Topical Encyclopedia The term "vile" in the Bible is often used to describe actions, behaviors, or characteristics that are morally reprehensible, detestable, or abominable in the sight of God. It is associated with sinfulness, corruption, and moral degradation. The concept of vileness is significant in understanding the nature of sin and the holiness of God, as it contrasts the purity and righteousness that God desires from His people.Old Testament Usage In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "vile" is "נָבָל" (nabal), which can mean foolish or contemptible. This term is used to describe actions that are not only foolish but also morally corrupt. For example, in Psalm 14:1 , it is written, "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.' They are corrupt; their acts are vile. There is no one who does good." Here, the vileness is associated with a denial of God and a life of corruption. Another Hebrew word, "זָמָה" (zamah), is used in contexts of lewdness or wickedness, often in relation to sexual immorality or idolatry. In Ezekiel 16:27 , God speaks of the Israelites' unfaithfulness, saying, "Behold, therefore, I stretched out My hand against you and reduced your portion. I gave you over to the greed of your enemies, the daughters of the Philistines, who were ashamed of your lewd conduct." New Testament Usage In the New Testament, the Greek word "φαῦλος" (phaulos) is often translated as "vile" or "worthless." It denotes actions that are morally bad or evil. In Romans 1:26 , the Apostle Paul describes the consequences of humanity's rejection of God: "For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones." The passage goes on to describe various vile behaviors that result from turning away from God. The concept of vileness is also evident in the description of the human heart and its capacity for evil. In Mark 7:21-23 , Jesus says, "For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness. All these evils come from within, and these are what defile a man." Theological Implications The vileness of sin is a central theme in the Bible, highlighting the need for redemption and the transformative power of God's grace. The Bible teaches that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), and that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). However, through faith in Jesus Christ, believers are cleansed from their sins and made righteous before God. The call to holiness is a response to the vileness of sin. Believers are urged to live lives that reflect the holiness of God, as seen in 1 Peter 1:15-16 : "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" This call to holiness is a rejection of all that is vile and an embrace of the righteousness that comes through Christ. Practical Application Understanding the concept of vileness in the Bible encourages believers to examine their own lives and to seek God's help in overcoming sin. It serves as a reminder of the seriousness of sin and the importance of living a life that honors God. Through prayer, repentance, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Christians are empowered to turn away from vile behaviors and to pursue a life of holiness and righteousness. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (superl.) Low; base; worthless; mean; despicable.2. (superl.) Morally base or impure; depraved by sin; hateful; in the sight of God and men; sinful; wicked; bad. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia VILE, VILLANYvil, vil'-an-i: The original words for "vile" and "villany" are used in about 10 different senses, e.g. despised (1 Samuel 15:9), despicable (Daniel 11:21 the King James Version), lightly esteemed (Deuteronomy 25:3), empty (Judges 19:24 the King James Version), foolish (Isaiah 32:6, the King James Version and the English Revised Version), dishonorable (Romans 1:26), filthy or dirty (James 2:2), humiliation (Philippians 3:21). Greek 4508. rhuparos -- filthy ... vile. From rhupos; dirty, ie (relatively) cheap or shabby; morally, wicked -- vile. see GREEK rhupos. (rupara) -- 1 Occurrence. (ruparos) -- 1 Occurrence. ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4508.htm - 6k 819. atimia -- dishonor 5113. tolmetes -- a bold, daring man 955. Beliar -- "lord of the forest," Beliar, a name of Satan 148. aischrologia -- abusive language 5014. tapeinosis -- low estate, humiliation 1890. epaphrizo -- to foam up 579. apobletos -- to be thrown away, ie rejected Strong's Hebrew 5240. nemibzah -- vile... 5239, 5240. nemibzah. 5241 . vile. Transliteration: nemibzah Phonetic Spelling: (nem-ib-zeh') Short Definition: vile. ... vile From bazah, despised -- vile. ... /hebrew/5240.htm - 5k 2933. tamah -- to be stopped up, stupid 7043. qalal -- to be slight, swift or trifling 7034. qalah -- to be lightly esteemed or dishonored 5039. nebalah -- senselessness, disgrace 959. bazah -- to despise 5036. nabal -- foolish, senseless 8182. shoar -- horrid, disgusting 2151. zalal -- to shake 5034. nabel -- to be senseless or foolish Library Vile Ingratitude! The Vile Person Separating the Precious from the Vile Behold I am Vile! How Vile are They The Vile Calumny About Onocoetes Retorted on the Heathen by ... Vile Transformation of Jupiter. Things Apparently Useless and Vile Made by God. Twenty-Third Sunday after Trinity. For Our Conversation is in ... Of the Third Consideration of the Sacred Holy Stigmata Thesaurus Vile (59 Occurrences)... 2. (superl.) Morally base or impure; depraved by sin; hateful; in the sight of God and men; sinful; wicked; bad. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. VILE, VILLANY ... /v/vile.htm - 26k Villany (4 Occurrences) Contemptible (14 Occurrences) Gazing-stock (2 Occurrences) Gazingstock (2 Occurrences) Personality Affection (30 Occurrences) Passions (26 Occurrences) Folly (68 Occurrences) Fool (95 Occurrences) Resources What is the Queen James Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible mean when it says, “The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God'”? | GotQuestions.org Is it wrong for a Christian to have a sexual fantasy? | GotQuestions.org Vile: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Vile (59 Occurrences)Romans 1:26 Philippians 3:21 Colossians 3:5 Colossians 3:8 James 1:21 James 2:2 James 3:16 Revelation 21:8 Revelation 22:11 Genesis 34:7 Leviticus 19:7 Deuteronomy 25:3 Deuteronomy 32:21 Judges 19:23 Judges 19:24 1 Samuel 3:13 1 Samuel 15:9 2 Samuel 6:22 2 Kings 2:24 2 Kings 23:13 Nehemiah 13:25 Esther 7:6 Job 15:16 Job 18:3 Job 34:18 Job 40:4 Psalms 12:8 Psalms 14:1 Psalms 15:4 Psalms 53:1 Psalms 101:3 Proverbs 17:7 Proverbs 17:21 Proverbs 21:8 Isaiah 32:5 Isaiah 32:6 Jeremiah 2:36 Jeremiah 3:2 Jeremiah 11:15 Jeremiah 15:19 Jeremiah 16:18 Jeremiah 29:17 Jeremiah 29:23 Lamentations 1:11 Ezekiel 5:11 Ezekiel 7:20 Ezekiel 8:9 Ezekiel 11:18 Ezekiel 11:21 Ezekiel 13:3 Ezekiel 16:52 Ezekiel 20:7 Ezekiel 20:8 Ezekiel 20:30 Ezekiel 37:23 Daniel 11:21 Hosea 9:10 Nahum 1:14 Nahum 3:6 Subtopics Related Terms |