Presumptuous
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In biblical terms, the concept of being presumptuous is often associated with arrogance, overconfidence, and a willful disregard for God's commands. It is an attitude that leads individuals to act without proper reverence or fear of the Lord, often resulting in sin and disobedience.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament provides several instances where presumptuous behavior is condemned. In Deuteronomy 17:12-13, the law warns against acting presumptuously by not listening to the priest or judge appointed by God: "The man who acts presumptuously by not listening to the priest who stands there to serve the LORD your God, or to the judge, that man must die. You must purge the evil from Israel. Then all the people will hear and be afraid, and will no longer behave arrogantly."

Numbers 15:30-31 further illustrates the severity of presumptuous sin: "But the person who sins defiantly, whether native or foreigner, blasphemes the LORD. That person shall be cut off from his people. He has despised the word of the LORD and broken His commandment; that person shall be completely cut off; his guilt shall be on him."

These passages highlight the gravity of presumptuous actions, equating them with a direct challenge to God's authority and a rejection of His law.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of presumption is addressed in the context of faith and humility. James 4:13-16 warns against the arrogance of making plans without considering God's will: "Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make a profit.' You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, 'If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.' As it is, you boast in your proud intentions. All such boasting is evil."

This passage emphasizes the importance of acknowledging God's sovereignty over our lives and plans, contrasting the humility required of believers with the arrogance of presumption.

Theological Implications

Presumptuous behavior is often linked to pride, a sin that Scripture consistently warns against. Proverbs 16:18 states, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." Presumption, as a form of pride, leads individuals to overstep their bounds, assuming authority or knowledge that belongs to God alone.

Theologically, presumption can be seen as a lack of faith and trust in God's wisdom and timing. It reflects a self-reliant attitude that disregards the need for divine guidance and submission to God's will. This is contrary to the biblical call for humility and dependence on God, as seen in passages like Micah 6:8, which instructs believers to "walk humbly with your God."

Practical Application

For believers, avoiding presumptuous behavior involves cultivating a heart of humility and a posture of submission to God's will. This includes seeking God's guidance through prayer, studying His Word, and being attentive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. It also requires a willingness to listen to godly counsel and to recognize the limits of human understanding.

In summary, the Bible's treatment of presumption serves as a warning against the dangers of pride and self-reliance, urging believers to live in humble obedience to God and His commands.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (a.) Making too many assumptions; overconfident or venturesome; audacious; rash; taking liberties unduly; arrogant; insolent; as, a presumptuous commander; presumptuous conduct.

2. (a.) Founded on presumption; as, a presumptuous idea.

3. (a.) Done with hold design, rash confidence, or in violation of known duty; willful.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
PRESUME; PRESUMPTUOUS; PRESUMPTUOUSLY

pre-zum', pre-zump'-tu-us, pre-zump'-tu-us-li: "To presume" ("to take or go beforehand") is to speak or act without warrant or proudly. In the Old Testament the words are for the most part the translation of zudh, and zidh, "to boil up" (as water), and derivatives; hence, to act proudly, to speak unauthorizedly, etc. (Deuteronomy 18:20, 22, of the prophet; Exodus 21:14 Deuteronomy 1:43; Deuteronomy 17:12, 13 Psalm 19:13, "presumptuous sins" (zedh, "proud"); compare Psalm 86:14; Psalm 119:21, etc.; Proverbs 21:24, etc.). Other words are male', "to fill," "to be full" (Esther 7:5, "presume"); `aphal, "to lift oneself up" (Numbers 14:44); beyadh ramah, "with a high hand" (Numbers 15:30, the Revised Version (British and American) "with a high hand"); in 2 Peter 2:10 tolmetes, "bold," "daring," is translated "presumptuous," the Revised Version (British and American) "daring"; in 2 Maccabees 3:24; 5:15 we have katatolmao; thrasus, is rendered "presumption" in 2 Maccabees 5:18, the Revised Version (British and American) "daring deed."

W. L. Walker

Greek
5113. tolmetes -- a bold, daring man
... daring man. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: tolmetes Phonetic Spelling:
(tol-may-tace') Short Definition: a daring, presumptuous man Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5113.htm - 6k
Strong's Hebrew
2086. zed -- insolent, presumptuous
... 2085, 2086. zed. 2087 . insolent, presumptuous. Transliteration: zed Phonetic
Spelling: (zade') Short Definition: arrogant. ... presumptuous, proud. ...
/hebrew/2086.htm - 6k

2103. zud -- to be presumptuous
... 2102, 2103. zud. 2104 . to be presumptuous. Transliteration: zud Phonetic
Spelling: (zood) Short Definition: arrogantly. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/2103.htm - 6k

Library

Presumptuous Sins
... Presumptuous Sins. A Sermon (No.135). ... CH SPURGEON. at the Music Hall, Royal Surrey
Gardens. "Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins.""Psalm 19:13. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/presumptuous sins.htm

A Caution to the Presumptuous
... A Caution to the Presumptuous. A Sermon ... 1. My first business shall be to FIND OUT
THE CHARACTER intended by the presumptuous man, the man who thinks he stands. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/a caution to the presumptuous.htm

It is Rather Presumptuous, when You are not Your Own Master...
... Book I. 12 It is rather presumptuous, when you are not your own master?
It is rather presumptuous, when you are not your own master ...
/.../12 it is rather presumptuous.htm

These are what are Called Presumptuous Speculations in Our Case ...
... Chapter XLIX. These are what are called presumptuous speculations in our case
alone? These are what are called presumptuous speculations ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/apology/chapter xlix these are what.htm

How These Young Presumptuous Disciples Misunderstand this Other ...
... HERE BEGINNETH THE SEVEN AND FIFTIETH CHAPTER How these young presumptuous disciples
misunderstand this other word "up"; and of the deceits that follow thereon ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the seven and 4.htm

How These Young Presumptuous Disciples Misunderstand this Word "In ...
... HERE BEGINNETH THE TWO AND FIFTIETH CHAPTER How these young presumptuous disciples
misunderstand this word "in," and of the deceits that follow thereon. ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the two and 4.htm

If any one Shall, from a Presumptuous Disposition, Condemn and ...
... Canon XX. If any one shall, from a presumptuous disposition, condemn and
abhor the assemblies in honour.? If any one shall, from ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xx if any one.htm

Whether Presumption is Opposed to Magnanimity by Excess?
... things. But a man is said to be presumptuous even if he deem himself worthy
of small things, if they surpass his ability. Therefore ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether presumption is opposed to.htm

Whether Presumption is a Sin
... excuses sin, since the Master says (2 Sent., Dist.22): "Adam sinned the less, because
he sinned in the hope of pardon," which would seem to be presumptuous. ...
/.../aquinas/nature and grace/article two whether presumption is.htm

Whether Presumption is a Sin?
... Thus too it would be sinful and presumptuous for a man while in a state of imperfect
virtue to attempt the immediate accomplishment of what belongs to perfect ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether presumption is a sin 2.htm

Thesaurus
Presumptuous (3 Occurrences)
... too many assumptions; overconfident or venturesome; audacious; rash; taking liberties
unduly; arrogant; insolent; as, a presumptuous commander; presumptuous...
/p/presumptuous.htm - 9k

Presumptuously (10 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (adv.) In a presumptuous manner; arrogantly. Int. Standard
Bible Encyclopedia. PRESUME; PRESUMPTUOUS; PRESUMPTUOUSLY. ...
/p/presumptuously.htm - 11k

Presume (10 Occurrences)
... before the ground of confidence. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. PRESUME;
PRESUMPTUOUS; PRESUMPTUOUSLY. pre-zum', pre-zump'-tu-us ...
/p/presume.htm - 11k

Presumption (5 Occurrences)

/p/presumption.htm - 9k

Overweening (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Unduly confident; arrogant; presumptuous;
conceited. 2. (n.) Conceit; arrogance. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/o/overweening.htm - 7k

Goel
... In both cases the murderer could find refuge at the altar of the sanctuary; if,
however, the investigation revealed presumptuous manslaughter, he was taken ...
/g/goel.htm - 11k

Indulge (12 Occurrences)
... 2 Peter 2:10 and chiefly those going behind the flesh in desire of uncleanness,
and lordship despising; presumptuous, self-complacent, dignities they are not ...
/i/indulge.htm - 10k

Insolent (16 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Presumptuous; insulting; haughty, contemptuous or brutal in behavior or
language; overbearing; domineering; grossly rude or disrespectful; saucy; as ...
/i/insolent.htm - 11k

Faultless (10 Occurrences)
... Psalms 19:13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous'sins; Let them not have
dominion over me: Then shall I be upright, And I shall be clear from great ...
/f/faultless.htm - 9k

Rebelled (61 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 1:43 So I spoke to you, and you didn't listen; but you rebelled against
the commandment of Yahweh, and were presumptuous, and went up into the hill ...
/r/rebelled.htm - 25k

Resources
What are presumptuous sins? | GotQuestions.org

Is "what would Jesus do?" (WWJD) something we should seek to live by? | GotQuestions.org

In regards to forgiveness, is there a difference between willful sin and ignorant sin? | GotQuestions.org

Presumptuous: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Presumptuous (3 Occurrences)

Deuteronomy 1:43
So I spoke to you, and you didn't listen; but you rebelled against the commandment of Yahweh, and were presumptuous, and went up into the hill country.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)

Psalms 19:13
Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins. Let them not have dominion over me. Then I will be upright. I will be blameless and innocent of great transgression.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Habakkuk 2:4
Lo, a presumptuous one! Not upright is his soul within him, And the righteous by his stedfastness liveth.
(YLT)

Subtopics

Presumptuous

Related Terms

Presumptuous (3 Occurrences)

Speaks (109 Occurrences)

Kills (38 Occurrences)

Obeying (24 Occurrences)

Willfully (3 Occurrences)

Followeth (18 Occurrences)

Treacherously (42 Occurrences)

Reproacheth (12 Occurrences)

Exterminate (8 Occurrences)

Deliberately (4 Occurrences)

Presume (10 Occurrences)

Proclaims (6 Occurrences)

Presumes (1 Occurrence)

Presumptuousness (1 Occurrence)

Craftily (7 Occurrences)

Contemptuous (2 Occurrences)

Schemes (25 Occurrences)

Guile (21 Occurrences)

Contempt (55 Occurrences)

Acted (98 Occurrences)

Standeth (111 Occurrences)

Neighbour (139 Occurrences)

Ascended (48 Occurrences)

Listening (47 Occurrences)

Purge (35 Occurrences)

Ministering (63 Occurrences)

Neighbor (123 Occurrences)

Stands (111 Occurrences)

Slay (189 Occurrences)

Prophet (315 Occurrences)

Remove (173 Occurrences)

Hearkening (27 Occurrences)

Act (204 Occurrences)

Minister (150 Occurrences)

Stranger (152 Occurrences)

Gods (310 Occurrences)

Hearken (253 Occurrences)

Altar (343 Occurrences)

Acts (271 Occurrences)

Presumption: Uzziah
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