The Life of Jesus in Harmony | Index

blasphemes

BLASPHEMY (Gk. blasphemia, signifies the speaking of evil of God; Heb. naqab shem 'Adonai, to "curse the name of the Lord," (Is 52:5; Rom 2:24).

Sometimes, perhaps, "blasphemy" has been retained by translators when the general meaning "evil-speaking" or "slander" might have been better (Ps 74:18; Col 3:8).

There are two general forms of blasphemy: (1) Attributing some evil to God, or denying Him some good that we should attribute to Him (Lev 24:11; Rom. 2:24). (2) Giving the attributes of God to a creature-- which form of blasphemy the Jews charged Jesus with (Mt. 26:65; Lk 5:21; Jn 10:36.

The Jews from ancient times have interpreted the command in (Lev 24:16) as prohibiting the utterance of the name Jehovah, reading for it "Adonai" or "Elohim."

The punishment for blasphemy, when committed in ignorance, i.e., through thoughtlessness and weakness of the flesh, might be atoned for;

but if committed "with a high hand," i.e., in total rebellion against Jehovah, was punished by stoning (Lev 24:11-16).