What the Bible Says About Blasphemy
A Response To The Skeptic's Annotated Bible (SAB): What The Bible Says About Blasphemy
Blasphemy is an anglicized version of the Greek word blasphemia which in Greek meant any injurious, abusive or defamatory speech towards God or men. The English version of the word though, usually applies only to such speech directed to God or sacred things. The SAB is correct in saying that blasphemers were to be stoned to death, but they fail to correctly indicate that blasphemy was only punishable by death under the Mosaic Law.
Satan was the first and remains the primary instigator of blasphemy (Genesis 3:1-5; John 8:44-49) for suggesting that God was untruthful. Calling upon the name of God, as mentioned at Genesis 4:26 was apparently not done in an appropriate way, as is indicated by the Jerusalem Targum, which says: "That was the generation in whose days they began to err, and to make themselves idols, and surnamed their idols by the name of the Word of the Lord." It is believed that men began applying the name of God to men, and/or to idols of worship.
The first three of the Ten Commandments dealt with Jehovah God's sovereignty and exclusive right deserving worship. Calling down evil upon God or cursing a chieftain was also blasphemy deserving death. The first case of this happening after the Ten Words were given was when a son of an Israelite woman and an Egyptian man was stoned for abusing the name of God and calling down evil upon it. From then on the offense was punishable by stoning to death. (Exodus 20:1-7; Leviticus 24:10-16)
Blasphemy didn't need to be expressed vocally in the Hebrew Scriptures to be considered as blasphemy. A blatant disrespect for Jehovah God's laws was also considered blasphemy, though the unintentional lawbreaker was given mercy. (Numbers 15:27-31; Nehemiah 9:18) It didn't always result in death.
Some examples of blasphemy in the Hebrew Scriptures are Eli's sons (1 Samuel 3:12-13), the Assyrian official Rabshakeh, (2 Kings 19:4-6, 22-23) and that of false prophets (Jeremiah 23:16-17). Naboth, though innocent, was convicted of blasphemy and was stoned to death based upon the testimony of false witnesses.
The incorrect view began to take effect that the pronunciation of God's name was a blasphemous act based upon a misapplication of Leviticus 24:10-16. Talmudic tradition also indicates that upon hearing the testimony of blasphemous words of the accused, religious judges should tear their garments; this is based upon 2 Kings 18:37; 19:1-4. (Jewish Encyclopedia, 1976, Vol. III, p. 237)
The importance of the name in the Hebrew Scriptures and among Semitic people should not be overlooked. According to Professor G.T. Manely: "A study of the word 'name' in the OT reveals how much it means in Hebrew. The name is no mere label, but is significant of the real personality of him to whom it belongs. . . . When a person puts his 'name' upon a thing or another person the latter comes under his influence and protection." (New Bible Dictionary, edited by J. D. Douglas, 1985, p. 430.)
Deuteronomy 23:2 forbids illegitimate children from coming into the congregation. Adultery, punishable by the death of the unborn child along with the mother and father, (Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 22:22) was forbidden due to the breakdown of the family arrangement and would result in the child having no inheritance. All of this would have a devastating effect upon society. For this reason the illegitimate child of David was taken. (2 Samuel 12:14) Since Jehovah had a Kingdom covenant with David he wasn't put to death. (2 Samuel 7:11-16)
Paul used the Greek verb blasphemeo at Romans 2:24 in reference to Ezekiel 36:20-21 which demonstrates the harmony of the basic meaning of the word from Hebrew to Greek. Herod committed blasphemy when he claimed the prerogative of God (Acts 12:21-22)
Jesus was accused of blasphemy when he forgave sins, (Matthew 9:2-3) when he claimed to be God's son, (John 10:33-36) and for telling the Sanhedrin that he would sit at the right hand of God, to which they proclaimed him worthy of death. (Mark 14:61-64) They had no authority from the Romans, however, so they shrewdly changed the charge to sedition. (John 18:29 - 19:16)
Blasphemy against the holy spirit is the only unforgivable sin (Luke 12:10) Blasphemy comes from the heart and must be a willful and deliberate act, not merely a result of imperfection or human weakness.
Blasphemy is an anglicized version of the Greek word blasphemia which in Greek meant any injurious, abusive or defamatory speech towards God or men. The English version of the word though, usually applies only to such speech directed to God or sacred things. The SAB is correct in saying that blasphemers were to be stoned to death, but they fail to correctly indicate that blasphemy was only punishable by death under the Mosaic Law.
Satan was the first and remains the primary instigator of blasphemy (Genesis 3:1-5; John 8:44-49) for suggesting that God was untruthful. Calling upon the name of God, as mentioned at Genesis 4:26 was apparently not done in an appropriate way, as is indicated by the Jerusalem Targum, which says: "That was the generation in whose days they began to err, and to make themselves idols, and surnamed their idols by the name of the Word of the Lord." It is believed that men began applying the name of God to men, and/or to idols of worship.
The first three of the Ten Commandments dealt with Jehovah God's sovereignty and exclusive right deserving worship. Calling down evil upon God or cursing a chieftain was also blasphemy deserving death. The first case of this happening after the Ten Words were given was when a son of an Israelite woman and an Egyptian man was stoned for abusing the name of God and calling down evil upon it. From then on the offense was punishable by stoning to death. (Exodus 20:1-7; Leviticus 24:10-16)
Blasphemy didn't need to be expressed vocally in the Hebrew Scriptures to be considered as blasphemy. A blatant disrespect for Jehovah God's laws was also considered blasphemy, though the unintentional lawbreaker was given mercy. (Numbers 15:27-31; Nehemiah 9:18) It didn't always result in death.
Some examples of blasphemy in the Hebrew Scriptures are Eli's sons (1 Samuel 3:12-13), the Assyrian official Rabshakeh, (2 Kings 19:4-6, 22-23) and that of false prophets (Jeremiah 23:16-17). Naboth, though innocent, was convicted of blasphemy and was stoned to death based upon the testimony of false witnesses.
The incorrect view began to take effect that the pronunciation of God's name was a blasphemous act based upon a misapplication of Leviticus 24:10-16. Talmudic tradition also indicates that upon hearing the testimony of blasphemous words of the accused, religious judges should tear their garments; this is based upon 2 Kings 18:37; 19:1-4. (Jewish Encyclopedia, 1976, Vol. III, p. 237)
The importance of the name in the Hebrew Scriptures and among Semitic people should not be overlooked. According to Professor G.T. Manely: "A study of the word 'name' in the OT reveals how much it means in Hebrew. The name is no mere label, but is significant of the real personality of him to whom it belongs. . . . When a person puts his 'name' upon a thing or another person the latter comes under his influence and protection." (New Bible Dictionary, edited by J. D. Douglas, 1985, p. 430.)
Deuteronomy 23:2 forbids illegitimate children from coming into the congregation. Adultery, punishable by the death of the unborn child along with the mother and father, (Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 22:22) was forbidden due to the breakdown of the family arrangement and would result in the child having no inheritance. All of this would have a devastating effect upon society. For this reason the illegitimate child of David was taken. (2 Samuel 12:14) Since Jehovah had a Kingdom covenant with David he wasn't put to death. (2 Samuel 7:11-16)
Paul used the Greek verb blasphemeo at Romans 2:24 in reference to Ezekiel 36:20-21 which demonstrates the harmony of the basic meaning of the word from Hebrew to Greek. Herod committed blasphemy when he claimed the prerogative of God (Acts 12:21-22)
Jesus was accused of blasphemy when he forgave sins, (Matthew 9:2-3) when he claimed to be God's son, (John 10:33-36) and for telling the Sanhedrin that he would sit at the right hand of God, to which they proclaimed him worthy of death. (Mark 14:61-64) They had no authority from the Romans, however, so they shrewdly changed the charge to sedition. (John 18:29 - 19:16)
Blasphemy against the holy spirit is the only unforgivable sin (Luke 12:10) Blasphemy comes from the heart and must be a willful and deliberate act, not merely a result of imperfection or human weakness.
