
perverse thing,. From hava' (in the sense of eagerly
...1100. beliyyaal -- worthlessness
... 1), wicked (3), worthless (18), worthless one (1). Belial, evil,naughty,
ungodly men, wicked. From bliy and ya'al; without profit...
Library
Lost Treasures
... Mamie came slowly towards her mother, and said, "I've been verynaughty, and I
can't pray, Mama.".... "You are notnaughty now, my dear, are you?"....
The Elf
... I never saw anyone except the Elf look interesting whennaughty. She does look
interesting.... But indeed Thou wilt remember that she wasnaughty first. . . ....
Concerning the Signal Chastity of Joseph.
... his condition was changed. So she made known hernaughty inclinations, and
spake to him about lying with her. However, he rejected...
Earliest Memories
... Marie was there and scolded me, saying: "Hownaughty to answer Papa like that!"
Her reproof took effect; I got off the swing at once, and the whole house...
Earliest Memories
... Marie was there and scolded me, saying: "Hownaughty to answer Papa like that!"
Her reproof took effect; I got off the swing at once, and the whole house...
Diamond Said Nothing to his Mother About his Adventures. ...
... East Wind says"-only one does not exactly know how much to believe of what she says,
for she is verynaughty sometimes"-she says it is all managed by a...
Lovely to a Poet or an Artist's Eye is the Unevenly-Built and...
... pardon after any and every misdeed, and sat for a while "en penitence" in separate
corners reading the "Hours of Mary", they might be asnaughty as they chose...
The Parable of the Tares, by Bishop Latimer, Preached on the 7Th...
... makes known that he goeth about to do us good; but the devil doth quite the contrary,
and he seeks to spoil and destroy us with his filthy andnaughty seeds of...
Preached on Occasion of the Death of the Rev. Mr. John Fletcher...
... "When he was about seven years old, he was reproved by his nurse-maid saying, You
are anaughty boy, and the devil takes all such.' After he was in bed, he...
The Heroic Women of Early Indiana Methodism.
... That is, some are, for it must be conceded that woman is like Jeremiah's figs, the
good are very, very good, while the bad are verynaughty"too bad for any...
Thesaurus
Naughty (3 Occurrences)... Easton's Bible Dictionary
Naughty figs.
... 4. (superl.) Mischievous; perverse; froward;
guilty of disobedient or improper conduct; as, a
naughty child. Int.
...Naughtiness (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The quality or state of beingnaughty; perverseness;
badness; wickedness. Int.... NAUGHT;NAUGHTY; NAUGHTINESS....
Naught (40 Occurrences)
... 4. (a.) of no value or account; worthless; bad; useless. 5. (a.) Hence, vile; base;
naughty. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. NAUGHT;NAUGHTY; NAUGHTINESS....
Naum (1 Occurrence)
Wink (2 Occurrences)
... So also Psalm 35:19: "Neither let them wink with the eye that hate roe without a
cause." "Anaughty person, a wicked man, walketh with froward mouth....
Ill (137 Occurrences)
... disagreeable; unfavorable. 2. (a.) Contrary to good, in a moral sense; evil;
wicked; wrong; iniquitous;naughty; bad; improper. 3. (a...
Froward (21 Occurrences)
... from thee. (KJV JPS WBS YLT). Proverbs 6:12 Anaughty person, a wicked
man, walketh with a froward mouth. (KJV JPS WBS). Proverbs...
Sad (73 Occurrences)
... 6. (superl.) Afflictive; calamitous; causing sorrow; as, a sad accident; a sad
misfortune. 7. (superl.) Hence, bad;naughty; troublesome; wicked....
Walketh (62 Occurrences)
... ways. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). Proverbs 6:12 Anaughty person, a wicked man,
walketh with a froward mouth. (KJV JPS ASV WBS). Proverbs...
Resources
Who/what is Krampus and what does it have to do with Christmas? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the 95 Theses of Martin Luther? | GotQuestions.orgNaughty: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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