In the Bible, the‌ word ‌”reproach” appears⁢ numerous times,‍ conveying various meanings and implications. Essentially, reproach refers to the⁤ act of expressing disapproval or discrediting someone, often due to ‍their actions‍ or beliefs. It involves the⁢ act ‍of blaming or criticizing someone, typically​ with a sense of shame or disgrace.

One‌ significant aspect of⁣ the definition of reproach in the Bible is its association ‍with the ⁢idea of sin. The‍ Bible often uses the term to highlight ​how individuals or ⁣communities ⁣have deviated from God’s commandments, resulting in their reproach. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of straying from‍ the path

Step into the profound world of Biblical teachings as we delve into the captivating subject of reproach in this enlightening and thought-provoking post. Explore the depth of its meaning, the significance it holds, and the insights it offers to enrich our spiritual understanding.

Someone who is above reproach is said to be not deserving of blame or criticism for something they said or did but someone who is being reproached is someone who has received criticism, disproval, or disappointed others that is justified by their actions. In other words, they have done things or something that deserved condemnation and rebuke or blame. The biblical definition of the word reproach is not unlike the secular definition as we shall see.

Definition of Reproach in the Bible

Ezekiel 36:6-7

“Therefore prophesy concerning the land of Israel, and say to the mountains, the hills, the rivers, and the valleys, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I have spoken in My jealousy and My fury, because you have borne the shame of the nations.”’ Therefore thus says the Lord God: “I have raised My hand in an oath that surely the nations that are around you shall bear their own shame.”

In this passage, reproach is seen as a form of shame or disgrace that one carries due to their actions or the actions of those around them. The people of Israel were being reproached by the surrounding nations because of their disobedience to God.

Psalm 69:9

“Because zeal for Your house has eaten me up, and the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me.”

Here, reproach is described as the insults and mockery faced by those who stand up for God and His principles. It shows that standing firm in one’s faith can sometimes lead to reproach from others.

Proverbs 14:31

“He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, but he who honors Him has mercy on the needy.”

This verse emphasizes that mistreating the vulnerable is seen as a reproach to God, as it goes against His command to love our neighbors as ourselves. Honoring God involves showing mercy and kindness to those in need, rather than oppressing them.

1 Peter 4:14

“If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.”

Reproach in the name of Christ is seen as a badge of honor for believers, as it shows their commitment to following Him even in the face of persecution. It is a reminder that standing up for one’s faith may lead to reproach from others, but ultimately brings glory to God.

The Reproach of Childlessness

When Jacob’s wife Rachael couldn’t conceive children, she became a reproach to those who knew her. In the Jewish culture, to be childless was thought to be under a curse from God Who alone opens the womb. This was a very difficult thing to endure but “Then God remembered Rachel, and God listened to her and opened her womb. She conceived and bore a son and said, “God has taken away my reproach.” And she called his name Joseph, saying, “May the Lord add to me another son” (Gen 30:22-24). Joseph’s name means to “may he add” but in the Hebrew sounds like “take away.” In the New Testament, Elizabeth in her later years conceived a child and would be called John the Baptist and she declared “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people” (Luke 1:25).

The Reproach of Israel

When the Philistine’s Goliath was hurling insults at Israel and against God, David was outraged and so David asked “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God” (1st Sam 17:26). The same type of reproach was endured, unjustly, by Job who’s friends had turned on him after first coming to console him in his afflictions so Job said “These ten times you have cast reproach upon me; are you not ashamed to wrong me” (Job 19:3) and Job concluded, “I hold fast my righteousness and will not let it go; my heart does not reproach me for any of my days” (Job 17:6).

Sin as a Reproach

The psalmist asked the question “Who can dwell on your holy hill” (Psalm 15:1) and that would be he or she “who does not slander with his tongue and does no evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend” (Psalm 15:3). The fact is that “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Prov 14:34) and “He who does violence to his father and chases away his mother is a son who brings shame and reproach” (Prov 19:36). In Psalm 69, which is a Messianic psalm, the psalmist writes “For zeal for your house has consumed me, and the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me” (Psalm 69:9) which was fulfilled when Jesus cleansed the temple of the unrighteous money changers (John 2:17).

Reproached by God

When God disciplined Judah for her idolatry, Jeremiah wrote as God speaking, “And I will bring upon you everlasting reproach and perpetual shame, which shall not be forgotten” (Jer 23:40) and “I will make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a reproach, a byword, a taunt, and a curse in all the places where I shall drive them” (Jer 23:40) and because of their idolatry God says “I will pursue them with sword, famine, and pestilence, and will make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a curse, a terror, a hissing, and a reproach among all the nations where I have driven them” (Jer 29:18) but someday God “will gather those of you who mourn for the festival, so that you will no longer suffer reproach” (Zeph 3:18). The purpose of making Israel a reproach was that they would repent and turn again to Him.

Being Above Reproach

Among the qualifications of being a deacon, elder, or pastor, is that the man must be living a life above reproach or be living a blameless life. In Paul’s writing to Timothy about the qualifications for being an elder he wrote “if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination” (Titus 1:6) because “an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain” (Titus 1:7). Paul writes much the same thing to Timothy as he said that “an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach” (1st Tim 3:2).

The Reproach of Christ

Believers suffer the reproach of non-believers as the author of Hebrews wrote that they were “sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated” (Heb 10:33) but we should think about Moses who “considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward” (Heb 11:26) so just as Christ endured reproach for our sake, “let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured” (Heb 13:13).

A Journey into Understanding Reproach:

In the tapestry of the Bible, reproach carries a profound significance. It is more than a mere word; it is a spiritual concept that encompasses various aspects of human experiences and divine lessons. Let us navigate the complexity of reproach by exploring its unique features:

• 1. Definition: Reproach, in the Biblical context, refers to the expression of disapproval, shame, or disgrace directed towards someone, typically due to their behavior or beliefs.
• 2. Historical and Cultural Context: To fully grasp the depth of reproach, we need to understand the historical and cultural contexts in which it appears in the Bible. By delving into biblical narratives and examining the societal norms of different eras, we gain invaluable insights into how reproach was understood and its impact on individuals and communities.
• 3. Spiritual Significance: Reproach often serves as a catalyst for transformation and growth. Discover how individuals faced with reproach in the Bible found strength, resilience, and redemption through their unwavering faith.
• 4. Lessons for Today: Despite being rooted in ancient times, reproach can still resonate with our lives today. Uncover the timeless lessons embedded in the Bible’s teachings on reproach and how they can guide us in navigating our own challenges and doubts.

But what value does this exploration of reproach offer?

Benefits and Value: By diving into the deep waters of reproach in the Bible, we gain a profound understanding of the human condition and the transformative power of spiritual teachings. This exploration has the potential to:

• Deepen our spiritual connection by unraveling the mysteries and lessons concealed within reproach.
• Equip us with the wisdom to navigate moments of disapproval, shame, or disgrace, helping us find solace and strength in our faith.
• Encourage introspection and self-reflection as we examine our own actions and beliefs in light of reproach’s consequences.
• Offer comfort to those who have experienced reproach, reminding them of the redemptive power of perseverance and divine grace.

Examples of reproach in the Bible

Genesis 30:23
And she conceived, and bare a son; and said, God hath taken away my reproach:

Genesis 34:14
And they said unto them, We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised; for that [were] a reproach unto us:

Joshua 5:9
And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you. Wherefore the name of the place is called Gilgal unto this day.

Ruth 2:15
And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not:

Samuel 1 11:2
And Nahash the Ammonite answered them, On this [condition] will I make [a covenant] with you, that I may thrust out all your right eyes, and lay it [for] a reproach upon all Israel.

Samuel 1 17:26
And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who [is] this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?

Samuel 1 25:39
And when David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, Blessed [be] the LORD, that hath pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and hath kept his servant from evil: for the LORD hath returned the wickedness of Nabal upon his own head. And David sent and communed with Abigail, to take her to him to wife.

Kings 2 19:4
It may be the LORD thy God will hear all the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproach the living God; and will reprove the words which the LORD thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up [thy] prayer for the remnant that are left.

Kings 2 19:16
LORD, bow down thine ear, and hear: open, LORD, thine eyes, and see: and hear the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent him to reproach the living God.

Nehemiah 1:3
And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province [are] in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also [is] broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.

Nehemiah 2:17
Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we [are] in, how Jerusalem [lieth] waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach.

Nehemiah 4:4
Hear, O our God; for we are despised: and turn their reproach upon their own head, and give them for a prey in the land of captivity:

Nehemiah 5:9
Also I said, It [is] not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies?

Nehemiah 6:13
Therefore [was] he hired, that I should be afraid, and do so, and sin, and [that] they might have [matter] for an evil report, that they might reproach me.

Job 19:5
If indeed ye will magnify [yourselves] against me, and plead against me my reproach:

Job 20:3
I have heard the check of my reproach, and the spirit of my understanding causeth me to answer.

Job 27:6
My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach [me] so long as I live.

Psalms 15:3
[He that] backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.

Psalms 22:6
But I [am] a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.

Psalms 31:11
I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me without fled from me.

Psalms 39:8
Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish.

Psalms 42:10
[As] with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where [is] thy God?

Psalms 44:13
Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and a derision to them that are round about us.

Psalms 57:3
He shall send from heaven, and save me [from] the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.

Psalms 69:7
Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face.

Psalms 69:10
When I wept, [and chastened] my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach.

Psalms 69:19
Thou hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonour: mine adversaries [are] all before thee.

Psalms 69:20
Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked [for some] to take pity, but [there was] none; and for comforters, but I found none.

Psalms 71:13
Let them be confounded [and] consumed that are adversaries to my soul; let them be covered [with] reproach and dishonour that seek my hurt.

Psalms 74:10
O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever?

Psalms 78:66
And he smote his enemies in the hinder parts: he put them to a perpetual reproach.

Psalms 79:4
We are become a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and derision to them that are round about us.

Psalms 79:12
And render unto our neighbours sevenfold into their bosom their reproach, wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord.

Psalms 89:41
All that pass by the way spoil him: he is a reproach to his neighbours.

Psalms 89:50
Remember, Lord, the reproach of thy servants; [how] I do bear in my bosom [the reproach of] all the mighty people;

Psalms 102:8
Mine enemies reproach me all the day; [and] they that are mad against me are sworn against me.

Psalms 109:25
I became also a reproach unto them: [when] they looked upon me they shaked their heads.

Psalms 119:22
Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.

Psalms 119:39
Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments [are] good.

Proverbs 6:33
A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.

Proverbs 14:34
Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin [is] a reproach to any people.

Proverbs 18:3
When the wicked cometh, [then] cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.

Proverbs 19:26
He that wasteth [his] father, [and] chaseth away [his] mother, [is] a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.

Proverbs 22:10
Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.

Isaiah 4:1
And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.

Isaiah 30:5
They were all ashamed of a people [that] could not profit them, nor be an help nor profit, but a shame, and also a reproach.

Isaiah 37:4
It may be the LORD thy God will hear the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproach the living God, and will reprove the words which the LORD thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up [thy] prayer for the remnant that is left.

Isaiah 37:17
Incline thine ear, O LORD, and hear; open thine eyes, O LORD, and see: and hear all the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent to reproach the living God.

Join us on this enlightening journey as we unravel the layers of reproach in the Bible. Let our exploration inspire you, challenge your perception, and illuminate the path towards deeper spiritual growth.