The term "rebuketh" is an archaic form of the verb "rebuke," which means to express sharp disapproval or criticism of someone because of their behavior or actions. In the context of the Bible, rebuke is often used to describe the act of correcting or admonishing someone in order to bring them back to righteousness or to prevent them from sinning further. The concept of rebuke is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, serving as a tool for maintaining moral and spiritual order within the community of believers.

Biblical Usage and Context

1. Divine Rebuke: Throughout the Scriptures, God Himself is depicted as one who rebukes His people. This divine rebuke is often a response to sin, idolatry, or disobedience. For instance, in Psalm 106:9 , it is written, "He rebuked the Red Sea, and it dried up; He led them through the depths as through a desert." Here, God's rebuke is an act of power and deliverance, demonstrating His authority over creation.

2. Prophetic Rebuke: Prophets in the Old Testament frequently delivered rebukes to the people of Israel. These rebukes were calls to repentance and warnings of impending judgment if the people did not turn from their sinful ways. An example can be found in Isaiah 66:15-16 , where the prophet warns of the Lord's coming judgment: "For behold, the LORD will come with fire—His chariots are like a whirlwind—to execute His anger with fury and His rebuke with flames of fire."

3. Jesus' Rebuke: In the New Testament, Jesus Christ Himself often rebuked both His disciples and the religious leaders of His time. His rebukes were aimed at correcting misunderstandings, hypocrisy, and lack of faith. In Mark 8:33 , Jesus rebukes Peter: "But Jesus, turning and looking at His disciples, rebuked Peter and said, 'Get behind Me, Satan! For you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.'"

4. Apostolic Rebuke: The apostles also practiced rebuke as part of their ministry. The Apostle Paul, for example, rebuked the Corinthian church for their divisions and immoral behavior. In 1 Corinthians 5:3-5 , Paul writes, "Although I am absent in body, I am present in spirit. And I have already pronounced judgment on the one who has done this, just as if I were present."

Purpose and Importance

Rebuke in the biblical sense is not merely punitive but is intended for correction and restoration. It is an expression of love and concern for the spiritual well-being of the individual or community. Proverbs 27:5 states, "Better an open rebuke than love that is concealed." This highlights the value of honest correction over hidden affection, emphasizing that true love sometimes requires difficult conversations.

Guidelines for Rebuke

The Bible provides guidance on how rebuke should be administered. It should be done with gentleness and humility, aiming for the restoration of the individual. Galatians 6:1 advises, "Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted."

Conclusion

While the act of rebuking can be challenging, it is a necessary aspect of maintaining the integrity and purity of the faith community. It serves as a means of upholding God's standards and encouraging believers to live lives that reflect His holiness and righteousness.

On the Same Words of the Gospel, John xiv. 6, "I am the Way," Etc.
... and saith, "Turn ye unto Me, and I will turn unto you." [4209] For God doth not
really turn away, and turn again; Abiding the Same He rebuketh, Unchangeable He ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xcii on the same.htm

How Shall the Soul Make Use of Christ, as the Life, which is under ...
... 5. And thereby also rebuketh those mistakes of God, and prejudices at him and
his ways, which Satan hath wrought there, through corruption. ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter xxiv how shall the.htm

John x. 22-24
... c. vi.30.) When then they who had not been persuaded by such great works, pretended
that they should be persuaded by a bare word, He rebuketh their wickedness ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily lxi john x 22-24.htm

John iv. 40-43
... Therefore He rebuketh the state of mind with which he had come to Him, and spoken
as he did, (thus too He the more drew him on to belief,) because that before ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxxv john iv 40-43.htm

Nahum's Doom of Nineveh
... He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry, and drieth up all the rivers: Bashan
languisheth, and Carmel, and the flower of Lebanon languisheth. ...
/.../select masterpieces of biblical literature/xi nahums doom of nineveh.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, "When Jesus had Finished These Sayings ...
... Spirit. He teacheth, now on a mountain; now He discourseth on a plain; now
He passeth over into a ship; now He rebuketh the surges. ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xxxvii on the words.htm

2 Cor. vi. 11, 12
... For if even from his own good deeds he that rebuketh be entitled to reverence; yet
still, when he also displayeth the love, which he bears towards those who ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xiii 2 cor vi.htm

2 Cor. I. 23
... which they committed." (2 Corinthians 12:20, 21.) This therefore here also he intimates,
and he saith it indeed as in his own defence; yet rebuketh [527] them ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily iv 2 cor i.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Luke xii. 56, 58, "Ye Know How to ...
... like manner too John the Baptist and His forerunner began thus; "Repent ye, for
the kingdom of heaven is at hand." [3432] And now the Lord rebuketh those who ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lix on the words.htm

The Sins of Society
... the fortress.10. They hate him that rebuketh in the gate, and they abhor
him that speaketh uprightly.11. Forasmuch therefore as ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the sins of society.htm

Rebuketh (5 Occurrences)
...Rebuketh (5 Occurrences). Psalms 106:9 And rebuketh the sea of Suph, and it is dried
up, And causeth them to go Through depths as a wilderness. (YLT). ...
/r/rebuketh.htm - 7k

Rebukes (13 Occurrences)
... (WEB). Proverbs 9:7 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and
he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. (See NIV). ...
/r/rebukes.htm - 10k

Rebuking (9 Occurrences)

/r/rebuking.htm - 9k

Languisheth (10 Occurrences)
... Nahum 1:4 He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry, and drieth up all the rivers:
Bashan languisheth, and Carmel, and the flower of Lebanon languisheth. ...
/l/languisheth.htm - 9k

Getteth (11 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV DBY WBS). Proverbs 9:7 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself
shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. ...
/g/getteth.htm - 9k

Flattering (11 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Proverbs 28:23 He that rebuketh a man
shall in the end find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue. ...
/f/flattering.htm - 9k

Flattereth (6 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS). Proverbs 28:23 He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour
than he that flattereth with the tongue. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). ...
/f/flattereth.htm - 7k

Reproveth (10 Occurrences)
... (ASV YLT). Proverbs 9:7 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and
he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). ...
/r/reproveth.htm - 9k

Drieth (6 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Nahum 1:4 He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry, and drieth up all the rivers:
Bashan languisheth, and Carmel, and the flower of Lebanon languisheth. ...
/d/drieth.htm - 8k

Suph (9 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Psalms 106:9 And rebuketh the sea of Suph, and it is dried up, And
causeth them to go Through depths as a wilderness. (YLT). ...
/s/suph.htm - 10k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus