The term "notorious" is often used to describe individuals or actions that are widely and unfavorably known. In the context of the Bible, notoriety is typically associated with sin, rebellion, or actions that stand in stark contrast to the teachings and commandments of God. The Bible provides numerous examples of individuals whose actions made them notorious, serving as cautionary tales for believers.

Old Testament Examples

1. Cain: One of the earliest examples of a notorious figure in the Bible is Cain, the firstborn son of Adam and Eve. Cain became infamous for committing the first murder by killing his brother Abel out of jealousy. Genesis 4:8-10 recounts this tragic event: "Cain said to his brother Abel, 'Let us go out to the field.' And while they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. Then the LORD said to Cain, 'Where is your brother Abel?' 'I do not know,' he answered. 'Am I my brother’s keeper?'"

2. Jezebel: Queen Jezebel, the wife of King Ahab, is another notorious figure in the Old Testament. Known for her idolatry and persecution of the prophets of Yahweh, Jezebel's actions led to widespread apostasy in Israel. Her account is detailed in 1 Kings 16:31-33 : "And as if following the sin of Jeroboam son of Nebat were not enough, he also married Jezebel, the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and he proceeded to serve and worship Baal."

New Testament Examples

1. Herod the Great: Herod the Great is notorious for his role in the Massacre of the Innocents, as recorded in Matthew 2:16 : "When Herod saw that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he sent orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, according to the time he had learned from the Magi." This act of brutality was driven by his fear of losing power to the newborn "King of the Jews."

2. Judas Iscariot: Perhaps one of the most infamous figures in the New Testament is Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve apostles who betrayed Jesus Christ for thirty pieces of silver. His betrayal is recorded in Matthew 26:14-16 : "Then one of the Twelve, the one called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and asked, 'What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?' And they set out for him thirty pieces of silver."

Conceptual Understanding

In biblical terms, notoriety is often linked with actions that defy God's commandments and lead others astray. The Bible warns against the pursuit of actions that may lead to a notorious reputation, emphasizing the importance of living a life that honors God and upholds His statutes. Proverbs 10:7 states, "The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot."

Lessons for Believers

The accounts of notorious figures in the Bible serve as warnings and lessons for believers. They highlight the consequences of sin and the importance of repentance and obedience to God. The Bible encourages believers to seek righteousness and avoid actions that could lead to a notorious reputation, as seen in 1 Peter 2:12 : "Conduct yourselves with such honor among the Gentiles that though they slander you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us."(a.) Unfavorably known and talked of by the public; as, a notorious thief; a notorious crime or vice; universally believed to be true; manifest to the world; evident; -- usually in an unfavorable sense.1978. episemos -- bearing a mark, notable
... Word Origin from epi and the same as semaino Definition bearing a mark, notable
NASB Word Usage notorious (1), outstanding (1). notable, of note. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1978.htm - 6k

The Conduct of Heretics: Its Frivolity, Worldliness, and ...
... Heretics. Chapter XLI."The Conduct of Heretics: Its Frivolity, Worldliness,
and Irregularity The Notorious Wantonness of Their Women. ...
/.../the prescription against heretics/chapter xli the conduct of heretics .htm

Article vi: of Confession and Satisfaction.
... For as the fallen or notorious [those guilty of public crimes] were not received
without fixed satisfactions [without a public ceremony or reproof], they made ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 16 article vi of.htm

Grace and Glory
... Now, what the Romans thought glorious in their days is notorious enough. ... The Greek's
meaning of glory is equally notorious. He called it wisdom. ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xxxv grace and glory.htm

Your Letter Goes On:
... [3164]. Footnotes: [3159] Kings of Lydia and Persia notorious for their wealth.
[3160] Kings of Lydia and Persia notorious for their wealth. ...
/.../4 your letter goes on .htm

You Say that You are not the Defender or the Champion of Origen ...
... say that you are not the defender or the champion of Origen; but I will at once
confront you with your own book of which you spoke in that notorious preface to ...
/.../15 you say that you.htm

But Why do I Laugh at the Sickles and Tridents which have Been ...
... why at the horns, hammers, and caps, when I know that certain images have [4658]
the forms of certain men, and the features of notorious courtesans? ...
/.../arnobius/the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/13 but why do i.htm

Epistle v. To Queen Brunichild.
... the eternal Judge. Footnotes: [1631] This is the first of the ten letters
of Gregory to the notorious Brunechild. A daughter of ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle v to queen brunichild.htm

Letter cclxiii. To the Westerns.
... after being publicly cut off from the body of the Church, still abides in its own
error, and does not do us much harm because its impiety is notorious to all. ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter cclxiii to the westerns.htm

Whether the Priest Ought to Deny the Body of Christ to the Sinner ...
... I answer that, A distinction must be made among sinners: some are secret; others
are notorious, either from evidence of the fact, as public usurers, or public ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the priest ought to.htm

Against what Has Been Advanced in the Preceding Pages...
... And I ask if it be not notorious, that an earnest and appropriate elocution will
give this effect to a poor style, and that poor speaking will take it away ...
/.../ware/hints on extemporaneous preaching/chapter ii against what has.htm

Notorious (16 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Unfavorably known and talked of by the public; as,
a notorious thief; a ... Multi-Version Concordance Notorious (16 Occurrences). ...
/n/notorious.htm - 11k

Tax-gatherers (16 Occurrences)
... Matthew 9:11 The Pharisees noticed this, and they inquired of His disciples, "Why
does your Teacher eat with the tax-gatherers and notorious sinners?" (WEY DBY ...
/t/tax-gatherers.htm - 11k

Barabbas (10 Occurrences)
... Ie, son of Abba or of a father, a notorious robber whom Pilate proposed to condemn
to death instead of Jesus, whom he wished to release, in accordance with the ...
/b/barabbas.htm - 13k

Party (47 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Matthew 9:10 And while He was reclining at table, a large number of tax-gathers
and notorious sinners were of the party with Jesus and His disciples. ...
/p/party.htm - 20k

Complain (19 Occurrences)
... Luke 15:2 and this led the Pharisees and the Scribes indignantly to complain, saying,
"He gives a welcome to notorious sinners, and joins them at their meals ...
/c/complain.htm - 12k

Sinners (132 Occurrences)
... "I solemnly tell you,' replied Jesus, "that the tax-gatherers and the notorious
sinners are entering the Kingdom of God in front of you. (WEY). ...
/s/sinners.htm - 35k

Large (235 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Matthew 9:10 And while He was reclining at table, a large number of
tax-gathers and notorious sinners were of the party with Jesus and His disciples. ...
/l/large.htm - 34k

Everywhere (53 Occurrences)
... Luke 15:1 Now the tax-gatherers and the notorious sinners were everywhere
in the habit of coming close to Him to listen to Him; (WEY). ...
/e/everywhere.htm - 22k

Led (260 Occurrences)
... and Scribes of their party to expostulate with His disciples and ask, "Why are you
eating and drinking with these tax-gatherers and notorious sinners?" (WEY). ...
/l/led.htm - 36k

Welcomed (30 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 11:31 Through faith the notorious sinner Rahab did not perish along with
the disobedient, for she had welcomed the spies and had sheltered them. ...
/w/welcomed.htm - 15k

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Notorious: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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