[Greek] μυκτηρίζω (muktērizō), [Latin] muccare: to mock, to ridicule, to be mocked, to be treated with contempt, to turn up one’s nose (mukter), to sneer at, to ignore; Gal.6:7
The Aeropagus is a prominent rock formation where legal cases were decided by an council. At this place, Paul would later appeal to the religiosity of the Athenians’ worship of an Unknown God.
Background Information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to abhor, to treat contemptuously, to mock, to turn up one’s nose, and to suffer from nose bleeding. The Greek word mukter means nose (nostril). Hippocrates recommended that nose bleeding could be stopped by pinching the nostrils. However, Hippocrates curiously thought that nose bleeding was a good thing if the menstrual period is suppressed. The Greek speech writer Lysias (445 BC-380 BC) was most well-known for developing the plain style of speech (and rhetoric) of everyday life. Against Philon 24.14 states “In Lysias’ forensic public legal case, Philon, a disabled defendant, is accused of not being entitled to receive a pension. Philon uses visual evidence of his pitiful medical condition to mock and overcome the prosecutor’s evidence and charges. Philon wins his case. Philon states, “He comes to challenge the validity of my misfortune, and he is trying to persuade you (council of the Aeropagus) that I am not the kind of person that all of you are seeing. You, however, ought to trust your own eyes rather than my opponent’s words.”
Aeropagus: This is a prominent rock outcropping located northwest of the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. In classical times, this place functioned as the court for trying legal matters. This is where the first courts of Athenian democracy were based. The council of the Aeropagus convened to decide these cases. Years later, this will be the site where Paul addressed the Greeks about their worshiping an “Unknown God.”
Old Testament: This term essentially refers to mocking or being mocked. This term is related to several Hebrew terms, illustrating various aspects of mocking. Such examples include to despise, to hold in contempt, to belittle, to deceive, to ridicule, to laugh at, to disdain, and to imitate a foreigner. According to his good sense, a man is praised, but one with a warped mind is despised (Prov.12:8). But they mocked the messengers of God, despised his warnings, and scoffed as His prophets (2Chr.36:16). The fool spurns his father’s admonition (Prov.15:5). They ignored My counsel, they spurned all My reproof (Prov. 1:30). You have fed them the bread of tears, made them drink tears in abundance (Psa.79:6). You duped me, O Lord, and I let myself be duped (Jer.20:7). A people of unintelligible speech which no one comprehends, of a stammering tongue which no one understands (Isa.33:19).
New Testament: This term occurs only once in Galatians. This term, used for despising God, mentions that God will not be mocked, when one walks in the flesh being disobedient to Him. This person will reap the consequences of His actions. Paul states one should never tire of being obedient to God’s will in doing good. God will not allow His will and grace be treated with contempt. This is not just a verbal scoffing, but a whole manner of life despising God.
Scripture:
“Make no mistake: God is not mocked, for a person will reap only what he sows.” Gal.6:7
Man will ultimately face consequences (be judged) for his actions in despising God.
Conclusion:
Mock, mockery, mucus, mucous
I would have never thought that this term would apply to nose bleeding. Hippocrates ignorantly claims that nose bleeding is related to menstrual periods. (It seems Hippocrates here is speaking like the fool). However, it was interesting to see that this term was specifically used to mock and undermine a prosecutor’s legal arguments. These legal proceedings mostly likely occurred at the Aeropagus before a legal counsel. Then Paul will later speak here, appealing to the Athenians’ religiosity (not foolishness) in believing in an “Unknown God.”
It goes without saying that there are many examples of people mocking and being mocked. God was also mocked. However, I would suppose God’s mocking would come forth through His judgment, retribution, and condemnation. In the Old Testament, foreigners were sometimes mocked (made fun of) because of their customs, differences and dialects.
In the New Testament, I was surprised that this term only applied to mocking God. It may be seen that willingly refusing to follow God’s will could be a form on mockery in God’s “eyes”. However, God will ultimately have the final say as each of us will have to account for our actions before Him.
There seems to be a common rhetorical thread in all of these examples in this post. The pitiful defendant used slick and effective rhetoric to defeat the prosecutor. Paul uses effective philosophical and Christian rhetoric in appealing to and converting the Athenians. Each of us will ultimately stand and defend ourselves in God’s court.
Interestingly, the Latin verb muccare means to blow the nose (often seen as a derisive gesture). Here’s to each of us not making a mockery (fool) of ourselves.🍻 This is certainly nothing to sneeze at!