Topical Encyclopedia 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; PRESUMPTUOUSLYpre-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." 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 Library Presumptuous Sins A Caution to the Presumptuous It is Rather Presumptuous, when You are not Your Own Master... These are what are Called Presumptuous Speculations in Our Case ... How These Young Presumptuous Disciples Misunderstand this Other ... How These Young Presumptuous Disciples Misunderstand this Word "In ... If any one Shall, from a Presumptuous Disposition, Condemn and ... Whether Presumption is Opposed to Magnanimity by Excess? Whether Presumption is a Sin Whether Presumption is a Sin? 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) Presume (10 Occurrences) Presumption (5 Occurrences) Overweening (3 Occurrences) Goel Indulge (12 Occurrences) Insolent (16 Occurrences) Faultless (10 Occurrences) Rebelled (61 Occurrences) Resources What are presumptuous sins? | GotQuestions.orgIs "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 Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Presumptuous (3 Occurrences)Deuteronomy 1:43 Psalms 19:13 Habakkuk 2:4 Subtopics Related Terms Treacherously (42 Occurrences) |