A verbal expression of blame. Scripture gives examples of both divine and human rebuke. Sometimes God issues rebukes directly but more commonly he did so through the OT prophets. In the NT Jesus Christ and the apostles issue rebukes and teach the church how to address those who sin.
God has an absolute right to rebuke those who depart from his ways
He sometimes exercises this right directly
Leviticus 26:23–24 See also Deuteronomy 28:20; Nehemiah 9:30; Job 5:17; Psalm 39:11, Psalm 50:21, Psalm 94:12, Psalm 105:14, Psalm 119:21; Jeremiah 2:19, Jeremiah 2:30; Hebrews 8:8
And if in spite of these things you do not accept My discipline, but continue to walk in hostility toward Me, then I will act with hostility toward you, and I will strike you sevenfold for your sins.
His rebuke is powerful
Job 26:11; Psalm 80:16, Psalm 104:7; Isaiah 50:2
In the OT much rebuke came indirectly
Balaam's ass rebukes Balaam: Numbers 22:28; 2 Peter 2:16; 1 Samuel 2:25 Eli rebukes his sons; 1 Samuel 15:12–26 Samuel rebukes Saul; 1 Samuel 24:5–7 David rebukes his men; 2 Samuel 12:1–12 Nathan rebukes David; 1 Kings 18:18 Elijah rebukes Ahab; Ezra 10:9–11 Ezra rebukes the men of Judah and Benjamin; Isaiah 1:10–17 Isaiah rebukes Judah and Jerusalem; Hosea 4:1–3 Hosea rebukes the Israelites.
Examples of Jesus Christ issuing rebukes
To evil spirits
Matthew 17:18 parallels Mark 9:25, Luke 9:42 See also Luke 4:41
Then Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed from that moment.
To his disciples
Mark 8:33 parallel Matthew 16:23; Mark 16:14
Other examples of rebuke being administered in the NT
Inappropriate rebukes by Jesus Christ's disciples: Matthew 16:22 parallel Mark 8:32; Matthew 19:13 parallels Mark 10:13, Luke 18:15; Luke 3:19 John the Baptist rebukes Herod; Luke 23:40–41 The repentant thief on the cross rebukes the other crucified criminal.
Proverbs on the subject of rebuke
The importance of responding correctly to a rebuke
Proverbs 1:23–26 See also Proverbs 6:23, Proverbs 10:17, Proverbs 12:1, Proverbs 15:10, Proverbs 15:31–32, Proverbs 17:10, Proverbs 19:25; Ecclesiastes 7:5
If you had repented at my rebuke, then surely I would have poured out my spirit on you; I would have made my words known to you. Because you refused my call, and no one took my outstretched hand, because you neglected all my counsel, and wanted none of my correction, in turn I will mock your calamity; I will sneer when terror strikes you,
Different responses to a rebuke
He who corrects a mocker brings shame on himself; he who rebukes a wicked man taints himself. Do not rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.
Instructions to believers on giving and receiving rebuke
On giving a rebuke
Leviticus 19:17 See also Matthew 18:15; Luke 17:3; Galatians 6:1; Colossians 1:28, Colossians 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:1 advice on rebuking those who are older; 1 Timothy 5:20 disciplining elders; 2 Timothy 3:16 the usefulness of Scripture for rebuking; 2 Timothy 4:2; Titus 1:9, Titus 1:13, Titus 2:15; James 5:19–20
You must not harbor hatred against your brother in your heart. Directly rebuke your neighbor, so that you will not incur guilt on account of him.
On receiving a rebuke
Hebrews 12:5 See also 1 Corinthians 16:14
And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not take lightly the discipline of the Lord, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you.
Believers thus follow the example of the Lord himself
Hebrews 12:6 See also Proverbs 3:12; Revelation 3:19
For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives.”
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.