Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  8000 The life of the believer  »  8700 Threats to the life of faith  »  8819 scoffing

Treating individuals, people, ideas or values with contempt or ridicule. Scripture indicates that God's word and his people can expect to be treated with contempt by the world.

Objects of scoffing

Nations punished by God

Jeremiah 19:8 See also 1 Kings 9:6-9; Jeremiah 49:17; Jeremiah 50:13; Lamentations 2:15-17; Zephaniah 2:13-15

God's messengers

2 Chronicles 36:15-16

Reasons for scoffing

Unbelief

2 Peter 3:3-4 See also Acts 13:41; Habakkuk 1:5; Jude 17-19

Arrogance

Habakkuk 1:10 See also Psalm 73:3-8; Isaiah 28:14-15

Lack of wisdom

Proverbs 29:9

God scoffs at the nations

Psalm 59:5-8 See also Psalm 2:1-6

See also

5818  contempt
5893  insults
5900  laughter
5951  slander
8782  mockery
8794  persecution
8815  ridicule