The meaning of Hate; Hatred in the Bible
(From International Standard Bible Encyclopedia)
hat, ha'-tred (verb, sane', "oftenest," saTam, Genesis 27:41, etc.; noun, sin'ah; miseo): A feeling of strong antagonism and dislike, generally malevolent and prompting to injury (the opposite of love); sometimes born of moral resentment. Alike in the Old Testament and New Testament, hate of the malevolent sort is unsparingly condemned (Numbers 35:20; Psalms 109:5; Proverbs 10:12; Titus 3:3; I John 3:15), but in the Old Testament hatred of evil and evil-doers, purged of personal malice, is commended (Psalms 97:10; Psalms 101:3; Psalms 139:21-22, etc.). The New Testament law softens this feeling as regards persons, bringing it under the higher law of love (Matthew 5:43, Matthew 5:14; compare Romans 12:17-21), while intensifying the hatred of evil (Judges 1:23; Revelation 2:6). God himself is hated by the wicked (Exodus 20:5; Psalms 139:21; compare Romans 8:7). Sometimes, however, the word "hate" is used hyperbolically in a relative sense to express only the strong preference of one to another. God loved Jacob, but hated Esau (Malachi 1:3; Romans 9:13); father and mother are to be hated in comparison with Christ (Luke 14:26; compare Matthew 10:37).
See ENMITY.
James Orr
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