The term "profanest" is derived from the word "profane," which in biblical context refers to that which is irreverent, secular, or disrespectful towards what is considered sacred. In the Scriptures, profaneness is often associated with actions, attitudes, or speech that desecrate or show contempt for the holy and divine.

Biblical Context and Usage

In the Bible, profaneness is frequently condemned as it stands in stark contrast to the holiness and sanctity that God requires of His people. The concept of the sacred versus the profane is a recurring theme, particularly in the Old Testament, where the Israelites are called to be a holy nation, set apart for God's purposes.

Old Testament References

The Old Testament provides numerous examples of profaneness, often in the context of idolatry, false worship, and the desecration of sacred spaces or practices. In Leviticus 19:12, the Israelites are commanded, "You shall not swear falsely by My name and so profane the name of your God. I am the LORD." Here, profaning God's name is equated with dishonesty and irreverence, highlighting the importance of maintaining the sanctity of God's identity.

Ezekiel, a prophet during the Babylonian exile, frequently addresses the issue of profaneness among the Israelites. In Ezekiel 22:26, he 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." This passage underscores the failure of religious leaders to uphold the distinction between the sacred and the profane, leading to widespread spiritual corruption.

New Testament Insights

In the New Testament, the concept of profaneness is expanded to include not only actions but also attitudes and speech. Jesus Christ, in His teachings, emphasizes the importance of purity in heart and conduct. In Matthew 15:11, He states, "It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a man, but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man." Here, the focus shifts from external rituals to the internal state of the heart, suggesting that profaneness can manifest through words and intentions that are contrary to God's will.

The Apostle Paul also addresses the issue of profaneness in his epistles. In 1 Timothy 1:9, he writes, "We realize that law is not enacted for the righteous, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for killers of father or mother, for murderers." Paul categorizes the profane alongside other serious transgressions, indicating the severity with which such irreverence is viewed in the Christian moral framework.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, profaneness is seen as a direct affront to God's holiness. It represents a failure to honor and revere the divine, leading to a breakdown in the relationship between humanity and God. The call to holiness, as articulated in both the Old and New Testaments, is a call to reject profaneness and embrace a life that reflects God's sacred nature.

Practical Application

For believers, the avoidance of profaneness involves a conscious effort to honor God in all aspects of life. This includes maintaining purity in speech, thought, and action, as well as respecting the sacredness of worship, the Scriptures, and the community of faith. By doing so, Christians are called to be a light in the world, reflecting the holiness of God in a culture that often blurs the lines between the sacred and the profane.

"Who Walk not after the Flesh, but after the Spirit. "
... more praying, more exact walking, that can make you more righteous in God's account,
in order to absolution from law-condemnation, than the profanest and most ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon vi who walk not.htm

The True Manner of Keeping Holy the Lord's Day.
... to be overtaken in those carnal sports, to please themselves, when their Master
should find them in spiritual exercises serving him: the profanest wretch would ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/the true manner of keeping.htm

The Story of the Baptist, from his Last Testimony to Jesus to his ...
... [3152] B. Mez. 85 a, 2 towards the end. [3153] Altogether, Baba Mez, 84 a to 85
a contains a mixture of the strangest, grossest, and profanest absurdities. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxviii the story of.htm

Profanest (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Profanest (1 Occurrence). Psalms 35:16 Like the profane
mockers in feasts, They gnashed upon me with their teeth. (See JPS). ...
/p/profanest.htm - 6k

Profaneth (3 Occurrences)

/p/profaneth.htm - 7k

Profanes (2 Occurrences)

/p/profanes.htm - 7k

Mocked (40 Occurrences)
... scorn. (KJV WBS). Psalms 35:16 With the profanest mockeries of backbiting
they gnash at me with their teeth. (See RSV NIV). Psalms ...
/m/mocked.htm - 18k

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