📖 Biblical Definition
Hatred of the Jewish people is ultimately hatred of God's covenant purposes. God chose Israel as His covenant people — "For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth" (Deuteronomy 7:6). God promised Abraham, "I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse" (Genesis 12:3). The pattern of satanic opposition to the Jews runs throughout Scripture — from Pharaoh to Haman to Herod. Anti-Semitism is not merely racial prejudice; it is spiritual warfare against the people through whom God chose to bring the Messiah into the world.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Not present in Webster 1828. The term was coined in 1879.
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Not in Webster 1828. The related entry JEW is defined as: "A Hebrew or Israelite." SEMITIC is defined in reference to the descendants of Shem. Note: While the formal term did not exist in 1828, hatred of the Jews was ancient and well-documented throughout history. The formalization of the word reflected the rise of racial pseudo-science, but the spiritual root of anti-Semitism predates all modern categories.
📖 Key Scripture
• Genesis 12:3 — "I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse."
• Deuteronomy 7:6 — "The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth."
• Romans 11:1-2 — "God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew."
• Esther 3:5-6 — "Haman sought to destroy all the Jews... throughout the whole kingdom."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Anti-Semitism persists in both overt hatred and subtle theological replacement of Israel.
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Anti-Semitism takes many modern forms: overt racial hatred, conspiracy theories, Holocaust denial, and the political demonization of Israel. But it also appears in subtler theological forms — replacement theology (supersessionism) teaches that the Church has permanently replaced Israel in God's purposes, effectively erasing Jewish significance from redemptive history. Paul explicitly addresses this in Romans 11, warning Gentile believers not to be arrogant toward the natural branches. The church that despises or dismisses the Jewish people is at war with God's own covenant promises. Salvation is "from the Jews" (John 4:22), and the God who keeps His promises to Israel is the same God Christians trust to keep His promises to them.
Usage
• "Anti-Semitism is not merely racial prejudice — it is satanic opposition to the people through whom God brought the Messiah and through whom He will fulfill His covenant promises."
• "God promised to curse those who dishonor Abraham's descendants — anti-Semitism is therefore not just a sin against the Jews but an act of war against God Himself."