July 12, 2022

So [Abram] went in to Hagar, and she conceived. And when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress became despised in her eyes. Then Sarai said to Abram, “My wrong be upon you! I gave my maid into your embrace; and when she saw that she had conceived, I became despised in her eyes.” Genesis 16:4-5a

And Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils; then he ate and drank, arose, and went on his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright. Genesis 25:34

In modern usage, the word “despise” is applied in a context of active loathing or hatred. But the word that is translated despised in Scripture refers to a passive verb. It refers to failing to esteem or give proper respect, and/or choosing to give little weight to something. Understanding this will help the student of God’s word to grasp the true meaning of well over one hundred passages in which this term is employed. Here are a few examples:

Those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, bound in affliction and irons—because they rebelled against the words of God, and despised the counsel of the Most High. Psalm 107:10-11

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6:24

“Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.” “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” Matthew 18:10,6

So we see that failing to esteem or give weight to that which issues from the mouth of God is a dreadful mistake. We can passively traverse a wrong path, just by failing to properly value the counsel of the Lord or the things which are important to Him. Yes, it is very possible to passively rebel against God. (see also Leviticus 26:15,43; Numbers 14:31, 15:31; Psalm 119:141; Romans 2:4; 1 Corinthians 1:28; 1 Timothy 4:12; 2 Timothy 3:3)

This understanding of the verb “despise” brings a brighter, even more positive light to the familiar and beloved passage from Hebrews below. The substitutionary death that Jesus willingly died for us did not have to be one of torture and humiliation. It was the devil who conceived the idea of the cross and the accompanying torture, and planted it in the minds of evil men. It was the devil who is the originator of that most cruel torture—the cross!—so that he could put the Son of God on it and mock Him. The LORD, even in His foreknowledge of this, pressed forward with endurance because of His love for us, which far outweighed any degree of shame and humiliation He would suffer in laying down His life. In other words, He did not give much weight to the horrendous suffering He was to endure, even the death of the cross (Philippians 2:8), in comparison to His great love for sinners! It is this magnificent love that empowers lost sinners to turn and become victorious overcomers! (see Hebrews 11)

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2