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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: Taunting</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/t/taunting.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><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/habakkuk/2-6.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/t/taunting.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> > Taunting</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/t/taunteth.htm" title="Taunteth">◄</a> Taunting <a href="/topical/t/taunts.htm" title="Taunts">►</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="#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="#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><b>Definition and Nature:</b> <br>Taunting refers to the act of mocking, ridiculing, or provoking someone with contemptuous or derisive language. In the biblical context, taunting often involves scornful speech intended to belittle or challenge others, sometimes questioning their faith or the power of God.<br><br><b>Biblical Instances:</b><br><br>1. <b>Goliath's Taunt:</b> <br> One of the most notable instances of taunting in the Bible is found in the account of David and Goliath. Goliath, the Philistine giant, taunted the armies of Israel, challenging them to send a warrior to fight him. His taunts were not only against the Israelites but also against their God. "He stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, 'Why do you come out to line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not servants of Saul? Choose a man to come down and fight me'" (<a href="/1_samuel/17-8.htm">1 Samuel 17:8</a>). David, however, responded with faith in God, ultimately defeating Goliath and silencing his taunts.<br><br>2. <b>Elijah and the Prophets of Baal:</b> <br> In <a href="/bsb/1_kings/18.htm">1 Kings 18</a>, the prophet Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. As the prophets of Baal called upon their god to send fire upon their sacrifice, Elijah taunted them, saying, "Shout louder! For he is a god; perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened" (<a href="/1_kings/18-27.htm">1 Kings 18:27</a>). Elijah's taunt highlighted the impotence of false gods and set the stage for the demonstration of the true God's power.<br><br>3. <b>Jesus on the Cross:</b> <br> During the crucifixion, Jesus faced taunts from the crowd and religious leaders. They mocked Him, saying, "He saved others, but He cannot save Himself! Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross, so that we may see and believe" (<a href="/mark/15-31.htm">Mark 15:31-32</a>). Despite the taunts, Jesus remained silent, fulfilling His mission of sacrifice and demonstrating profound strength and humility.<br><br><b>Moral and Spiritual Implications:</b><br><br>· <b>Pride and Arrogance:</b> <br> Taunting often stems from pride and arrogance, as seen in the behavior of Goliath and the religious leaders who mocked Jesus. It reflects a heart that is not aligned with God's humility and love.<br><br>· <b>Faith and Trust in God:</b> <br> The biblical response to taunting is often characterized by faith and trust in God. David's victory over Goliath and Jesus' endurance on the cross exemplify how reliance on God can overcome scorn and derision.<br><br>· <b>Warnings Against Taunting:</b> <br> Scripture warns against the use of taunting language. <a href="/proverbs/3-34.htm">Proverbs 3:34</a> states, "He mocks the mockers but gives grace to the humble" . This highlights God's disapproval of mocking behavior and His favor towards those who are humble.<br><br>· <b>The Power of Words:</b> <br> The Bible emphasizes the power of words, both for good and for harm. Taunting can wound deeply, but believers are called to use their words to build up and encourage others, as instructed in <a href="/ephesians/4-29.htm">Ephesians 4:29</a>: "Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen" .<br><br><b>Conclusion:</b> <br>While taunting is a common human behavior, the Bible provides clear guidance on how to respond to and refrain from such actions. Through examples and teachings, Scripture encourages believers to embody humility, faith, and love in their interactions with others.<a name="web" id="web"></a><div class="vheading2">Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary</div>1. (<I>p. pr. & vb. n.</I>) of Taunt.<p>2. (<I>a. & n.</I>) from Taunt.<a name="heb" id="heb"></a><div class="vheading2">Strong's Hebrew</div><a href="/hebrew/4426.htm"><span class="l">4426. melitsah -- satire, a mocking poem</span></a><br><b>...</b> interpretation, <b>taunting</b>. From luwts; an aphorism; also a satire -- interpretation,<br> <b>taunting</b>. see HEBREW luwts. 4425, 4426. melitsah. 4427 . Strong's Numbers <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/hebrew/4426.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 6k</font><p> <a href="/hebrew/2781.htm"><span class="l">2781. cherpah -- a reproach</span></a><br><b>...</b> Word Origin from charaph Definition a reproach NASB Word Usage contempt (1), disgrace<br> (5), reproach (60), reproaches (2), scorn (3), shame (1), <b>taunting</b> (1). <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/hebrew/2781.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 6k</font><a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><p><a href="/library/mcgarvey/the_four-fold_gospel/cxxxi_third_stage_of_the.htm"><span class="l">Third Stage of the Roman Trial. Pilate Reluctantly Sentences Him <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> His words are not a permission to crucify, but a bit of <b>taunting</b> irony, as if he<br> said: "I the judge have found him innocent, but ye seem to lack the wit to see <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxxxi third stage of the.htm</font><p><a href="/library/stalker/the_trial_and_death_of_jesus_christ/chapter_xv_the_second_word.htm"><span class="l">The Second Word from the Cross</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Christ in miniature. II. Both thieves appear to have joined in <b>taunting</b><br> Jesus, in imitation of the Sanhedrists. This has, indeed <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../stalker/the trial and death of jesus christ/chapter xv the second word.htm</font><p><a href="/library/moule/philippian_studies/the_praetorian_and_the_apostle.htm"><span class="l">The Praetorian and the Apostle</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Thou hast forgiven (I know thee now) The insults of this heathen tongue; The <b>taunting</b><br> questions why and how; The songs (oh madness!) that I:sung: Thou hast <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../moule/philippian studies/the praetorian and the apostle.htm</font><p><a href="/library/various/select_masterpieces_of_biblical_literature/habakkuks_rhapsody_of_the_chaldeans.htm"><span class="l">Habakkuk's Rhapsody of the Chaldeans</span></a> <br><b>...</b> peoples. Shall not all these take up a parable against him, and a <b>taunting</b><br> proverb against him, and say: Doom of the Chaldeans. 1. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../habakkuks rhapsody of the chaldeans.htm</font><p><a href="/library/bayly/the_practice_of_piety/meditations_before_dinner_and_supper.htm"><span class="l">Meditations Before Dinner and Supper.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> in such a place, so gracious a God to be abused by scurrility, ribaldry, or swearing;<br> or thy fellow-brother, by disgraceful backbiting, <b>taunting</b>, or slandering <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../bayly/the practice of piety/meditations before dinner and supper.htm</font><p><a href="/library/morris/favourite_welsh_hymns/il_ar_lan_yr_iorddonen.htm"><span class="l">Ar Lan Yr Iorddonen</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Or lighted lamp draw near: But foot of succour none doth sound,. While <b>taunting</b><br> demons sport around. At length with piteous groan. He stumbles to the flood,". <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/...//christianbookshelf.org/morris/favourite welsh hymns/il ar lan yr iorddonen.htm</font><p><a href="/library/emmerich/the_dolorous_passion_of_our_lord_jesus_christ/chapter_xv_jesus_is_taken.htm"><span class="l">Jesus is Taken Before Pilate.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> derisive gestures called him king, and tossed in his path stones, bits of wood;<br> and filthy rags; they made game of, and by a thousand <b>taunting</b> speeches mocked <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter xv jesus is taken.htm</font><p><a href="/library/brownlie/hymns_from_the_morningland/they_brought_him_to_the.htm"><span class="l">They Brought Him to the Hill of Death</span></a> <br><b>...</b> If He were Christ indeed,. And save Himself, as He had saved. So many in their need;<br> Such <b>taunting</b> words like venom stung,. And God beheld the arrows flung. III <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../brownlie/hymns from the morningland/they brought him to the.htm</font><p><a href="/library/gordon/quiet_talks_about_jesus/victory.htm"><span class="l">Victory.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Let Him come down from the cross and we will believe on Him." The two others hanging<br> by His side, in their pain and distress, join in the <b>taunting</b> cries, and <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks about jesus/victory.htm</font><p><a href="/library/scholasticus/the_ecclesiastical_history_of_scholasticus/chapter_xix_of_the_office_of.htm"><span class="l">Of the Office of Penitentiary Presbyters and Its Abolition.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> When in consequence of this, ecclesiastics were subjected to <b>taunting</b> and reproach,<br> Eud??mon a presbyter of the church, by birth an Alexandrian, persuaded <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../the ecclesiastical history of scholasticus/chapter xix of the office of.htm</font><a name="thes" id="thes"></a><div class="vheading2">Thesaurus</div><a href="/topical/t/taunting.htm"><span class="l"><b>Taunting</b> (2 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Taunt. 2. (a. & n.) from<br> Taunt. Multi-Version Concordance <b>Taunting</b> (2 Occurrences). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/t/taunting.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/t/taunts.htm"><span class="l">Taunts (11 Occurrences)</span></a><br><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/t/taunts.htm - 9k</font><p><a href="/topical/j/jeer.htm"><span class="l">Jeer (2 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 3. (v.) To utter sarcastic or scoffing reflections; to speak with mockery or derision;<br> to use <b>taunting</b> language; to scoff; as, to jeer at a speaker. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/j/jeer.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/l/loadeth.htm"><span class="l">Loadeth (3 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Habakkuk 2:6 Shall not all these take up a proverb about him, and a <b>taunting</b> riddle<br> against him, and say, Woe to him that increaseth that which is not his! <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/l/loadeth.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/l/ladeth.htm"><span class="l">Ladeth (3 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Habakkuk 2:6 Shall not all these take up a parable against him, and a <b>taunting</b> proverb<br> against him, and say, Woe to him that increaseth that which is not his! <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/l/ladeth.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/l/loads.htm"><span class="l">Loads (12 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Habakkuk 2:6 Won't all these take up a parable against him, and a <b>taunting</b> proverb<br> against him, and say,'Woe to him who increases that which is not his, and <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/l/loads.htm - 10k</font><p><a href="/topical/l/loans.htm"><span class="l">Loans (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Habakkuk 2:6 Won't all these take up a parable against him, and a <b>taunting</b> proverb<br> against him, and say,'Woe to him who increases that which is not his, and <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/l/loans.htm - 6k</font><p><a href="/topical/g/gerizim.htm"><span class="l">Gerizim (4 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> From a spur of Mt. Gerizim Jotham spoke his <b>taunting</b> parable to the men of Shechem<br> (Judges 9:7). The name appears no more in canonical Scripture. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/g/gerizim.htm - 14k</font><p><a href="/topical/i/increases.htm"><span class="l">Increases (24 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Habakkuk 2:6 Won't all these take up a parable against him, and a <b>taunting</b> proverb<br> against him, and say,'Woe to him who increases that which is not his, and <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/i/increases.htm - 12k</font><p><a href="/topical/i/increaseth.htm"><span class="l">Increaseth (21 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Habakkuk 2:6 Shall not all these take up a parable against him, and a <b>taunting</b> proverb<br> against him, and say, Woe to him that increaseth that which is not his! <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/i/increaseth.htm - 12k</font><p><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/life-David.html">Who was David in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/deep-calls-to-deep.html">What does it mean that deep calls to deep (Psalm 42:7)? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/David-and-Goliath.html">What can we learn from the account of David and Goliath? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://clyx.com/term/taunting.htm">Taunting: 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">Taunting (2 Occurrences)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/habakkuk/2-6.htm">Habakkuk 2:6</a></span><br />Won't all these take up a parable against him, and a <span class="boldtext">taunting</span> proverb against him, and say,'Woe to him who increases that which is not his, and who enriches himself by extortion! How long?'<br /><span class="source">(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/zephaniah/2-8.htm">Zephaniah 2:8</a></span><br />I have heard the taunt of Moab, and the revilings of the children of Ammon, wherewith they have taunted My people, and spoken boastfully concerning their border.<br /><span class="source">(See NAS)</span><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/t/taunting.htm">Taunting</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/u/uttered.htm">Uttered (60 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/i/insults.htm">Insults (34 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/taunt-song.htm">Taunt-song (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/taunting.htm">Taunting (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/repeatedly.htm">Repeatedly (28 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/provoke.htm">Provoke (64 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/anointed.htm">Anointed (132 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/scorned.htm">Scorned (18 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/sting.htm">Sting (5 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/taunt.htm">Taunt (38 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/l/lamentations.htm">Lamentations (6 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/bitter.htm">Bitter (203 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/m/mocked.htm">Mocked (40 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/cyrus.htm">Cyrus (20 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/fellow.htm">Fellow (166 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/g/god's.htm">God's (602 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/reproach.htm">Reproach (124 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/anem.htm">Anem (1 Occurrence)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/t/taunteth.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Taunteth"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Taunteth" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/t/taunts.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Taunts"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Taunts" /></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'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></div></td></tr></table></div></div></div> <br /><br /> <div align="center"> <div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>