Topical Encyclopedia Definition and Etymology: Honor, in the biblical context, refers to the esteem, respect, and reverence given to individuals, God, or principles. The term is derived from the Hebrew word "kavod" and the Greek word "timē," both of which convey a sense of weightiness or value. Honor is a central theme in Scripture, reflecting the character and expectations of God for His people. Biblical Usage and Context: Honor is a multifaceted concept in the Bible, encompassing the respect due to God, parents, authorities, and others. It is both a command and a virtue, integral to the moral and social fabric of biblical teaching. 1. Honor to God: The Bible emphasizes the supreme honor due to God as Creator and Sustainer. In 1 Samuel 2:30, God declares, "Those who honor Me I will honor, but those who despise Me will be disdained." This principle underscores the reciprocal nature of honor between God and His people. Worship, obedience, and reverence are expressions of honoring God, as seen in Psalm 29:2: "Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness." 2. Honor to Parents: The command to honor one's parents is foundational in Scripture, appearing in the Ten Commandments: "Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land the LORD your God is giving you" (Exodus 20:12). This command is reiterated in the New Testament, emphasizing its enduring significance (Ephesians 6:2-3). 3. Honor to Authorities: The Bible instructs believers to honor governing authorities as part of their witness and obedience to God. Romans 13:1-7 outlines the believer's responsibility to submit to authorities, recognizing their role as God's servants for good. 1 Peter 2:17 further instructs, "Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king." 4. Honor in Relationships: Honor extends to interpersonal relationships, where believers are called to esteem others above themselves. Romans 12:10 encourages, "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another." This principle fosters a community marked by mutual respect and love. 5. Honor and Integrity: Personal integrity and righteousness are closely linked to honor in the Bible. Proverbs 21:21 states, "He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor." A life of integrity brings honor both from God and from others. 6. Dishonor and Consequences: The Bible also addresses the consequences of dishonor. Proverbs 11:2 warns, "When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom." Dishonor, often associated with pride and disobedience, leads to shame and judgment. Theological Significance: Honor in the biblical sense is deeply rooted in the character of God and His design for human relationships. It reflects the order and harmony intended by God, promoting a society where respect, love, and righteousness prevail. The call to honor God and others is a reflection of the believer's transformation and commitment to living according to God's will. Practical Implications: Believers are encouraged to cultivate a culture of honor in their personal lives, families, churches, and communities. This involves recognizing the inherent worth of every individual, practicing humility, and living in a manner that brings glory to God. Honor is not merely an external act but a reflection of the heart's posture towards God and His creation. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) Esteem due or paid to worth; high estimation; respect; consideration; reverence; veneration; manifestation of respect or reverence.2. (n.) That which rightfully attracts esteem, respect, or consideration; self-respect; dignity; courage; fidelity; especially, excellence of character; high moral worth; virtue; nobleness; specif., in men, integrity; uprightness; trustworthiness; in women, purity; chastity. 3. (n.) A nice sense of what is right, just, and true, with course of life correspondent thereto; strict conformity to the duty imposed by conscience, position, or privilege. 4. (n.) That to which esteem or consideration is paid; distinguished position; high rank. 5. (n.) Fame; reputation; credit. 6. (n.) A token of esteem paid to worth; a mark of respect; a ceremonial sign of consideration; as, he wore an honor on his breast; military honors; civil honors. 7. (n.) A cause of respect and fame; a glory; an Excellency; an ornament; as, he is an honor to his nation. 8. (n.) A title applied to the holders of certain honorable civil offices, or to persons of rank; as, His Honor the Mayor. See Note under Honorable. 9. (n.) A seignior or lordship held of the king, on which other lordships and manors depended. 10. (n.) Academic or university prizes or distinctions; as, honors in classics. 11. (n.) The ace, king, queen, and jack of trumps. The ten and nine are sometimes called Dutch honors. 12. (n.) To regard or treat with honor, esteem, or respect; to revere; to treat with deference and submission; when used of the Supreme Being, to reverence; to adore; to worship. 13. (n.) To dignify; to raise to distinction or notice; to bestow honor upon; to elevate in rank or station; to ennoble; to exalt; to glorify; hence, to do something to honor; to treat in a complimentary manner or with civility. 14. (n.) To accept and pay when due; as, to honor a bill of exchange. Greek 820. atimos -- without honor, dishonored ... without honor, dishonored. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: atimos Phonetic Spelling: (at'-ee-mos) Short Definition: without honor, despised Definition ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/820.htm - 7k 1391. doxa -- opinion (always good in NT), hence praise, honor ... 5389. philotimeomai -- to love or seek after honor 2472. isotimos -- held in equal honor 2008. epitimao -- to honor, to mete out due measure, hence to ... 1741. endoxos -- held in honor, glorious 5092. time -- a valuing, a price 5091. timao -- to fix the value, to price 1392. doxazo -- to render or esteem glorious (in a wide ... 4411. protoklisia -- the chief place (at the table) Strong's Hebrew 1921. hadar -- to honor, adorn, perhaps to swell... 1920, 1921. hadar. 1922 . to honor, adorn, perhaps to swell. Transliteration: hadar Phonetic Spelling: (haw-dar') Short Definition: honor. Word Origin a prim ... /hebrew/1921.htm - 6k 3366. yeqar -- preciousness, price, honor 3367. yeqar -- honor 1926. hadar -- an ornament, honor, splendor 1923. hadar -- an honor, majesty 3519b. kabod -- abundance, honor, glory 3678. kisse -- seat of honor, throne 6643a. tsebi -- beauty, honor 6643. tsbiy -- beauty, honor 3513. kabad -- to be heavy, weighty, or burdensome Library The Way to Honor Whether Honor Denotes Something Corporal? Whether Honor is Properly Due to those who are Above Us? The First Commandment --On the Honor and Invocation of Saints Vespers in Honor of the Blessed virgin Mary All Glory, Laud and Honor The Festival of Games, in Honor of Augustus, were About to Begin ... The Glory and Honor that Jesus Has Won Gloria, Laus Et Honor How He Built Churches in Honor of Martyrs, and Abolished Idolatry ... Thesaurus Honor (240 Occurrences)... 6. (n.) A token of esteem paid to worth; a mark of respect; a ceremonial sign of consideration; as, he wore an honor on his breast; military honors; civil ... /h/honor.htm - 37k Dishonor (47 Occurrences) Delights (39 Occurrences) Honorable (42 Occurrences) Scribes (85 Occurrences) Promote (21 Occurrences) Splendor (87 Occurrences) Honoreth (7 Occurrences) Noble (61 Occurrences) Majesty (67 Occurrences) Resources What does the Bible say about honor? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to honor my father and mother? | GotQuestions.org What does it mean to honor God? | GotQuestions.org Honor: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Honor (240 Occurrences)Matthew 13:57 Matthew 15:4 Matthew 15:5 Matthew 15:6 Matthew 15:8 Matthew 19:19 Matthew 23:6 Mark 6:4 Mark 7:6 Mark 7:10 Mark 10:19 Mark 12:39 Luke 14:7 Luke 14:8 Luke 14:10 Luke 18:20 Luke 20:46 John 4:44 John 5:23 John 5:41 John 5:44 John 7:18 John 8:49 John 8:54 John 12:2 John 12:26 Acts 5:13 Acts 5:34 Acts 7:41 Acts 19:17 Romans 1:21 Romans 2:7 Romans 2:10 Romans 9:21 Romans 12:10 Romans 13:7 Romans 14:6 1 Corinthians 4:10 1 Corinthians 6:20 1 Corinthians 12:23 1 Corinthians 12:24 1 Corinthians 12:26 2 Corinthians 6:8 2 Corinthians 8:19 2 Corinthians 8:23 Ephesians 6:2 Philippians 2:29 Colossians 2:23 1 Thessalonians 4:4 1 Thessalonians 5:13 1 Timothy 1:17 1 Timothy 5:3 1 Timothy 5:17 1 Timothy 6:1 1 Timothy 6:16 2 Timothy 2:20 2 Timothy 2:21 Hebrews 2:7 Hebrews 2:9 Hebrews 3:3 Hebrews 5:4 Hebrews 13:4 1 Peter 1:7 1 Peter 2:7 1 Peter 2:17 1 Peter 3:7 2 Peter 1:17 Revelation 4:9 Revelation 4:11 Revelation 5:12 Revelation 5:13 Revelation 7:12 Revelation 13:14 Revelation 19:1 Revelation 19:7 Revelation 21:24 Revelation 21:26 Genesis 30:20 Genesis 43:28 Genesis 49:3 Genesis 49:6 Exodus 8:9 Exodus 12:42 Exodus 14:4 Exodus 14:17 Exodus 14:18 Exodus 20:12 Exodus 28:2 Exodus 28:40 Leviticus 19:15 Leviticus 19:32 Numbers 20:12 Numbers 22:17 Numbers 22:37 Numbers 24:11 Numbers 25:11 Numbers 25:13 Numbers 27:14 Numbers 27:20 Deuteronomy 5:16 Subtopics Related Terms |