### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term נְמִבְזֶה (nᵉmibzeh, `{{H5240}}`) is derived from the root בָּזָה (bazah, `{{H959}}`), which means "to despise," "to scorn," "to disdain," or "to hold in contempt." The form נְמִבְזֶה is a Niphal participle, indicating a passive state. Thus, its core meaning is "that which is despised," "being despised," or "contemptible." The semantic range extends from merely being looked down upon or considered of little account, to being utterly worthless, vile, or an object of scorn. It describes something or someone that lacks honor, value, or esteem in the eyes of others. The passive nature of the Niphal participle emphasizes that the object is *subjected* to contempt, rather than actively despising.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term נְמִבְזֶה (nᵉmibzeh, `{{H5240}}`) appears in two significant contexts within the Hebrew Bible, each shedding light on its specific nuance:
1. **[[1 Samuel 15:9]]**: In this passage, following God's command to utterly destroy the Amalekites and all their possessions, King Saul and the people spare the best of the sheep and oxen, and the fatlings and lambs, claiming they intended to sacrifice them to the Lord. However, "all that was vile (נְמִבְזֶה) and worthless (נָמֵל, *namel*) they utterly destroyed." Here, נְמִבְזֶה describes the spoils of war that Saul and his army deemed of no value or quality. It highlights a human judgment of worth, where the "despised" items are those considered inferior, damaged, or undesirable for any practical or sacrificial purpose. This action, despite destroying the "vile," was still an act of disobedience because God commanded the destruction of *everything*, not merely what humans deemed worthless.
2. **[[Isaiah 53:3]]**: This verse, part of the profound Suffering Servant song, describes the Servant as "despised (נְמִבְזֶה) and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces, he was despised, and we esteemed him not." In this context, נְמִבְזֶה refers to the low estimation and profound contempt in which the Suffering Servant was held by humanity. It speaks not of material worthlessness, but of a social and spiritual rejection, an utter lack of honor or recognition. The repetition of "despised" underscores the depth of the scorn and the Servant's abject state in the eyes of the world. This is a central descriptor of the Servant's humiliation and suffering.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of being "despised" or "contemptible" is frequently explored in the Hebrew Bible through various terms and themes:
* **Root `{{H959}}` (bazah)**: The verbal root itself is widely used, describing acts of despising God's word (e.g., [[Numbers 15:31]]), God's covenant (e.g., [[Leviticus 26:15]]), or individuals (e.g., [[Psalm 15:4]]).
* **Contempt/Scorn**: Other Hebrew words conveying similar ideas include:
* קָלָה (qalah, `{{H7036}}`): "to be light," "trifling," often leading to contempt or disgrace (e.g., [[Proverbs 12:8]] where a despised person is contrasted with one who has honor).
* חֶרְפָּה (cherpah, `{{H2617}}`): "reproach," "scorn," "disgrace" (e.g., [[Psalm 69:7]]).
* שָׁפָל (shaphal, `{{H8217}}`): "to be low," "abased," often associated with humility or humiliation (e.g., [[Job 5:11]]).
* **Opposite Concepts**: The antonyms to נְמִבְזֶה include concepts of honor, glory, and preciousness:
* כָּבוֹד (kavod, `{{H3513}}`): "glory," "honor," "weightiness."
* יָקָר (yaqar, `{{H3366}}`): "precious," "costly," "honored."
* **Thematic Connections**: This word connects to broader biblical themes of humiliation, suffering, rejection, lowliness, and the often-reversed values of God's kingdom compared to human society. It highlights the vulnerability of the weak and the often-unjust judgments of humanity.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of נְמִבְזֶה (nᵉmibzeh, `{{H5240}}`) is profound, particularly in the context of the Suffering Servant:
1. **Divine Value vs. Human Valuation**: The starkest theological tension presented by נְמִבְזֶה is the contrast between what humanity deems "despised" and what God values or purposes. In [[1 Samuel 15:9]], Saul's act of destroying the "vile" while keeping the "best" was a human judgment of worth that directly contradicted God's absolute command for total destruction (herem), demonstrating a failure to align human values with divine will.
2. **The Humiliation of the Suffering Servant**: In [[Isaiah 53:3]], the description of the Servant as "despised and rejected by men" is central to understanding the nature of vicarious suffering and atonement. This despised state is not a sign of the Servant's unworthiness, but rather a necessary component of God's redemptive plan. The Servant's willingness to endure such contempt speaks to profound humility and self-emptying, foreshadowing the Incarnation and Crucifixion of Christ, who "made himself nothing" (Philippians 2:7). The world's rejection and scorn become the very means through which salvation is achieved.
3. **God's Choice of the "Despised"**: This word implicitly resonates with the broader biblical principle that God often chooses the "weak" or "despised" things of the world to confound the strong and to demonstrate His power (e.g., [[1 Corinthians 1:27-28]]). The "despised" nature of the Servant underscores that God's ways are not humanity's ways, and His instruments of salvation often defy human expectations of power and glory.
### Summary
The Hebrew word נְמִבְזֶה (nᵉmibzeh, `{{H5240}}`) precisely conveys the state of being "despised," "contemptible," or "vile." Its two primary biblical occurrences offer distinct yet complementary insights: in [[1 Samuel 15:9]], it describes material items deemed worthless by human judgment, highlighting Saul's selective obedience; in [[Isaiah 53:3]], it profoundly characterizes the Suffering Servant as one utterly scorned and rejected by humanity. The theological weight of נְמִבְזֶה is most pronounced in its application to the Servant, revealing that what is despised by human estimation can be central to God's redemptive purpose. This word thus invites reflection on the disparity between human and divine valuations, underscoring the profound humility and redemptive suffering inherent in God's plan for salvation.
TRV