βλασφημέω (blasphēmeō)
blasphēmeō
to blaspheme
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 35 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb blasphēmeō describes speaking reproachfully or profanely against sacred things, particularly God. In the New Testament, it carries a dual sense: impious speech directed at the divine and slanderous railing against people. This range is evident when Jesus identifies speaking against the Holy Spirit as a unique spiritual danger (Mark 3:29), while also noting that false accusations by opponents cause God’s name to be reviled among Gentiles (Romans 2:24).
Its etymology points to making a bad or evil sound, contrasting with the Greek word for speaking well. The sources highlight its use in Revelation, where the beast opens his mouth to blaspheme God and His dwelling place (Revelation 13:6). This usage underscores the word’s theological weight as an act of direct rebellion against divine authority, whether through verbal attack on God or malicious defamation of His people.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word blasphēmeō describes speech that strikes at the heart of what is sacred. In the New Testament, it carries a heavy weight, referring not just to casual insults but to a deliberate rejection of God’s authority or a malicious distortion of His character. When Jesus warns against speaking against the Holy Spirit, He highlights the danger of hardening one’s heart so completely that truth is no longer recognized as such. This is not a fear for those who seek God, but a serious warning about the spiritual peril of persistent, unrepentant rejection.
For the believer, this word also serves as a mirror for our daily interactions. The apostle Paul reminds us that our conduct can cause the name of God to be reviled among those outside the faith. It is a call to integrity, urging us to live in a way that honors Christ rather than giving others reason to slander His name. We are invited to guard our tongues, ensuring that our words build up and reflect the grace we have received.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 35 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- blaspheming3×
- were denigrating2×
- may be denigrated.2×
- will be denigrated;1×
- we are denigrated1×
- to denigrate,1×
- to blaspheme.1×
- to blaspheme,1×
- to blaspheme1×
- they shall have blasphemed;1×
- they denigrated1×
- they denigrate;1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐβλασφήμησαν3×
- ἐβλασφήμουν2×
- βλασφημοῦντες2×
- βλασφημεῖται2×
- βλασφημεῖν,2×
- ἐβλασφήμησεν·1×
- ἐβλασφήμει1×
- βλασφημῆται.¶1×
- βλασφημῆται.1×
- βλασφημῆσαι1×
- βλασφημήσῃ1×
- βλασφημήσωσιν·1×
Key Verses
-
Mark 3:29
but whoever may blaspheme against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation.”
This verse defines the ultimate spiritual danger: a persistent, hardened rejection of the Holy Spirit’s work that cuts off the possibility of forgiveness.
-
Romans 2:24
For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” just as it is written.
Paul explains how hypocritical behavior by believers leads outsiders to speak reproachfully against God, linking personal integrity to the reputation of the divine name.
-
Matthew 9:3
Behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man blasphemes.”
The scribes use this term to accuse Jesus of claiming divine authority, showing how blasphemy was understood as a direct challenge to God’s exclusive prerogatives.