Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Nature:Taunting refers to the act of mocking, ridiculing, or provoking someone with contemptuous or derisive language. In the biblical context, taunting often involves scornful speech intended to belittle or challenge others, sometimes questioning their faith or the power of God.
Biblical Instances:1.
Goliath's Taunt: One of the most notable instances of taunting in the Bible is found in the account of David and Goliath. Goliath, the Philistine giant, taunted the armies of Israel, challenging them to send a warrior to fight him. His taunts were not only against the Israelites but also against their God. "He stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, 'Why do you come out to line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not servants of Saul? Choose a man to come down and fight me'" (
1 Samuel 17:8). David, however, responded with faith in God, ultimately defeating Goliath and silencing his taunts.
2.
Elijah and the Prophets of Baal: In
1 Kings 18, the prophet Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. As the prophets of Baal called upon their god to send fire upon their sacrifice, Elijah taunted them, saying, "Shout louder! For he is a god; perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened" (
1 Kings 18:27). Elijah's taunt highlighted the impotence of false gods and set the stage for the demonstration of the true God's power.
3.
Jesus on the Cross: During the crucifixion, Jesus faced taunts from the crowd and religious leaders. They mocked Him, saying, "He saved others, but He cannot save Himself! Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross, so that we may see and believe" (
Mark 15:31-32). Despite the taunts, Jesus remained silent, fulfilling His mission of sacrifice and demonstrating profound strength and humility.
Moral and Spiritual Implications:·
Pride and Arrogance: Taunting often stems from pride and arrogance, as seen in the behavior of Goliath and the religious leaders who mocked Jesus. It reflects a heart that is not aligned with God's humility and love.
·
Faith and Trust in God: The biblical response to taunting is often characterized by faith and trust in God. David's victory over Goliath and Jesus' endurance on the cross exemplify how reliance on God can overcome scorn and derision.
·
Warnings Against Taunting: Scripture warns against the use of taunting language.
Proverbs 3:34 states, "He mocks the mockers but gives grace to the humble" . This highlights God's disapproval of mocking behavior and His favor towards those who are humble.
·
The Power of Words: The Bible emphasizes the power of words, both for good and for harm. Taunting can wound deeply, but believers are called to use their words to build up and encourage others, as instructed in
Ephesians 4:29: "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" .
Conclusion:While taunting is a common human behavior, the Bible provides clear guidance on how to respond to and refrain from such actions. Through examples and teachings, Scripture encourages believers to embody humility, faith, and love in their interactions with others.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Taunt.
2. (a. & n.) from Taunt.
Strong's Hebrew
4426. melitsah -- satire, a mocking poem... interpretation,
taunting. From luwts; an aphorism; also a satire -- interpretation,
taunting. see HEBREW luwts. 4425, 4426. melitsah. 4427 . Strong's Numbers
2781. cherpah -- a reproach
... Word Origin from charaph Definition a reproach NASB Word Usage contempt (1), disgrace
(5), reproach (60), reproaches (2), scorn (3), shame (1),taunting (1)....
Library
Third Stage of the Roman Trial. Pilate Reluctantly Sentences Him...
... His words are not a permission to crucify, but a bit oftaunting irony, as if he
said: "I the judge have found him innocent, but ye seem to lack the wit to see...
The Second Word from the Cross
... Christ in miniature. II. Both thieves appear to have joined intaunting
Jesus, in imitation of the Sanhedrists. This has, indeed...
The Praetorian and the Apostle
... Thou hast forgiven (I know thee now) The insults of this heathen tongue; Thetaunting
questions why and how; The songs (oh madness!) that I:sung: Thou hast...
Habakkuk's Rhapsody of the Chaldeans
... peoples. Shall not all these take up a parable against him, and ataunting
proverb against him, and say: Doom of the Chaldeans. 1....
Meditations Before Dinner and Supper.
... in such a place, so gracious a God to be abused by scurrility, ribaldry, or swearing;
or thy fellow-brother, by disgraceful backbiting,taunting, or slandering...
Ar Lan Yr Iorddonen
... Or lighted lamp draw near: But foot of succour none doth sound,. Whiletaunting
demons sport around. At length with piteous groan. He stumbles to the flood,"....
Jesus is Taken Before Pilate.
... derisive gestures called him king, and tossed in his path stones, bits of wood;
and filthy rags; they made game of, and by a thousandtaunting speeches mocked...
They Brought Him to the Hill of Death
... If He were Christ indeed,. And save Himself, as He had saved. So many in their need;
Suchtaunting words like venom stung,. And God beheld the arrows flung. III...
Victory.
... Let Him come down from the cross and we will believe on Him." The two others hanging
by His side, in their pain and distress, join in thetaunting cries, and...
Of the Office of Penitentiary Presbyters and Its Abolition.
... When in consequence of this, ecclesiastics were subjected totaunting and reproach,
Eud??mon a presbyter of the church, by birth an Alexandrian, persuaded...
Thesaurus
Taunting (2 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Taunt. 2. (a. & n.) from
Taunt. Multi-Version Concordance
Taunting (2 Occurrences).
...Taunts (11 Occurrences)
Jeer (2 Occurrences)
... 3. (v.) To utter sarcastic or scoffing reflections; to speak with mockery or derision;
to usetaunting language; to scoff; as, to jeer at a speaker....
Loadeth (3 Occurrences)
... Habakkuk 2:6 Shall not all these take up a proverb about him, and ataunting riddle
against him, and say, Woe to him that increaseth that which is not his!...
Ladeth (3 Occurrences)
... Habakkuk 2:6 Shall not all these take up a parable against him, and ataunting proverb
against him, and say, Woe to him that increaseth that which is not his!...
Loads (12 Occurrences)
... Habakkuk 2:6 Won't all these take up a parable against him, and ataunting proverb
against him, and say,'Woe to him who increases that which is not his, and...
Loans (1 Occurrence)
... Habakkuk 2:6 Won't all these take up a parable against him, and ataunting proverb
against him, and say,'Woe to him who increases that which is not his, and...
Gerizim (4 Occurrences)
... From a spur of Mt. Gerizim Jotham spoke histaunting parable to the men of Shechem
(Judges 9:7). The name appears no more in canonical Scripture....
Increases (24 Occurrences)
... Habakkuk 2:6 Won't all these take up a parable against him, and ataunting proverb
against him, and say,'Woe to him who increases that which is not his, and...
Increaseth (21 Occurrences)
... Habakkuk 2:6 Shall not all these take up a parable against him, and ataunting proverb
against him, and say, Woe to him that increaseth that which is not his!...
Resources
Who was David in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that deep calls to deep (Psalm 42:7)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat can we learn from the account of David and Goliath? | GotQuestions.orgTaunting: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
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