Dictionary of Bible Themes » 8000 The life of the believer » 8700 Threats to the life of faith » 8807 profanity
Behaviour which dishonours God's name or brings it into disrepute. It is often the result of idolatry, injustice or irreverence. Scripture strongly admonishes God's people to avoid it.
General warnings against profanity
Leviticus 22:31-33 See also Leviticus 21:5-6
God's name profaned through idolatry
Through child sacrifice
Leviticus 18:21 See also Leviticus 20:3; Deuteronomy 12:29-31; Deuteronomy 18:9-13; 2 Kings 16:1-4 pp 2 Chronicles 28:1-4; 2 Kings 17:16-17; Kings 21:1-6 pp 2 Chronicles 33:1-6; Psalm 106:36-39; Isaiah 57:3-5; Jeremiah 32:32-35; Ezekiel 16:20-22
Through the worship of idols
Ezekiel 20:39 See also Jeremiah 44:25-28; Ezekiel 20:31; Ezekiel 43:6-9
God's name profaned through injustice and evil
Malachi 2:10 See also Jeremiah 34:12-16; Amos 2:6-8; Amos 5:7-15; Micah 6:6-8
God's name profaned through false swearing
Leviticus 19:12 See also Jeremiah 5:1-2; Matthew 5:33-37; James 5:12
God's name profaned through blasphemy
Isaiah 52:5-6 See also Exodus 20:7 pp Deuteronomy 5:11; Leviticus 24:10-16; Isaiah 37:23; 2 Peter 2:12
God's name profaned through irreverence
Leviticus 22:2 See also Ezekiel 22:26; Zephaniah 3:1-4; Malachi 1:6-14
God's name profaned in the sight of foreign nations
Ezekiel 39:7 See also Ezekiel 20:13-44; Ezekiel 36:16-23; Romans 2:17-24; Isaiah 52:5
Penalties for profanity
Leviticus 20:1-5 See also Jeremiah 44:25-30; Ezekiel 13:17-23; Ezekiel 21:24-27; Ezekiel 39:1-8; Amos 4:2-13; Amos 8:4-14; Malachi 2:7-9
See also
1025 God, anger of 5042 name of God, significance 5347 injustice 5430 oaths, human 5800 blasphemy 5818 contempt 5838 disrespect 5896 irreverence 6026 sin, judgment on 6130 corruption 8444 honouring God 8768 idolatry