"to defame, revile, slander, Mt. 27:39; to speak of God or divine things in terms of impious irreverence, to blaspheme, Mt. 9:3; 26:65"
Definition and meaning
to defame, revile, slander, Mt. 27:39; to speak of God or divine things in terms of impious irreverence, to blaspheme, Mt. 9:3; 26:65
In the original Greek the word is written: βλασφημέω
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of blasphemeo (G987) across the King James Bible.
And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.
Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.
And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,
Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:
But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:
And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days,
And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.
And many other things blasphemously spake they against him.
And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?
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Common questions
Strong's G987 (blasphemeo) is a Greek word that means: to defame, revile, slander, Mt. 27:39; to speak of God or divine things in terms of impious irreverence, to blaspheme, Mt. 9:3; 26:65 It appears 35 times in the King James Bible.
The word blasphemeo (G987) appears 35 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G987 is blasphemeo, a Greek word defined as: to defame, revile, slander, Mt. 27:39; to speak of God or divine things in terms of impious irreverence, to blaspheme, Mt. 9:3; 26:65. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
blasphemeo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.