Lexical Summary shimtsah: Reproach, disgrace, shame Original Word: שִׁמְצָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance shame Feminine of shemets; scornful whispering (of hostile spectators) -- shame. see HEBREW shemets NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as shemets Definition whisper, derision NASB Translation derision (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs שִׁמְצָה noun feminine (derisive) whisper, derision; — ׳שׁ Exodus 32:25 (J). Topical Lexicon Occurrence and Meaning The term appears once in the Hebrew Scriptures, at Exodus 32:25, describing the public disgrace that fell on Israel when the people abandoned fidelity to the LORD and worshiped the golden calf. It conveys the idea of becoming an object of scorn, ridicule, or infamy in the eyes of on-lookers. Historical Context: The Golden Calf Incident After the Exodus, while Moses was on Sinai receiving the covenant code, Aaron yielded to popular pressure, fashioned the golden calf, and permitted unrestrained revelry. Scripture records, “Moses saw that the people were out of control—for Aaron had let them run wild, making them a laughingstock to their enemies” (Exodus 32:25). In the very hour Israel was meant to be set apart as a kingdom of priests (Exodus 19:6), the nation became a spectacle of shame. The word underscores the gravity of the breach: idolatry does not merely corrupt private devotion; it drags the covenant community into open humiliation before watching nations. Shame Before the Nations Throughout the Old Testament, Israel’s calling was to display the holiness of the LORD to the surrounding peoples (Deuteronomy 4:6–8; Isaiah 43:10). When they turned to idols, the opposite occurred: “I will make you a horror and an object of scorn among the nations” (Ezekiel 5:15). The one occurrence of שִׁמְצָה crystallizes this principle—disobedience transforms the people of God into a cautionary tale instead of a light to the Gentiles. Leadership Accountability Aaron’s failure illustrates that spiritual leaders who compromise truth expose those under their care to disgrace. Moses confronts Aaron (Exodus 32:21) and then takes decisive action (Exodus 32:26–28), teaching that godly leadership must restrain sin rather than enable it. In pastoral ministry, tolerating sin for the sake of popularity invites the same public reproach upon the church (1 Timothy 5:20). Relation to Holiness and Modesty The narrative links public nakedness with spiritual nakedness. Scripture repeatedly joins idolatry and moral impurity (Leviticus 18:24–30; Hosea 4:12–14). Exodus 32:25 demonstrates that when God’s people cast off His commandments, external immodesty often mirrors inner rebellion. The New Testament urges believers to “clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 13:14), reversing the shame of spiritual exposure. Prophetic Echoes Later prophets draw on the same theme. Jeremiah warns, “Your wickedness will chasten you, and your apostasy will reprove you. Know and see that it is evil and bitter for you to forsake the LORD your God” (Jeremiah 2:19). Ezekiel portrays Jerusalem’s idolatry as uncovering nakedness before the nations (Ezekiel 16:36–37). Such passages reflect the enduring relevance of שִׁמְצָה: apostasy leads to public reproach. New Testament Fulfillment Christ bore the ultimate shame on the cross, “despising the shame” (Hebrews 12:2), so that believers might be freed from disgrace and clothed in righteousness (Revelation 3:18). The church is exhorted to live “so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander” (1 Peter 3:16). Thus, the disgrace once brought on by idolatry is overcome in the gospel, yet the warning remains—compromise still forfeits witness. Ministry Application 1. Guard corporate worship from syncretism; purity of devotion protects the congregation from ridicule. Doctrinal Insight שִׁמְצָה highlights a biblical pattern: God’s people either magnify His name or dishonor it before the world. Redemption in Christ restores honor, yet the call to holiness persists. The single Old Testament occurrence therefore stands as a perpetual reminder that covenant infidelity invites public shame, whereas obedience glorifies the LORD and blesses the nations. Forms and Transliterations לְשִׁמְצָ֖ה לשמצה lə·šim·ṣāh leshimTzah ləšimṣāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 32:25 HEB: פְרָעֹ֣ה אַהֲרֹ֔ן לְשִׁמְצָ֖ה בְּקָמֵיהֶֽם׃ NAS: had let them get out of control to be a derision among their enemies-- KJV: had made them naked unto [their] shame among their enemies:) INT: get Aaron derision their enemies 1 Occurrence |
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