Is Profanity Used in the Bible?

Many people wonder whether profanity is used in the Bible. If people are looking for today's type of profanity, then the answer is no. However, the Bible does include words and phrases that were used as profanity a long time ago, such as "fool," that sound innocuous by today's standards. The Bible warns us that being hot-tempered can lead you to sin, which would include using profanity, and that you should be careful not to sin in your anger.

Identification

The Bible is definitely a "PG-rated" book. You are not going to find today's type of profanity used in the Bible. However, the Bible does use different types of words to express anger. Those words function as profanity but do not cause the same reaction today as they likely did back when they were said. For example, calling people "two smoldering stubs of firewood" (Isaiah 7:4) in today's world is unlikely to cause a ruckus, but this was considered a put-down in Biblical times.

Types

Interestingly, the Bible contains different words and phrases that can be equated to today's profanity without using the same words. For example, an angry King Saul called his son, "You son of a perverse and rebellious woman," which sounds an awful lot like "SOB" (I Samuel 20:30). "Two smoldering stubs of firewood" (Isaiah 7:4) is used similarly to calling someone a piece of s@#$. "Am I a dog's head?" sounds very much like asking, "Am I a jack@$$?" (II Samuel 3:8). Asking "What are those feeble Jews doing?" sounds very much like a racial slur (Nehemiah 4:2).

Considerations

In the New Testament, the Bible actually addresses a couple of uses of what was then considered profanity. In Matthew 5:22, the Bible says, "But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell." Raca is apparently an Aramaic term of contempt.

Significance

The Bible cautions us about controlling our words when we are angry. In Proverbs 29:11, the Bible says, "A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control." The Bible says "In your anger do not sin" in both the Old Testament (Psalm 4:4) and the New Testament (Ephesians 4:26). The Bible warns in Proverbs 29:22 that "An angry man stirs up dissension and a hot-tempered one commits many sins." Hot-tempered people are the ones who tend to use profanity.

Effects

The effects of profanity in the Bible are the same effects of profanity today. The people called "feeble Jews" (Nehemiah 4:2) likely felt the same way that African-Americans do when racial slurs are used. Jonathon's reaction to being called a "son of a perverse and rebellious woman!" (I Samuel 20:30) was likely the same as any man who is called an SOB today. The words may have changed, but the meanings behind them have not.

Resources

• Two smoldering stubs of firewood
• Raca and fool

[davidocamb]

on 4/6/2009 I have to disagree with the statement "The Bible is definitely a "PG-rated" book". There are very gruesome depictions in the Bible. Think of the Crucification of Christ? I know that you are relating this to profanity and the Bible. It will just be hard to become interested in with the rest of what you have said. I believe starting out with "The Bible is definitely a "PG-rated" book", is going to deter other from reading this. Be more specific in your introduction.