Definition and Meaning:
The term "scoff" refers to an expression of scornful derision or mockery. In the biblical context, scoffing is often associated with a dismissive attitude towards God, His commandments, and His people. It is an act of contempt that reveals a hardened heart and a lack of reverence for divine truth.

Biblical References:
Scoffing is addressed in various passages throughout the Bible, highlighting the spiritual danger and moral implications of such behavior.

1. Proverbs 1:22 : "How long, O simple ones, will you love your simple ways? How long will scoffers delight in their scorn and fools hate knowledge?" This verse underscores the foolishness of scoffing and associates it with a rejection of wisdom and knowledge.

2. Psalm 1:1 : "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers." Here, the psalmist contrasts the blessedness of the righteous with the company of scoffers, implying that scoffing is a characteristic of the ungodly.

3. 2 Peter 3:3 : "Most importantly, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires." This passage warns of the prevalence of scoffers in the end times, who will mock the promise of Christ's return and follow their sinful inclinations.

4. Isaiah 28:22 : "Now therefore, do not scoff, or your shackles will be made stronger; for I have heard from the Lord GOD of Hosts a decree of destruction against the whole land." Isaiah warns that scoffing can lead to increased judgment and bondage, emphasizing the seriousness of such an attitude.

Characteristics of Scoffers:
Scoffers are often depicted as individuals who reject divine authority and truth. They are characterized by:

· Pride and Arrogance: Scoffers often exhibit a sense of superiority, believing they are above correction or instruction.
· Rejection of Wisdom: As seen in Proverbs, scoffers disdain wisdom and knowledge, preferring their own flawed understanding.
· Resistance to Repentance: Scoffers are typically resistant to change or repentance, as their hearts are hardened against God's call.

Consequences of Scoffing:
The Bible warns of the dire consequences that await those who persist in scoffing:

· Divine Judgment: Scoffers are subject to God's judgment, as their actions are an affront to His holiness and authority.
· Spiritual Blindness: By rejecting truth, scoffers become spiritually blind, unable to perceive the reality of God's kingdom and His purposes.
· Isolation from the Righteous: As indicated in Psalm 1, scoffers are separated from the community of the righteous, missing out on the blessings of fellowship and divine favor.

Response to Scoffing:
Believers are encouraged to respond to scoffing with wisdom and grace:

· Avoidance: Scripture advises avoiding the company of scoffers to prevent being influenced by their negative attitudes.
· Prayer and Patience: Believers are called to pray for scoffers, hoping for their repentance and transformation.
· Proclamation of Truth: Despite mockery, Christians are urged to continue proclaiming the truth of the Gospel, trusting in the power of God's Word to convict and convert.

In summary, scoffing is a serious spiritual issue that reflects a heart in rebellion against God. The Bible provides clear guidance on recognizing, avoiding, and responding to scoffing, emphasizing the importance of humility, wisdom, and steadfast faith.1. (n.) Derision; ridicule; mockery; derisive or mocking expression of scorn, contempt, or reproach.

2. (n.) An object of scorn, mockery, or derision.

3. (n.) To show insolent ridicule or mockery; to manifest contempt by derisive acts or language; -- often with at.

4. (v. t.) To treat or address with derision; to assail scornfully; to mock at.

SCOFF; SCOFFER

skof, skof'-er: The verb indicates the manifestation of contempt by insulting words or actions; it combines bitterness with ridicule. It is much more frequent in the Revised Version (British and American) than in the King James Version, replacing "scorn" of the latter in Psalm 1:1 Proverbs 1:22, etc. "Scorn" refers rather to an inner emotion based on a sense of superiority; "scoff," to the outward expression of this emotion.

1315b. diachleuazo -- to scoff, mock
... to scoff, mock. Transliteration: diachleuazo Short Definition: mocking. Word Origin
from dia and chleuazo Definition to scoff, mock NASB Word Usage mocking (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1315b.htm - 5k

5512. chleuazo -- to jest, mock, jeer
... to jest, mock, jeer. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: chleuazo Phonetic Spelling:
(khlyoo-ad'-zo) Short Definition: I mock, scoff Definition: I mock, scoff ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5512.htm - 6k

1592. ekmukterizo -- to hold up the nose in derision of
... up the nose in derision of. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: ekmukterizo Phonetic
Spelling: (ek-mook-ter-id'-zo) Short Definition: I deride, scoff at, mock ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1592.htm - 7k

1702. empaizo -- to mock at
... Definition: I mock, ridicule. 1702 (from 1722 , "" and 3815 , "play") -- properly,
to sport someone, mock (scoff). Word Origin from en ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1702.htm - 7k

7046. qalas -- to mock, scoff
... 7045, 7046. qalas. 7047 . to mock, scoff. Transliteration: qalas Phonetic Spelling:
(kaw-las') Short Definition: mock. Word Origin a prim. ... mock, scoff, scorn ...
/hebrew/7046.htm - 5k

3887. luts -- ambassador, have in derision, interpreter, make a ...
... A primitive root; properly, to make mouths at, ie To scoff; hence (from the effort
to pronounce a foreign language) to interpret, or (generally) intercede ...
/hebrew/3887.htm - 6k

3932. laag -- to mock, deride, stammer
... root Definition to mock, deride, stammer NASB Word Usage laugh (1), mock (3), mocked
(5), mocks (4), scoff (2), scoffs (1), sneer (1), stammering (1). ...
/hebrew/3932.htm - 6k

3917b. lits -- to scorn
... NASB Word Usage carry on as scoffers (1), deride (1), envoys (1), interpreter (1),
makes a mockery (1), mediator (1), mock (1), mocker (1), scoff (1), scoffer ...
/hebrew/3917b.htm - 5k

6315. puach -- to breathe, blow
... A primitive root; to puff, ie Blow with the breath or air; hence, to fan (as a breeze),
to utter, to kindle (a fire), to scoff -- blow (upon), break, puff ...
/hebrew/6315.htm - 6k

Of the Necessity of the Wager
... 191. And will this one scoff at the other? Who ought to scoff? And yet, the
latter does not scoff at the other, but pities him. 192. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pascal/pensees/section iii of the necessity.htm

Vindication of Christian Women.
... [504] You who say that we talk nonsense among women and boys, among maidens and
old women, and scoff at us for not being with you, hear what silliness prevails ...
/.../tatians address to the greeks/chapter xxxiii vindication of christian women.htm

The Epistle of Saint Jude.
... V.10. But these scoff at what they know nothing of, for what they know naturally
as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. ...
/.../the epistle of saint jude.htm

The Epistle of Judas
... 8-10). 8 Despite it all, these visionaries pollute their flesh, scorn the
Powers celestial, and scoff at the angelic Glories. ^9 ...
/.../moffat/the general epistles james peter and judas/the epistle of judas.htm

The Relation of Christ to Prophecy, Continued.
... 5. We are not afraid to meet your scoff at the Sabbath, when you call it the fetters
of Saturn. ... Your scoff is as unreasonable as it is profane. ...
/.../the relation of christ to.htm

The Blind Beggar
... Jesus. He might have heard him scoffed at, but he did not scoff. How could
he scoff at one who had opened the eyes of the blind? ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the blind beggar.htm

The Impossibility of Renewal.
... If these high gifts are used to scoff at the Son of God, and that with the persistence
that can spring only from the pride and self-righteousness of unbelief ...
/.../chapter v the impossibility of.htm

Of the Eternal Election, by which God Has Predestinated Some to ...
... we must beware of keeping from the faithful, lest we seem either maliciously to
deprive them of the blessing of God, or to accuse and scoff at the Spirit, as ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 21 of the eternal.htm

The Death which Gives Life
... The priests do not take up the people's mockery, for they know that it is based
upon a falsehood; but they scoff at His miracles, which they assume to be ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the death which gives life.htm

Shoes of Iron, and Strength Sufficient: a New Year's Promise
... I know that there are mockers who scoff at the very mention of unction; but I pray
that to myself and my brethren the promise may be fulfilled, "He shall dip ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 35 1889/shoes of iron and strength.htm

Scoff (18 Occurrences)
...SCOFF; SCOFFER. ... "Scorn" refers rather to an inner emotion based on a sense of
superiority; "scoff," to the outward expression of this emotion. ...
/s/scoff.htm - 12k

Scorn (65 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) To treat with extreme contempt; to make the object of insult; to
mock; to scoff at; to deride. 6. (vi) To scoff; to mock ...
/s/scorn.htm - 31k

Jeer (2 Occurrences)
... 3. (v.) To utter sarcastic or scoffing reflections; to speak with mockery or derision;
to use taunting language; to scoff; as, to jeer at a speaker. ...
/j/jeer.htm - 7k

Deride (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (vt) To laugh at with contempt; to ridicule; to laugh;
to scorn; to turn to ridicule or make sport of; to mock; to scoff at. ...
/d/deride.htm - 8k

Scoffer (11 Occurrences)
...SCOFF; SCOFFER. ... "Scorn" refers rather to an inner emotion based on a sense of
superiority; "scoff," to the outward expression of this emotion. ...
/s/scoffer.htm - 9k

Scissors (5 Occurrences)

/s/scissors.htm - 8k

Neigh (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) To utter the cry of the horse; to whinny. 2.
(vi) To scoff or sneer; to jeer. 3. (n.) The cry of a horse; a whinny. Int. ...
/n/neigh.htm - 7k

Laugh (23 Occurrences)
... NIV). Psalms 59:8 But you, Yahweh, laugh at them. You scoff at all the nations.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Psalms ...
/l/laugh.htm - 13k

Gall (17 Occurrences)
... sarcasm. 9. (vt) To injure; to harass; to annoy; as, the troops were galled
by the shot of the enemy. 10. (vi) To scoff; to jeer. 11. (n ...
/g/gall.htm - 17k

Intercessors (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Intercessors (2 Occurrences). Job 16:20 My friends scoff
at me: But mine eye poureth out tears unto God, (See JPS). ...
/i/intercessors.htm - 6k

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Scoff: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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