Topical Encyclopedia Sacrilege, in a biblical context, refers to the violation or misuse of what is regarded as sacred. This concept is deeply rooted in the understanding of holiness and the reverence due to God and His ordinances. Throughout Scripture, sacrilege is depicted as an affront to the divine, often resulting in severe consequences.Old Testament Context In the Old Testament, sacrilege is often associated with the desecration of holy objects, places, or practices. The Israelites were given specific instructions on how to handle sacred items and conduct worship. For instance, the Ark of the Covenant was considered the most sacred object, and any unauthorized contact with it was strictly forbidden. In 2 Samuel 6:6-7 , Uzzah was struck dead for touching the Ark, illustrating the seriousness of treating holy things with irreverence: "But when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen had stumbled. And the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah, and God struck him down on the spot for his irreverence, and he died there beside the ark of God." The desecration of sacred spaces is also highlighted in the account of King Belshazzar in Daniel 5. During a feast, Belshazzar used the gold and silver vessels from the Jerusalem temple to drink wine and praise false gods. This act of sacrilege led to the writing on the wall and the subsequent fall of his kingdom. New Testament Context In the New Testament, sacrilege extends to the misuse of the temple and the corruption of worship practices. Jesus' cleansing of the temple is a notable example. In Matthew 21:12-13 , Jesus drove out those who were buying and selling in the temple, saying, "It is written, 'My house will be called a house of prayer.' But you are making it 'a den of robbers.'" This act underscores the importance of maintaining the sanctity of worship spaces and practices. The Apostle Paul also addresses sacrilege in his letters. In Romans 2:22 , he challenges the hypocrisy of those who boast in the law yet commit sacrilege: "You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?" Here, Paul emphasizes that true reverence for God involves not only outward observance but also inward purity and respect for what is sacred. Theological Implications Sacrilege is fundamentally a violation of the holiness of God. It reflects a heart that fails to honor and revere the divine. The biblical narrative consistently portrays sacrilege as a serious offense, often linked with idolatry and false worship. The call to holiness, as seen in Leviticus 19:2 , "Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy," serves as a reminder of the reverence required in approaching God and His sacred ordinances. Practical Considerations For believers, the concept of sacrilege extends beyond physical objects and spaces to include the body as a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). This understanding calls for a life of holiness and respect for the sacredness of one's own body and the community of believers. It challenges Christians to examine their attitudes and actions, ensuring they align with the reverence due to God and His holy things. ATS Bible Dictionary SacrilegeAny profanation or abuse of things peculiarly sacred to God; such as robbing the house of God, or making it a den of thieves, Matthew 21:12,13; Romans 2:2. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (n.) The sin or crime of violating or profaning sacred things; the alienating to laymen, or to common purposes, what has been appropriated or consecrated to religious persons or uses.International Standard Bible Encyclopedia SACRILEGEsak'-ri-lej: For "commit sacrilege" in Romans 2:22 (the King James Version and the English Revised Version margin), the Revised Version (British and American) has "rob temples," which more exactly expresses the meaning of the verb (hierosuleo; compare Acts 19:37, "robbers of temples" (which see)). The noun occurs in 2 Maccabees 4:39 (the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American)) for the corresponding form hierosulema. Greek 2416. hierosuleo -- to rob a temple ... to rob a temple. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: hierosuleo Phonetic Spelling: (hee-er-os-ool-eh'-o) Short Definition: I commit sacrilege Definition: I ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2416.htm - 6k Library Whether Sacrilege is a Special Sin? Sacrilege Of Sacrilege (Four Articles) Whether Sacrilege is the violation of a Sacred Thing? Whether the Species of Sacrilege are Distinguished According to ... Whether Sacrilege Can be a Species of Lust? Whether the Punishment of Sacrilege Should be Pecuniary? It is Sacrilege to Degrade a Bishop to the Rank of a Presbyter... The Great Slaughters and Sacrilege that were in Jerusalem. Whether the Unnatural vice is the Greatest Sin among the Species ... Thesaurus Sacrilege (3 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SACRILEGE. sak'-ri-lej ... hierosulema. Multi-Version Concordance Sacrilege (3 Occurrences). Matthew 24 ... /s/sacrilege.htm - 8k Sacrilegious (1 Occurrence) Temples (17 Occurrences) Robbers (21 Occurrences) Sacrificing (39 Occurrences) Robbery (18 Occurrences) Menelaus Mehetabeel Mehetabel (3 Occurrences) Resources What is sacrilege? What does it mean to be sacrilegious? | GotQuestions.orgWho was King Ahaz in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org What were the mystery religions? | GotQuestions.org Sacrilege: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Sacrilege (3 Occurrences)Matthew 24:15 Mark 13:14 Romans 2:22 Subtopics Sacrilege of Korah and his Group Sacrilege of the Money-Exchangers in the Temple Sacrilege of the People of Beth-Shemesh Sacrilege of Those Who Profaned the Lord's Supper Sacrilege: Esau Sells his Birthright Sacrilege: Nadab and Abihu offer "Strange" (Unauthorized) Fire Related Terms |
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