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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Degenerate</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/d/degenerate.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/jeremiah/2-21.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/d/degenerate.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Degenerate</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/d/defying_the_enemy.htm" title="Defying the Enemy">◄</a> Degenerate <a href="/topical/d/degrade.htm" title="Degrade">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#isb" title="International Standard Bible Encyclopedia">ISBE</a> • <a href="#web" title="Webster's Dictionary">Webster's</a> • <a href="#cnc" title="Multiversion Concordance">Concordance</a> • <a href="#thes" title="Bible Thesaurus">Thesaurus</a> • <a href="#grk" title="Strong's Greek Concordance">Greek</a> • <a href="#heb" title="Strong's Hebrew Concordance">Hebrew</a> • <a href="#lib" title="Library">Library</a> • <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div>The term "degenerate" is used to describe a decline from a former state of moral, spiritual, or physical integrity. In the biblical context, degeneration often refers to the spiritual and moral decay of individuals or nations that have turned away from God's commandments and righteous living. This concept is prevalent throughout Scripture, illustrating the consequences of abandoning divine principles.<br><br><b>Old Testament Context</b><br><br>In the Old Testament, the idea of degeneration is frequently associated with Israel's unfaithfulness to God. The prophets often rebuked the Israelites for their spiritual decline and idolatry. For instance, in <a href="/jeremiah/2-21.htm">Jeremiah 2:21</a>, God laments the spiritual degeneration of His people: "I had planted you like a choice vine from the very best seed. How then could you turn yourself before Me into a corrupt, wild vine?" . Here, the imagery of a vine that has become wild and corrupt symbolizes Israel's departure from their covenant relationship with God.<br><br>The book of Isaiah also addresses the theme of degeneration. <a href="/isaiah/1-4.htm">Isaiah 1:4</a> describes the nation as "a sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a brood of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the LORD; they have despised the Holy One of Israel; they are utterly estranged" . This passage highlights the moral and spiritual decay that results from forsaking God.<br><br><b>New Testament Context</b><br><br>In the New Testament, degeneration is often linked to the rejection of the gospel and the teachings of Christ. The Apostle Paul warns against moral and spiritual decline in his letters. In <a href="/romans/1-28.htm">Romans 1:28-32</a>, Paul describes the consequences of humanity's rejection of God: "Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done" . This passage outlines a progression of moral decay that results from turning away from God's truth.<br><br>Paul also addresses the issue of degeneration within the church. In <a href="/2_timothy/3.htm">2 Timothy 3:1-5</a>, he warns Timothy about the perilous times to come, characterized by people who are "lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy" . This description serves as a caution against allowing such degeneration to infiltrate the Christian community.<br><br><b>Theological Implications</b><br><br>The concept of degeneration underscores the importance of remaining faithful to God's commandments and the teachings of Jesus Christ. It serves as a warning against the dangers of moral and spiritual decline, emphasizing the need for repentance and renewal. The Bible consistently calls believers to uphold righteousness and to resist the temptations that lead to degeneration.<br><br><b>Practical Application</b><br><br>For believers, the call to avoid degeneration involves a commitment to spiritual growth and moral integrity. This includes regular engagement with Scripture, prayer, and participation in a community of faith. By doing so, Christians can guard against the influences that lead to spiritual and moral decay, striving instead to live lives that reflect the holiness and righteousness of God.<a name="web" id="web"></a><div class="vheading2">Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary</div>1. (<I>v. i.</I>) To be or grow worse than one was originally; hence, to be inferior; to grow poorer, meaner, or more vicious; to decline in good qualities; to deteriorate.<p>2. (<I>a.</I>) Having become worse than one's kind, or one's former state; having declined in worth; having lost in goodness; deteriorated; degraded; unworthy; base; low.<p>3. (<I>v. i.</I>) To fall off from the normal quality or the healthy structure of its kind; to become of a lower type.<a name="isb" id="isb"></a><div class="vheading2">International Standard Bible Encyclopedia</div><span class="encheading">DEGENERATE</span><p>de-jen'-er-at: Only in <a href="/jeremiah/2-21.htm">Jeremiah 2:21</a>, where Judah is compared to a "noble vine" which it "turned into the degenerate branches of a foreign vine." It represents Hebrew curim = "stray" or "degenerate (shoots)," from cur = "to turn aside," especially to turn aside from the right path (Greek pikria, literally, "bitterness").<p><a name="grk" id="grk"></a><div class="vheading2">Greek</div><a href="/greek/5351.htm"><span class="l">5351. phtheiro -- to destroy, corrupt, spoil</span></a> <br><b>...</b> [This root (-) literally means "waste away" (<b>degenerate</b>), "moving from a level<br> (quality, status) to a form.]. Word Origin from a prim. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5351.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 7k</font><p><a href="/greek/1311.htm"><span class="l">1311. diaphtheiro -- to destroy utterly, to spoil, corrupt</span></a> <br><b>...</b> 1311 (from 1223 , "thoroughly," which intensifies 5351 , "defile, corrupt") -- properly,<br> corrupt, <b>degenerate</b> (disintegrate); waste away by the decaying <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1311.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 8k</font><a name="heb" id="heb"></a><div class="vheading2">Strong's Hebrew</div><a href="/hebrew/5494.htm"><span class="l">5494. sur -- <b>degenerate</b></span></a><br><b>...</b> sur. 5495 . <b>degenerate</b>. Transliteration: sur Phonetic Spelling: (soor) Short<br> Definition: <b>degenerate</b>. Word Origin the same as sur, qv. <b>degenerate</b> <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/hebrew/5494.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 5k</font><p> <a href="/hebrew/5493.htm"><span class="l">5493. sur -- to turn aside</span></a><br><b>...</b> root Definition to turn aside NASB Word Usage abolished (1), avoid (1), beheaded*<br> (1), cut off (1), <b>degenerate</b> (1), depart (45), departed (7), deposed (1 <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/hebrew/5493.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 7k</font><a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><p><a href="/library/knox/the_first_blast_of_the_trumpet/the_first_blast_to_awake.htm"><span class="l">The First Blast to Awake Women <b>Degenerate</b>.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> THE FIRST BLAST TO AWAKE WOMEN <b>degenerate</b>. To promote a woman to beare rule,<br> superioritie, dominion or empire aboue any realme, nation <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../knox/the first blast of the trumpet/the first blast to awake.htm</font><p><a href="/library/calvin/the_institutes_of_the_christian_religion/chapter_1_through_the_fall.htm"><span class="l">Through the Fall and Revolt of Adam, the Whole Human Race Made <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> CHAPTER 1. THROUGH THE FALL AND REVOLT OF ADAM, THE WHOLE HUMAN RACE MADE<br> ACCURSED AND <b>DEGENERATE</b>. OF ORIGINAL SIN. THROUGH THE <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 1 through the fall.htm</font><p><a href="/library/augustine/sermons_on_selected_lessons_of_the_new_testament/sermon_lxxxix_on_the_words.htm"><span class="l">On the Words of the Gospel, John x. 30, "I and the Father are One. <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> all ages? Should He who hath no beginning of time, beget a son, different<br> from That which Himself is, beget a <b>degenerate</b> son? Hear <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lxxxix on the words.htm</font><p><a href="/library/kingsley/historical_lectures_and_essays/paracelsus_13.htm"><span class="l">Paracelsus {13}</span></a> <br><b>...</b> That fixed idea might <b>degenerate</b>"did, alas! <b>degenerate</b>"into wild self-conceit,<br> rash contempt of the ancients, violent abuse of his opponents. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../kingsley/historical lectures and essays/paracelsus 13.htm</font><p><a href="/library/whitefield/selected_sermons_of_george_whitefield/the_holy_spirit_convincing_the.htm"><span class="l">The Holy Spirit Convincing the World of Sin, Righteousness, and <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> Nay, some in words professedly deny it, though their works too, too plainly<br> prove them to be <b>degenerate</b> sons of a <b>degenerate</b> father. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the holy spirit convincing the.htm</font><p><a href="/library/augustine/sermons_on_selected_lessons_of_the_new_testament/sermon_lxxxv_on_the_words.htm"><span class="l">On the Words of the Gospel, John ix. 4 and 31, "We must Work the <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> No. What then is that which the Siloa Himself saith, the Sent Himself, the Son Himself,<br> the Only Son Himself, whom thou complainest of as <b>degenerate</b>? <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lxxxv on the words.htm</font><p><a href="/library/philips/the_christian_home/chapter_viii_the_family_bible.htm"><span class="l">The Family Bible.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Take this book from the family, and she will <b>degenerate</b> into a mere conventionalism,<br> marriage into a "social contract;" the spirit of mother will depart <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../philips/the christian home/chapter viii the family bible.htm</font><p><a href="/library/kingsley/the_water_of_life_and_other_sermons/sermon_vi_the_shaking_of.htm"><span class="l">The Shaking of the Heavens and the Earth (Preached at the Chapel <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> Are we to <b>degenerate</b> into a lazy and heartless scepticism, which, under pretence<br> of liberality and charity, believes that everything is a little true <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../kingsley/the water of life and other sermons/sermon vi the shaking of.htm</font><p><a href="/library/doddridge/practical_discourses_on_regeneration/discourse_vii_of_the_necessity.htm"><span class="l">Of the Necessity of Divine Influences to Produce Regeneration in <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> valuable and important, when considered in subserviency to the gracious design of<br> recovering apostate man from the ruin of his <b>degenerate</b> state"without which <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../practical discourses on regeneration/discourse vii of the necessity.htm</font><p><a href="/library/chrysostom/homilies_on_gal_eph_phi_col_thess_tim_titus_and_philemon/homily_vii_philippians_ii_11-may.htm"><span class="l">Philippians ii. 11-May</span></a> <br><b>...</b> The Word who was God did not <b>degenerate</b> into man, nor was His substance changed,<br> but he appeared as a man; not to delude us with a phantom, but to instruct us <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../homily vii philippians ii 11-may.htm</font><a name="thes" id="thes"></a><div class="vheading2">Thesaurus</div><a href="/topical/d/degenerate.htm"><span class="l"><b>Degenerate</b> (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>...</b> type. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. <b>DEGENERATE</b>. de <b>...</b> literally, "bitterness").<br> Multi-Version Concordance <b>Degenerate</b> (1 Occurrence). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/d/degenerate.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/d/degrade.htm"><span class="l">Degrade (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 4. (vi) To <b>degenerate</b>; to pass from a higher to a lower type of structure; as, a<br> family of plants or animals degrades through this or that genus or group of <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/d/degrade.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/p/potter.htm"><span class="l">Potter (14 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Foreign influence is lost. The types which survive <b>degenerate</b>. <b>...</b> (5) Roman and<br> Saracenic. <b>Degenerate</b> forms persisting till the present time. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/p/potter.htm - 28k</font><p><a href="/topical/p/pottery.htm"><span class="l">Pottery (11 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Foreign influence is lost. The types which survive <b>degenerate</b>. <b>...</b> (5) Roman and<br> Saracenic. <b>Degenerate</b> forms persisting till the present time. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/p/pottery.htm - 27k</font><p><a href="/topical/l/language.htm"><span class="l">Language (112 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> and thirdly, as the vernacular of Mohammed and his followers, the classical tongue<br> of that religious system which is the offspring of a <b>degenerate</b> Judaism and <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/l/language.htm - 101k</font><p><a href="/topical/i/imagery.htm"><span class="l">Imagery (5 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> zodiacal character. The worship of the planets was in vogue at the time<br> of the prophet among the <b>degenerate</b> Israelites. IMAGERY. im <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/i/imagery.htm - 10k</font><p><a href="/topical/t/tradition.htm"><span class="l">Tradition (13 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Peter (1 Peter 1:18) uses this word with reference to the <b>degenerate</b> Judaism<br> of the "strangers scattered" whom he addresses (Comp. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/t/tradition.htm - 17k</font><p><a href="/topical/t/triclinium.htm"><span class="l">Triclinium</span></a><br><b>...</b> Reclining was a luxurious habit imported from foreign countries by the <b>degenerate</b><br> aristocracy in the days of the later prophets (Amos 2:8; Amos 6:4). Still, we <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/t/triclinium.htm - 8k</font><p><a href="/topical/r/rust.htm"><span class="l">Rust (7 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> a rusty appearance, as plants. 9. (vi) To <b>degenerate</b> in idleness; to become<br> dull or impaired by inaction. 10. (vt) To cause to contract <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/r/rust.htm - 11k</font><p><a href="/topical/d/desire.htm"><span class="l">Desire (565 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> The literal translation "to lose in value," "to <b>degenerate</b>," would be more<br> in harmony with the context than the translations offered. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/d/desire.htm - 43k</font><p><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/regeneration-Bible.html">What is regeneration according to the Bible? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/imprecatory-psalms.html">What are the imprecatory psalms? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Levite-concubine.html">What can we learn from the story of the Levite and his concubine? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://clyx.com/term/degenerate.htm">Degenerate: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com</a><br /><br /><a href="/concordance/">Bible Concordance</a> • <a href="/dictionary/">Bible Dictionary</a> • <a href="/encyclopedia/">Bible Encyclopedia</a> • <a href="/topical/">Topical Bible</a> • <a href="/thesaurus/">Bible Thesuarus</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="cnc" id="cnc"></a><div class="vheading2">Concordance</div><span class="encheading">Degenerate (1 Occurrence)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/jeremiah/2-21.htm">Jeremiah 2:21</a></span><br />Yet I had planted you a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then have you turned into the <span class="boldtext">degenerate</span> branches of a foreign vine to me?<br /><span class="source">(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)</span><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/d/degenerate.htm">Degenerate</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/abase.htm">Abase (7 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/v/villain.htm">Villain (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/v/vashti.htm">Vashti (10 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/l/lessen.htm">Lessen (4 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/reduce.htm">Reduce (13 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/d/degraded.htm">Degraded (3 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/d/degenerate.htm">Degenerate (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/d/debase.htm">Debase (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/d/diminish.htm">Diminish (22 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/abject.htm">Abject (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/stoop.htm">Stoop (10 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/sink.htm">Sink (16 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/d/degrading.htm">Degrading (3 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/family.htm">Family (438 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/d/defying_the_enemy.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Defying the Enemy"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Defying the Enemy" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/d/degrade.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Degrade"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Degrade" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div> <div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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