📖 Biblical Definition
One who speaks contemptuously of God or holy things. Greek blasphemos. Scripture treats blasphemy with extreme seriousness: the OT prescribed death for blasphemy against the LORD (Lev 24:10-16). The high priest charged Christ with blasphemy at His trial (Matt 26:65; Mark 14:64). Paul confessed his pre-conversion self as a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious (1 Tim 1:13), but received mercy because he did it ignorantly in unbelief. Revelation 13:5-6 names the eschatological beast as one who speaks great things and blasphemies. The category extends beyond cursing-with-God's-name to any speech that diminishes God's glory or character. The biblical response: refuse such speech yourself; refuse to tolerate it in your gatherings; pray for the blasphemer's repentance as Paul received his. The unforgivable sin (Mark 3:28-30) is the final, settled blasphemy against the Spirit; ordinary blasphemy is gravely serious but not unforgivable.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
One who speaks contemptuously of God or holy things.
expand to see more
One who speaks injuriously of God or holy things; a category Paul applies to himself before conversion ('a blasphemer, a persecutor, and injurious'); also applied to the eschatological beast and false prophet who speak great things against the Most High.
📖 Key Scripture
1 Timothy 1:13 — "Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief."
Revelation 13:5 — "And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies."
Mark 3:28-29 — "All sins shall be forgiven... but he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Reduced to taking God's name in vain (which it includes) but Scripture's category is broader — speaking against God's character or work.
expand to see more
Modern speech has emptied "blasphemy" of its weight — it now means "anything mildly offensive to a religious group" rather than "speech that injures the honor of God." The corruption is double: secular culture treats blasphemy as a quaint medieval concept; meanwhile, actual speech against God's character circulates freely without alarm.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Greek blasphēmos.
expand to see more
['Greek', 'G989', 'blasphēmos', 'blasphemer']
['Greek', 'G988', 'blasphēmia', 'blasphemy']
Usage
"Paul: I was a blasphemer; I obtained mercy."
"The unforgivable sin is against the Spirit."