Infamy, in a biblical context, refers to a state of being well known for some bad quality or deed. It is often associated with actions that are contrary to the teachings and commandments of God, leading to a reputation of dishonor and disgrace. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings that highlight the consequences of infamous behavior and the importance of maintaining a good name.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, infamy is often linked with actions that defy God's laws and result in a tarnished reputation. Proverbs 22:1 states, "A good name is more desirable than great riches; favor is better than silver and gold." This verse underscores the value of a good reputation over material wealth, implying that infamy, or a bad name, is to be avoided at all costs.

The account of Achan in the Book of Joshua serves as a poignant example of infamy. Achan's disobedience in taking forbidden items during the conquest of Jericho brought disgrace upon himself and Israel. Joshua 7:25 recounts, "Joshua said, 'Why have you brought this trouble upon us? The LORD will bring trouble upon you this day.' Then all Israel stoned him to death." Achan's infamous act led to severe consequences, illustrating the destructive nature of infamy.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, infamy is addressed through the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, who emphasize the importance of living a life that reflects the values of the Kingdom of God. In Matthew 5:16 , Jesus instructs, "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." This teaching encourages believers to live in a way that brings honor to God, contrasting with the shame associated with infamy.

The apostle Paul also warns against behaviors that lead to infamy. In 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 , he writes, "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God." This passage lists behaviors that result in a reputation of infamy and exclusion from God's kingdom.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, infamy is seen as a manifestation of sin and rebellion against God. It is the antithesis of the Christian call to holiness and righteousness. The infamous actions of individuals not only affect their personal relationship with God but also have broader implications for the community of believers. The Bible consistently calls for repentance and transformation, urging those who have fallen into infamy to seek forgiveness and restoration.

Practical Applications

Believers are encouraged to guard their reputations by living according to biblical principles. This involves practicing integrity, honesty, and love in all interactions. The pursuit of a good name is not merely for personal benefit but serves as a testimony to the transformative power of the Gospel. Christians are called to be ambassadors of Christ, reflecting His character in a world that often celebrates infamy.

In summary, infamy in the Bible is a state of dishonor resulting from actions that violate God's commandments. The Scriptures provide clear guidance on avoiding such a reputation and emphasize the importance of living a life that honors God and upholds a good name.1. (n.) Total loss of reputation; public disgrace; dishonor; as, a day that will live in infamy.

2. (n.) A quality which exposes to disgrace; extreme baseness or vileness; as, the infamy of an action.

3. (n.) That loss of character, or public disgrace, which a convict incurs, and by which he is at common law rendered incompetent as a witness.

3856. paradeigmatizo -- to set forth as an example
... expose, make a public example. From para and deigmatizo; to show alongside (the
public), ie Expose to infamy -- make a public example, put to an open shame. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3856.htm - 6k

819. atimia -- dishonor
... dishonor, reproach, shame, vile. From atimos; infamy, ie (subjectively) comparative
indignity, (objectively) disgrace -- dishonour, reproach, shame, vile. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/819.htm - 7k

1681. dibbah -- whispering, defamation, evil report
... defaming, evil report, infamy, slander. From dabab (in the sense of furtive motion);
slander -- defaming, evil report, infamy, slander. see HEBREW dabab. ...
/hebrew/1681.htm - 6k

The Inferior Gods, Whose Names are not Associated with Infamy ...
... Chapter 4."The Inferior Gods, Whose Names are Not Associated with Infamy, Have Been
Better Dealt with Than the Select Gods, Whose Infamies are Celebrated. ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 4 the inferior gods whose.htm

Whether the Priest Ought to Deny the Body of Christ to the Sinner ...
... seeking it. For Christ's precept is not to be set aside for the sake of
avoiding scandal or on account of infamy to anyone. But ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the priest ought to.htm

Article xxiii (xi): of the Marriage of Priests.
... Despite the great infamy of their defiled celibacy, the adversaries have the
presumption not only to defend the pontifical law by the wicked and false pretext ...
/.../the apology of the augsburg confession/part 28 article xxiii xi .htm

Whether all Perjury is a Mortal Sin?
... Objection 3: Further, according to the Law a man incurs infamy through
committing perjury (VI, qu. i, cap. Infames). Now it would ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether all perjury is a.htm

Jesus' Unrequited Friendships.
... one has eaten day after day, in the blessing of whose friendship one has rested
for months and years"are there words black enough to paint the infamy of such ...
/.../personal friendships of jesus/chapter ix jesus unrequited friendships.htm

Now in Vergilius and in Many of that Time the Human Heart had ...
... make out the name, but I was able to recall how the great father had said to me,
once, that when a man secretly puts blame upon another, the infamy he charges ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 23 now in vergilius.htm

(Of Marriages among Blood-Relations, and of those who are Born of ...
... And we too, following our fathers, and keeping close by their footsteps, brand such
with infamy, and hold them to be infamous, because they are sprinkled with ...
/.../unknown/the decretals/iv of marriages among blood-relations.htm

(Of those who Ought not to be Admitted to Prefer an Accusation, or ...
... The laws of the world, indeed, put such persons to death; but we, with whom mercy
has the first place, receive them under the mark of infamy to repentance. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/v of those who ought.htm

Of the Right of Bishops not to be Accused or Hurt by Detraction.
... In like manner is it decided to be with those whose faith and life and liberty are
unknown, or who are marked with the stains of infamy, or entangled in the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/ii of the right of.htm

That the Judgment of God and Men as to Human Acts of violence, is ...
... But amidst these offences of infamy and violence, and so many iniquities, are the
sins of men who are, on the whole, making progress; which, by those who judge ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/chapter ix that the judgment of.htm

Infamy (8 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Total loss of reputation; public disgrace; dishonor;
as, a day that will live in infamy. ...Infamy (8 Occurrences). ...
/i/infamy.htm - 9k

Infamous (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Of very bad report; having a public reputation Of the worst kind; held in
abhorrence; guilty Of something that exposes to infamy; base; notoriously vile ...
/i/infamous.htm - 7k

Brand (4 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) A mark put upon criminals with a hot iron. Hence: Any mark of infamy or
vice; a stigma. ... 9. (vt) Fig.: To fix a mark of infamy, or a stigma, upon. 10. ...
/b/brand.htm - 9k

Object (76 Occurrences)
... to throw against." So with the meaning "to charge with" in The Wisdom of Solomon
2:12, the King James Version "He objecteth to our infamy the transgressing of ...
/o/object.htm - 31k

Levi (79 Occurrences)
... worship! Levi shared with Simeon the infamy incurred at Shechem by the
treacherous slaughter of the Shechemites (Genesis 34). Jacob's ...
/l/levi.htm - 35k

Infancy (2 Occurrences)

/i/infancy.htm - 7k

Ignominy (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Public disgrace or dishonor; reproach; infamy.
2. (n.) An act deserving disgrace; an infamous act. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/i/ignominy.htm - 8k

Reuben (73 Occurrences)
... His birthright was forfeited by a deed of peculiar infamy (Genesis 35:22), and
as far as we know his tribe never took the lead in Israel. ...
/r/reuben.htm - 46k

Maachah (19 Occurrences)
... Possibly she acted as regent during his minority. Ultimately, she was degraded by
him for an act of peculiar infamy (1 Kings 15:13 2 Chronicles 15:16). ...
/m/maachah.htm - 16k

Maacah (30 Occurrences)
... Possibly she acted as regent during his minority. Ultimately, she was degraded by
him for an act of peculiar infamy (1 Kings 15:13 2 Chronicles 15:16). ...
/m/maacah.htm - 20k

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