In the context of the Bible, the term "hateful" is often associated with attitudes and behaviors that are contrary to the nature and commands of God. The Scriptures consistently emphasize love as a fundamental characteristic of God's nature and a central command for His followers. Therefore, anything that is hateful is seen as opposing God's will and character.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament frequently addresses the concept of hatred, often in the context of interpersonal relationships and societal conduct. In Leviticus 19:17, the Israelites are commanded, "You must not harbor hatred against your brother in your heart. Directly rebuke your neighbor, so that you will not incur guilt on account of him." This verse highlights the importance of addressing grievances directly rather than allowing hatred to fester.

Proverbs also speaks to the destructive nature of hatred. Proverbs 10:12 states, "Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers all transgressions." Here, hatred is depicted as a force that creates conflict and division, in contrast to love, which fosters reconciliation and peace.

New Testament Context

The New Testament further develops the theme of love versus hatred, particularly through the teachings of Jesus Christ. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus expands on the Old Testament law by addressing the heart's intentions. Matthew 5:43-44 records Jesus' words: "You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." This teaching underscores the radical nature of Christian love, which extends even to those who are hostile.

The Apostle Paul also addresses the issue of hatred in his epistles. In Galatians 5:19-21, he lists "hatred" among the works of the flesh, contrasting it with the fruit of the Spirit, which includes love, joy, and peace. Paul warns that those who practice such things "will not inherit the kingdom of God."

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, hatred is seen as a manifestation of the sinful nature that stands in opposition to the transformative work of the Holy Spirit. The call to love one's neighbor as oneself, as reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 22:39, is central to Christian ethics. Hatred, therefore, is not merely a personal failing but a spiritual issue that requires repentance and divine intervention.

Practical Application

Believers are encouraged to examine their hearts and relationships for any traces of hatred, seeking reconciliation and forgiveness where needed. Ephesians 4:31-32 advises, "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you." This passage calls Christians to actively pursue love and forgiveness, reflecting the character of Christ in their interactions.

In summary, the Bible presents hatred as a destructive force that is incompatible with the life of a believer. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Christians are called to overcome hatred with love, embodying the teachings of Christ in their daily lives.1. (a.) Manifesting hate or hatred; malignant; malevolent.

2. (a.) Exciting or deserving great dislike, aversion, or disgust; odious.

4767. stugetos -- hateful
... hateful. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: stugetos Phonetic Spelling:
(stoog-nay-tos') Short Definition: hateful, detestable Definition: hateful ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4767.htm - 7k

2319. theostuges -- hating God
... hating God. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: theostuges Phonetic Spelling:
(theh-os-too-gace') Short Definition: hating God, hateful to God Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2319.htm - 7k

2190. echthros -- hostile
... From a primary echtho (to hate); hateful (passively, odious, or actively, hostile);
usually as a noun, an adversary (especially Satan) -- enemy, foe. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2190.htm - 7k

3404. miseo -- to hate
... Word Origin from misos (hatred) Definition to hate NASB Word Usage hate
(13), hated (12), hateful (1), hates (12), hating (2). hate. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3404.htm - 8k

8135. sinah -- hating, hatred
... Word Origin from sane Definition hating, hatred NASB Word Usage hate (1),
hated (1), hates (1), hatred (14). exceedingly hateful,. ...
/hebrew/8135.htm - 6k

8130. sane -- to hate
... enemy, foe, be hateful odious, utterly. A primitive root; to hate (personally) --
enemy, foe, (be) hate(-ful, -r), odious, X utterly. 8129, 8130. sane. 8131 ...
/hebrew/8130.htm - 6k

Herein is a Mirror to be Blamed, --If Its Clearness is Darkened ...
... 4. If our mirror be darkness,"it is altogether joy to the hateful;"because their
blemishes are not reproved:"but if polished and shining,"it is our ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xvi herein is a.htm

Come Ye, Let us Hear How Death Convicts the People: that Harsher ...
... death was instead of all deaths, that Thou mightst raise all!"3. It was not Death
indeed that crucified Jesus, but it was the People: how hateful then the ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn lxvii come ye let.htm

Whether we Ought to Love those who are Better More those who are ...
... For that which is in no way hateful seems more lovable than that which is hateful
for some reason: just as a thing is all the whiter for having less black ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether we ought to love 4.htm

As in a Race Saw I the Disputers, the Children of Strife, [Trying] ...
... [550] The hateful sight of the hateful image of four faces is from the Hittites.
[551] Accursed disputation, that hidden moth, is from the Greeks. ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn vii as in a.htm

What God Likes and Dislikes
... the Lord than sacrifice. The conduct of the wicked is hateful to him, But
he loves the man eager to do right. The Lord detests the ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/what god likes and dislikes.htm

Whether Evil is the Cause and Object of Hatred?
... Objection 3: Further, the same thing is not at the same time both good and evil.
But the same thing is lovable and hateful to different subjects. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether evil is the cause.htm

The Desire of a Lover after God is Shown: and the Cursed Love of ...
... Such truly as we now are to Him, such a one shall He then appear to us; to a lover
certain lovely and desirable, and to them that loved not, hateful and cruel. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter viii the desire of.htm

John who was a Torch, Laid Bare and Rebuked the Wanton Ones: they ...
... 6. In thy poverty be brought to nought, the hateful custom of the house of Gehazi;
in thy sanctity be abolished, the abominable custom of the house of Eli; in ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xxi john who was.htm

I Will Follow the Order of Your Letter, and Subjoin Your Very ...
... I praised your eloquence in my Preface; and I would praise it again now were it
not that contrary to the advice of your Tully, you make it hateful by excessive ...
/.../6 i will follow the.htm

1 John iv. 12-Apr
... Nor need we fear lest by much speaking thereof it come to be hateful.
For what is there to love, if charity come to be hateful? ...
/.../ten homilies on the epistle of john to the parthians/homily vii 1 john iv.htm

Hateful (4 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Exciting or deserving great dislike, aversion, or disgust; odious.
Multi-Version Concordance Hateful (4 Occurrences). Romans ...
/h/hateful.htm - 7k

Detestable (121 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Worthy of being detested; abominable; extremely hateful;
very odious; deserving abhorrence; as, detestable vices. Int. ...
/d/detestable.htm - 39k

Cage (3 Occurrences)
... In Revelation 18:2 we find a reference to "a hold (the King James Version "cage")
of every unclean and hateful bird." See also Ecclesiasticus 11:30. ...
/c/cage.htm - 10k

Abomination (78 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) Anything hateful, wicked, or shamefully vile; a detestable behavior; an
object or state that excites disgust and hatred; a hateful or shameful vice ...
/a/abomination.htm - 55k

Disobedient (30 Occurrences)
... Romans 1:30 backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of
evil things, disobedient to parents, (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). ...
/d/disobedient.htm - 17k

Foul (41 Occurrences)
... 3. (superl.) Scurrilous; obscene or profane; abusive; as, foul words; foul language.
4. (superl.) Hateful; detestable; shameful; odious; wretched. ...
/f/foul.htm - 21k

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

Odious (9 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Hateful; abhorrent; as, an odious vice.
2. (a.) Causing or provoking hatred, repugnance, or disgust ...
/o/odious.htm - 9k

Justice (212 Occurrences)
... of transgression (2 Thessalonians 1:6). He cannot, as being infinitely righteous,
do otherwise than regard and hate sin as intrinsically hateful and deserving ...
/j/justice.htm - 46k

Loath (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Filled with disgust or aversion; averse; unwilling; reluctant; as, loath
to part with one's money. 2. (a.) Hateful; odious; disliked. ...
/l/loath.htm - 7k

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