[Greek] λοιδορέω (loidoreō), [Latin] maledicere: to abuse, to revile, to vilify, to slander, to insult; Jn.9:28, Acts 23:4, 1Cor.4:12,1Pet.2:23
Christ Healing the Blind Man: painting by Nicolas Colombel (1682)
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to speak disparingly, to reproach, to abuse, to revile, and to insult. Demosthenes’Against Boeotus 2 40.48 states “But for all that I have too much respect for you to speak disparingly of her.” Aristophanes’ Frogs 857 states “Aeschylus, but gently test and be tested, its just not proper for poets to abuse each other like fishwives.” Aristophanes’ Ecclesiazusae 248 states “But if Cephalus belches forth insults against you, what answer will you give in the assembly?” Euripides’ Medea 873 states “I have talked with myself and reproached myself thus; foolish creature, why I am a raving and fighting those who plan things for the best.”
Old Testament: This term means to rebuke, to chide, to corrupt, to contempt, to make a case against, and to make a complaint. Rebukes may lead to calumny, mockery, an injury of reputation. The abuse which injures a reputation becomes in a sense a form of murder (killing) of a reputation. The place was called Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites quarreled there and tested the Lord (Exo.17:7). Why, then, do you not rebuke Jeremiah of Anathoth who poses as a prophet among you? (Jer.36:27). It is the lips of the liar that conceal hostility; but he who spreads accusations is a fool (Pro.10:18). Wrangling among the haughty ends in bloodshed, their cursing is painful to hear (Sir.27:15). Before flames burst forth an oven smokes; so does abuse come before bloodshed (Sir.22:24).
New Testament: This term, meaning to slander or to assault, becomes an unchristian trait for those guilty of this. Christians are called to look to Jesus as an example of one does not revile when He was reviled. The healed blind man, essentially rebuked by the Jewish leaders, recognizes that these abusive words are actually directed toward Jesus. Rebuking the high priest of God is a form of calumny. Had Paul recognized the high priest, he would have not rebuked the high priest.
Scripture:
“They ridiculed him and said, ‘You are that man’s disciple; we are the disciples of Moses.” Jn.9:28
The Jewish authorities rebuked the healed the formerly blind man. These authorities were actually directed their anger toward Jesus’ actions.
“The attendants said, ‘Would you revile the God’s high priest?” Acts 23:4
Paul would have abstained from rebuking the high priest had he recognized him. The high priest of God deserves respect.
“And we toil, working with our hands. When ridiculed, we bless, when persecuted, we endure.” 1Cor.4:12
Paul reminds the Christians to follow the example of Jesus who did revile when He was reviled. The Christian overcomes rebuke by blessing others.
Malediction: This at one time referred to the slanderer or the condition of being reviled or slandered. Now currently this has become a magical word or phrase uttered with the intention of bringing about evil, destruction, or curse.
Conclusion:
It was interesting to discover that this term can be applicable to human behavior in any time period in history. I did not expect to find Euripides’ example of one reproaching oneself. Fishwives, often the wives and daughters of fisherman, were notoriously loud and foul-mouthed, as noted in the expression “to swear like a fishwive.” One reason for their outspokenness is that their wares were highly perishable and must be sold quickly.
In the Old Testament, rebukes and calumny were of serious sociological and theological concerns. God rebukes and the prophets were rebuked.
In the New Testament, rebuking the high priest of God was a form of calumny. Paul teaches one must follow the example and conduct of Jesus, who did not rebuke while He was rebuked. The healed blind man was essentially rebuked for the actions of Jesus.
“The genius of architecture seems to have shed its maledictions over this land.” Thomas Jefferson