גִּדּוּפִים (gid.duph)
gid.duph
reviling
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun giddufim refers to harsh, insulting speech designed to shame or degrade another person. It describes verbal attacks that go beyond simple disagreement, carrying a weight of contempt and public humiliation. The term appears in the prophetic literature to depict the cruelty directed at God’s people or His messengers.
In Isaiah 51:7, the prophet uses this word to contrast the behavior of those who fear God with the scoffing voices of those who do not remember Him. Similarly, Zephaniah 3:19 mentions God’s promise to remove these "revilings" from His people, indicating that such speech is a burden He intends to lift. The sources treat it as a plural noun, emphasizing the repeated or multifaceted nature of these abusive words.
This word highlights the emotional violence inherent in certain forms of communication. By identifying giddufim, the biblical text acknowledges the real pain caused by scornful language while pointing to divine justice as the remedy for such oppression.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we encounter giddufim, we are looking at words that carry a heavy weight of contempt. These are not simple disagreements or mild criticisms. They are harsh insults designed to shame and degrade someone publicly. The biblical text acknowledges the real pain caused by such scornful language, recognizing it as a form of emotional violence.
In Isaiah 51:7, the prophet encourages those who know righteousness not to fear the reproach of men or be dismayed by their insults. This reminds us that our worth is not determined by the cruelty of others. Even when we face verbal attacks, we can find strength in remembering God's law within our hearts.
Zephaniah 3:19 offers a beautiful promise that God intends to remove these revilings from His people. He sees the burden they place on us and promises to lift it. This brings hope that divine justice will ultimately address such oppression, allowing us to rest in the knowledge that God cares about our dignity.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to/ reviling words1×
- and/ from/ reviling words/ their1×
- and/ [the] reviling words of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לְ/גִדּוּפִֽים\׃\ \ס1×
- וּ/מִ/גִּדֻּפֹתָ֖/ם1×
- וְ/גִדּוּפֵ֖י1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 51:7
“Listen to me, you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law. Don’t fear the reproach of men, and don’t be dismayed at their insults.
The word appears here as 'insults' (reproach/reviling) to contrast the faithful who keep God's law with those who scorn them, urging believers not to be dismayed by such contempt.
-
Zephaniah 2:8
I have heard the reproach of Moab and the insults of the children of Ammon, with which they have reproached my people and magnified themselves against their border.
Here it is translated as 'insults' from Moab and Ammon, highlighting how these nations used verbal attacks to magnify themselves against God's border and people.
-
Isaiah 43:28
Therefore I will profane the princes of the sanctuary; and I will make Jacob a curse, and Israel an insult.”
Though the translation varies, this verse contextually aligns with the theme of making Israel an 'insult' or object of reproach, reflecting the severe verbal degradation described by the term.