The opportunity to be offended presents itself every day in multiple forms. However, we should be difficult to offend and quick to forgive. The Bible speaks a lot about offenses. Therefore, I wanted to look up what the word offend means in Hebrew and Greek.
But first, let’s look at the definition of the word offend in the 1828 Noah Webster’s Dictionary:
“1. To attack; to assail.
2. To displease; to make angry; to affront. It expresses rather less than make angry, and without any modifying word, it is nearly synonymous with displease. We are offended by rudeness, incivility and harsh language. Children offend their parents by disobedience, and parents offend their children by unreasonable austerity or restraint.
The emperor was grievously offended with them who had kept such negligent watch.
A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city. Proverbs 18:19.
3. To shock; to wound; as, to offend the conscience.
4. To pain; to annoy; to injure; as, a strong light offends weak eyes.
5. To transgress; to violate; as, to offend the laws. But we generally use the intransitive verb in this sense, with against; to offend against the law.
6. To disturb, annoy, or cause to fall or stumble.
Great peace have they that love thy law, and nothing shall offend them. Psalms 119:165.
7. To draw to evil, or hinder in obedience; to cause to sin or neglect duty.”
Believe it or not, there are many more pieces to this definition. Click here to continue reading more.
All scriptures are taken from NKJV unless otherwise marked.
“And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.“
– Matthew 24:10-12
What Does The Word ‘Offend’ Mean In Hebrew?
asham- to be guilty; to be punished.
bagad- to act treacherously.
chabal- to pervert, destroy.
mikshowl- stumbling block.
Related: What Does The Word ‘Holiness’ Mean In Hebrew and Greek?
What Does The Word ‘Offend’ Mean In Greek?
ptaio- to trip up, stumble morally.
“I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles.”
– Romans 11:11
“Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.“
– 2 Peter 1:10-11
skandalizo- to entrap, trip up.
This term is used to describe a stumbling block that has been put up in order to make another trip and fall. It’s used in the following ways:
- to offend
- to entice to sin
- cause someone to begin to desert and distrust a person who he ought to trust and obey
- to cause to fall away
A person who stumbles or gets their foot caught may feel annoyed. Therefore, this word can also mean:
- to cause one displeasure
- to make indignant.
“Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.”
– 1 Corinthians 8:13
skandalon- snare.
A skandalon was the name of the part of a trap in which the bait was attached. In other words, it was the trap itself because it enticed the victim to it.
This term is used for anything that causes prejudice to arise or become a hindrance to others and cause them to fall. However, there are times when hinderance is a good thing and is used to stumble the wicked.
“The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.“
– Matthew 13:41-42
Conclusion
In conclusion, offenses should be considered a trap set up by the enemy in order to get us to disobey God. Think about it. The Bible tells us to be angry, but sin not. However, if we’re easily offended it’ll make our chances of sinning increase. Therefore, quickly forgive those who wrong you and pray for them.
Anyway, that’s what the word offend means in Hebrew and Greek. I pray you found this article helpful. If so, please share this article. Also, feel free to leave any thoughts in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
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Thanks so much for (as I see it) going against the “Norm”. You explained it well! I have been studying Ps. 91 and snare of the fowler and the angels keeping us from striking or dashing our foot against a stone (no sure about this one, if it would relate to the stumbling stone and rock of offense) ANY IDEAS???
Thanks against, the ministry name is unique! Blessings!
I attend a small Fellowship my pastor teaches Hebrew and he says that Jesus was a Pharisee also he said the animal sacrifices were never supposed to stop not all babies are going to heaven that offends me because I don’t believe Jesus was a Pharisee he was our final sacrifice and I believe that all babies go to heaven please pray for me and anything that you can help me an encouraging word would really help
My advice…. Leave that “fellowship”
There is therefore now no condemnation to those that are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit.
Romans 8:1
When you are born again you are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.
You need to find another fellowship.
Thank you, this is helpful as I read Matthew 24 today. Thank You Abba God!