The term "naughty" in a biblical context often refers to behavior that is disobedient, mischievous, or morally wrong. While the specific word "naughty" is not frequently used in most modern translations of the Bible, the concept is present throughout Scripture, describing actions and attitudes that are contrary to God's commands and righteousness.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often associated with "naughty" behavior is "ra" (רַע), which is commonly translated as "evil" or "wicked." This term is used to describe actions that are morally wrong or harmful. For example, in Genesis 6:5, the Bible states, "Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time." Here, the pervasive evil of humanity is highlighted, which led to God's judgment through the flood.

The Book of Proverbs frequently addresses the concept of naughtiness through its teachings on wisdom and folly. Proverbs 6:12-14 describes a "worthless person, a wicked man," who "walks with a perverse mouth, winks with his eyes, signals with his feet, and points with his fingers; who plots evil with deceit in his heart; he always stirs up dissension." This passage illustrates the characteristics of a person whose behavior is considered naughty or wicked, emphasizing deceit and discord.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the Greek word "ponēros" (πονηρός) is often used to describe evil or wicked behavior. Jesus addresses the nature of the human heart in Matthew 15:19 , saying, "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander." Here, the term "evil thoughts" encompasses the idea of naughtiness as it relates to sinful intentions and actions.

The Apostle Paul also addresses the concept of naughtiness in his epistles. In Ephesians 4:31-32 , he instructs believers to "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you." The call to abandon malice and embrace kindness reflects the transformation expected in the life of a believer, moving away from naughty or sinful behavior.

Moral and Spiritual Implications

From a biblical perspective, naughtiness is not merely a matter of minor mischief but is often indicative of a deeper spiritual issue. It reflects a heart that is not aligned with God's will and commands. The Bible consistently calls for repentance and a turning away from such behavior, urging individuals to seek righteousness and holiness.

The teachings of Scripture emphasize the importance of cultivating a heart that seeks after God and His righteousness. In doing so, believers are encouraged to exhibit the fruits of the Spirit, as outlined in Galatians 5:22-23 : "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." These virtues stand in stark contrast to the naughtiness that is condemned throughout the Bible.

Ultimately, the biblical narrative underscores the need for redemption and transformation through Jesus Christ, who empowers believers to overcome sinful tendencies and live in accordance with God's righteous standards.Naughty figs

(Jeremiah 24:2). "The bad figs may have been such either from having decayed, and thus been reduced to a rotten condition, or as being the fruit of the sycamore, which contains a bitter juice" (Tristram, Nat. Hist.). The inferiority of the fruit is here referred to as an emblem of the rejected Zedekiah and his people.

1. (superl.) Having little or nothing.

2. (superl.) Worthless; bad; good for nothing.

3. (superl.) hence, corrupt; wicked.

4. (superl.) Mischievous; perverse; froward; guilty of disobedient or improper conduct; as, a naughty child.

NAUGHT; NAUGHTY; NAUGHTINESS

not, no'-ti, nes: In the sense of bad, worthless, worthlessness, the words in the King James Version represent the Hebrew ra`, changed in the Revised Version (British and American) to "bad" (2 Kings 2:19 Proverbs 20:14 Jeremiah 24:2), roa`, retained in the Revised Version (British and American) "naughtiness" (1 Samuel 17:28), hawwah, rendered in the Revised Version (British and American) in Proverbs 11:6 "iniquity," and in 17:4 "mischievous." In Proverbs 6:12, "naughty person," literally, "man of Belial," is in the Revised Version (British and American) "worthless person." In the New Testament, "superfluity of naughtiness" in James 1:21 (for kakia) becomes margin the Revised Version (British and American) overflowing of wickedness," margin "malice," and in The Wisdom of Solomon 12:10, the King James Version's "naughty generation" (poneros) is made into "by birth.... evil."

James Orr

1942. havvah -- desire, chasm, destruction
... greed (1). calamity, iniquity, mischief, mischievous thing, naughtiness, naughty,
perverse thing,. From hava' (in the sense of eagerly ...
/hebrew/1942.htm - 6k

1100. beliyyaal -- worthlessness
... 1), wicked (3), worthless (18), worthless one (1). Belial, evil, naughty,
ungodly men, wicked. From bliy and ya'al; without profit ...
/hebrew/1100.htm - 6k

Lost Treasures
... Mamie came slowly towards her mother, and said, "I've been very naughty, and I
can't pray, Mama.". ... "You are not naughty now, my dear, are you?". ...
/.../shaw/touching incidents and remarkable answers to prayer/lost treasures.htm

The Elf
... I never saw anyone except the Elf look interesting when naughty. She does look
interesting. ... But indeed Thou wilt remember that she was naughty first. . . . ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter xx the elf.htm

Concerning the Signal Chastity of Joseph.
... his condition was changed. So she made known her naughty inclinations, and
spake to him about lying with her. However, he rejected ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 concerning the signal.htm

Earliest Memories
... Marie was there and scolded me, saying: "How naughty to answer Papa like that!"
Her reproof took effect; I got off the swing at once, and the whole house ...
/.../martin/the story of a soul/chapter i earliest memories.htm

Earliest Memories
... Marie was there and scolded me, saying: "How naughty to answer Papa like that!"
Her reproof took effect; I got off the swing at once, and the whole house ...
/.../therese/story of a soul/chapter i - earliest memories.htm

Diamond Said Nothing to his Mother About his Adventures. ...
... East Wind says"-only one does not exactly know how much to believe of what she says,
for she is very naughty sometimes"-she says it is all managed by a ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 5 diamond said nothing.htm

Lovely to a Poet or an Artist's Eye is the Unevenly-Built and ...
... pardon after any and every misdeed, and sat for a while "en penitence" in separate
corners reading the "Hours of Mary", they might be as naughty as they chose ...
//christianbookshelf.org/corelli/the master-christian/ii lovely to a poet.htm

The Parable of the Tares, by Bishop Latimer, Preached on the 7Th ...
... makes known that he goeth about to do us good; but the devil doth quite the contrary,
and he seeks to spoil and destroy us with his filthy and naughty seeds of ...
/.../knox/the pulpit of the reformation nos 1 2 and 3 /the parable of the tares.htm

Preached on Occasion of the Death of the Rev. Mr. John Fletcher ...
... "When he was about seven years old, he was reproved by his nurse-maid saying, You
are a naughty boy, and the devil takes all such.' After he was in bed, he ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 133 preached on occasion.htm

The Heroic Women of Early Indiana Methodism.
... That is, some are, for it must be conceded that woman is like Jeremiah's figs, the
good are very, very good, while the bad are very naughty"too bad for any ...
/.../the heroic women of early indiana methodism/the heroic women of early.htm

Naughty (3 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Naughty figs. ... 4. (superl.) Mischievous; perverse; froward;
guilty of disobedient or improper conduct; as, a naughty child. Int. ...
/n/naughty.htm - 9k

Naughtiness (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The quality or state of being naughty; perverseness;
badness; wickedness. Int. ... NAUGHT; NAUGHTY; NAUGHTINESS. ...
/n/naughtiness.htm - 8k

Naught (40 Occurrences)
... 4. (a.) of no value or account; worthless; bad; useless. 5. (a.) Hence, vile; base;
naughty. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. NAUGHT; NAUGHTY; NAUGHTINESS. ...
/n/naught.htm - 19k

Naum (1 Occurrence)

/n/naum.htm - 6k

Wink (2 Occurrences)
... So also Psalm 35:19: "Neither let them wink with the eye that hate roe without a
cause." "A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with froward mouth. ...
/w/wink.htm - 9k

Ill (137 Occurrences)
... disagreeable; unfavorable. 2. (a.) Contrary to good, in a moral sense; evil;
wicked; wrong; iniquitous; naughty; bad; improper. 3. (a ...
/i/ill.htm - 35k

Froward (21 Occurrences)
... from thee. (KJV JPS WBS YLT). Proverbs 6:12 A naughty person, a wicked
man, walketh with a froward mouth. (KJV JPS WBS). Proverbs ...
/f/froward.htm - 11k

Sad (73 Occurrences)
... 6. (superl.) Afflictive; calamitous; causing sorrow; as, a sad accident; a sad
misfortune. 7. (superl.) Hence, bad; naughty; troublesome; wicked. ...
/s/sad.htm - 27k

Walketh (62 Occurrences)
... ways. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). Proverbs 6:12 A naughty person, a wicked man,
walketh with a froward mouth. (KJV JPS ASV WBS). Proverbs ...
/w/walketh.htm - 24k

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