The term "lightly" in the Bible often conveys a sense of treating something with insufficient seriousness or respect. It can imply a lack of gravity or reverence in matters that are deemed significant or sacred. This concept is woven throughout Scripture, where the consequences of treating divine commands or sacred duties lightly are often highlighted.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "lightly" is "qalah," which can mean to treat with contempt or to make light of something. One notable instance is found in the book of Deuteronomy, where the Israelites are warned against taking God's commandments lightly. Deuteronomy 27:16 states, "Cursed is he who dishonors his father or mother." This verse underscores the seriousness with which God views familial and societal relationships, warning against treating them lightly.

Another example is in 1 Samuel 2:30 , where God rebukes Eli the priest for honoring his sons above God: "Therefore, the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: I did indeed say that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever. But now the LORD declares: Far be it from Me! For those who honor Me I will honor, but those who despise Me will be disdained." Here, the concept of treating God's commands lightly is linked to the idea of despising or showing contempt.

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, the Greek word "elaphron" can be translated as "lightly." This term appears in contexts where the gravity of spiritual matters is emphasized. For instance, in 2 Corinthians 1:17 , Paul writes, "When I planned this, did I do it lightly? Or do I make my plans in a worldly manner so that in the same breath I say, ‘Yes, yes,’ and ‘No, no’?" Paul is defending his integrity and the seriousness with which he approaches his apostolic duties, contrasting it with a frivolous or insincere attitude.

Theological Implications

Theologically, treating divine matters lightly is often associated with a lack of faith or reverence. The Bible consistently calls believers to approach God and His commandments with the utmost respect and seriousness. This is evident in the repeated calls for reverence and fear of the Lord, as seen in Proverbs 1:7 : "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline."

Practical Applications

In practical terms, the admonition against treating things lightly serves as a reminder for believers to approach their faith with sincerity and dedication. This includes honoring commitments, respecting authority, and valuing the sacredness of worship and prayer. The biblical narrative encourages believers to weigh their actions and words carefully, ensuring they align with the gravity of their faith commitments.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not explicitly use the term "lightly" in every instance of irreverence or insincerity, the concept is deeply embedded in the scriptural call to honor God and His commandments with seriousness and respect. The consequences of treating divine matters lightly are often depicted as severe, serving as a cautionary tale for believers to maintain a posture of reverence and obedience.1. (adv.) With little weight; with little force; as, to tread lightly; to press lightly.

2. (adv.) Swiftly; nimbly; with agility.

3. (adv.) Without deep impression.

4. (adv.) In a small degree; slightly; not severely.

5. (adv.) With little effort or difficulty; easily; readily.

6. (adv.) Without reason, or for reasons of little weight.

7. (adv.) Commonly; usually.

8. (adv.) Without dejection; cheerfully.

9. (adv.) Without heed or care; with levity; gayly; airily.

10. (adv.) Not chastely; wantonly.

3643a. oligoreo -- to esteem lightly
... 3643, 3643a. oligoreo. 3643b . to esteem lightly. Transliteration: oligoreo
Short Definition: lightly. Word Origin from oligos and ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3643a.htm - 5k

987. blasphemeo -- to slander, hence to speak lightly or profanely ...
... to slander, hence to speak lightly or profanely of sacred things. Part of Speech:
Verb Transliteration: blasphemeo Phonetic Spelling: (blas-fay-meh'-o) Short ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/987.htm - 9k

3643. oligoreo -- to esteem lightly
... to esteem lightly. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: oligoreo Phonetic Spelling:
(ol-ig-o-reh'-o) Short Definition: I despise, make light of Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3643.htm - 6k

4379. prospsauo -- to touch
... to touch. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: prospsauo Phonetic Spelling:
(pros-psow'-o) Short Definition: I touch lightly Definition: I touch lightly. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4379.htm - 6k

2706. kataphroneo -- to think little of
... behavior from inner mind-set") -- properly, view , ie with a negative (hostile)
outlook; to despise, thinking on (thinking of); esteem lightly, seeing as ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2706.htm - 8k

5035. tachu -- quickly
... Word Origin neut. of tachus Definition quickly NASB Word Usage before long (1),
possible (1), quickly (11), soon afterward (1). lightly, quickly. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5035.htm - 7k

1128. gumnazo -- to exercise naked, to train
... 1128 (from 1131 , "to train, naked or wearing a loin cloth") -- properly, naked
or lightly clad, as with an ancient Greek athlete in a sporting event ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1128.htm - 7k

7034. qalah -- to be lightly esteemed or dishonored
... qalah. 7035 . to be lightly esteemed or dishonored. Transliteration: qalah Phonetic
Spelling: (kaw-law') Short Definition: degraded. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/7034.htm - 6k

7430. ramas -- to creep, move lightly, move about
... ramas. 7431 . to creep, move lightly, move about. Transliteration: ramas Phonetic
Spelling: (raw-mas') Short Definition: creeps. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/7430.htm - 6k

7043. qalal -- to be slight, swift or trifling
... 16), curses (8), cursing (2), despise (1), despised (2), ease (1), easier (1), easy
(2), insignificant (1), light a thing (1), lighten (5), lightly esteemed (2 ...
/hebrew/7043.htm - 6k

4592. meat -- a little, fewness, a few
... 1), some (1), soon (3). almost some, very fewer lightly, little while, very
small matter, thing, some, soon, very. Or miat {meh-awt ...
/hebrew/4592.htm - 6k

5034. nabel -- to be senseless or foolish
... disgrace, dishounor, lightly esteem, come to nothing, make vile, wither
A primitive root; to wilt; generally, to fall away, fail ...
/hebrew/5034.htm - 5k

2169. zemer -- perhaps a mountain sheep or goat
... chamois. Apparently from zamar or zamar; a gazelle (from its lightly touching the
ground) -- chamois. see HEBREW zamar. see HEBREW zamar. 2168, 2169. ...
/hebrew/2169.htm - 6k

2107. zul -- to lavish
... A primitive root (compare zalal); probably to shake out, ie (by implication) to
scatter profusely; figuratively, to treat lightly -- lavish, despise. ...
/hebrew/2107.htm - 6k

5221. nakah -- to smite
... A primitive root; to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) --
beat, cast forth, clap, give (wounds), X go forward, X indeed, kill, make ...
/hebrew/5221.htm - 7k

That Holy Communion is not Lightly to be Omitted
... THE FOURTH BOOK. OF THE SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR CHAPTER X That Holy Communion
is not lightly to be omitted. The Voice of the Beloved ...
/.../kempis/imitation of christ/chapter x that holy communion.htm

The Tenth Chapter: do not Lightly Forego Holy Communion
... BOOK FOUR. AN INVITATION TO HOLY COMMUNION The Tenth Chapter: Do Not Lightly
Forego Holy Communion. The Voice of Christ YOU must ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the tenth chapter do not.htm

That Whoso Knoweth not the Powers of a Soul and the Manner of Her ...
... HERE BEGINNETH THE SEVEN AND SIXTIETH CHAPTER That whoso knoweth not the powers
of a soul and the manner of her working, may lightly be deceived in ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the seven and 5.htm

Diversity of Dreams and visions Epicurus Thought Lightly of Them ...
... Chapter XLVI."Diversity of Dreams and Visions Epicurus Thought Lightly of Them,
Though Generally Most Highly Valued. Instances of Dreams. ...
/.../tertullian/a treatise on the soul/chapter xlvi diversity of dreams and.htm

Unbaptized Infants Damned, but Most Lightly; the Penalty of Adam's ...
... A Treatise on the Merits and Forgiveness of Sins, and on the Baptism of Infants
Chapter 21 [XVI.]"Unbaptized Infants Damned, But Most Lightly; The Penalty of ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 21 xvi unbaptized infants damned.htm

Christ Repressing Rash Discipleship
... One was this scribe, whom the prospect of losing the Master from his side, hurried
into a too lightly formed and too confidently expressed undertaking. ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture a/christ repressing rash discipleship.htm

The Sun Rising Upon a Dark World
... The two words, in the first verse of this chapter, rendered lightly afflicted and
grievously afflicted , signify likewise, the one to think lightly of, to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon viii the sun rising.htm

The Glorious Master and the Swooning Disciple
... He who thinks lightly of the Savior thinks so much the less of the evil of sin;
and, consequently, he becomes callous as to the past, careless as to the present ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/the glorious master and the.htm

Shame on Account of God's Displeasure.
... that the whole matter might be too quickly wiped out and forgotten, and that the
sinners, reinstated in their old positions, should think too lightly of their ...
/.../dods/how to become like christ/shame on account of gods.htm

The Simple Explanation of My Own Opinion in Reference to the ...
... I said that souls should cherish their bodies as men cherish their wives, so that
this corruptible may put on incorruption, and that, being lightly poised as ...
/.../29 the simple explanation of.htm

Lightly (31 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (adv.) With little weight; with little force; as,
to tread lightly; to press lightly. ...Lightly (31 Occurrences). ...
/l/lightly.htm - 16k

Esteemed (44 Occurrences)
... Genesis 16:4 And he went in to Hagar, and she conceived. And when she saw that she
had conceived, her mistress was lightly esteemed in her eyes. (DBY YLT). ...
/e/esteemed.htm - 20k

Esteem (25 Occurrences)
... I have esteemed the words of his mouth," the Revised Version (British and American)
"treasured up"); qalah, "to be light," is translated "lightly esteemed" (1 ...
/e/esteem.htm - 17k

Brush (1 Occurrence)
... 11. (n.) To touch in passing, or to pass lightly over, as with a brush.
12. (n.) To remove or gather by brushing, or by an act like ...
/b/brush.htm - 8k

Graze (11 Occurrences)
... 4. (vt) To rub or touch lightly the surface of (a thing) in passing; as, the bullet
grazed the wall. ... 7. (vi) To touch something lightly in passing. ...
/g/graze.htm - 10k

Evilspeaking
... speak evil of" (Romans 14:16 1 Corinthians 10:30 Titus 3:2, etc.); to "speak evil"
occurs in Mark 9:39 as the translation of kakologeo, "lightly (the Revised ...
/e/evilspeaking.htm - 9k

Evil-speaking (5 Occurrences)
... speak evil of" (Romans 14:16 1 Corinthians 10:30 Titus 3:2, etc.); to "speak evil"
occurs in Mark 9:39 as the translation of kakologeo, "lightly (the Revised ...
/e/evil-speaking.htm - 10k

Skip (8 Occurrences)
... 6. (vi) To leap lightly; to move in leaps and hounds; -- commonly implying a sportive
spirit. ... 8. (vt) To leap lightly over; as, to skip the rope. ...
/s/skip.htm - 9k

Lighting (9 Occurrences)

/l/lighting.htm - 9k

Breach (55 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). Jeremiah 6:14 And they have healed the breach
of the daughter of my people lightly, saying, Peace, peace! ...
/b/breach.htm - 27k

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