The term "contemneth" is an archaic English word derived from the verb "contemn," which means to treat or regard with disdain, scorn, or contempt. In the context of the Bible, it is used to describe an attitude of disrespect or disregard towards God, His commandments, or His people. This attitude is often associated with pride, rebellion, and a hardened heart.

Biblical Usage:

The word "contemneth" appears in several passages throughout the Bible, often highlighting the sinful nature of those who reject divine authority and wisdom. In the Berean Standard Bible , the term is used to convey the seriousness of such an attitude.

1. Proverbs 14:2 : "He who walks in uprightness fears the LORD, but the one who is devious in his ways despises Him." Here, the contrast is drawn between the righteous, who revere God, and those who "despise" or contemn Him through their deceitful actions.

2. Psalm 10:13 : "Why has the wicked man renounced God? He says to himself, 'You will never call me to account.'" This verse illustrates the mindset of the wicked who contemn God by denying His justice and authority, believing they will escape accountability.

3. Proverbs 13:13 : "He who despises instruction will pay the penalty, but the one who respects a command will be rewarded." This proverb warns of the consequences of contemning divine instruction, emphasizing the blessings of obedience.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, contemning God or His commandments is a grave sin that reflects a heart turned away from Him. It is often linked with pride, as individuals place their own understanding and desires above God's will. This attitude is condemned throughout Scripture, as it leads to spiritual blindness and separation from God.

Moral and Spiritual Lessons:

1. Humility and Reverence: Believers are called to approach God with humility and reverence, recognizing His sovereignty and authority. Contemning God is the antithesis of the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10).

2. Obedience to God's Word: The Bible consistently teaches the importance of heeding God's commandments. Those who contemn His Word are warned of the inevitable consequences, while those who obey are promised blessings and life.

3. Accountability: Scripture assures that all actions will be brought to account before God. The attitude of contemning God is rooted in a false sense of security and impunity, which is ultimately shattered by divine justice.

Practical Application:

Believers are encouraged to examine their hearts and attitudes towards God and His Word. It is vital to cultivate a spirit of submission and respect, seeking to align one's life with God's will. Through prayer, study of Scripture, and fellowship with other believers, Christians can guard against the sin of contemning and grow in their relationship with the Lord.

Ezekiel's Discourse
... 'Shall we then make mirth? The Rod of my son, it contemneth every tree.'. ... For there
is a trial; and what if even the Rod that contemneth shall be no more? ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/vi ezekiels discourse.htm

The Lowest Degradation Reached by Degrees.
... Yet it would not leap on at once from the commencement to such shameless and miserable
fornication, but, as it is written, "He that contemneth small things ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 10 the lowest degradation reached.htm

How those are to be Admonished who Commit Very Small but Frequent ...
... on the breast. Hence for certain it is written, He that contemneth small
things falleth by little and little (Ecclus. xix.1). For ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter xxxiii how those are.htm

Of the Conversion of Evodius, and the Death of his Mother when ...
... And so unto that little, adding daily littles (for "he that contemneth small things
shall fall by little and little"), [766] she contracted such a habit as, to ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter viii of the conversion of.htm

Whether Venial Sin is a Disposition to Mortal Sin?
... On the contrary, It is written (Ecclus.19:1): "He that contemneth small things shall
fall by little and little." Now he that sins venially seems to contemn ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether venial sin is a.htm

Whether a Man Can Sin First of all against the Holy Ghost?
... and this also, for the most part, presupposes other sins, for it is written
(Prov.18:3) that "the wicked man, when he is come into the depth of sins, contemneth ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether a man can sin.htm

Notes
... For a single moment the other side is presented"a people careless and secure:
the Rod of my son [they say] it contemneth every tree. ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/notes.htm

Thou Shalt not Bear False Witness against Thy Neighbor.
... Therefore it despises all the favor, grace, goods and honor of men, lets them come
and go as they please; as is written in Psalm 15:"He contemneth them that ...
/.../luther/a treatise on good works/thou shalt not bear false.htm

Whether a Religious Sins Mortally Whenever He Transgresses the ...
... repetition of a sin leads dispositively to contempt, according to the words of
Prov.18:3, "The wicked man, when he is come into the depth of sins, contemneth.". ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether a religious sins mortally.htm

On Sin and Its Kinds
... If it falls very frequently into venial sin, it will fall very soon into mortal
sin also; for the Holy Scripture says that he that contemneth small things ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 6 on sin and.htm

Contemneth (3 Occurrences)
...Contemneth (3 Occurrences). Psalms 10:3 For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire,
And the covetous renounceth, 'yea', contemneth Jehovah. (ASV DBY). ...
/c/contemneth.htm - 7k

Contemning (2 Occurrences)
... the rod of my son, it contemneth every tree. (See JPS). Ezekiel 21:13 For the trial
is made; and what if even the contemning sceptre shall be no more? ...
/c/contemning.htm - 7k

Contemned (7 Occurrences)

/c/contemned.htm - 8k

Vaunteth (2 Occurrences)
... WBS). Psalms 10:3 For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, And the
covetous renounceth, yea , contemneth Jehovah. (See JPS). ...
/v/vaunteth.htm - 6k

Glitter (3 Occurrences)
... may glitter: should we then make mirth? it contemneth the rod of my son,
as every tree. (KJV JPS DBY WBS). Nahum 2:3 The shield of ...
/g/glitter.htm - 8k

Renounceth (2 Occurrences)
... disciple. (ASV). Psalms 10:3 For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire,
And the covetous renounceth, 'yea', contemneth Jehovah. (ASV). ...
/r/renounceth.htm - 6k

Contemn (6 Occurrences)
... Contemn (6 Occurrences). Psalms 10:3 For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire,
And the covetous renounceth, yea, contemneth Jehovah. (ASV DBY JPS). ...
/c/contemn.htm - 8k

Soul's (12 Occurrences)
... Psalms 10:3 For the wicked boasteth of his soul's desire, and he blesseth the covetous;
he contemneth Jehovah. (DBY). Psalms 42:1 <To the chief music-maker. ...
/s/soul's.htm - 9k

Sceptre (20 Occurrences)
... furbished that it may glitter. Shall we then make mirth, saying, The sceptre
of my son contemneth all wood? (DBY YLT). Ezekiel 21:13 For ...
/s/sceptre.htm - 17k

Grievous (73 Occurrences)
... it may glitter: should we then make mirth? it contemneth the rod of my son,
as every tree. (WBS). Ezekiel 25:12 Thus says the Lord ...
/g/grievous.htm - 31k

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