A transgression or affront against the law or an individual. The gospel itself is seen as offensive by unbelievers, who are often unable to cope with its radical challenge to their unbelief.
Legal offence
Deuteronomy 21:22–23 See also Exodus 21:15–25, Exodus 22:1–5; Deuteronomy 19:15–21
If a man has committed a sin worthy of death, and he is executed, and you hang his body on a tree, you must not leave the body on the tree overnight, but you must be sure to bury him that day, because anyone who is hung on a tree is under God’s curse. You must not defile the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance.
Moral offence
Ezekiel 22:11 See also Exodus 22:16–17; Leviticus 18:6–23; Deuteronomy 22:13–30; 2 Samuel 3:8; 1 Corinthians 6:9–10
One man commits an abomination with his neighbor’s wife; another wickedly defiles his daughter-in-law; and yet another violates his sister, his own father’s daughter.
An offence to others
On a national level
1 Samuel 13:4 See also 2 Samuel 10:6 parallel 1 Chronicles 19:6; Jeremiah 24:9
And all Israel heard the news: “Saul has attacked an outpost of the Philistines, and now Israel has become a stench to the Philistines!” Then the people were summoned to join Saul at Gilgal.
On a personal level
2 Samuel 16:21 See also Genesis 20:1–16, Genesis 40:1; 1 Samuel 25:14–28 Abigail seeks David's forgiveness for Nabal's offence; Job 19:17; Proverbs 17:9, Proverbs 18:19, Proverbs 19:11; Matthew 13:54–57 parallel Mark 6:1–4 The people of Nazareth take offence at Jesus Christ; Matthew 15:1–12, Matthew 17:24–27; John 6:53–66
Ahithophel replied, “Sleep with your father’s concubines, whom he has left to take care of the palace. When all Israel hears that you have become a stench to your father, then the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened.”
Offence against God
1 Kings 8:50–51 Offence against God is synonymous with sin. See also Job 7:21, Job 10:14, Job 13:23 “wrongs”, “sins” and “offence” are three important OT terms for sin; Job 14:16–17, Job 34:31–33; Psalm 59:3, Psalm 139:24; Isaiah 43:24, Isaiah 44:22, Isaiah 59:12; Ezekiel 18:1–32 Ezekiel warns that the soul who sins will die; Ezekiel 33:10, Ezekiel 37:23, Ezekiel 39:24; Amos 5:12
May You forgive Your people who have sinned against You and all the transgressions they have committed against You, and may You grant them compassion in the eyes of their captors to show them mercy. For they are Your people and Your inheritance; You brought them out of Egypt, out of the furnace for iron.
Offence against God's house
Numbers 18:1 See also Numbers 18:23
So the LORD said to Aaron, “You and your sons and your father’s house must bear the iniquity involving the sanctuary. And you and your sons alone must bear the iniquity involving your priesthood.
The things of God are an offence to sinful people
Jeremiah 6:10; 1 Corinthians 1:22–24 See also Galatians 5:11
To whom can I give this warning? Who will listen to me? Look, their ears are closed, so they cannot hear. See, the word of the LORD has become offensive to them; they find no pleasure in it.
Jews demand signs and Greeks search for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
A stumbling-block as an object of offence
A stumbling-block for others
Romans 14:13 The concept behind the English word “offence” is one of striking against something or someone. The image of a stumbling-block conveys the idea of tripping or falling as a result of striking against such an object. See also Leviticus 19:14; Matthew 16:23; Romans 11:9–10; Psalm 69:22–23; 1 Corinthians 8:9; 2 Corinthians 6:3
Therefore let us stop judging one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.
A stumbling-block for oneself
Ezekiel 14:7 See also Ezekiel 14:3–4
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.
A stumbling-block set up by God
Now if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I put a stumbling block before him, he will die. If you did not warn him, he will die in his sin, and the righteous acts he did will not be remembered. And I will hold you responsible for his blood.
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.