Blasphemy

[Pressing-On]

I was reading through the Book of Numbers and noticed something I hadn't seen before in Numbers 15:30-31.

The English Standard Version seems to have this more right to the actual definition of presumptuously and the New American Standard has it more correct on the latter part for blaspheme as the BDB also defines reproach as blaspheme.


But the person who does anything with a high hand (presumptuously), whether he is native or a sojourner, reviles (reproaches/blaspheme) the LORD, and that person shall be cut off from among his people. (ESV)

But the person who does anything defiantly, whether he is native or an alien, that one is blaspheming (reproach) the LORD; and that person shall be cut off from among his people." (NAS)

It was interesting to me that the New Living Translation puts it more toward a way you might take that as going against God's will.

"But those who brazenly violate the LORD's will, whether native-born Israelites or foreigners, have blasphemed the LORD, and they must be cut off from the community." (NLT)


Numbers 15:31 reiterates that being the case - despising God's Word with all the other translations agreeing.

"Because he hath despised the word of the LORD, and hath broken his commandment, that soul shall utterly be cut off; his iniquity shall be upon him." (KJV)

Now, when you get to the New Testament, it appears after reading through all of the references to "blasphemy" that the act is done by a person's words and not so much their actions.

So, how did that change between the two? Or, I suppose your words can relay your actions.

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

I was reading through the Book of Numbers and noticed something I hadn't seen before in Numbers 15:30-31.

The English Standard Version seems to have this more right to the actual definition of presumptuously and the New American Standard has it more correct on the latter part for blaspheme as the BDB also defines reproach as blaspheme.


But the person who does anything with a high hand (presumptuously), whether he is native or a sojourner, reviles (reproaches/blaspheme) the LORD, and that person shall be cut off from among his people. (ESV)

But the person who does anything defiantly, whether he is native or an alien, that one is blaspheming (reproach) the LORD; and that person shall be cut off from among his people." (NAS)

It was interesting to me that the New Living Translation puts it more toward a way you might take that as going against God's will.

"But those who brazenly violate the LORD's will, whether native-born Israelites or foreigners, have blasphemed the LORD, and they must be cut off from the community." (NLT)


Numbers 15:31 reiterates that being the case - despising God's Word with all the other translations agreeing.

"Because he hath despised the word of the LORD, and hath broken his commandment, that soul shall utterly be cut off; his iniquity shall be upon him." (KJV)

Now, when you get to the New Testament, it appears after reading through all of the references to "blasphemy" that the act is done by a person's words and not so much their actions.

So, how did that change between the two? Or, I suppose your words can relay your actions.

Nothing changed. Blasphemy is reproaching or otherwise speaking evil of God. Those who act presumptuously against the Law have, by their actions, and likely along with their words, "reproached the Lord". They act as if "the Lord hath NOT said..."

Also, it is likely that a PRESUMPTUOUS act includes a spoken declaration "who cares what God supposedly said", probably using a bit more colorful language, or something along those lines.

So I don't think the meaning changed at all, it's that the verse in question is basically saying "he that decides to just arrogantly blow off God as if His Law is irrelevant has reproached God."

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Esaias

Nothing changed. Blasphemy is reproaching or otherwise speaking evil of God. Those who act presumptuously against the Law have, by their actions, and likely along with their words, "reproached the Lord". They act as if "the Lord hath NOT said..."

Also, it is likely that a PRESUMPTUOUS act includes a spoken declaration "who cares what God supposedly said", probably using a bit more colorful language, or something along those lines.

So I don't think the meaning changed at all, it's that the verse in question is basically saying "he that decides to just arrogantly blow off God as if His Law is irrelevant has reproached God."

Yes, I agree. Our words can relay our actions. The passage in Numbers gives me more understanding on this.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Esaias

Nothing changed. Blasphemy is reproaching or otherwise speaking evil of God. Those who act presumptuously against the Law have, by their actions, and likely along with their words, "reproached the Lord". They act as if "the Lord hath NOT said..."

Wanted to come back and add, to be more clear, that in my experience, the teaching on Blasphemy has focused, mainly, on the spoken word, and not so much on our actions as well. I think that Numbers broadens the word and gives a more full understanding, IMO.

And the definition for "presumptuously" is very interesting, i.e. "hand" (Hebrew, "with an high" or "uplifted hand"—that is, knowingly, wilfully, obstinately - JFB; "It is meant to express the action or conduct of a man who knowingly and wilfully broke the law, and when admonished, despised the admonition, and set the law at naught." Benson Commentary), which is how the NLT gets its translation. Just very interesting.

"But those who brazenly violate the LORD's will, whether native-born Israelites or foreigners, have blasphemed the LORD, and they must be cut off from the community." (NLT)