Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5760 Human attitudes and behaviour  »  5857 fame

The reputation gained by individuals or groups of people as a result of their achievements. Scripture shows how God's fame among the nations rested upon his saving actions and, in the NT, how the miracles of Jesus Christ brought him widespread fame. God's people are to rejoice in his fame, without lapsing into arrogance.

God's acts of salvation have brought him renown

Joshua 9:9-10 See also Exodus 8:9-11; Numbers 14:13-16; Psalm 72:1-19; Psalm 135:13-14; Isaiah 55:13; Isaiah 63:11-14; Jeremiah 32:20; Habakkuk 3:2

Jesus Christ's teaching and miracles brought him fame

Matthew 4:24 See also Matthew 8:32-34 pp Mark 5:14-17 pp Luke 8:34-37; Matthew 9:27-31; Mark 1:27-28 pp Luke 4:36-37

Jesus Christ taught servanthood rather than the pursuit of status and fame

Mark 9:33-35 pp Matthew 18:1-4 pp Luke 9:46-48 Mark 10:42-45 pp Matthew 20:25-28

Israel's fame dependent on her obedience to God

Deuteronomy 26:18-19 See also Deuteronomy 2:24-25

Israel made famous in order to glorify God

Jeremiah 13:11 See also Jeremiah 33:9

Israel's abuse of her fame led to judgment

Ezekiel 16:14-15 See also Ezekiel 16:35-42

Glorious restoration promised by God

Hosea 14:7 See also Isaiah 61:1-4

Local, national or international fame

Local

1 Chronicles 12:30

National

Joshua 6:27 See also Esther 9:4

International

1 Chronicles 14:17 See also 1 Kings 4:31; Kings 10:1 pp 2 Chronicles 9:1; 2 Chronicles 26:8; Isaiah 45:1-7

God's judgment on the arrogance that may come with fame

Isaiah 23:8-9 See also Jeremiah 48:16-18,29-30; Ezekiel 26:15-18

Famous for doing wrong

Numbers 16:40; 1 Kings 15:34; Jude 11

See also

1045  God, glory of
1060  God, greatness of
1310  God as judge
2327  Christ as servant
2351  Christ, miracles
5793  arrogance
7135  Israel, people of God
8276  humility
8332  reputation
8342  servanthood
8454  obedience to God