Topical Bible: Taunt

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, a taunt is a form of mockery or derision, often used by individuals or groups to scorn or belittle others. Taunting is depicted in the Bible as an expression of contempt or disdain, frequently employed by enemies or adversaries to undermine or provoke those they oppose. The act of taunting is generally portrayed negatively, as it reflects a heart of pride, arrogance, and a lack of compassion.

Old Testament References

One of the most notable instances of taunting in the Old Testament is found in the account of David and Goliath. Goliath, the Philistine giant, taunted the armies of Israel, challenging them to send a warrior to fight him. His taunts were meant to intimidate and demoralize the Israelites. In 1 Samuel 17:10 , Goliath declares, "I defy the ranks of Israel this day. Give me a man to fight!" David, however, responds to Goliath's taunts with faith in God, ultimately defeating the giant and silencing his mockery.

Another example is found in the book of Nehemiah, where the enemies of the Jews, led by Sanballat and Tobiah, taunt the builders of Jerusalem's walls. In Nehemiah 4:1-3 , Sanballat ridicules the Jews, saying, "What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they restore the wall for themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring these burnt stones back to life from the mounds of rubble?" Despite these taunts, Nehemiah and the people continue their work, trusting in God's protection and provision.

Prophetic Literature

The prophets also speak of taunts, often in the context of judgment against nations or individuals who have exalted themselves against God. In Isaiah 37:22-23 , the prophet Isaiah delivers a message from the Lord to Sennacherib, king of Assyria, who had taunted the God of Israel: "Whom have you taunted and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes in pride? Against the Holy One of Israel!"

Similarly, in Habakkuk 2:6 , the prophet pronounces a woe against the Chaldeans, who are described as being subject to taunts and ridicule: "Will not all of these take up a taunt against him, with mockery and riddles, saying, ‘Woe to him who amasses what is not his—how long will it be?—and loads himself with stolen goods!’"

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, taunting is seen in the context of the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The Roman soldiers, along with the chief priests and scribes, mocked Jesus as He was crucified. In Matthew 27:29-31 , the soldiers placed a crown of thorns on His head and a staff in His right hand, kneeling before Him and taunting, "Hail, King of the Jews!" This mockery was a fulfillment of the suffering Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament.

Moral and Spiritual Implications

The Bible consistently portrays taunting as an act that stems from pride and a hardened heart. It is often associated with those who oppose God and His people. Believers are called to respond to taunts with humility and faith, trusting in God's justice and deliverance. Proverbs 24:17-18 advises, "Do not gloat when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart rejoice when he stumbles, or the LORD will see and disapprove, and turn His wrath away from him."

In summary, taunting in the Bible serves as a reminder of the destructive power of pride and the importance of maintaining a heart of humility and trust in God, even in the face of mockery and scorn.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (a.) Very high or tall; as, a ship with taunt masts.

2. (v. t.) To reproach with severe or insulting words; to revile; to upbraid; to jeer at; to flout.

3. (n.) Upbraiding language; bitter or sarcastic reproach; insulting invective.

Greek

3681. oneidos -- reproach, disgrace
... reproach. Probably akin to the base of onoma; notoriety, ie A taunt (disgrace) --
reproach. see GREEK onoma. (oneidos) -- 1 Occurrence. 3680, 3681. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3681.htm - 6k

3679. oneidizo -- to reproach
... defame, reproach, revile. From oneidos; to defame, ie Rail at, chide, taunt -- cast
in teeth, (suffer) reproach, revile, upbraid. see GREEK oneidos. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3679.htm - 7k

Strong's Hebrew

8148. sheninah -- a sharp (cutting) word, taunt
... 8147, 8148. sheninah. 8149 . a sharp (cutting) word, taunt. Transliteration:
sheninah Phonetic Spelling: (shen-ee-naw') Short Definition: byword. ... byword, taunt ...
/hebrew/8148.htm - 6k

1422. geduphah -- a taunt
... a taunt. Transliteration: geduphah Phonetic Spelling: (ghed-oo-faw') Short Definition:
reviling. ... of gadaph Definition a taunt NASB Word Usage reviling (1). taunt ...
/hebrew/1422.htm - 6k

4912. mashal -- a proverb, parable
... from mashal Definition a proverb, parable NASB Word Usage byword (3), discourse
(9), parable (3), parables (1), proverb (15), proverbs (6), taunt (2), taunt ...
/hebrew/4912.htm - 6k

2778a. charaph -- to reproach
... Usage defied (2), defy (2), despised (1), insult (1), reproach (7), reproached
(8), reproaches (5), revile (2), reviled (1), scorned (1), taunt (1), taunted (6 ...
/hebrew/2778a.htm - 5k

3637. kalam -- to be humiliated
... A primitive root; properly, to wound; but only figuratively, to taunt or insult --
be (make) ashamed, blush, be confounded, be put to confusion, hurt, reproach ...
/hebrew/3637.htm - 6k

5110. nud -- to move to and fro, wander, flutter, show grief
... to wander, flee, disappear; also (from shaking the head in sympathy), to console,
deplore, or (from tossing the head in scorn) taunt -- bemoan, flee, get, mourn ...
/hebrew/5110.htm - 6k

5058. neginah -- music
... song. Word Origin from nagan Definition music NASB Word Usage music (1),
song (3), stringed instruments (2), taunt (1). stringed ...
/hebrew/5058.htm - 6k

Library

What is More, Let Anyone Laugh and Taunt if He So Wishes. ...
... Section 45. What is more, let anyone laugh and taunt if he so wishes.? 45.
What is more, let anyone laugh and taunt if he so wishes. ...
/.../patrick/the confession of st patrick/section 45 what is more.htm

More Passages from the Same Gospel in Proof of the Same Portion of ...
... Chapter XXIII."More Passages from the Same Gospel in Proof of the Same Portion of
the Catholic Faith Praxeas' Taunt of Worshipping Two Gods Repudiated. ...
/.../tertullian/against praxeas/chapter xxiii more passages from the.htm

One Fold and one Shepherd
... Apparently the Jebusites' taunt is best understood as in the margin of the Revised
Version,' Thou shalt not come in hither, but the blind and the lame shall ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/one fold and one shepherd.htm

Twenty-Fifth Day. Receiving Sinners.
... The ironical taunt of proud and censorious Pharisees formed the glory of Him who
came, "not to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." Publicans and ...
/.../macduff/the mind of jesus/twenty-fifth day receiving sinners.htm

The Title on the Cross
... prisoner's head. They were meant as a savage taunt of the Jews, not as an
insult to Jesus, which would have been welcome to them. He ...
/.../the title on the cross.htm

Man, by Birth, is Placed under the Dominion of the Devil through ...
... But if you will taunt that most faithful man with having entertained Manichean error
in this matter, there is no help for it, you must enjoy your taunts as ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 15 man by birth is.htm

Whether Reviling Consists in Words?
... Objection 3: Further, a dishonor inflicted by words is called a railing or
a taunt. But reviling seems to differ from railing or taunt. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether reviling consists in words.htm

Thou that Makest Men to Dwell of one Mind in one House...
... didst Thou not out of another soul bring forth a hard and a sharp taunt, like a
lancet out of Thy secret store, and with one touch remove all that foul stuff? ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter viii thou that makest.htm

The Contribution of Science to Christianity
... religious writers, not only to make light of the claims of science, to smile at
its attempts to help them, to despise its patronage, but even to taunt it with ...
/.../berkhof/new evangelism and other papers/the contribution of science to.htm

The Crucifixion
... Then, too, by this very taunt His claim to be the 'Saviour' is presupposed. ...
The rulers' taunt was a venomous lie, as they meant it. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the crucifixion.htm

Thesaurus

Taunt (38 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Very high or tall; as, a ship with taunt
masts. ... Multi-Version Concordance Taunt (38 Occurrences). ...
/t/taunt.htm - 18k

Taunt-song (1 Occurrence)
Taunt-song. Taunts, Taunt-song. Tav . Multi-Version Concordance
Taunt-song (1 Occurrence). Habakkuk 2:6 Shall not all ...
/t/taunt-song.htm - 6k

Taunts (11 Occurrences)
... reproach. (See JPS). Lamentations 3:61 Thou hast heard their taunt, O LORD,
and all their devices against me; (See RSV). Ezekiel 36 ...
/t/taunts.htm - 9k

Nip (1 Occurrence)
... 5. (vt) To vex or pain, as by nipping; hence, to taunt. ... 9. (n.) A blast; a killing
of the ends of plants by frost. 10. (n.) A biting sarcasm; a taunt. 11. ...
/n/nip.htm - 7k

Jeer (2 Occurrences)
... 4. (vt) To treat with scoffs or derision; to address with jeers; to taunt;
to flout; to mock at. 5. (n.) A railing remark or reflection ...
/j/jeer.htm - 7k

Taunted (18 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Taunt. Multi-Version Concordance
Taunted (18 Occurrences). Matthew 26:68 while they taunted ...
/t/taunted.htm - 12k

Taunting (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Taunt. 2. (a. & n.) from
Taunt. Multi-Version Concordance Taunting (2 Occurrences). ...
/t/taunting.htm - 7k

Rab'shakeh (14 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 19:4 It may be the LORD thy God will hear all the words of Rab-shakeh, whom
the king of Assyria his master hath sent to taunt the living God, and will ...
/r/rab'shakeh.htm - 10k

Sennach'erib (13 Occurrences)
... 19:16 Incline Thine ear, O LORD, and hear; open Thine eyes, O LORD, and see; and
hear the words of Sennacherib, wherewith he hath sent him to taunt the living ...
/s/sennach'erib.htm - 10k

Resources

Who was King Zimri in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Is “I will deliver” or “Will I deliver” the correct translation of Hosea 13:14? | GotQuestions.org

Taunt: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus

Concordance

Taunt (38 Occurrences)

Deuteronomy 28:37
You shall become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword, among all the peoples where Yahweh shall lead you away.
(See NAS)

Deuteronomy 32:27
were it not that I feared the provocation of the enemy, lest their adversaries should judge wrongly, lest they should say,'Our hand is exalted, Yahweh has not done all this.'"
(See NIV)

Judges 8:15
He came to the men of Succoth, and said, "See Zebah and Zalmunna, concerning whom you taunted me, saying,'Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in your hand, that we should give bread to your men who are weary?'"
(Root in WEB JPS ASV DBY NAS RSV NIV)

1 Samuel 17:10
And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.
(See JPS)

1 Samuel 17:25
And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father's house free in Israel.
(See JPS)

1 Samuel 17:26
And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?
(See JPS NAS)

1 Kings 18:27
It happened at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, "Cry aloud; for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he has gone aside, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he sleeps and must be awakened."
(See NIV)

2 Kings 19:4
It may be Jehovah thy God will hear all the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to defy the living God, and will rebuke the words which Jehovah thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up thy prayer for the remnant that is left.
(See JPS)

2 Kings 19:16
Incline thine ear, O Jehovah, and hear; open thine eyes, O Jehovah, and see; and hear the words of Sennacherib, wherewith he hath sent him to defy the living God.
(See JPS)

2 Chronicles 32:17
He wrote also letters, to rail on Jehovah, the God of Israel, and to speak against him, saying, As the gods of the nations of the lands, which have not delivered their people out of my hand, so shall not the God of Hezekiah deliver his people out of my hand.
(See JPS)

Nehemiah 4:4
Hear, our God; for we are despised: and turn back their reproach on their own head, and give them up for a spoil in a land of captivity;
(See RSV)

Nehemiah 6:13
For this cause was he hired, that I should be afraid, and do so, and sin, and that they might have matter for an evil report, that they might reproach me.
(See JPS RSV)

Job 30:9
"Now I have become their song. Yes, I am a byword to them.
(See NAS)

Psalms 42:10
As with a sword in my bones, mine adversaries reproach me, While they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?
(See JPS RSV NIV)

Psalms 44:13
Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbors, A scoffing and a derision to them that are round about us.
(See JPS RSV)

Psalms 44:16
At the taunt of one who reproaches and verbally abuses, because of the enemy and the avenger.
(WEB JPS RSV NIV)

Psalms 79:4
We are become a reproach to our neighbors, A scoffing and derision to them that are round about us.
(See JPS RSV)

Psalms 89:41
All that pass by the way rob him: He is become a reproach to his neighbors.
(See JPS)

Psalms 89:50
Remember, Lord, the reproach of your servants, how I bear in my heart the taunts of all the mighty peoples,
(Root in WEB JPS NIV)

Psalms 89:51
Wherewith Thine enemies have taunted, O LORD, wherewith they have taunted the footsteps of Thine anointed.
(Root in JPS RSV NIV)

Psalms 102:8
Mine enemies reproach me all the day; They that are mad against me do curse by me.
(See JPS RSV NIV)

Psalms 109:25
I am become also a reproach unto them: When they see me, they shake their head.
(See JPS)

Psalms 119:42
That I may have an answer for him that taunteth me; for I trust in Thy word.
(Root in JPS RSV NIV)

Isaiah 14:4
That you will take up this bitter song against the king of Babylon, and say, How has the cruel overseer come to an end! He who was lifted up in pride is cut off;
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Isaiah 37:4
It may be Jehovah thy God will hear the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to defy the living God, and will rebuke the words which Jehovah thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up thy prayer for the remnant that is left.
(See JPS)

Isaiah 37:17
Incline thine ear, O Jehovah, and hear; open thine eyes, O Jehovah, and see; and hear all the words of Sennacherib, who hath sent to defy the living God.
(See JPS)

Isaiah 51:7
Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye dismayed at their revilings.
(See JPS)

Jeremiah 24:9
I will even give them up to be tossed back and forth among all the kingdoms of the earth for evil; to be a reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse, in all places where I shall drive them.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)

Jeremiah 42:18
For thus says Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel: As my anger and my wrath has been poured forth on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so shall my wrath be poured forth on you, when you shall enter into Egypt; and you shall be an object of horror, and an astonishment, and a curse, and a reproach; and you shall see this place no more.
(See RSV)

Jeremiah 44:8
in that you provoke me to anger with the works of your hands, burning incense to other gods in the land of Egypt, where you have gone to sojourn; that you may be cut off, and that you may be a curse and a reproach among all the nations of the earth?
(See RSV)

Jeremiah 44:12
I will take the remnant of Judah, that have set their faces to go into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, and they shall all be consumed; in the land of Egypt shall they fall; they shall be consumed by the sword and by the famine; they shall die, from the least even to the greatest, by the sword and by the famine; and they shall be an object of horror, and an astonishment, and a curse, and a reproach.
(See RSV)

Jeremiah 49:13
For I have sworn by myself, says Yahweh, that Bozrah shall become an astonishment, a reproach, a waste, and a curse; and all its cities shall be perpetual wastes.
(See RSV)

Lamentations 3:61
Thou hast heard their reproach, O Jehovah, and all their devices against me,
(See JPS RSV)

Ezekiel 5:15
So it shall be a reproach and a taunt, an instruction and an astonishment, to the nations that are around you, when I shall execute judgments on you in anger and in wrath, and in wrathful rebukes; (I, Yahweh, have spoken it;)
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 16:57
before thy wickedness was uncovered, as at the time of the reproach of the daughters of Syria, and of all that are round about her, the daughters of the Philistines, that do despite unto thee round about.
(See JPS)

Micah 2:4
In that day they will take up a parable against you, and lament with a doleful lamentation, saying,'We are utterly ruined! My people's possession is divided up. Indeed he takes it from me and assigns our fields to traitors!'"
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Habakkuk 2:6
Won't all these take up a parable against him, and a taunting proverb against him, and say,'Woe to him who increases that which is not his, and who enriches himself by extortion! How long?'
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Zephaniah 2:8
I have heard the reproach of Moab, and the revilings of the children of Ammon, wherewith they have reproached my people, and magnified themselves against their border.
(See JPS NAS RSV NIV)

Subtopics

Taunt

Related Terms

Taunt (38 Occurrences)

Forests (12 Occurrences)

Tallest (2 Occurrences)

Taunts (11 Occurrences)

Choicest (32 Occurrences)

Insults (34 Occurrences)

Zalmun'na (8 Occurrences)

Lions (50 Occurrences)

Insulting (10 Occurrences)