Topical Encyclopedia
Profaning, in biblical terms, refers to the act of treating something sacred with irreverence or disrespect. This concept is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, where the holiness of God and His commandments are central themes. Profaning is often associated with actions that desecrate what is considered holy, including God's name, the Sabbath, sacred spaces, and religious practices.
Profaning God's NameOne of the most direct commandments against profaning is found in the Third Commandment: "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave anyone unpunished who takes His name in vain" (
Exodus 20:7). This commandment underscores the importance of revering God's name, which represents His character and authority. Profaning God's name can occur through blasphemy, false oaths, or using His name in a trivial or disrespectful manner.
Profaning the SabbathThe Sabbath is another area where profaning is explicitly addressed. In
Ezekiel 20:13, God laments the actions of the Israelites: "But the house of Israel rebelled against Me in the wilderness. They did not follow My statutes and they rejected My ordinances, which if a man keeps, he will live by them; and they utterly profaned My Sabbaths." The Sabbath is a day set apart for rest and worship, and profaning it involves neglecting its sanctity through work or other secular activities.
Profaning Sacred Spaces and ObjectsThe Bible also speaks against profaning sacred spaces and objects. In
Leviticus 21:12, priests are instructed not to leave the sanctuary or profane it, emphasizing the holiness of the place where God dwells. Similarly, in
Daniel 5:2-4, King Belshazzar profanes the sacred vessels taken from the temple in Jerusalem by using them in a pagan feast, an act that leads to divine judgment.
Profaning Through Idolatry and UnfaithfulnessIdolatry is another form of profaning, as it involves attributing the worship due to God to idols. In
Ezekiel 23:38-39, God accuses Israel of profaning His sanctuary by offering sacrifices to idols and then entering His temple on the same day. This mixing of pagan practices with the worship of Yahweh is seen as a grave offense.
Profaning in the New TestamentThe New Testament continues to address the issue of profaning, particularly in the context of the Christian community. In
Hebrews 12:16, Esau is described as "profane" for selling his birthright for a single meal, illustrating a disregard for what is sacred. The Apostle Paul warns against profaning the body, which is considered a temple of the Holy Spirit (
1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
Consequences of ProfaningThroughout Scripture, profaning what is holy is met with serious consequences. God's holiness demands reverence, and those who fail to honor it face divine judgment.
Leviticus 10:1-2 recounts the account of Nadab and Abihu, who offered unauthorized fire before the Lord and were consumed by fire as a result. This narrative serves as a sobering reminder of the seriousness with which God views the profaning of His holiness.
In summary, profaning in the biblical context is a serious offense that involves treating what is sacred with irreverence. It encompasses a range of actions, from misusing God's name to desecrating holy days and spaces, and is consistently met with divine disapproval and judgment.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Profane.
Strong's Hebrew
2490c. chalal -- to pollute, defile, profane... 1), defile (2), defiled (3), desecrate (1), enjoy (1), first (1), pollute (1), polluted
(1), profane (21), profaned (29), profanes (3),
profaning (5), start (1
...Library
Is Then theProfaning of God's Name, by Swearing and Cursing, So...
... Lord's Day 36 Question 100 Is then theprofaning of God's name, by swearing and
cursing, so heinous a sin, that his wrath is kindled against those who do not...
Argument. In the Former Books an Exposition Has Been Given of the...
... Of the Lord's Supper, Chap.17. Ofprofaning the Lord's Supper, Chap.18.... Of the
Lord's Supper, Chap.17. Ofprofaning the Lord's Supper, Chap.18....
Acts XXIV
... It charged him, first, with exciting the Jews to sedition; second, with being the
ringleader of the sect of Nazarenes; third, withprofaning the temple....
The Commandments
... God.". In the first place, what is meant by "the name of God" shall be
told, and afterward what is meant by "profaning" it. "The...
Ten Reasons Demonstrating the Commandment of the Sabbath to be...
... Also a certain noblemanprofaning the Sabbath, usually in hunting, had a child by
his wife with a head like a dog, with ears and chaps, and which cried like a...
Second Greek Form.
... is not lawful. And when he heard this, he went, and said to the child: Why
dost thou do this,profaning the Sabbath? But Jesus gave...
High Priest
... or divorced, or profane. The priest's daughter who committed whoredom was
to be burned, asprofaning her father. The priests were...
Godly Fear and Its Goodly Consequence
... Instead ofprofaning the spiritual, the right thing is to spiritualize the secular
till the purity of your motives and the sanctity of your conscience in...
Father and Child
... for despising and disparaging him; for loose lives, allowing (in one case) such
a crime among them as even the heathen did not allow; forprofaning the Lord's...
If it is Objected, that the Necessity which Urges us to Pray is...
... unto them" (Jer.11:7, 8, 11Jer.11:7, 8, 11); because he regards it as the highest
insult for the wicked to boast of his covenant whileprofaning his sacred...
Thesaurus
Profaning (10 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Profaning (10 Occurrences).
... yet you bring more wrath on
Israel by
profaning the Sabbath. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV).
...Holdeth (21 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 56:2 Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that holdeth
it fast; that keepeth the sabbath fromprofaning it, and keepeth his hand from...
Holds (67 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 56:2 Blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who holds it fast;
who keeps the Sabbath fromprofaning it, and keeps his hand from doing any...
Profane (69 Occurrences)
... themselves to the LORD, to minister unto Him, and to love the name of the LORD,
to be His servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath fromprofaning it, and...
Unfaithfully (19 Occurrences)
... Hath not one ?God created us? Why do we deal unfaithfully every man against
his brother, byprofaning the covenant of our fathers? (DBY)....
Desecrating (5 Occurrences)
... evil on us, and on this city? yet you bring more wrath on Israel byprofaning
the Sabbath. (See NIV). Isaiah 56:2 Happy is the man...
Profaneth (3 Occurrences)
Profanity (2 Occurrences)
Sacrilege (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The sin or crime of violating orprofaning sacred
things; the alienating to laymen, or to common purposes, what has been...
Stirring (20 Occurrences)
... evil on us, and on this city? yet you bring more wrath on Israel byprofaning
the Sabbath. (See NIV). Proverbs 30:33 The shaking of...
Resources
What does it mean to profane the covenant (Malachi 2:10)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is sexual immorality? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Antiochus Epiphanes? | GotQuestions.orgProfaning: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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