Definition and Etymology:
Blasphemy, derived from the Greek word "blasphēmia," refers to the act of speaking sacrilegiously about God or sacred things. It involves showing contempt or lack of reverence for God, and it can manifest through speech, actions, or attitudes that insult or demean the divine.

Biblical References and Context:
Blasphemy is addressed in both the Old and New Testaments, highlighting its seriousness as an offense against God. In the Old Testament, blasphemy is explicitly condemned and is considered a capital offense. Leviticus 24:16 states, "Whoever blasphemes the name of the LORD must surely be put to death. The whole congregation must stone him. Whether he is a foreign resident or a native, if he blasphemes the Name, he must be put to death."

In the New Testament, blasphemy continues to be a grave sin. Jesus addresses the issue of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which He describes as an unforgivable sin. In Matthew 12:31-32 , Jesus says, "Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the one to come."

Examples of Blasphemy in Scripture:
1. Old Testament: The account of Naboth's vineyard in 1 Kings 21 illustrates the misuse of blasphemy accusations. Jezebel orchestrates false charges of blasphemy against Naboth to seize his vineyard, demonstrating how the charge of blasphemy could be manipulated for personal gain.

2. New Testament: Jesus Himself was accused of blasphemy by the religious leaders of His time. In Mark 14:61-64 , during His trial, the high priest asks Jesus if He is the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One. Jesus affirms, "I am," leading the high priest to accuse Him of blasphemy, tearing his clothes and declaring, "Why do we need any more witnesses? You have heard the blasphemy."

Theological Implications:
Blasphemy is not merely a verbal offense but reflects a heart posture that is irreverent and rebellious against God. It is a sin that reveals a deeper spiritual condition of unbelief or defiance. The unforgivable nature of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, as mentioned by Jesus, has been interpreted as a persistent and unrepentant rejection of the Spirit's work and testimony about Christ.

Contemporary Considerations:
In modern Christian thought, blasphemy remains a serious concern, particularly in how individuals speak about God and the sacred. It calls for a reverence and respect for the divine, urging believers to be mindful of their words and actions. The charge of blasphemy also serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding the holiness and majesty of God in a world that often trivializes the sacred.987. blasphemeo -- to slander, hence to speak lightly or profanely ...
... lightly or profanely of sacred things NASB Word Usage be spoken of as evil (1),
blaspheme (4), blasphemed (6), blasphemers (1), blasphemes (3), blaspheming (4 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/987.htm - 9k5344b. naqab -- to curse
... naqab. 5345 . to curse. Transliteration: naqab Short Definition: blasphemes. Word
Origin a prim. root Definition to curse NASB Word Usage blasphemes (2). ...
/hebrew/5344b.htm - 5k

Macedonius, after his Rejection from his See, Blasphemes against ...
... Chapter XXVII."Macedonius, after his Rejection from his See, blasphemes against
the Holy Spirit; Propagation of his Heresy through the Instrumentality of ...
/.../chapter xxvii macedonius after his rejection.htm

Their Dangerous Errors.
... [1004] For what does any one profit me, if he commends me, but blasphemes my
Lord, not confessing that He was [truly] possessed of a body? ...
/.../the epistle of ignatius to the smyrnaeans/chapter v their dangerous errors.htm

Of Lies are Many Sorts, which Indeed All...
... for this the Priscillianist saith, also believing it so: but the catholic not so
believing, though so speaking." The one, then, blasphemes without knowing, the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/against lying/section 4 of lies are.htm

Epistle Lxxii. To Jubaianus, Concerning the Baptism of Heretics.
... Unless while one who denies Christ is denied by Christ, he who denies His Father
whom Christ Himself confessed is not denied; and he who blasphemes against Him ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle lxxii to jubaianus concerning.htm

Testimonies of the Ancients against Eusebius.
... So also, in writing to the bishop Euphration, he blasphemes most openly; his letter
begins thus: I return to my Lord all thanks'; and farther on: For we do not ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/testimonies of the ancients against.htm

Against the Sabellians.
... For he blasphemes in saying that the Son Himself is the Father, and vice versa;
but these in a certain manner announce three gods, in that they divide the holy ...
/.../dionysius/against the sabellians/against the sabellians.htm

Fragment iii.
... from God and for all who, without repentance, persevere in apostasy, then, by means
of a man of this sort, he, as if already condemned, blasphemes that God who ...
/.../justin/fragments from the lost writings of justin/fragment iii.htm

Concerning Common and Distinctive Theology, and what is the Divine ...
... And verily as we have mentioned in the Theological Outlines, if any one should say
that this is not spoken concerning the whole Deity, he blasphemes, and dares ...
/.../dionysius/dionysis on divine names/caput ii concerning common and.htm

A Fuller Account of the Errors of Photinus, Apollinaris and ...
... with the Church as to the unity of the Trinity, though not this even with entire
soundness of belief, [466] as to the Incarnation of the Lord, blasphemes openly ...
/.../vincent/the commonitory of vincent of lerins/chapter xii a fuller account.htm

On Prayer
... body. "Hearts," because the mere lifting up of the mind would not be prayer.
One who blasphemes Him might also lift up his mind. We ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 28 on prayer.htm

Blasphemes (6 Occurrences)
...Blasphemes (6 Occurrences). Matthew 9:3 Behold, some of the scribes said to
themselves, "This man blasphemes." (WEB DBY NAS). ... he blasphemes. ...
/b/blasphemes.htm - 8k

Native-born (16 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 24:16 He who blasphemes the name of Yahweh, he shall surely be put to
death; all the congregation shall certainly stone him: the foreigner as well as ...
/n/native-born.htm - 11k

Native (35 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 24:16 He who blasphemes the name of Yahweh, he shall surely be put to
death; all the congregation shall certainly stone him: the foreigner as well as ...
/n/native.htm - 19k

Foreigner (99 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 24:16 He who blasphemes the name of Yahweh, he shall surely be put to
death; all the congregation shall certainly stone him: the foreigner as well as ...
/f/foreigner.htm - 41k

Alien (102 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 24:16 He who blasphemes the name of Yahweh, he shall surely be put to
death; all the congregation shall certainly stone him: the foreigner as well as ...
/a/alien.htm - 39k

Entire (119 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 24:16 He who blasphemes the name of Yahweh, he shall surely be put to
death; all the congregation shall certainly stone him: the foreigner as well as ...
/e/entire.htm - 36k

Unabsolved (1 Occurrence)
... Unabsolved (1 Occurrence). Mark 3:29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit,
he remains for ever unabsolved: he is guilty of a sin of the Ages." (WEY). ...
/u/unabsolved.htm - 6k

Obtain (63 Occurrences)
... Luke 12:10 "Moreover every one who shall speak against the Son of Man, may obtain
forgiveness; but he who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will never obtain ...
/o/obtain.htm - 24k

Themselves (911 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Matthew 9:3 Behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man
blasphemes." (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/t/themselves.htm - 35k

Remains (118 Occurrences)
... Remains (118 Occurrences). Mark 3:29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit,
he remains for ever unabsolved: he is guilty of a sin of the Ages." (WEY). ...
/r/remains.htm - 34k

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