גְּדוּפָה
𐤂𐤃𐤅𐤐𐤄
gᵉdûwphâh
H1422 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
An utterance or expression of abuse, insult, or reproach, often directed toward a person, deity, or sacred concept, particularly in the form of verbal defamation or blasphemy. The term is used chiefly for statements characterized by reviling, scorn, or derision, with a focus on the act of speaking disparagingly or contemptuously.
Semantic Range
taunt, revilement, insult, public reproach, blasphemy (especially against the divine), abusive speech, derision
Root / Etymology
From the root גָּדַף (gadaph), meaning 'to revile, reproach, blaspheme.' גְּדוּפָה is the feminine passive participle form, denoting the act or result of reviling or blasphemy; literally, 'that which is reviled' or 'revilement.' While the root describes the action, this noun form refers to the verbal abuse or offensive speech itself.
Historical & Contextual Notes
גְּדוּפָה appears infrequently in the Hebrew Bible (e.g., Ezekiel 5:15; 22:4), where it designates public acts of derision or blasphemy, often associated with punishment or divine retribution. The word is conceptually close to other terms for reproach or taunt (e.g., חֶרְפָּה ḥerpâ), but גְּדוּפָה emphasizes the verbal act of reviling, especially against sacred persons or matters. Translations sometimes use 'taunt,' 'reproach,' or 'blasphemy,' but each captures only a part of its semantic field; 'blasphemy' is more restricted and contextually specific, while 'taunt' might miss the gravity of impiety involved. The term occurs in exilic and post-exilic prophetic texts, where it often relates to the consequences of Israelite actions provoking national disgrace. Later Hebrew, Aramaic, and rabbinic usage further specify the sense toward blasphemy against the divine, but in the biblical context, it maintains a somewhat wider use as general revilement against both people and God. English translation traditions vary, and at times later Christian terminology such as 'blasphemy' has been anachronistically applied—readers should be aware of the broader range present in the Hebrew.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
feminine passive participle of גָּדַף; a revilement; taunt.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
גדף (g-d-p̄) — to revile, insult, reproach, blaspheme
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1422-01 |
וּ/גְדוּפָה֙ | ugedufah | HC/Ncfsa |
and-taunt | revilement | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1422-01 |
Ezekiel 5:15 | וּ/גְדוּפָה֙ | ugedufah | HC/Ncfsa |
and-taunt | revilement |