Topical Encyclopedia
The term "notorious" is often used to describe individuals or actions that are widely and unfavorably known. In the context of the Bible, notoriety is typically associated with sin, rebellion, or actions that stand in stark contrast to the teachings and commandments of God. The Bible provides numerous examples of individuals whose actions made them notorious, serving as cautionary tales for believers.
Old Testament Examples1.
Cain: One of the earliest examples of a notorious figure in the Bible is Cain, the firstborn son of Adam and Eve. Cain became infamous for committing the first murder by killing his brother Abel out of jealousy.
Genesis 4:8-10 recounts this tragic event: "Cain said to his brother Abel, 'Let us go out to the field.' And while they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. Then the LORD said to Cain, 'Where is your brother Abel?' 'I do not know,' he answered. 'Am I my brother’s keeper?'"
2.
Jezebel: Queen Jezebel, the wife of King Ahab, is another notorious figure in the Old Testament. Known for her idolatry and persecution of the prophets of Yahweh, Jezebel's actions led to widespread apostasy in Israel. Her account is detailed in
1 Kings 16:31-33 : "And as if following the sin of Jeroboam son of Nebat were not enough, he also married Jezebel, the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and he proceeded to serve and worship Baal."
New Testament Examples1.
Herod the Great: Herod the Great is notorious for his role in the Massacre of the Innocents, as recorded in
Matthew 2:16 : "When Herod saw that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he sent orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, according to the time he had learned from the Magi." This act of brutality was driven by his fear of losing power to the newborn "King of the Jews."
2.
Judas Iscariot: Perhaps one of the most infamous figures in the New Testament is Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve apostles who betrayed Jesus Christ for thirty pieces of silver. His betrayal is recorded in
Matthew 26:14-16 : "Then one of the Twelve, the one called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and asked, 'What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?' And they set out for him thirty pieces of silver."
Conceptual UnderstandingIn biblical terms, notoriety is often linked with actions that defy God's commandments and lead others astray. The Bible warns against the pursuit of actions that may lead to a notorious reputation, emphasizing the importance of living a life that honors God and upholds His statutes.
Proverbs 10:7 states, "The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot."
Lessons for BelieversThe accounts of notorious figures in the Bible serve as warnings and lessons for believers. They highlight the consequences of sin and the importance of repentance and obedience to God. The Bible encourages believers to seek righteousness and avoid actions that could lead to a notorious reputation, as seen in
1 Peter 2:12 : "Conduct yourselves with such honor among the Gentiles that though they slander you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us."
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
a.) Unfavorably known and talked of by the public; as, a notorious thief; a notorious crime or vice; universally believed to be true; manifest to the world; evident; -- usually in an unfavorable sense.
Greek
1978. episemos -- bearing a mark, notable... Word Origin from epi and the same as semaino Definition bearing a mark, notable
NASB Word Usage
notorious (1), outstanding (1). notable, of note.
...Library
The Conduct of Heretics: Its Frivolity, Worldliness, and...
... Heretics. Chapter XLI."The Conduct of Heretics: Its Frivolity, Worldliness,
and Irregularity TheNotorious Wantonness of Their Women....
Article vi: of Confession and Satisfaction.
... For as the fallen ornotorious [those guilty of public crimes] were not received
without fixed satisfactions [without a public ceremony or reproof], they made...
Grace and Glory
... Now, what the Romans thought glorious in their days isnotorious enough.... The Greek's
meaning of glory is equallynotorious. He called it wisdom....
Your Letter Goes On:
... [3164]. Footnotes: [3159] Kings of Lydia and Persianotorious for their wealth.
[3160] Kings of Lydia and Persianotorious for their wealth....
You Say that You are not the Defender or the Champion of Origen...
... say that you are not the defender or the champion of Origen; but I will at once
confront you with your own book of which you spoke in thatnotorious preface to...
But Why do I Laugh at the Sickles and Tridents which have Been...
... why at the horns, hammers, and caps, when I know that certain images have [4658]
the forms of certain men, and the features ofnotorious courtesans?...
Epistle v. To Queen Brunichild.
... the eternal Judge. Footnotes: [1631] This is the first of the ten letters
of Gregory to thenotorious Brunechild. A daughter of...
Letter cclxiii. To the Westerns.
... after being publicly cut off from the body of the Church, still abides in its own
error, and does not do us much harm because its impiety isnotorious to all....
Whether the Priest Ought to Deny the Body of Christ to the Sinner...
... I answer that, A distinction must be made among sinners: some are secret; others
arenotorious, either from evidence of the fact, as public usurers, or public...
Against what Has Been Advanced in the Preceding Pages...
... And I ask if it be notnotorious, that an earnest and appropriate elocution will
give this effect to a poor style, and that poor speaking will take it away...
Thesaurus
Notorious (16 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Unfavorably known and talked of by the public; as,
a
notorious thief; a
... Multi-Version Concordance
Notorious (16 Occurrences).
...Tax-gatherers (16 Occurrences)
... Matthew 9:11 The Pharisees noticed this, and they inquired of His disciples, "Why
does your Teacher eat with the tax-gatherers andnotorious sinners?" (WEY DBY...
Barabbas (10 Occurrences)
... Ie, son of Abba or of a father, anotorious robber whom Pilate proposed to condemn
to death instead of Jesus, whom he wished to release, in accordance with the...
Party (47 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Matthew 9:10 And while He was reclining at table, a large number of tax-gathers
andnotorious sinners were of the party with Jesus and His disciples....
Complain (19 Occurrences)
... Luke 15:2 and this led the Pharisees and the Scribes indignantly to complain, saying,
"He gives a welcome tonotorious sinners, and joins them at their meals...
Sinners (132 Occurrences)
... "I solemnly tell you,' replied Jesus, "that the tax-gatherers and thenotorious
sinners are entering the Kingdom of God in front of you. (WEY)....
Large (235 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Matthew 9:10 And while He was reclining at table, a large number of
tax-gathers andnotorious sinners were of the party with Jesus and His disciples....
Everywhere (53 Occurrences)
... Luke 15:1 Now the tax-gatherers and thenotorious sinners were everywhere
in the habit of coming close to Him to listen to Him; (WEY)....
Led (260 Occurrences)
... and Scribes of their party to expostulate with His disciples and ask, "Why are you
eating and drinking with these tax-gatherers andnotorious sinners?" (WEY)....
Welcomed (30 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 11:31 Through faith thenotorious sinner Rahab did not perish along with
the disobedient, for she had welcomed the spies and had sheltered them....
Resources
Who was Herodias in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Jonathan in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho is the king of the North in Daniel 11? | GotQuestions.orgNotorious: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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