"slander, railing, reproach, Mt. 15:19; Mk. 7:22; blasphemy, Mt. 12:31; 26:65"
Definition and meaning
slander, railing, reproach, Mt. 15:19; Mk. 7:22; blasphemy, Mt. 12:31; 26:65
In the original Greek the word is written: βλασφημία
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 blasphemia (G988) across the King James Bible.
Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
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.
Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?
Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:
Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death.
And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?
The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
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Common questions
Strong's G988 (blasphemia) is a Greek word that means: slander, railing, reproach, Mt. 15:19; Mk. 7:22; blasphemy, Mt. 12:31; 26:65 It appears 18 times in the King James Bible.
The word blasphemia (G988) appears 18 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G988 is blasphemia, a Greek word defined as: slander, railing, reproach, Mt. 15:19; Mk. 7:22; blasphemy, Mt. 12:31; 26:65. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
blasphemia is a Greek word found in the New Testament.