Profaneness, in biblical terms, refers to the irreverence or disrespect towards what is considered sacred or holy. It is often associated with actions, words, or attitudes that desecrate or treat with contempt the things of God. The concept of profaneness is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, where the holiness of God and His commandments are central themes.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, profaneness is frequently addressed in the context of the Israelites' covenant relationship with God. The Hebrew word often translated as "profane" is "ḥālal," which means to defile or pollute. The Israelites were called to be a holy nation, set apart for God, and any act of profaneness was seen as a violation of this calling.

Leviticus 19:12 warns against profaning God's name: "You must not swear falsely by My name and so profane the name of your God. I am the LORD." This verse underscores the importance of maintaining the sanctity of God's name, reflecting the broader principle that God's holiness should be revered in all aspects of life.

The prophet Ezekiel frequently condemned the profaneness of the Israelites, particularly the priests who failed to distinguish between the holy and the common. Ezekiel 22:26 states, "Her priests do violence to My law and profane My holy things. They do not distinguish between the holy and the common, and they teach that there is no difference between the unclean and the clean."

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of profaneness extends to the attitudes and behaviors of individuals, particularly in relation to the teachings of Jesus Christ and the apostles. The Greek word "bebēlos" is used to describe what is profane or worldly, often in contrast to what is sacred or godly.

The apostle Paul, in his letters, warns against profane and idle talk, which leads people away from godliness. In 1 Timothy 6:20 , Paul advises Timothy, "O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid irreverent, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of so-called 'knowledge.'"

Hebrews 12:16 uses the example of Esau to illustrate profaneness: "See to it that no one is sexually immoral or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his birthright." Esau's disregard for his birthright is seen as a profane act, demonstrating a lack of appreciation for what is sacred.

Moral and Spiritual Implications

Profaneness is not merely about specific actions but reflects a deeper spiritual condition. It reveals a heart that is indifferent or hostile to the things of God. The Bible consistently calls believers to a life of holiness, urging them to honor God in their thoughts, words, and deeds.

The call to avoid profaneness is a call to recognize the sacredness of God's presence, His Word, and His commandments. It is a reminder that believers are to live in a manner that reflects the holiness of God, as stated in 1 Peter 1:15-16 : "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'"

Conclusion

While the Bible provides numerous examples and warnings against profaneness, it also offers the hope of redemption and transformation through Jesus Christ. Believers are encouraged to seek God's grace and strength to live lives that honor Him, avoiding the pitfalls of profaneness and embracing the call to holiness.(n.) The quality or state of being profane; especially, the use of profane language.2613. chanuppah -- profaneness, pollution
... 2612, 2613. chanuppah. 2614 . profaneness, pollution. Transliteration: chanuppah
Phonetic Spelling: (khan-oo-faw') Short Definition: pollution. ... profaneness. ...
/hebrew/2613.htm - 6k

2612. choneph -- profaneness
... 2611, 2612. choneph. 2613 . profaneness. Transliteration: choneph Phonetic
Spelling: (kho'-nef) Short Definition: ungodliness. Word ...
/hebrew/2612.htm - 6k

2455. chol -- profaneness, commonness
... 2454, 2455. chol. 2456 . profaneness, commonness. Transliteration: chol
Phonetic Spelling: (khole) Short Definition: profane. Word ...
/hebrew/2455.htm - 6k

Of Atheistical Discourse.
... at his very being; and as if it scorned those piece-meal guilts, sets up a single
monster big enough to devour them all: for all inferior profaneness is an ...
/.../allestree/the government of the tongue/section iii of atheistical discourse.htm

Of Former Times
... It is true, luxury increases to a high degree in every part of Europe: And so does
the scandal of England, profaneness, in every part of the kingdom. ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 102 of former times.htm

Christmas Day.
... Imagine him in our feasts as he was in Cana:"we may do it without profaneness; being
sure, from that example, that he condemns not innocent mirth; that it is ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/arnold/the christian life/lecture xxii christmas day.htm

Prefatory Notice
... Before his coming thither, the place was overrun with ignorance and profaneness;
but, by the Divine blessing on his wise and faithful cultivation, the fruits ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/baxter/the saints everlasting rest/prefatory notice.htm

Preface.
... and that which gives a lustre to all the rest, is his appearing throughout a zealous
advocate for virtue and religion against profaneness and infidelity. ...
/.../the evidences of the christian religion with additional discourses/preface.htm

Theater-Going.
... excite indignation if addressed to the most uncultivated and coarse servant girl,
not openly vicious, by an ordinary young man, and profaneness which would ...
/.../judy/questionable amusements and worthy substitutes/v theater-going.htm

Prayer.
... of articulated sounds for the exclusive purpose of recalling to our minds the
historical fact of our Lord's crucifixion; in short"(the profaneness is with ...
/.../coleridge/confessions of an inquiring spirit etc/prayer.htm

The Second Awakening.
... Profaneness, pride, luxury, injustice, intemperance, lewdness, and every
species of debauchery and loose indulgence greatly abound.". ...
/.../bacon/a history of american christianity/chapter xiv the second awakening.htm

What Rule is to be Observed in the Interpretation of Scripture. .. ...
... must prefer the soundness of the whole to the corruption of a part; in which same
whole they must prefer the religion of antiquity to the profaneness of novelty ...
/.../vincent/the commonitory of vincent of lerins/chapter xxvii what rule is.htm

In what Way, on Collating the Consentient Opinions of the Ancient ...
... the opinions of the ancients in the interpretation of the Canon are to be collected,
whereby the novelty, and consequently the profaneness, whatever it may be ...
/.../vincent/the commonitory of vincent of lerins/chapter xxviii in what way.htm

Profaneness (2 Occurrences)
... (n.) The quality or state of being profane; especially, the use of profane language.
Multi-Version Concordance Profaneness (2 Occurrences). ...
/p/profaneness.htm - 7k

Ungodliness (9 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 32:6 For the fool will speak folly, and his heart will work iniquity, to
practise profaneness, and to utter error against Jehovah, to make empty the ...
/u/ungodliness.htm - 9k

Fool (95 Occurrences)
... We have almost a definition of nabhal in Isaiah 32:6: "For the fool will speak folly,
and his heart will work iniquity, to practice profaneness, and to utter ...
/f/fool.htm - 47k

Folly (68 Occurrences)
... We have almost a definition of nabhal in Isaiah 32:6: "For the fool will speak folly,
and his heart will work iniquity, to practice profaneness, and to utter ...
/f/folly.htm - 39k

Disgraceful (17 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Bringing disgrace; causing shame; shameful;
dishonorable; unbecoming; as, profaneness is disgraceful to a man. ...
/d/disgraceful.htm - 11k

Profanes (2 Occurrences)

/p/profanes.htm - 7k

Profanity (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The quality or state of being profane; profaneness;
irreverence; esp., the use of profane language; blasphemy. ...
/p/profanity.htm - 7k

Profane (69 Occurrences)
... "Profaneness" in Jeremiah 23:15 (chanuppah) is in the American Standard Revised
Version "ungodliness." In the New Testament "profane" occurs in the sense of ...
/p/profane.htm - 30k

Profanely (1 Occurrence)

/p/profanely.htm - 6k

Hyprocrite
... occurs only once in the Old Testament as the translation of choneph (Isaiah 32:6,
the Revised Version (British and American) "profaneness"); chaneph, from ...
/h/hyprocrite.htm - 10k

Profaneness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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