Blaspheme נָקַב

We are moving into chapter twenty-four of Leviticus with our word for today. נָקַב bore through, fix, establish, denote, mark, slander. It is used 19 times in the Old Testament. Our word is used in the sense to be designated, to be given an assignment to a post or be assigned a task to. Numbers 1:17 Moses and Aaron took these men who נִקְּב֖וּ had been named. 2 Chronicles 31:19 And for the sons of Aaron, the priests, who were in the fields of common land belonging to their cities, there were men in the several cities who נִקְּב֖וּ were designated by name to distribute portions to every male among the priests and to everyone among the Levites who was enrolled. Our word is also used in the sense to pierce, to cut or make a way through. Isaiah 36:6 Behold, you are trusting in Egypt, that broken reed of a staff, וּנְקָבָ֑הּ which will pierce the hand of any man who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him. 2 Kings 12:9 Then Jehoiada the priest took a chest וַיִּקֹּ֥ב and bored a hole in the lid of it and set it beside the altar on the right side as one entered the house of the Lord. And the priests who guarded the threshold put in it all the money that was brought into the house of the Lord. We find our word used in the sense to designate, to assign a name or title to. Genesis 30:28 נָקְבָ֧ה Name your wages, and I will give it. Isaiah 62:2 The nations shall see your righteousness, and all the kings your glory, and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord יִקֳּבֶֽנּוּ will give. Our word is also used in the sense to blaspheme, to speak of in an irreverent or impious manner. This is how our word is used 3 times in our chapter. Leviticus 24:10-11, 15-16 And the Israelite woman's son and a man of Israel fought in the camp, and the Israelite woman's son וַ֠יִּקֹּב blasphemed the Name, and cursed. Then they brought him to Moses. His mother's name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan … And speak to the people of Israel, saying, Whoever curses his God shall bear his sin. Whoever וְנֹקֵ֤ב blasphemes the name of the Lord shall surely be put to death. All the congregation shall stone him. The sojourner as well as the native, בְּנָקְבוֹ when he blasphemes the Name, shall be put to death. This reminds us of Jesus words about blaspheming the Holy Spirit. Matthew 12:31-32 Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. What is going on here is that Jesus is accused of casting out demons by the power of demons. His answer is that he is the strong man who overpowers the evil one and is therefore able to cast out his demons. He is warning of having such an evil heart as to accuse Jesus of doing this amazing miracle to free this man from what was keeping him from seeing and hearing. Only a hard heart would attribute this great work to that of the devil. Jesus then talks about the heart being like fruit. Matthew 12:33-37 Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” This is why it is critical that we guard our heart because it is where our words come from and where we connect to God. I’ll close with this great reminder. Proverbs 4:23 Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.