Biblical Warnings About Invoking Evil Names
Biblical texts and subsequent theological traditions warn against invoking evil names, particularly in ways that dishonor God or align with malevolent spiritual forces. The prohibition against taking the Lord's name "for an evil purpose" or "in vain" is a foundational command in the Decalogue [3, 4]. This command is understood to encompass not only profane swearing but also any use of God's name that is irreverent or for a false purpose [6, 10].
The concept of "evil-speaking" generally is forbidden in scripture, with passages like Titus 3:2 and James 4:11 explicitly condemning it, and severe punishments are associated with such actions in 1 Corinthians 5:11 and 6:10 [2]. The practice is considered abhorrent and contrary to Christian character [2].
Beyond misusing God's name, there are warnings against invoking the names of false gods or demons. Lactantius, a patristic writer, admonishes against swearing by or uttering the "abominable names" of idols, stating they are "either wicked demons or the ridiculous contrivances of men" [7]. He references biblical passages where God expresses displeasure with those who forsake Him to swear by "them that are no gods" and promises to remove the names of idols from their mouths [7].
Rabbinic tradition further elaborates on the gravity of cursing, especially when it involves divine names. The Babylonian Talmud discusses the severe punishment for cursing the ineffable name of God, distinguishing it from cursing appellations of God, which incurs lashes [8]. It also notes that cursing oneself or another using God's names or appellations violates a prohibition [11, 12]. Even curses that do not explicitly invoke God's name are found in scripture, such as in 2 Kings 2:24 [9]. The Talmud also advises against desecrating "the name of Heaven in public" [13].
The Bible also warns against forming alliances or societies with the "enemies of God," as such associations can lead to idolatry, provoke God's anger, and are ensnaring [5]. This broader prohibition against aligning with evil forces underscores the seriousness of any invocation or association with names or entities contrary to God. The New Testament also speaks of those who "blaspheme the good Name called on you" [1].
Sources
- James “James 2:7 (LITV) — Do they not blaspheme the good Name called on you?”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Evil-speaking — Is expressly forbidden (Titus 3:2; James 4:11), and severe punishments are denounced against it (1 Cor. 5:11; 6:10). It is spoken of also with abhorrence (Ps. 15:3; Prov. 18:6, 7), and is foreign to the whole Christian character and the example of Christ.”
- Exodus “Exodus 20:7 (BBE) — You are not to make use of the name of the Lord your God for an evil purpose; whoever takes the Lord's name on his lips for an evil purpose will be judged a sinner by the Lord”
- Deuteronomy “Deuteronomy 5:11 (BBE) — You are not to make use of the name of the Lord your God for an evil purpose; whoever takes the Lord's name on his lips for an evil purpose will be judged as a sinner by the Lord.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God — Forbidden -- Ex 23:32; 34:12; De 7:2,3; 13:6,8; Jos 23:6,7; Jdj 2:2; Ezr 9:12; Pr 1:10,15; 2Co 6:14-17; Eph 5:11. Lead to idolatry -- Ex 34:15,16; Nu 25:1-8; De 7:4; Jdj 3:5-7; Re 2:20. Have led to murder and human sacrifice -- Ps 106:37,38. Provoke the anger of God -- De 7:4; 31:16,17; 2Ch 19:2; Ezr 9:13,14; Ps 106:29,40; Isa 2:6. Provoke God to leave mean to reap the fruits of them -- Jos 23:12,13; Jdj 2:1-3. Are ensnaring -- Ex 23:33; Nu 25:18; De 12:30; 13:6; Ps 106:36. Are enslaved -- 2Pe 2:18,19. Are defiling -- Ez”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Swearing, Profane — Of all kinds is desecration of God's name and is forbidden -- Ex 20:7; Mt 5:34-36; 23:21,22; Jas 5:12. The wicked Addicted to. -- Ps 10:7; Ro 3:14. Love. -- Ps 109:17. Clothe themselves with. -- Ps 109:18. Guilt of -- Ex 20:7; De 5:11. Woe denounced against -- Mt 23:16. Nations visited for -- Jer 23:10; Ho 4:1-3. Punishment for -- Le 24:16,23; Ps 59:12; 109:17,18. Exemplified Son of Israelitish woman. -- Le 24:11. Gehazi. -- 2Ki 5:20. Peter. -- Mt 26:74.”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 7: Lactantius, Venantius, Asterius, Victorinus, Dionysius — AN ADMONITION INSTRUCTING MEN TO AVOID THE ABOMINABLE SIN OF IDOLATRY.: XI. You are also forbidden to swear by them, or to utter their abominable names through your mouth, and to worship them, or fear them as gods; for they are not gods, but either wicked demons or the ridiculous contrivances of men. For somewhere God says concerning the Israelites: "They have forsaken me, and sworn by them that are no gods."(17) And afterwards: "I 443 will take away the names of your idols out of their mouth."(1) And elsewhere: "They have pro”
- Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Sanhedrin 56a.18: And the Rabbis say: For cursing the ineffable name of God, one is punished by death, and for cursing the appellations, one is liable to receive lashes for violating a prohibition.”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Exodus 21:17: AND HE THAT CURSETH. We find a curse that invokes the name of God, as in and cursed them in the name of the Lord (II Kings 2:24). We also find curses that do not invoke the name of God.”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 44: Pharisees, as given in John ( John 9:24 ); Scripture reminds us of the caution which we ought to use by employing such expressions as the following:—“As the Lord liveth;” “God do so and more also;” “I call God for a record upon my soul.” 204 204 1 Sam. 14:44 ; 2 Kings 5:31 ; 2 Cor. 1:23 . Such expressions intimate, that we cannot call God to witness our statement, without imprecating his vengeance for perjury if it is false. 25. The name of God is vulgarised and vilified when used in oaths, which, though true, are superfluous. This”
- Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Shevuot 35a.21: One who curses himself or another employing any of these names or appellations of God violates a prohibition. If one says: The Lord God shall strike you (see Deuteronomy 28:22), and likewise if one says: God shall strike you if you do not come to testify, that is a curse that is written in the Torah, and in such a case one is certainly liable if he fails to testify.”
- Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Shevuot 99b.69:21: One who curses himself or another employing any of these names or appellations of God violates a prohibition. If one says: The Lord God shall strike you (see Deuteronomy 28:22), and likewise if one says: God shall strike you if you do not come to testify, that is a curse that is written in the Torah, and in such a case one is certainly liable if he fails to testify.”
- Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Kiddushin 165a.79:17: Rabbi Ilai the Elder says: If a person sees that his evil inclination is overcoming him, he should go to a place where he is not known, and wear black clothes, and he should cover himself in simple black garments, and he should do as his heart desires, but he should not desecrate the name of Heaven in public.”