What Is Blasphemy? – Biblical Meaning, Definition and Examples
Learn the biblical significance and contemporary definitions of blasphemy as we explore relevant Bible verses and examples of what means to blaspheme.
“And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.” Luke 12:10
Blasphemy Definition
Blasphemy is generally defined as the act or offense of speaking sacrilegiously about God or sacred things, synonymous with irreverence and disrespect of God or Christ.
According to Merriam-Webster, blasphemy is defined as “the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for God; and/or the act of claiming the attributes of a deity”
The word blasphemy originated from the Greek word “blasphēmia” then translated from Latin to Old French to Middle English. Blasphemy is generally defined as the act or offense of speaking sacrilegiously about God or sacred things, synonymous with irreverence and disrespect of God or Christ.
What Does Blasphemy Mean in the Bible?
According to Baker’s Bible Dictionary, the biblical concept is very different. There is no Hebrew word equivalent to the English “blasphemy, ” and the Greek root blasphem-[blasfhmevw], which is used fifty-five times in the New Testament, has a wide meaning. In both Testaments, the idea of blasphemy as something that offends the religious sensibilities of others is completely absent.
In the Old Testament at least five different Hebrew verbs are translated “blaspheme” in English translations. Translators choose “blaspheme” when, for instance, the verbs “curse” (qalal), “revile” (gadap), or “despise” (herep) are used with God as the object. No special verb is reserved for cursing or insults directed at God.
However, to curse or insult God is an especially grave sin. It can be done by word or by deed. There is little distinction between the sinner who deliberately abuses the name of the Lord (Le 24:10-16) and the one who deliberately flouts his commandments ( Nu 15:30-31 ). For both, the death penalty is prescribed. Similarly, the prayer of the Levites in Nehemiah 9 calls “awful blasphemies” all that Israelites did when they made the golden calf (9:18).
