Blasphemy, in biblical terms, refers to the act of showing contempt or lack of reverence for God, sacred things, or religious doctrines. It is considered a grave sin throughout the Scriptures, as it directly challenges the holiness and authority of God. The concept of blasphemy is addressed in both the Old and New Testaments, highlighting its seriousness and the consequences associated with it.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, blasphemy is explicitly condemned and is often associated with the misuse of God's name. The Third Commandment, found in Exodus 20:7, states, "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." This commandment underscores the sanctity of God's name and the importance of honoring it.

Leviticus 24:10-16 provides a narrative example of blasphemy and its consequences. In this passage, the son of an Israelite woman blasphemes the Name with a curse, and the LORD commands Moses to have the blasphemer stoned by the community. This severe punishment reflects the gravity of the offense in the eyes of God and the community.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, blasphemy continues to be a significant concern, particularly in relation to the person and work of Jesus Christ. The religious leaders accused Jesus of blasphemy on several occasions, notably when He claimed divine authority and identity. In Mark 2:7, the scribes question, "Why does this man speak like this? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" Here, the charge of blasphemy is linked to Jesus' claim to forgive sins, a prerogative believed to belong to God alone.

Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is highlighted as an unforgivable sin. In Matthew 12:31-32, Jesus warns, "Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come." This passage emphasizes the unique and severe nature of blaspheming the Holy Spirit, which is understood as a willful and persistent rejection of the Spirit's work and testimony about Christ.

Theological Implications

Blasphemy is not merely a verbal offense but a reflection of the heart's attitude toward God. It encompasses actions and words that dishonor God's character and authority. The biblical injunctions against blasphemy serve as a reminder of the reverence due to God and the seriousness with which His name and attributes should be regarded.

The New Testament expands the understanding of blasphemy to include the rejection of Christ and the Holy Spirit's testimony. This highlights the integral role of the Trinity in the Christian faith and the importance of acknowledging and honoring each Person of the Godhead.

Practical Considerations

For believers, avoiding blasphemy involves cultivating a heart and life that honor God in all aspects. This includes speaking truthfully and reverently about God, living in obedience to His commands, and upholding the sanctity of His name in daily conduct. The call to avoid blasphemy is a call to live in a manner that reflects the holiness and majesty of God, recognizing His rightful place as Lord and Creator.988. blasphemia -- slander
... Word Origin from blasphemos Definition slander NASB Word Usage abusive language
(1), blasphemies (4), blasphemous (2), blasphemy (6), railing (1), slander (3 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/988.htm - 7k5007b. neatsah -- contempt, blasphemy
... 5007a, 5007b. neatsah. 5008 . contempt, blasphemy. Transliteration: neatsah
Short Definition: blasphemies. Word Origin from naats ...
/hebrew/5007b.htm - 5k

Confutation of the Blasphemies of the Arians of Our Time, from the ...
... Book I. Chapter XII."Confutation of the blasphemies of the Arians of our
time, from the writings of Eusebius, Bishop of C??sarea. ...
/.../chapter xii confutation of the blasphemies.htm

The Various Blasphemies Uttered by the Arians against Christ are ...
... St. Ambrose's Exposition of the Christian Faith. Book I. Chapter V. The various
blasphemies uttered by the Arians against Christ are cited.? ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter v the various blasphemies.htm

Manich??an Blasphemies Concerning the Nature of God.
... Manich??ans. Chapter 42. "Manich??an Blasphemies Concerning the Nature of
God. What can be compared to those blasphemies? Absolutely ...
/.../chapter 42 name blasphemies concerning.htm

The Mouth of the Beast.
... The mouth of the beast, must symbolize the agency by which utterance is given
to the great things and blasphemies which are spoken by it. ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the mouth of the beast.htm

He Adds Also S. John Chrysostom.
... [2681] Did not, I ask you, all these almost with prophetic spirit say all
these things in order to confound your blasphemies. For ...
/.../cassian/the seven books of john cassian /chapter xxx he adds also.htm

The Decretal Letter of Pope vigilius.
... For among other blasphemies of his we find that he openly said that God the Word
was one [Person] and Christ another [Person], vexed with the passions of the ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/the decretal letter of pope.htm

The Letter of the Synod to Pope Celestine.
... his house with soldiers, set himself up against the ecclesiastical laws, neither
did he shew himself, nor give any satisfaction for his iniquitous blasphemies. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/the letter of the synod.htm

The Sentence of the Synod.
... began the examination of the Three Chapters, and first we brought into review the
matter of Theodore of Mopsuestia; and when all the blasphemies contained in ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/the sentence of the synod.htm

How one Should Resist Temptations and Bear Trials
... Even if they are blasphemies and sordid, hold firmly on to this fact in everything,
that you can do nothing better or more effective against them than to ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/albert/on cleaving to god/chapter 11 how one should.htm

Must I Demonstrate to You So Simple a Truth? Can You not ...
... Sometimes, by blasphemies, such as were never heard upon the earth, until an insult
to the Creator became a means of popularity among His creatures ...
/.../lamartine/atheism among the people/vii must i demonstrate to.htm

Blasphemies (9 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Blasphemies (9 Occurrences). ... (WEB KJV DBY WBS).
Mark 2:7 "Why does this man speak blasphemies like that? ...
/b/blasphemies.htm - 9k

Sins (351 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Matthew 15:19 For out of the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries,
sexual sins, thefts, false testimony, and blasphemies. (WEB). ...
/s/sins.htm - 38k

Blaspheming (9 Occurrences)
... Revelation 13:6 And he opened his mouth to utter blasphemies against God, to speak
evil of His name and of His dwelling-place--that is to say, of those who ...
/b/blaspheming.htm - 8k

Forgive (81 Occurrences)
... Mark 2:7 "Why does this man speak blasphemies like that? ... Luke 5:21 The scribes and
the Pharisees began to reason, saying, "Who is this that speaks blasphemies? ...
/f/forgive.htm - 33k

Awful (20 Occurrences)
... 9:18 Yes, when they had made them a molten calf, and said, This is your God who
brought you up out of Egypt, and had committed awful blasphemies; (WEB NIV). ...
/a/awful.htm - 12k

Utter (111 Occurrences)
... Mark 3:28 Most certainly I tell you, all sins of the descendants of man will be
forgiven, including their blasphemies with which they may blaspheme; (See NAS ...
/u/utter.htm - 35k

Alone (232 Occurrences)
... Mark 2:7 "Why does this man speak blasphemies like that? ... Luke 5:21 The scribes and
the Pharisees began to reason, saying, "Who is this that speaks blasphemies? ...
/a/alone.htm - 35k

Blasphemy (15 Occurrences)
... Mark 2:7 "Why does this man speak blasphemies like that? ... Luke 5:21 The scribes and
the Pharisees began to reason, saying, "Who is this that speaks blasphemies? ...
/b/blasphemy.htm - 20k

Blasphemeth (8 Occurrences)

/b/blasphemeth.htm - 8k

Speak (855 Occurrences)
... Mark 2:7 "Why does this man speak blasphemies like that? ... Luke 5:21 The scribes and
the Pharisees began to reason, saying, "Who is this that speaks blasphemies? ...
/s/speak.htm - 36k

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