Defy
Culture & Societyâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
The term 'defy' denotes the act of taunting or challenging an opponent to combat, a practice evident in narratives such as the confrontation between David and Goliath, and can also signify denouncing or cursing.
What is the meaning of Defy in the Bible?
The term 'defy' denotes the act of taunting or challenging an opponent to combat, a practice evident in narratives such as the confrontation between David and Goliath, and can also signify denouncing or cursing.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding this concept clarifies the social dynamics of honor and shame in ancient Israel, revealing how verbal challenges served as precursors to physical conflict and how divine intervention was viewed as the resolution to such public disputes.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Defy in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Defy clarify?
Source Attribution & Provenance
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.