feminine passive participle of גָּדַף; a revilement; taunt.
Transliteration:gᵉdûwphâh
Pronunciation:ghed-oo-faw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term gᵉdûwphâh (`{{H1422}}`) is a feminine passive participle derived from the root gadaph (`{{H1442}}`). The root gadaph carries the primary meaning of "to revile," "to blaspheme," "to reproach," or "to insult." As a passive participle, gᵉdûwphâh therefore signifies "that which is reviled," or more concretely, an act or utterance of severe contempt and scorn. Its semantic range encompasses "revilement" and "taunt," conveying a profound sense of verbal abuse aimed at dishonoring, humiliating, or mocking. This is not a casual insult but a deliberate, often public, and malicious verbal assault, frequently carrying a theological dimension when directed against God or His covenant people.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term gᵉdûwphâh (`{{H1422}}`) appears a limited number of times in the Old Testament, primarily in the Psalms and the prophetic books of Ezekiel and Zephaniah. Its contexts consistently highlight its severity and often its theological implications:
* **Suffering and Reproach:** In the Psalms, gᵉdûwphâh (`{{H1422}}`) is used to describe the psalmist's experience of suffering for God's sake. In [[Psalm 69:7]], the psalmist laments, "For your sake I have borne reproach; dishonor has covered my face." Similarly, [[Psalm 69:10]] states, "When I humbled my soul with fasting, it became my reproach." Here, gᵉdûwphâh underscores the deep personal humiliation and scorn endured by the faithful, where even acts of piety become targets for derision.
* **Blasphemy Against God's Name:** A particularly grave usage of gᵉdûwphâh (`{{H1422}}`) is found when it refers to revilement directed at God Himself. [[Psalm 74:18]] cries out, "Remember this, O Lord, how the enemy has scoffed, and a foolish people has reviled your name." This is an act of open defiance and contempt against divine sovereignty and holiness, a direct affront to God's character. [[Psalm 79:12]] echoes this sentiment, praying for retribution against those who have "taunted you, O Lord!"
* **Consequence of Judgment:** In the prophetic books, gᵉdûwphâh (`{{H1422}}`) often describes the state of humiliation that befalls a people as a result of divine judgment. [[Ezekiel 5:15]] states that Jerusalem's destruction will make it "a reproach and a taunt, a warning and a horror, to the nations all around you." Here, gᵉdûwphâh signifies the public shame and mockery Israel will experience due to their disobedience, serving as a stark warning to others.
* **National Hostility:** gᵉdûwphâh (`{{H1422}}`) also characterizes the malicious verbal attacks of hostile nations against Israel. [[Ezekiel 21:28]] speaks of the "taunts" of the Ammonites, and [[Zephaniah 2:8]] explicitly mentions hearing "the taunts of Moab and the revilings of the Ammonites, by which they have taunted my people and made boasts against their territory." These instances highlight the contempt and aggression inherent in such verbal assaults, often arising from a deep-seated enmity towards God's chosen people.
Across these contexts, gᵉdûwphâh consistently denotes a potent form of verbal abuse, carrying connotations of deep disrespect, mockery, and often, blasphemy.
### Related Words & Concepts
The meaning of gᵉdûwphâh (`{{H1422}}`) is further illuminated by its relationship to other Hebrew terms:
* **gadaph (`{{H1442}}`):** The verbal root, meaning "to revile," "to blaspheme." This is the active verb form, directly expressing the action from which gᵉdûwphâh (`{{H1422}}`) derives its meaning as the result or object of that action.
* **cherpah (`{{H2781}}`):** "Reproach," "shame," "disgrace." This word frequently appears in parallel with gᵉdûwphâh (`{{H1422}}`) and shares a similar semantic field. While gᵉdûwphâh emphasizes the *act* of reviling or the *utterance* of a taunt, cherpah often refers to the *state* of being disgraced or the *object* of reproach. Both terms underscore public dishonor.
* **qalal (`{{H7043}}`):** "To curse," "to treat lightly," "to despise." While qalal can involve verbal abuse and contempt, gᵉdûwphâh (`{{H1422}}`) often carries a stronger sense of malicious, often public, mockery and severe contempt, particularly in a theological context.
* **Blasphemy:** When gᵉdûwphâh (`{{H1422}}`) is directed at God's name, it is functionally equivalent to blasphemy, a direct and severe affront to divine holiness and sovereignty, violating the prohibition against taking the Lord's name in vain (e.g., [[Exodus 20:7]]).
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of gᵉdûwphâh (`{{H1422}}`) is profound and multifaceted:
* **Assault on Divine Honor:** The most critical theological implication is the direct challenge gᵉdûwphâh (`{{H1422}}`) poses to God's honor and authority. When God's name is reviled (e.g., [[Psalm 74:18]]), it constitutes an ultimate act of rebellion and contempt against the Creator. This is not merely an insult but a deliberate attempt to diminish divine majesty and usurp God's rightful place.
* **The Suffering of the Righteous:** gᵉdûwphâh (`{{H1422}}`) is a key element in describing the suffering endured by the righteous, especially the psalmist, who bears "reproach" for the sake of God (e.g., [[Psalm 69:7]]). This theme foreshadows the vicarious suffering of the Messiah, who would endure intense revilement and taunting (e.g., [[Matthew 27:39-44]], [[Mark 15:29-32]]) as the ultimate righteous sufferer.
* **Consequence of Covenant Infidelity:** For Israel, becoming an object of gᵉdûwphâh (`{{H1422}}`) (e.g., [[Ezekiel 5:15]]) serves as a severe divine judgment and a visible sign of their covenant infidelity. It signifies a loss of divine favor and protection, leading to public humiliation among the nations, a direct consequence of their turning away from God.
* **Divine Justice and Vindication:** The desire for divine retribution against those who utter gᵉdûwphâh (`{{H1422}}`) against God or His people (e.g., [[Psalm 79:12]]) underscores the biblical emphasis on God's justice. God is not indifferent to the revilement of His name or His chosen ones; He will ultimately vindicate His honor and His people, demonstrating His righteous judgment.
### Summary
gᵉdûwphâh (`{{H1422}}`) is a powerful Hebrew term denoting "revilement" or "taunt," originating from the root gadaph (`{{H1442}}`), meaning "to blaspheme" or "to reproach." It describes a severe, often public and malicious verbal assault aimed at profound humiliation and dishonor. Biblically, its usage highlights the deep suffering of the righteous who endure reproach for God's sake (e.g., [[Psalm 69:7]]), the grave offense of blasphemy when directed against God's holy name (e.g., [[Psalm 74:18]]), and the public shame that results from divine judgment on a disobedient people (e.g., [[Ezekiel 5:15]]). Theologically, gᵉdûwphâh (`{{H1422}}`) underscores the sanctity of God's honor, the reality of suffering for faithfulness, and the certainty of divine justice against those who mock or defy the Almighty. It speaks to the profound spiritual and social impact of verbal abuse, particularly when it touches upon the divine.
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