Dictionary of Bible Themes: 8800 prejudice

8800 prejudice

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 8000 The life of the believer » 8700 Threats to the life of faith » 8800 prejudice

Seen mainly in Scripture as a bias against places, peoples and ideas. It is sometimes so firmly rooted as to resist all contrary evidence.

Prejudice against places

John 1:46 See also John 7:41,52

Prejudice against people

Prejudice due to an attitude of superiority

Prejudice based on fear or jealousy

Exodus 1:9-10,12-13; 1 Samuel 18:8-9,29

Prejudice against Jesus Christ

Prejudice may be based on false assumptions about people's behaviour

Hostility incorrectly assumed

Genesis 12:11-12 See also Genesis 20:1-2; Genesis 26:1-11

Motives misunderstood

Numbers 32:5-9 The leaders of Reuben and Gad chose to inhabit the fertile land in Transjordan but they were also prepared to cross the Jordan to help their brothers conquer the land. See also Numbers 32:14,17; Joshua 22:10-24; 2 Samuel 10:3

Prejudice in terms of partiality

Favouritism

Genesis 25:28; Genesis 37:3; Genesis 44:20,27-29

People are often prejudiced in favour of their own kind

Matthew 5:46-47 pp Luke 6:32-34 See also Luke 7:29; Luke 17:16; Acts 10:45; Luke 11:18

Prejudice on grounds of outward appearance or behaviour

James 2:3-4 See also 1 Samuel 16:7; 2 Samuel 14:25; Ecclesiastes 9:16; John 8:15; Romans 14:1,3,10,13; 1 Corinthians 4:5; Galatians 2:6

Prejudice due to race

Esther 3:5-6 See also Ezra 4:15-16; Nehemiah 4:1-4; Esther 3:8-14; Esther 7:4; Daniel 3:8-12; Daniel 6:3-9,13

Partiality forbidden

Exodus 23:3 See also Leviticus 19:15; James 2:9

God is not prejudiced

God is impartial

Job falsely accuses God of partiality

Job 9:16,20,30-31; Job 10:15-17

Prejudice which no contrary evidence would change

The Sadducees' prejudice against the resurrection

Matthew 22:23 pp Mark 12:18 pp Luke 20:27 See also Acts 4:1-3; Acts 23:8