Topical Encyclopedia Definition: To defame is to damage the reputation, character, or good name of someone through false or malicious statements. In biblical terms, defamation is often associated with slander, gossip, and bearing false witness, all of which are condemned in Scripture. Biblical Context: The Bible addresses the issue of defamation primarily through its teachings on the tongue, speech, and the moral obligations of truthfulness and love towards one's neighbor. Defamation is seen as a violation of the commandment against bearing false witness and is contrary to the character of God, who is truth. Old Testament References: The Old Testament frequently warns against the dangers of harmful speech. In Proverbs, the destructive power of the tongue is highlighted: "A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends" (Proverbs 16:28). The law given to Israel explicitly forbids false testimony: "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor" (Exodus 20:16). The Psalms also reflect on the damage caused by deceitful speech: "They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their bitter words like arrows" (Psalm 64:3). Such imagery underscores the harm that defamation can inflict on individuals and communities. New Testament References: The New Testament continues to emphasize the importance of truthful and edifying speech. Jesus Himself taught about the significance of words, stating, "But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken" (Matthew 12:36). The Apostle Paul admonishes believers to avoid slander and to speak truthfully: "Do not lie to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices" (Colossians 3:9). He also warns against the divisive nature of gossip and slander in the church: "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice" (Ephesians 4:31). James, the brother of Jesus, provides a vivid description of the tongue's potential for evil: "The tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze. The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body" (James 3:5-6). Moral and Ethical Implications: Defamation is not merely a social or legal issue but a moral one, deeply rooted in the biblical call to love one's neighbor as oneself (Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 22:39). The act of defaming another person is a failure to honor their dignity and worth as beings created in the image of God. The biblical response to defamation involves repentance, seeking forgiveness, and making amends where possible. Believers are called to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) and to use their words to build up rather than tear down (1 Thessalonians 5:11). Conclusion: While the Bible does not use the term "defame" explicitly, the principles surrounding truthful and loving speech are clear. Defamation, in any form, is contrary to the teachings of Scripture and the character of a follower of Christ. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (v. t.) To slander; to harm or destroy the good reputation of; to disgrace; especially, to speak evil of maliciously; to dishonor by slanderous reports; to calumniate; to asperse.2. (v. t.) To render infamous; to bring into disrepute. 3. (v. t.) To charge; to accuse. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia DEFAME; DEFAMINGde-fam', de-fam'-ing: These words occur but twice in the King James Version, and are translations of dibbah, "slander," from dabhath, "to slander," or spread an evil report, and blasphemeo, "to speak injuriously" of anyone (Jeremiah 20:10 1 Corinthians 4:13). "To defame" differs from "to revile" in that the former refers to public slander, the latter to personal abuse. Greek 987. blasphemeo -- to slander, hence to speak lightly or profanely ... ... utter (1). blaspheme, defame, revile, speak evil. From blasphemos; to vilify; specially, to speak impiously -- (speak) blaspheme ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/987.htm - 9k 3679. oneidizo -- to reproach 2635. katalaleo -- to speak evil of 1228. diabolos -- slanderous, accusing falsely Strong's Hebrew 2778. charaph. -- to reproach... off, ie (by implication) to expose (as by stripping); specifically, to betroth (as if a surrender); figuratively, to carp at, ie Defame; denominative (from ... /hebrew/2778.htm - 5k Library Now Suppose that While You were Writing This, as You Tell us You ... If, Then, You Really Intend to do an Act of Repentance for those ... ecce Iterum Crispinus!' The Ninth Commandment A Discourse of Mercifulness This is the Chief Passage which those who were Sent from the East ... Impressive Phrases Of the Hindrances which an Unbelieving Husband Puts in his Wife's ... Of God, his Care and Anger. Introduction. Thesaurus Defame... Standard Bible Encyclopedia. DEFAME; DEFAMING. ... "To defame" differs from "to revile" in that the former refers to public slander, the latter to personal abuse. ... /d/defame.htm - 7k Defaming (3 Occurrences) Defamed (4 Occurrences) Deer's (2 Occurrences) Malign (6 Occurrences) Blemish (71 Occurrences) Scandal (1 Occurrence) Slander (34 Occurrences) Susanna (1 Occurrence) Resources What is retribution theology? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about libel? | GotQuestions.org How can a church achieve a true, biblical unity? | GotQuestions.org Defame: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
    |