In biblical terms, "desecrated" refers to the act of violating or profaning something that is considered sacred or holy. This concept is significant throughout the Scriptures, as it underscores the importance of maintaining the sanctity of what God has set apart for His purposes. Desecration can apply to places, objects, or even people who have been consecrated to God.

Desecration of Sacred Places

One of the most notable examples of desecration in the Bible is the defilement of the Temple in Jerusalem. The Temple was the central place of worship for the Israelites, where God's presence dwelt among His people. In 2 Kings 21:4-5, King Manasseh is described as having desecrated the Temple by building altars to pagan gods within its courts: "He built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD had said, 'In Jerusalem I will put My Name.' In both courtyards of the house of the LORD, he built altars to all the host of heaven."

The desecration of the Temple is further highlighted in the New Testament when Jesus cleanses the Temple, driving out those who were buying and selling within its precincts. In Matthew 21:12-13 , Jesus declares, "It is written, 'My house will be called a house of prayer.' But you are making it 'a den of robbers.'"

Desecration of Sacred Objects

Desecration also extends to sacred objects. In Daniel 5, King Belshazzar of Babylon uses the gold and silver vessels taken from the Jerusalem Temple to drink wine and praise false gods. This act of desecration leads to the famous "writing on the wall," which foretells the king's downfall. Daniel 5:3-4 states, "So they brought in the gold vessels that had been taken from the temple, the house of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his nobles, wives, and concubines drank from them. As they drank the wine, they praised their gods of gold and silver, bronze and iron, wood and stone."

Desecration of Sacred People

The concept of desecration can also apply to individuals who have been set apart for God's service. In the Old Testament, the priests and Levites were consecrated to serve in the Tabernacle and later the Temple. Any violation of their sacred duties or defilement of their bodies was considered a desecration. Leviticus 21:6 instructs, "They must be holy to their God and not profane the name of their God. For they present the offerings made by fire to the LORD, the food of their God. So they must be holy."

Spiritual Desecration

Beyond physical desecration, the Bible also addresses spiritual desecration, which occurs when individuals or communities turn away from God and embrace idolatry or immorality. The prophets frequently warned Israel about the spiritual desecration that resulted from forsaking God's commandments. Ezekiel 22:26 laments, "Her priests do violence to My law and profane My holy things. They do not distinguish between the holy and the common; they teach that there is no difference between the unclean and the clean; and they shut their eyes to the keeping of My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them."

Consequences of Desecration

The Bible consistently portrays desecration as an affront to God's holiness, often resulting in severe consequences. The desecration of the Temple and sacred objects led to divine judgment, as seen in the Babylonian exile and the fall of Belshazzar's kingdom. Similarly, spiritual desecration brought about prophetic warnings and calls for repentance, emphasizing the need for God's people to return to holiness and obedience.

In summary, the concept of desecration in the Bible serves as a powerful reminder of the sacredness of what God has set apart. Whether it involves places, objects, or people, desecration is a serious offense that underscores the importance of reverence and holiness in the life of believers.(imp. & p. p.) of Desecrate.

Hallowed be Thy Name.
... For whoever employs the name of God for any sort of wrong profanes and desecrates
this holy name, as aforetime a church was considered desecrated when a murder ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/the large catechism/hallowed be thy name.htm

Ezekiel
... How deserved that fate is becomes too pathetically plain in the descriptions of
the idolatrous worship with which the temple is desecrated (viii.) and in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/ezekiel.htm

The Veil Rent
... Not less significant is this symbol of my text, and I desire now to draw your attention
to its meanings. I. The rent veil proclaims the desecrated temple. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the veil rent.htm

At the Feast of the Dedication of the Temple.
... It was not of Biblical origin, but had been instituted by Judas Maccabaeus in 164
bc, when the Temple, which had been desecrated by Antiochus Epiphanes, was ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xiv at the feast.htm

Sanctification is a Mystery.
... He that caused the hurt must also heal it. He that destroyed must also restore the
things destroyed. He that desecrated the holy must also reconsecrate it. ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/ii sanctification is a mystery.htm

Mene, Tekel, Peres
... Further, Belshazzar, the type of godlessness, had desecrated the sacrificial vessels
by using them for his drunken carouse, and therein had done just what we ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/mene tekel peres.htm

The Tears of Christ.
... peace. The ruined walls, the desecrated temple, the mournful band of exiles,
all these seem to pass before us like a dream. Then ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon xlv the tears of.htm

The Temple Cleansed Again
... At the close of His mission He came again to the temple, and found it still desecrated
as before. The condition of things was even worse than before. ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 65 the temple cleansed.htm

Jesus Drives Out the Money-Changers.
... the traders. "Away! get you hence. I will that this desecrated place be
restored to the worship of the Father!". The traders fled ...
//christianbookshelf.org/stead/king of the jews/chapter i jesus drives out.htm

Creation's Groans and the Saints' Sighs
... Alps, or wandering through the charming valley, skimming the blue sea, or traversing
the verdant forest, we have felt that this world, however desecrated by sin ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 14 1868/creations groans and the saints.htm

Desecrated (17 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Desecrated (17 Occurrences). ... And besides, he has even brought
Gentiles into the Temple and has desecrated this holy place." (WEY). ...
/d/desecrated.htm - 12k

Desecrate (9 Occurrences)

/d/desecrate.htm - 9k

Uruah
... Jehoiakim, roused to anger, arrested him, even at the trouble of a pursuit into
Egypt, put him to death and desecrated his body (Jeremiah 20-23). ...
/u/uruah.htm - 10k

Uriah (33 Occurrences)
... Jehoiakim, roused to anger, arrested him, even at the trouble of a pursuit into
Egypt, put him to death and desecrated his body (Jeremiah 20-23). ...
/u/uriah.htm - 22k

Everybody (15 Occurrences)
... And besides, he has even brought Gentiles into the Temple and has desecrated this
holy place." (WEY). Romans 12:17 Pay back to no man evil for evil. ...
/e/everybody.htm - 10k

Desecrates (1 Occurrence)

/d/desecrates.htm - 6k

Member (20 Occurrences)
... service (Romans 6:19). Therefore our bodies must not be desecrated by baser
uses (1 Corinthians 6:15, 19, 20). The Lord Jesus illustrates ...
/m/member.htm - 17k

Besides (178 Occurrences)
... this place. And besides, he has even brought Gentiles into the Temple and
has desecrated this holy place." (WEY NAS NIV). Acts 26 ...
/b/besides.htm - 37k

Aid (20 Occurrences)
... this place. And besides, he has even brought Gentiles into the Temple and
has desecrated this holy place." (Root in WEY NAS). Romans ...
/a/aid.htm - 13k

Horn (108 Occurrences)
... Consequently cutting off the horns effectually desecrated the altar (Amos 3:14),
while "sin graven on them" (Jeremiah 17:1) took all efficacy from the sacrifice ...
/h/horn.htm - 49k

What does the Bible say about defilement? | GotQuestions.org

What is the significance of the city of Jerusalem? | GotQuestions.org

What is sacrilege? What does it mean to be sacrilegious? | GotQuestions.org

Desecrated: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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