The term "despiseth" is an archaic form of the verb "despise," which means to regard with contempt or scorn. In the context of the Bible, it often refers to an attitude of disdain or rejection towards God, His commandments, or His messengers. This attitude is frequently addressed in Scripture, highlighting the spiritual and moral implications of such behavior.

Biblical Usage and Context

1. Rejection of God's Commandments: In the Old Testament, despising God's commandments is equated with rejecting His authority and wisdom. Proverbs 13:13 states, "He who despises instruction will pay the penalty, but the one who respects a command will be rewarded." This verse underscores the consequences of disregarding divine guidance.

2. Contempt for Prophets and Messengers: The prophets of Israel often faced contempt and rejection from the people. In 1 Samuel 8:7, God tells Samuel, "Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you. For it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected Me as their king." This highlights that despising God's messengers is tantamount to despising God Himself.

3. New Testament Teachings: In the New Testament, the concept of despising is expanded to include the rejection of Christ and His teachings. Jesus warns in Luke 10:16, "Whoever listens to you listens to Me; whoever rejects you rejects Me; and whoever rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me." This establishes a direct link between despising the apostles and rejecting God.

4. Moral and Ethical Implications: Despising others, particularly the poor or those in need, is condemned in Scripture. Proverbs 14:21 states, "He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who shows kindness to the poor." This verse emphasizes the moral duty to treat others with respect and compassion.

5. Spiritual Consequences: The act of despising is often associated with spiritual blindness and hard-heartedness. In Romans 2:4, Paul warns, "Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?" Here, despising God's kindness is linked to a failure to recognize the opportunity for repentance and salvation.

Theological Significance

Despising, in a biblical sense, is not merely an emotional response but a deliberate choice to reject or scorn what is holy and righteous. It reflects a heart that is resistant to God's will and is often associated with pride and self-reliance. The Bible consistently warns against such attitudes, urging believers to cultivate humility, obedience, and reverence for God and His Word.

Practical Application

For believers, the call is to examine their hearts and attitudes towards God's commandments, His messengers, and their fellow human beings. The Scriptures encourage a posture of humility and respect, recognizing the authority of God and the value of every individual created in His image. By doing so, believers align themselves with God's purposes and reflect His character in their lives.

"He that Despiseth Me," Says Christ, "Despiseth not Me...
... Address 170: "He that despiseth me," says Christ, "despiseth not me? "He
that despiseth me," says Christ, "despiseth not me, but ...
/.../address 170 0 0 he that despiseth.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Luke x. 16, "He that Rejecteth You ...
... He saith then, "He that despiseth you, despiseth Me." [3300] If to the Apostles
only He said, "He that despiseth you, despiseth Me;" do ye despise us. ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lii on the words.htm

The Praise of Unity.
... He that despiseth you, despiseth Me; and he that despiseth Me, despiseth Him that
sent Me.". Footnotes: [518] Matthew 18:19. [519] Or, "already.". ...
/.../the epistle of ignatius to the ephesians/chapter v the praise of unity.htm

All the Apostles Urge the Observance of the Order of the Church.
... For says the Lord: "He that heareth you, heareth me; and he that heareth me, heareth
Him that sent me." And, "He that despiseth you, despiseth me; and he that ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec v all the apostles urge.htm

The First Epistle.
... [2781] And elsewhere: He that heareth you, heareth me; and he that despiseth you,
despiseth me; and he that despiseth me, despiseth Him that sent me. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/the first epistle 3.htm

God's Call
... I tell you, God has called you, not unto uncleanness, not to remain in a state of
impurity, but to Holiness; and he that despiseth that calling despiseth not ...
//christianbookshelf.org/howard/standards of life and service/i gods call.htm

English Version of the Second Helvetic Confession, AD 1566.
... It is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of my Father speaketh in you;' therefore
'he that heareth you, heareth me; and he that despiseth you, despiseth me ...
/.../english version of the second.htm

Letter xii (AD 1127) to Louis, King of France
... 13] but the Lord of Paradise, a terrible God who cuts off the spirit of Princes
(Psalm 70:12), and who has said to Bishops, He who despiseth you despiseth me (S ...
/.../some letters of saint bernard abbot of clairvaux/letter xii a d 1127 to.htm

John Chapter xv. 22, 23
... For to this are to be referred the words that He spake, "He that receiveth you,
receiveth me;" [1473] and, "He that despiseth you, despiseth me." [1474] "Or ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate lxxxix john chapter xv.htm

Of the Statement which John Made Concerning the Man who Cast Out ...
... Nay; for what shall we make then of words like these: "He that despiseth you, despiseth
me;" [1609] and, "Inasmuch as ye did it not unto the least of mine, ye ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter v of the statement which.htm

Despiseth (23 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Despiseth (23 Occurrences). Luke 10:16 He that
heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth...
/d/despiseth.htm - 13k

Shaketh (20 Occurrences)
... (YLT). 2 Kings 19:21 This is the word that Jehovah has spoken against him: The
virgin-daughter of Zion despiseth thee, laugheth thee to scorn; The daughter of ...
/s/shaketh.htm - 12k

Ear (670 Occurrences)
... Luke 10:16 He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth
me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me. ...
/e/ear.htm - 42k

Virgin-daughter (3 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 19:21 This is the word that Jehovah has spoken against him: The virgin-daughter
of Zion despiseth thee, laugheth thee to scorn; The daughter of ...
/v/virgin-daughter.htm - 7k

Laugheth (14 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 19:21 This is the word that Jehovah has spoken against him: The virgin-daughter
of Zion despiseth thee, laugheth thee to scorn; The daughter of ...
/l/laugheth.htm - 9k

Getteth (11 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). Proverbs 15:5 A fool despiseth his father's correction;
But he that regardeth reproof getteth prudence. (ASV). ...
/g/getteth.htm - 9k

Despise (64 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV WBS YLT NAS RSV). 1 Thessalonians 4:8 He therefore that despiseth,
despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit. ...
/d/despise.htm - 25k

Feareth (36 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). Proverbs 13:13 Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed:
but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). ...
/f/feareth.htm - 17k

Despising (25 Occurrences)

/d/despising.htm - 14k

Walketh (62 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS DBY WBS). Proverbs 14:2 He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the
LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). ...
/w/walketh.htm - 24k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus