The term "scorneth" is an archaic form of the verb "scorn," which means to mock, deride, or show contempt. In the context of the Bible, scorn is often associated with the behavior of the wicked or foolish, contrasting with the wisdom and humility expected of the righteous. The concept of scorn is addressed in various passages, highlighting the moral and spiritual implications of such an attitude.

Biblical References:

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 from Proverbs identifies scorn as a characteristic of scoffers, who are grouped with the simple and foolish. The passage suggests that scorn is a barrier to wisdom and knowledge, which are highly valued in biblical teaching.

2. Proverbs 9:7-8 : "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." These verses highlight the futility and potential backlash of attempting to correct someone who scorns. The mocker, or scorner, is resistant to correction and wisdom, in contrast to the wise, who appreciate and grow from reproof.

3. 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." The psalmist warns against associating with those who scorn, as it leads one away from the path of righteousness. The "seat of mockers" symbolizes a place of derision and contempt, which is to be avoided by the faithful.

4. Proverbs 19:29 : "Judgments are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools." This proverb underscores the inevitable consequences of scornful behavior. Divine judgment is depicted as awaiting those who mock, emphasizing the seriousness with which God views such attitudes.

Theological Implications:

In the biblical worldview, scorn is more than mere mockery; it is an expression of pride and rebellion against God and His wisdom. Scorners are often depicted as those who reject divine instruction and correction, choosing instead to follow their own flawed understanding. This attitude is antithetical to the humility and teachability that characterize the righteous.

The Bible consistently warns against the influence of scorners, urging believers to seek wisdom and associate with those who fear the Lord. The presence of scorn in one's life is seen as a spiritual danger, leading to further folly and separation from God.

Practical Application:

For believers, the admonition against scorn serves as a call to self-examination and humility. Christians are encouraged to cultivate a spirit of teachability, openness to correction, and reverence for God's wisdom. By avoiding the company and influence of scorners, believers can better align themselves with the path of righteousness and grow in their relationship with God.

In summary, "scorneth" represents an attitude of contempt and derision that is consistently condemned in Scripture. It is a hallmark of the foolish and wicked, standing in stark contrast to the wisdom and humility that God desires for His people.

"The Enemy is Overcome by the Blessed Passion and Death of Our ...
... I see [a] game, in that the Fiend is overcome; I see scorn, in that God scorneth
him, and he shall be scorned; and I see earnest, in that he is overcome by the ...
/.../julian/revelations of divine love/chapter xiii the enemy is.htm

The Creator's Joy in his Creation
... Whose house I have made the wilderness, And the salt land his dwelling place; He
scorneth the tumult of the city, Neither heareth he the shoutings of the driver ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/ii the creators joy in.htm

The Wayside Feast
... Fruit of the eternal tree; Banquet which my God has given. Even unto me; Lo, before
the world that scorneth,. I give thanks and eat,. At the table in the desert ...
/.../bevan/hymns of ter steegen suso and others/the wayside feast.htm

Of Holy Prayer
... God." Brother Giles said, furthermore, that a man in prayer ought to be like a good
knight in battle, who, however hard pressed by his enemy, scorneth to leave ...
/.../the little flowers of st francis of assisi/chapter xi of holy prayer.htm

Of the System of the Anchorites and Its Beginning.
... He scorneth the multitude of the city and heareth not the cry of the driver; he
looketh round about the mountains of his pasture, and seeketh for every green ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter vi of the system.htm

The Life of Mr. Andrew Melvil.
... you can controul me, that I have passed my injunctions." The chancellor, opening
the book, put it into the king's hand, saying, "Sire, he scorneth your majesty ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr andrew.htm

Psalm CXXIII.
... Behold I see and enjoy what I love. Thou art scorned, because thou dost hope for
what thou seest not; and he who seemeth to hold what he seeth, scorneth thee. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxxiii.htm

The Folly of Slander. Part 2.
... And of this the slanderer is most deeply guilty. "A witness of Belial scorneth judgment,
and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity," saith the wise man. ...
/.../barrow/sermons on evil-speaking by isaac barrow/the folly of slander part 2.htm

The victory of Faith
... She tries to ruin him in business; or, if he standeth forth as the champion of
the truth why then she laugheth, arid mocketh, and scorneth. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the victory of faith.htm

Psalm CXV.
... For the Scripture in another passage proclaimeth, "The sinner, when he cometh into
the abyss of wickednesses, scorneth." [5075] "But we, who live, will praise ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxv.htm

Scorneth (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Scorneth (4 Occurrences). Job 39:7 He scorneth the multitude
of the city, neither regardeth he the crying of the driver. ...
/s/scorneth.htm - 7k

Scornful (5 Occurrences)
... scornful. (KJV JPS). Proverbs 3:34 If it concerneth the scorners, He scorneth
them, but unto the humble He giveth grace. (See RSV). ...
/s/scornful.htm - 7k

Scorn (65 Occurrences)
... 22 Job 22:19 Nehemiah 2:19 Psalm 22:7, "all laugh to scorn"); qalas = "to scoff"
(Ezekiel 16:31, margin "Greek: scoffeth," but text still "scorneth"); for the ...
/s/scorn.htm - 31k

Lowly (29 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Proverbs 3:34 Surely he scorneth the
scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly. (KJV ASV DBY WBS). ...
/l/lowly.htm - 14k

Lasheth (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Lasheth (1 Occurrence). Job 39:18 What time she lasheth
herself on high, she scorneth the horse and his rider. (DBY). ...
/l/lasheth.htm - 6k

Raiseth (33 Occurrences)
... for a mark. (YLT). Job 39:18 What time she lifteth up herself on high,
She scorneth the horse and his rider. (See JPS). Job 41:25 ...
/r/raiseth.htm - 15k

Regardeth (21 Occurrences)
... heart. (See JPS ASV). Job 39:7 He scorneth the multitude of the city, neither
regardeth he the crying of the driver. (KJV WBS). Psalms ...
/r/regardeth.htm - 12k

Devoureth (27 Occurrences)
... him. (ASV JPS). Proverbs 19:28 An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and
the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity. (KJV JPS WBS). ...
/d/devoureth.htm - 14k

Driver's (2 Occurrences)
... They don't hear the voice of the taskmaster. (See NIV). Job 39:7 He scorneth the
tumult of the city, neither heareth he the shoutings of the driver. (See NIV). ...
/d/driver's.htm - 6k

Mocker (11 Occurrences)
... Version "scorner," the American Standard Revised Version "scoffer"; for "the mockers"
(Jeremiah 15:17), "them that made merry"; for "scorneth" (Proverbs 19:28 ...
/m/mocker.htm - 14k

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