Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical literature, the term "sneer" is often associated with expressions of scorn, derision, or contempt. It is an attitude or action that reflects a lack of respect or disdain for someone or something. The concept of sneering is addressed in various passages throughout the Bible, highlighting its moral and spiritual implications.
Old Testament ReferencesThe Old Testament frequently addresses the attitude of sneering, particularly in the context of wisdom and folly. In the book of Proverbs, the sneer is often linked to the behavior of fools and mockers.
Proverbs 1:22 states, "How long, O simple ones, will you love your simple ways? How long will scoffers delight in their scorn and fools hate knowledge?" Here, the term "scoffers" can be understood as those who sneer at wisdom and instruction, choosing instead to follow their own misguided paths.
The Psalms also reflect on the attitude of sneering, particularly in relation to the righteous and the wicked.
Psalm 1:1 warns against the company of mockers: "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers." The "seat of mockers" implies a place where sneering and derision are prevalent, contrasting with the blessedness of those who seek righteousness.
New Testament ReferencesIn the New Testament, sneering is depicted as a response to the message and person of Jesus Christ. The Gospels record instances where Jesus was met with scorn and ridicule by those who rejected His teachings. In
Luke 16:14 , the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, are described as sneering at Jesus: "The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all of this and were scoffing at Him." This reaction underscores their hardened hearts and unwillingness to accept the truth of His message.
The Apostle Paul also encountered sneering during his ministry. In
Acts 17:32 , when Paul spoke of the resurrection of the dead in Athens, some of his listeners sneered: "When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them began to scoff, but others said, 'We want to hear you again on this subject.'" This response highlights the skepticism and disbelief that often accompany the proclamation of the Gospel.
Moral and Spiritual ImplicationsFrom a biblical perspective, sneering is indicative of a heart that is resistant to truth and wisdom. It is often associated with pride, arrogance, and a refusal to acknowledge one's need for God. The Bible consistently warns against the dangers of such an attitude, emphasizing the importance of humility and receptiveness to divine instruction.
The Scriptures encourage believers to avoid the company of those who sneer and to cultivate a spirit of humility and reverence for God. In doing so, they align themselves with the path of righteousness and wisdom, as opposed to the folly and destruction that accompany a sneering disposition.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. i.) To show contempt by turning up the nose, or by a particular facial expression.
2. (v. i.) To insinuate contempt by a covert expression; to speak derisively.
3. (v. i.) To show mirth awkwardly.
4. (v. t.) To utter with a grimace or contemptuous expression; to utter with a sneer; to say sneeringly; as, to sneer fulsome lies at a person.
5. (v. t.) To treat with sneers; to affect or move by sneers.
6. (n.) The act of sneering.
7. (n.) A smile, grin, or contortion of the face, indicative of contempt; an indirect expression or insinuation of contempt.
Greek
3456. mukterizo -- to turn up the nose orsneer at... to turn up the nose or
sneer at. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: mukterizo
Phonetic Spelling: (mook-tay-rid'-zo) Short Definition: I
sneer at, disdain
...1592. ekmukterizo -- to hold up the nose in derision of
... deride. From ek and mukterizo; tosneer outright at -- deride. see GREEK ek. see
GREEK mukterizo. (exemukterizon) -- 2 Occurrences. 1591, 1592....
5512. chleuazo -- to jest, mock, jeer
... in Ac 17:32). Word Origin from chleue (a jest) Definition to jest, mock,
jeer NASB Word Usagesneer (1). mock. From a derivative...
Strong's Hebrew
3932. laag -- to mock, deride, stammer... root Definition to mock, deride, stammer NASB Word Usage laugh (1), mock (3), mocked
(5), mocks (4), scoff (2), scoffs (1),
sneer (1), stammering (1).
...Library
But Since Our views Regarding the Resurrection Have, as Far as...
... And if we mustsneer [4157] at them as contemptible old wives' fables, it
is at them rather than at our narrative that we mustsneer....
On Certain Modern Writers and the Institution of the Family
... The camel does not contort his features into a finesneer because Mr. Robinson has
not got a hump; the cultured gentleman at No.5 does exhibit asneer because...
Are You Mocked?
... Presbyterians, these Baptists, they are a set of poor people, mechanics, and
servant-girls and so on," and how often is that uttered with asneer upon the lips...
Christ About his Father's Business
... Let a man believe that God has set him to do a particular work, and you
maysneer at him: what cares he? He would give as much for...
The Misdoings of Severian
... Special friends of your Sanctity,' said Severian, with an undisguisedsneer.... His
supposedsneer is the offspring of your imagination only.'....
Evil Habits and Injurious Indulgences.
... When the habit of using snuff was mentioned the plain lady's smile was turned to
asneer, and the fashionable lady'ssneer was turned to a smile....
The Temptation
... The tempter quotes the divine voice at the baptism with almost asneer, as if the
hungry, fainting Man before him were a strange 'Son of God.' The suggestion...
Christ and Pilate: the True King and his Counterfeit
... by a genuine interest in Jesus, and a complete conviction that Rome had nothing
to fear from this 'King.' But there are also in the question asneer at such...
Colossians 4:14 "Luke, the Beloved Physician. "
... It is easy tosneer at the simple facts and doctrines of Christianity, and to talk
great swelling words about" mind," and "thought," and "intellect," and...
A visit from vigilantius
... His falsehood that I was intoxicated"which I have never been in my life"is his
way of reviving the untruesneer that my father was a publican....
Thesaurus
Sneer (3 Occurrences)... 4. (vt) To utter with a grimace or contemptuous expression; to utter with a
sneer;
to say sneeringly; as, to
sneer fulsome lies at a person.
...Gird (44 Occurrences)
... pang. 2. (n.) A cut; a sarcastic remark; a gibe; asneer. 3. (v.) To strike;
to smite. 4. (v.) Tosneer at; to mock; to gibe. 5...
Mock (43 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) An act of ridicule or derision; a scornful or contemptuous act or
speech; asneer; a jibe; a jeer. 6. (n.) Imitation; mimicry....
Neigh (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) To utter the cry of the horse; to whinny. 2.
(vi) To scoff orsneer; to jeer. 3. (n.) The cry of a horse; a whinny. Int....
Insult (25 Occurrences)
... 4. (vt) 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 tosneer at him, is to...
Fling (5 Occurrences)
... and fling. 5. (vi) To cast in the teeth; to utter abusive language; to
sneer; as, the scold began to flout and fling. 6. (vi) To...
Mocker (11 Occurrences)
... (Acts 2:13; Acts 17:32); mukterizo, "tosneer at," "mock," literally, "to turn up
the nose" (Galatians 6:7, "God is not mocked," "will not let himself be mocked...
Mocking (25 Occurrences)
... (Acts 2:13; Acts 17:32); mukterizo, "tosneer at," "mock," literally, "to turn up
the nose" (Galatians 6:7, "God is not mocked," "will not let himself be mocked...
Smile (4 Occurrences)
... the face; to laugh silently. 2. (vi) To express slight contempt by a look
implying sarcasm or pity; tosneer. 3. (vi) To look gay...
Sneaked (1 Occurrence)
Resources
How does my personal, private sin affect others? | GotQuestions.orgIs sex a sin? | GotQuestions.orgSneer: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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