The term "upbraid" in the biblical context refers to the act of reproaching, scolding, or criticizing someone, often with the intent of expressing disapproval or disappointment. This concept is found in several passages throughout the Bible, where it is used to describe both human interactions and divine responses to human actions.

Biblical Usage:

1. Divine Upbraiding:
In the New Testament, the concept of upbraiding is notably present in the actions of Jesus Christ. In Mark 16:14 , after His resurrection, Jesus appears to the eleven disciples and "upbraided them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen." Here, Jesus reproaches His disciples for their lack of faith and their skepticism regarding His resurrection, despite the testimony of witnesses.

2. Human Upbraiding:
The act of upbraiding is also seen in human interactions. In the Old Testament, Job's friends upbraid him, believing that his suffering must be a result of sin. Job 19:3 states, "These ten times you have reproached me; you are not ashamed to wrong me." Job feels unjustly criticized by his friends, who fail to understand the true nature of his trials.

3. Wisdom Literature:
The Book of Proverbs often addresses the theme of correction and reproof, which can be related to upbraiding. Proverbs 9:8 advises, "Do not rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you." This highlights the importance of the recipient's attitude towards correction, suggesting that a wise person values constructive criticism.

Theological Implications:

The act of upbraiding, especially when done by God or Christ, serves as a tool for correction and spiritual growth. It is not merely an expression of anger or disappointment but is intended to lead individuals towards repentance and a deeper understanding of faith. In the case of Jesus upbraiding His disciples, it underscores the importance of faith and belief in the testimony of His resurrection, which is central to Christian doctrine.

Practical Application:

For believers, the concept of upbraiding can serve as a reminder of the importance of accepting correction with humility and a willingness to learn. It also emphasizes the need for discernment when offering criticism to others, ensuring that it is done with love and the intention of edification rather than condemnation.

In summary, the biblical concept of upbraiding involves a call to accountability, whether it is God correcting His people or individuals addressing one another. It is a reminder of the need for faith, humility, and the pursuit of righteousness in the Christian life.1. (v. t.) To charge with something wrong or disgraceful; to reproach; to cast something in the teeth of; -- followed by with or for, and formerly of, before the thing imputed.

2. (v. t.) To reprove severely; to rebuke; to chide.

3. (v. t.) To treat with contempt.

4. (v. t.) To object or urge as a matter of reproach; to cast up; -- with to before the person.

5. (v. i.) To utter upbraidings.

6. (n.) The act of reproaching; contumely.

3679. oneidizo -- to reproach
... to reproach. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: oneidizo Phonetic Spelling:
(on-i-did'-zo) Short Definition: I reproach, revile, upbraid Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3679.htm - 7k

1969. epiplesso -- to strike at, to rebuke (with words)
... rebuke. From epi and plesso; to chastise, ie (with words) to upbraid -- rebuke.
see GREEK epi. see GREEK plesso. (epiplexes) -- 1 Occurrence. 1968, 1969. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1969.htm - 7k

2778. charaph. -- to reproach
... 2778a . to reproach. Transliteration: charaph. Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-raf')
Short Definition: betroth. betroth, blaspheme, defy, rail, reproach, upbraid ...
/hebrew/2778.htm - 5k

8156. shasa -- to divide, cleave
... cleave, be cloven footed, rend, stay. A primitive root; to split or tear; figuratively,
to upbraid -- cleave, (be) cloven ((footed)), rend, stay. 8155, 8156. ...
/hebrew/8156.htm - 6k

Of the Occasion on which He Upbraided the Cities Because they ...
... Thereafter Matthew goes on as follows: "Then began He to upbraid the cities wherein
most of His mighty works were done, because they repented not;" and so on ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter xxxii of the occasion on.htm

Unbelievers Upbraided
... As our loving Saviour felt it to be right rather to upbraid than to console, he
taught us that on some occasions, unbelief should be treated with severity ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 50 1904/unbelievers upbraided.htm

Sodom, Capernaum, Manchester
... SODOM, CAPERNAUM, MANCHESTER. 'Then began He to upbraid the cities wherein most
of His mighty works were done, because they repented not.' "Matthew 11:20. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/sodom capernaum manchester.htm

The Fifth Season,
... May not God upbraid thee with thine unreasonable infidelity, as in Jer.2: 31, "
Have I been a wilderness unto you?" or as Christ said to his disciples, "Since ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/v the fifth season.htm

Ephesians v. 22-24
... woman? Yea, though thou shouldest suffer anything on her account, do not
upbraid her; for neither did Christ do this. Ver.26. "And ...
/.../homily xx ephesians v 22-24.htm

Gathering the Fragments.
... the Gospel. And now nothing remains of those good resolutions except the
broken fragments to witness against us and upbraid us. As ...
/.../sermon lx gathering the fragments.htm

Ephesians iv. 3-Jan
... Now then if there be love, there will be no "revealing of secrets," neither any
"upbraiding." For who, tell me, would ever upbraid his own soul? ...
/.../homily ix ephesians iv 3-jan.htm

Pythagoras Taught, Accordingly, that He had Himself Been ...
... a license like yours, or rather fury and madness, to keep up things false and true
alike, till I was ashamed to speak and you to hear: and to upbraid you in ...
/.../40 pythagoras taught accordingly that.htm

Matt. x. 7, 8, 9
... 6. Then He proceeds to upbraid the cities now that wisdom hath been justified;
now that He hath shown all to be fully performed. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xxxvii matt x 7.htm

Go in Peace
... And when the precious ointment was poured in lavish abundance upon those precious
feet of his, he did not upbraid her, he did not refuse her gifts, but tacitly ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 48 1902/go in peace.htm

Upbraid (2 Occurrences)
... 5. (vi) To utter upbraidings. 6. (n.) The act of reproaching; contumely.
Multi-Version Concordance Upbraid (2 Occurrences). Matthew ...
/u/upbraid.htm - 7k

Up (25836 Occurrences)

/u/up.htm - 9k

Upbraided (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Upbraid. Multi-Version Concordance
Upbraided (4 Occurrences). Mark 16:14 Afterward he appeared ...
/u/upbraided.htm - 7k

Wherein (208 Occurrences)
... Wherein (208 Occurrences). Matthew 11:20 Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein
most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: (KJV ASV). ...
/w/wherein.htm - 38k

Taunt (38 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Very high or tall; as, a ship with taunt masts. 2. (vt) To reproach with
severe or insulting words; to revile; to upbraid; to jeer at; to flout. ...
/t/taunt.htm - 18k

Towns (450 Occurrences)
... (WEY BBE NIV). Matthew 11:20 Then began He to upbraid the towns where most of His
mighty works had been done--because they had not repented. (WEY BBE). ...
/t/towns.htm - 36k

Reproach (124 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To attribute blame to; to allege something disgraceful against; to charge
with a fault; to censure severely or contemptuously; to upbraid. ...
/r/reproach.htm - 37k

Repented (49 Occurrences)
... Matthew 11:20 Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works
were done, because they repented not: (KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS). ...
/r/repented.htm - 22k

Disgrace (73 Occurrences)
... estimation. 7. (n.) To treat discourteously; to upbraid; to revile.
Multi-Version Concordance Disgrace (73 Occurrences). Matthew ...
/d/disgrace.htm - 27k

Adultery (49 Occurrences)
... The prophets and teachers in Israel repeatedly upbraid the men and women of their
generations for their looseness in morals which did not shrink from ...
/a/adultery.htm - 32k

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