The term "scoffed" refers to the act of mocking, ridiculing, or showing contempt, often in a derisive or dismissive manner. In the Bible, scoffing is frequently associated with the rejection of divine wisdom and the refusal to heed God's word. It is an attitude that reflects pride, unbelief, and rebellion against God.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, scoffing is often linked with the behavior of the wicked and the foolish. The book of Proverbs frequently contrasts the wise with scoffers, highlighting the latter's resistance to correction and wisdom. Proverbs 9:7-8 states, "He who corrects a mocker brings shame on himself; he who rebukes a wicked man taints himself. Do not rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you." This passage underscores the futility of attempting to correct a scoffer, as they are often set in their ways and resistant to change.

The Psalms also address the issue of scoffing. Psalm 1:1 describes the blessed man as one who "does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of mockers." Here, scoffing is associated with a progression of sin, where one moves from mere association with the wicked to active participation in their derision of righteousness.

Prophetic Warnings

The prophets frequently encountered scoffing as they delivered God's messages to a rebellious people. Isaiah 28:22 warns, "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." This warning highlights the consequences of scoffing at God's word, emphasizing that such behavior leads to judgment and destruction.

Jeremiah also faced scoffing as he prophesied to Judah. In Jeremiah 20:7 , the prophet laments, "I am ridiculed all day long; everyone mocks me." Despite the ridicule, Jeremiah remained faithful to his calling, illustrating the perseverance required in the face of scoffing.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, scoffing continues to be a sign of unbelief and opposition to the gospel. The apostle Peter addresses this in 2 Peter 3:3-4 , saying, "Most importantly, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 'Where is the promise of His coming?' they will ask. 'Ever since our fathers fell asleep, everything continues as it has from the beginning of creation.'" This passage indicates that scoffers will question the promises of God, particularly the return of Christ, driven by their own sinful desires.

The Gospels also record instances of scoffing directed at Jesus. In Luke 23:35 , as Jesus hung on the cross, "The people stood watching, and the rulers sneered at Him, saying, 'He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.'" This moment of derision highlights the blindness and hardness of heart of those who rejected Jesus, even in the face of His sacrificial love.

Spiritual Implications

Scoffing is more than mere mockery; it is a spiritual condition that reveals a heart hardened against God. It is often accompanied by pride and a refusal to submit to divine authority. The Bible consistently warns against the dangers of scoffing, urging believers to seek wisdom and humility instead. As Proverbs 3:34 reminds us, "He mocks the mockers, but gives grace to the humble." This verse encapsulates the biblical perspective that while God opposes the proud and the scoffers, He extends grace to those who are humble and receptive to His truth.(imp. & p. p.) of Scoff.8591a. taa -- to mock
... to mock. Transliteration: taa Short Definition: deceiver. Word Origin a prim. root
Definition to mock NASB Word Usage deceiver (1), scoffed (1). 8591, 8591a. ...
/hebrew/8591a.htm - 5k

These Things I Being Ignorant Of, Scoffed at those Thy Holy ...
... Book III Chapter X These things I being ignorant of, scoffed at those Thy
holy servants and prophets.? These things I being ignorant ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter x these things i.htm

And Pilate Said unto the Chief Priests and the Multitude...
... [3471] And Herod scoffed at him, he and his servants; and when he had scoffed at
him, he clothed him in robes of scarlet, [9] and sent him to Pilate. ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section l and pilate said.htm

An Exhortation to the People of God not to be Discouraged in their ...
... No; he too well knew that the people of God, all who would seek and serve the Lord
Jesus, must be despised, hated, scoffed, slandered, and evil entreated; but ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/an exhortation to the people.htm

An Anonymous Sermon, Commonly Called Clement's Second Letter to ...
... not seek to please men or desire to please only ourselves, but by doing what is
right to please even outsiders, so that the Name [581] may not be scoffed at on ...
/.../richardson/early christian fathers/an anonymous sermon commonly called 2.htm

Jesus is Crucified by his Enemies
... and one on his left. And those who passed by scoffed at him, shaking their
heads in derision and saying, "Ha! you who were to destroy ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/jesus is crucified by his.htm

'He Uttered his Voice, the Earth Melted'
... When the second stage was reached, and Hezekiah was personally summoned to surrender,
by a letter which scoffed at Isaiah's promise, he himself prayed before ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/he uttered his voice the.htm

To the Trallians
... Do not give the heathen opportunities whereby God's people should be scoffed
at through the stupidity of a few. For, "Woe to him ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/richardson/early christian fathers/to the trallians.htm

H. The Crucifixion. Ch. 23:26-38
... And the rulers also scoffed at him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself,
if this is the Christ of God, his chosen.36 And the soldiers also mocked him ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/h the crucifixion ch 23 26-38.htm

1 John ii. 27-iii. 8
... of face shall not be for a single day and so pass away, in such sort as those are
wont to be confounded, who are found out in some fault, and are scoffed at by ...
/.../ten homilies on the epistle of john to the parthians/homily iv 1 john ii.htm

Mercy's Master Motive
... It may be you have used his name in common jests, if not worse; you have dared to
employ it profanely; you have scoffed at his people; you have derided ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/mercys master motive.htm

Scoffed (5 Occurrences)
...Scoffed (5 Occurrences). Luke 16:14 The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also
heard all these things, and they scoffed at him. ... God is not to be scoffed at. ...
/s/scoffed.htm - 7k

Scoffing (11 Occurrences)
... save! (WEY). Luke 16:14 The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard
all these things, and they scoffed at him. (See NAS). ...
/s/scoffing.htm - 9k

Scoff (18 Occurrences)

/s/scoff.htm - 12k

Scoffer (11 Occurrences)

/s/scoffer.htm - 9k

Lovers (57 Occurrences)
... Lovers (57 Occurrences). Luke 16:14 The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also
heard all these things, and they scoffed at him. (WEB WEY ASV YLT NAS RSV). ...
/l/lovers.htm - 24k

Listening (47 Occurrences)
... Kingdom." (WEY). Luke 16:14 The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard
all these things, and they scoffed at him. (See NAS). Luke ...
/l/listening.htm - 19k

Watching (111 Occurrences)
... (WEB WEY ASV BBE DBY YLT NAS RSV). Luke 23:35 The people stood watching. The
rulers with them also scoffed at him, saying, "He saved others. ...
/w/watching.htm - 34k

Remedy (6 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 36:16 but they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words,
and scoffed at his prophets, until the wrath of Yahweh arose against his ...
/r/remedy.htm - 8k

Elisha (70 Occurrences)
... We next find him at Bethel (2:23), where, with the sternness of his master, he cursed
the youths who came out and scoffed at him as a prophet of God: "Go up ...
/e/elisha.htm - 61k

Aroused (29 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 36:16 but they mocked the messengers of God, and despised His words,
and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against His ...
/a/aroused.htm - 14k

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