Bible Dictionary: Offend

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (v. t.) To strike against; to attack; to assail.

2. (v. t.) To displease; to make angry; to affront.

3. (v. t.) To be offensive to; to harm; to pain; to annoy; as, strong light offends the eye; to offend the conscience.

4. (v. t.) To transgress; to violate; to sin against.

5. (v. t.) To oppose or obstruct in duty; to cause to stumble; to cause to sin or to fall.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

OFFENCE; OFFEND

o-fens', o-fend' (mikhshol, 'asham, chaTa'; skandalon, skandalizo): "Offend" is either transitive or intransitive As transitive it is primarily "to strike against," hence, "to displease" "to make angry," "to do harm to," "to affront," in Scripture, "to cause to sin"; intransitive it is "to sin," "to cause anger," in Scripture, "to be caused to sin." "Offence" is either the cause of anger, displeasure, etc., or a sin. In Scripture we have the special significance of a stumbling-block, or cause of falling, sin, etc.

1. Old Testament Usage:

In the Old Testament it is frequently the translation of 'asham, "to be guilty," "to transgress": Jeremiah 2:3, the Revised Version (British and American) "shall be held guilty"; 50:7, the Revised Version (British and American) "not guilty"; Ezekiel 25:12, "hath greatly offended"; Hosea 4:15, the Revised Version margin "become guilty"; 5:15, "till they acknowledge their offense," the Revised Version margin "have borne their guilt"; 13:1, "He offended in Baal," the Revised Version margin "became guilty"; Habakkuk 1:11, "He shall pass over, and offend, (imputing) this his power unto his god," the Revised Version (British and American) "Then shall he sweep by (as) a wind, and shall pass over (margin "transgress"), and be guilty, (even) he whose might is his god."

In 2 Chronicles 28:13, we have 'ashmath `al, literally, "the offense against," the Revised Version (British and American) "a trespass (margin "or guilt") against Yahweh"; we have also chaTa', "to miss the mark," "to sin," "to err" (Genesis 20:9, the Revised Version (British and American) "sinned against thee"; 40:1, "offended their lord"; 2 Kings 18:14 Jeremiah 37:18, the Revised Version (British and American) "sinned against thee"); baghadh, "to deal treacherously" (Psalm 73:15, "offend against the generation of thy children," the Revised Version (British and American) "dealt treacherously with"); chabhal, "to act wickedly" (Job 34:31); mikhshol, "a stumbling block" (Leviticus 19:14; translated in Isaiah 8:14, "a rock of offense"; compare Ezekiel 14:3; 1 Samuel 25:31; Psalm 119:165, "nothing shall offend," the Revised Version (British and American) "no occasion of stumbling"; compare Isaiah 57:14 Jeremiah 6:21, etc.); pasha`, "to be fractious," "to transgress" (Proverbs 18:19, "a brother offended," the Revised Version margin "injured"). "Offence" is mikhshol (see above, 1 Samuel 25:31 Isaiah 8:14); cheT', "sin," etc. (Ecclesiastes 10:4, "Yielding pacifleth great offenses," the American Standard Revised Version "Gentleness (the English Revised Version "yielding") allayeth," the American Revised Version margin "Calmness (the English Revised Version "gentleness") leaveth great sins undone"). "Offender" is chaTTa' (1 Kings 1:21, margin "Hebrew: sinners"; Isaiah 29:21, "that make a man an offender for a word," the American Standard Revised Version "that make a man an offender in his cause," margin "make men to offend by (their) words," or, "for a word," the English Revised Version "in a cause," margin "make men to offend by (their) words").

2. New Testament Usage:

The New Testament usage of these words deserves special attention. The word most frequently translated "offend" in the King James Version is skandalizo (skandalon, "offence"), very frequent in the Gospels (Matthew 5:29, "if thy right eye offend thee"; 5:30; 11:06; 18:6, "whoso shall offend one of these little ones"; 13:41, "all things that offend"; Luke 17:1, "It is impossible but that offenses will come," etc.; Romans 14:21; 16:17, "Mark them which cause.... offenses"; 1 Corinthians 8:13 twice, "if meat make my brother to offend," etc.). Skandalon is primarily "a trap-stick," "a bentstick on which the bait is fastened which the animal strikes against and so springs the trap," hence, it came to denote a "snare," or anything which one strikes against injuriously (it is Septuagint's word for moqesh, a "noose" or "snare," Joshua 23:13 1 Samuel 18:21); "a stumbling-block" Septuagint for mikhshol (see above), Leviticus 19:14). For skandalizo, skandalon, translated in the King James Version, "offend," "offence," the Revised Version (British and American) gives "cause to stumble," "stumbling-block," etc.; thus, Matthew 5:29, "if thy right eye causeth thee to stumble," i.e. "is an occasion for thy falling into sin"; Matthew 16:23, "Thou art a stumbling-block unto me," an occasion of turning aside from the right path; in Matthew 26:31, 33 twice, "offended" is retained, margin, 26:33 twice, "Greek: caused to stumble" (same word in 26:31); Mark 9:42, "whosoever shall cause one of these little ones that believe on me to stumble," to fall away from the faith, or fall into sin; Luke 17:1, "It is impossible but that occasions of stumbling should come; but woe unto him, through whom they come"; in Romans 14:21; Romans 16:17; in 1 Corinthians 8, Paul's language has the same meaning, and we see how truly he had laid to heart the Saviour's earnest admonitions-"weak brethren" with him answering to the master's "little ones who believe"; Romans 14:21, "It is good not to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor to do anything whereby thy brother stumbleth," i.e. "is led by your example to do that which he cannot do with a good conscience"; 14:20, "It is evil for that man who eateth with offense (dia proskommatos)," so as to place a stumbling-block before his brother, or, rather, `without the confidence that he is doing right'; compare 14:23, "He that doubteth is condemned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith; and whatsoever is not of faith is sin"; so 1 Corinthians 8:13 Romans 16:17, "Mark them that are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine, (margin "teaching") which ye learned" (Is not the "teaching" of Christ Himself implied here?). Everything that would embolden another to do that which would be wrong for him, or that would turn anyone away from the faith, must be carefully avoided, seeking to please, not ourselves, but to care for our brother, "for whom Christ died," "giving no occasion of stumbling (proskope) in anything" (2 Corinthians 6:3).

Aproskopos, "not causing to stumble," is translated "void of offense" (Acts 24:16, "a conscience void of offense"; 1 Corinthians 10:32, the Revised Version (British and American) "occasion of stumbling"; Philippians 1:10, "void of offense"); hamartano, "to miss the mark," "to sin," "to err," is translated "offended" (Acts 25:8, the Revised Version (British and American) "sinned"); hamartia, "sin," "error" (2 Corinthians 11:7, the Revised Version (British and American) "Did I commit a sin?"); ptaio, "to stumble," "fall" (James 2:10; James 3:2 twice, "offend," the Revised Version (British and American) "stumble," "stumbleth"); paraptoma, "a falling aside or away," is translated "offence" (Romans 4:25; Romans 5:15, 16, 17, 18, 20, in each case the Revised Version (British and American) "trespass"); adikeo, "to be unrighteous" (Acts 25:11, the Revised Version (British and American) "wrongdoer," the King James Version "offender").

In the Apocrypha we have "offence" (skandalon, Judith 12:2), the Revised Version (British and American) "I will not eat thereof, lest there be an occasion of stumbling"; "offend" (hamartano, Ecclesiasticus 7:7), the Revised Version (British and American) "sin"; "greatly offended" (prosochthizo, Ecclesiasticus 25:2); "offended" (skandalizo, Ecclesiasticus 32:15), the Revised Version (British and American) "stumble."

W. L Walker

Greek

4624. skandalizo -- to put a snare (in the way), hence to cause to ...
... Phonetic Spelling: (skan-dal-id'-zo) Short Definition: I cause to stumble Definition:
I cause to stumble, cause to sin, cause to become indignant, shock, offend ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4624.htm - 8k

4417. ptaio -- to cause to stumble, to stumble
... offend, cause to stumble. A form of pipto; to trip, ie (figuratively) to err, sin,
fail (of salvation) -- fall, offend, stumble. see GREEK pipto. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4417.htm - 6k

264. hamartano -- to miss the mark, do wrong, sin
... committing (1), sin (11), sinned (17), sinning (4), sins (8). offend, sin,
trespass. Perhaps from a (as a negative particle) and the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/264.htm - 9k

5180. tupto -- to strike, smite, beat
... or a hammer), or rhapizo with the palm; as well as from tugchano, an accidental
collision); by implication, to punish; figuratively, to offend (the conscience ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5180.htm - 7k

Strong's Hebrew

816. asham -- to offend, be guilty
... 815, 816. asham. 817 . to offend, be guilty. Transliteration: asham Phonetic
Spelling: (aw-sham') Short Definition: guilty. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/816.htm - 6k

6586. pasha -- to rebel, transgress
... transgressing (1), transgression (1), transgressors (8). offend, rebel,
revolt, transgression,. A primitive root (identical with ...
/hebrew/6586.htm - 6k

2254. chabal -- to bind, pledge
... to bind, pledge. Transliteration: chabal Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-bal') Short
Definition: band. band, bring forth, deal corruptly, destroy, offend, spoil, ...
/hebrew/2254.htm - 5k

819. ashmah -- wrongdoing, guiltiness
... 1), wrongs (1). offend, sin, cause of trespassing, offering. Feminine of 'asham;
guiltiness, a fault, the presentation of a sin-offering ...
/hebrew/819.htm - 6k

898. bagad -- to act or deal treacherously
... deal deceitfully, treacherously, unfaithfully, offend, transgressor, depart.
A primitive root; to cover (with a garment); figuratively ...
/hebrew/898.htm - 6k

2254b. chabal -- to act corruptly
... root Definition to act corruptly NASB Word Usage acted very corruptly (1), brings
on destruction (1), broken (2), destroy (3), offend (1), ruin (1), ruining (1 ...
/hebrew/2254b.htm - 5k

2398. chata -- to miss, go wrong, sin
... repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn -- bear the blame, cleanse, commit (sin),
by fault, harm he hath done, loss, miss, (make) offend(-er), offer for sin ...
/hebrew/2398.htm - 6k

Library

By Such Enormous Sins, However, they Very Highly Offend God...
... Fifth Head of Doctrine Article 5 By such enormous sins, however, they very
highly offend God� By such enormous sins, however, they ...
/.../various/the canons of dordt/article 5 by such enormous.htm

Adorable and Eternal God! Hast Thou Made Me a Free Agent! and ...
... Hast Thou made me a free agent! And enabled me if I please to offend Thee
infinitely! ... And enabled me if I please to offend Thee infinitely! ...
/.../traherne/centuries of meditations/43 o adorable and eternal.htm

Strong Son of God
... And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better
for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into ...
/.../mark/jesus of nazareth a biography/chapter ix strong son of.htm

1891
... Ask Him to take me to Him on my profession-day, if by living on I should ever offend
Him, because I wish to bear unsullied to Heaven the white robe of my ...
//christianbookshelf.org/therese/story of a soul/v 1891.htm

The Law of Precedence in the Kingdom
... child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.5. And whoso shall receive
one such little child in My name receiveth Me.6. But whoso shall offend one of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the law of precedence in.htm

Of Hell
... So, (Mark 9:43, 44, ) "If thy hand offend thee," " if a thing or person, as useful
as a hand, be an occasion of sin, and there is no other way to shun that ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 73 of hell.htm

Whether Fear Diminishes as Charity Increases
... There is the filial fear by which one fears to offend a father, or to be separated
from him. There is also the servile fear by which one fears punishment. ...
/.../aquinas/nature and grace/article ten whether fear diminishes.htm

Jesus, My Lord! Behold at Length the Time
... Oh pardon me, Jesus: Thy mercy I implore; I will never more offend Thee; ... Oh pardon
me, Jesus: Thy mercy I implore; I will never more offend Thee; Page 206. ...
/.../various/the st gregory hymnal and catholic choir book/no 133 jesus my lord.htm

The Saint Resumes the History of Her Life. Aiming at Perfection. ...
... my understanding: this seemed to me, who did not comprehend the matter, to be a
grievous loss but, as His Majesty was pleased to give me light to offend Him no ...
/.../teresa/the life of st teresa of jesus/chapter xxiii the saint resumes.htm

Of the Most Holy Miracle of St Francis in Taming the Fierce Wolf ...
... thee, and all the inhabitants of this city are thy enemies; but I will make peace
between them and thee, O brother wolf, is so be thou no more offend them, and ...
/.../ugolino/the little flowers of st francis of assisi/chapter xxi of the most.htm

Thesaurus

Offend (24 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To be offensive to; to harm; to pain; to annoy; as, strong light offends
the eye; to offend the conscience. ... Standard Bible Encyclopedia. OFFENCE; OFFEND. ...
/o/offend.htm - 23k

Offence (27 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) A cause or occasion of stumbling or of sin. Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia. OFFENCE; OFFEND. o-fens', o-fend' (mikhshol, 'asham ...
/o/offence.htm - 25k

Hell (53 Occurrences)
... Matthew 5:29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee:
for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and ...
/h/hell.htm - 29k

Hanged (36 Occurrences)
... Matthew 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me,
it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that ...
/h/hanged.htm - 18k

Grate (6 Occurrences)
... 7. (vt) To fret; to irritate; to offend. ... Hence; To produce exasperation, soreness,
or grief; to offend by oppression or importunity. Int. ...
/g/grate.htm - 10k

Transgress (26 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To overpass a prescribed limit or boundary; to break a law; to sin. 2.
(vt) To offend against; to vex. 3. (vi) To offend against the law; to sin. ...
/t/transgress.htm - 14k

Standeth (111 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS). 1 Corinthians 8:13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend,
I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend. ...
/s/standeth.htm - 36k

Offended (26 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Offend. Multi-Version Concordance
Offended (26 Occurrences). Matthew 11:6 And blessed is ...
/o/offended.htm - 14k

Wherefore (448 Occurrences)
... Matthew 18:8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast
them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed ...
/w/wherefore.htm - 34k

Offences (21 Occurrences)

/o/offences.htm - 12k

Bible Concordance

Offend (24 Occurrences)

Matthew 5:29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
(KJV)

Matthew 5:30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
(KJV)

Matthew 13:41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
(KJV WBS)

Matthew 17:27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
(KJV WBS NAS NIV)

Matthew 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
(KJV DBY)

Matthew 18:8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.
(KJV DBY)

Matthew 18:9 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.
(KJV DBY)

Mark 9:42 And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.
(KJV)

Mark 9:43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
(KJV)

Mark 9:45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
(KJV)

Mark 9:47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:
(KJV)

Luke 17:2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.
(KJV)

John 6:61 When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?
(KJV DBY WBS NIV)

Romans 2:23 You who make your boast in the Law, do you offend against its commands and so dishonour God?
(WEY)

1 Corinthians 8:13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
(KJV)

James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
(KJV DBY WBS)

James 3:2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
(KJV DBY WBS)

Job 34:31 "For has any said to God,'I am guilty, but I will not offend any more.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 73:15 If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.
(KJV WBS)

Psalms 119:165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
(KJV)

Jeremiah 2:3 Israel was holiness unto the LORD, and the firstfruits of his increase: all that devour him shall offend; evil shall come upon them, saith the LORD.
(KJV WBS)

Jeremiah 50:7 All that found them have devoured them: and their adversaries said, We offend not, because they have sinned against the LORD, the habitation of justice, even the LORD, the hope of their fathers.
(KJV WBS)

Hosea 4:15 "Though you, Israel, play the prostitute, yet don't let Judah offend; and don't come to Gilgal, neither go up to Beth Aven, nor swear,'As Yahweh lives.'
(WEB KJV ASV WBS)

Habakkuk 1:11 Then shall his mind change, and he shall pass over, and offend, imputing this his power unto his god.
(KJV WBS)

Subtopics

Offend

Related Terms

Offence (27 Occurrences)

Hell (53 Occurrences)

Hanged (36 Occurrences)

Grate (6 Occurrences)

Transgress (26 Occurrences)

Standeth (111 Occurrences)

Offended (26 Occurrences)

Wherefore (448 Occurrences)