Definition: The term "contemn" refers to the act of treating someone or something with disdain, scorn, or contempt. It involves a deep-seated disrespect and a willful disregard for the value or authority of the person or thing being contemned.

Biblical Usage: In the Bible, contemn is often used to describe the attitude of individuals or nations who reject God's authority, His commandments, or His chosen people. It is a serious offense that reflects a hardened heart and a rebellious spirit.

Scriptural References:

1. Psalm 10:13 : "Why has the wicked man renounced God? He says to himself, 'You will never call me to account.'" This verse illustrates the attitude of the wicked who contemn God by denying His justice and authority.

2. Proverbs 14:2 : "He who walks in uprightness fears the LORD, but the one who is devious in his ways despises Him." Here, the contrast is drawn between the righteous who revere God and those who contemn Him through deceitful living.

3. Isaiah 5:24 : "Therefore, as a tongue of fire consumes the stubble, and as dry grass sinks in the flames, so their roots will decay, and their blossoms will blow away like dust; for they have rejected the law of the LORD of Hosts and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel." This passage highlights the consequences faced by those who contemn God's law and His word.

4. 1 Samuel 2:30 : "Therefore, the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: 'I did indeed say that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever.' But now the LORD declares: 'Far be it from Me! For those who honor Me I will honor, but those who despise Me will be disdained.'" This verse underscores the principle that God honors those who honor Him, while those who contemn Him will themselves be contemned.

Theological Implications: Contemning God or His commandments is not merely an external act but a reflection of the heart's condition. It signifies a rejection of God's sovereignty and a refusal to submit to His will. This attitude is often associated with pride, rebellion, and a lack of faith. The Bible consistently warns against such behavior, emphasizing the importance of humility, reverence, and obedience to God.

Moral and Ethical Considerations: From a moral standpoint, contemning others, especially those in positions of God-given authority, is equally condemned in Scripture. Believers are called to respect and honor one another, recognizing the inherent dignity bestowed by God. Contemptuous behavior towards others is seen as contrary to the love and respect that should characterize Christian relationships.

Practical Application: Christians are encouraged to examine their hearts and attitudes regularly to ensure they do not harbor contempt towards God, His word, or His people. This involves cultivating a spirit of humility, seeking forgiveness for any rebellious attitudes, and striving to live in accordance with God's commandments. By doing so, believers demonstrate their reverence for God and their commitment to His ways.(v. t.) To view or treat with contempt, as mean and despicable; to reject with disdain; to despise; to scorn.818. atimazo -- to dishonor
... From atimos; to render infamous, ie (by implication) contemn or maltreat -- despise,
dishonour, suffer shame, entreat shamefully. see GREEK atimos. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/818.htm - 7k

4065. periphroneo -- to examine on all sides, to despise
... despise. From peri and phroneo; to think beyond, ie Depreciate (contemn) -- despise.
see GREEK peri. see GREEK phroneo. (periphroneito) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4065.htm - 7k

5006. naats -- to spurn, treat with contempt
... 3), spurned (8), spurns (1). abhor, give occasion to blaspheme, contemn,
despise, flourish, great, provoke. A primitive root; to ...
/hebrew/5006.htm - 6k

3988. ma'ac -- to reject
... abhor, cast away off, contemn, despise, disdain, become loathsome, refuse,
A primitive root; to spurn; also (intransitively) to ...
/hebrew/3988.htm - 5k

7034. qalah -- to be lightly esteemed or dishonored
... base, contemn, despise, lightly esteem, set light, seem vile. A primitive root;
to be light (as implied in rapid motion), but figuratively ...
/hebrew/7034.htm - 6k

936. buz -- to despise
... contemn, despise utterly. A primitive root; to disrespect -- contemn, despise,
X utterly. 935, 936. buz. 937 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/936.htm - 5k

5541. calah -- to make light of, toss aside
... tread down under foot, value A primitive root; to hang up, ie Weigh, or (figuratively)
contemn -- tread down (under foot), value. 5540, 5541. calah. 5541a ...
/hebrew/5541.htm - 5k

959. bazah -- to despise
... A primitive root; to disesteem -- despise, disdain, contemn(-ptible), + think to
scorn, vile person. 958, 959. bazah. 960 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/959.htm - 6k

To Contemn the World and to Enjoy the World are Things Contrary to ...
... THE FIRST CENTURY 7 To contemn the world and to enjoy the world are things
contrary to each other. To contemn the world and to enjoy ...
/.../traherne/centuries of meditations/7 to contemn the world.htm

How those who Fear Scourges and those who Contemn them are to be ...
... OF ROME, Chapter XIII. How those who fear scourges and those who contemn
them are to be admonished. (Admonition 14.) Differently ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter xiii how those who.htm

That the Contempt of the Evangelical Counsels is a Great Sin.
... Yet I distinctly say that to contemn the aiming after Christian perfection is a
great sin, and that it is a still greater to contemn the invitation by which ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter viii that the contempt.htm

Further Reasons for Practising Patience. Its Connection with the ...
... But the trifling ones you may contemn from their very littleness; to the very
great ones you may yield in regard of their overpoweringness. ...
/.../tertullian/of patience/chapter xi further reasons for practising.htm

Whether Obedience is the Greatest of the virtues?
... God, the greater the virtue. Now there are three kinds of human goods that
man may contemn for God's sake. The lowest of these are ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether obedience is the greatest.htm

section i.
... If there be any among those common objects of hatred I do contemn and laugh at,
it is that great enemy of Reason, Virtue and Religion, the Multitude: that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/browne/religio medici/section i 2.htm

Significant Phrases
... conspired and contrived. constant and intimate. constructive and vital. contemn
and decry [contemn = despise]. contempt and indignation. contentment and serenity ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section ii significant phrases.htm

Impressive Phrases
... necessity, emergency, exigency, and crisis [exigency = urgent situation]. neglect,
overlook, disregard, and contemn [contemn = despise]. ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section iv impressive phrases.htm

The Divine Liturgy of James the Holy Apostle and Brother of the ...
... IO Sovereign Lord our God, contemn me not, defiled with a multitude of sins: for,
behold, I have come to this Thy divine and heavenly mystery, not as being ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/various/early liturgies/the divine liturgy of james.htm

section ii.
... others. I can cure Vices by Physick when they remain incurable by Divinity,
and shall obey my Pills when they contemn their precepts. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/browne/religio medici/section ii 2.htm

Contemn (6 Occurrences)
... scorn. Multi-Version Concordance Contemn (6 Occurrences). Psalms ... Jehovah. (ASV
DBY JPS). Psalms 10:13 Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he ...
/c/contemn.htm - 8k

Contemned (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Contemn. Multi-Version Concordance
Contemned (7 Occurrences). Psalms 15:4 In whose eyes ...
/c/contemned.htm - 8k

Abhor (23 Occurrences)
... with. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ABHOR. ab-hor': "To cast away," "reject,"
"despise," "defy," "contemn," "loathe," etc. (1) Translated ...
/a/abhor.htm - 14k

Flourish (26 Occurrences)
... Version (British and American) "blossom" (so Ewald, Delitzsch, etc.); na'ats has
nowhere else this meaning; it is frequently rendered "contemn;" "despise," etc ...
/f/flourish.htm - 18k

Despise (64 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (vt) To look down upon with disfavor or contempt; to contemn;
to scorn; to disdain; to have a low opinion or contemptuous dislike of. ...
/d/despise.htm - 25k

Contamination (3 Occurrences)

/c/contamination.htm - 7k

Scorn (65 Occurrences)
... or derision. 4. (n.) To hold in extreme contempt; to reject as unworthy
of regard; to despise; to contemn; to disdain. 5. (n.) To ...
/s/scorn.htm - 31k

Require (46 Occurrences)
... All his thoughts are, There is no God. (See JPS ASV). Psalms 10:13 Wherefore doth
the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it. ...
/r/require.htm - 22k

Glorious (91 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Jeremiah 14:21 Do not contemn us, for Thy name's sake, do not dishonour
the throne of Thy glory; remember, break not Thy covenant with us. ...
/g/glorious.htm - 34k

Contemning (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Contemn. Multi-Version
Concordance Contemning (2 Occurrences). Ezekiel 21:10 it is ...
/c/contemning.htm - 7k

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