Individuals become a byword
As a punishment for idolatry
For when any Israelite or any foreigner dwelling in Israel separates himself from Me, sets up idols in his heart, and puts a wicked stumbling block before his face, and then comes to the prophet to inquire of Me, I the LORD will answer him Myself. I will set My face against that man and make him a sign and a proverb; I will cut him off from among My people. Then you will know that I am the LORD.
As a trial of faith
He has made me a byword among the people, a man in whose face they spit.
God's people become a byword
As a punishment for disobedience
Deuteronomy 28:37 See also 1 Kings 9:6–9 parallel 2 Chronicles 7:19–22; Jeremiah 24:8–10; Ezekiel 23:1–10; Joel 2:17
You will become an object of horror, scorn, and ridicule among all the nations to which the LORD will drive you.
As a trial of faith
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.