Hatred Hate
Holman Bible Dictionary [1]
Hatred of Other People Hatred of other people is a common response in human relations. Conflict, jealousy, and envy often result in animosity, separation, revenge, and even murder ( Genesis 26:27; Genesis 27:41; Judges 11:7; 2Samuel 13:15, 2 Samuel 13:22 ). Some Hebrew laws explicitly deal with hatred or favoritism ( Deuteronomy 19:11-13; Deuteronomy 21:15-17; Deuteronomy 22:13-21 ).
Hatred of other people is frequently condemned, and love toward enemies is encouraged ( Leviticus 19:17; Matthew 5:43-44 ). Hatred characterizes the old age and the sinful life ( Galatians 5:19-21; Titus 3:3; 1John 2:9, 1 John 2:11 ). Although Jesus cited the attitude of hating enemies ( Matthew 5:43 ), the Old Testament does not give an explicit command like this. The Dead Sea Scrolls, however, indicate that the Essenes at Qumran cultivated hatred for enemies, but they discouraged retaliation. Jesus stressed loving our enemies and doing good to those who hate us ( Luke 6:27 ).
Believers can experience or practice hatred in certain contexts. For example, they are to hate whatever opposes God. Not a malicious attitude, this hate reflects agreement with God's opposition to evil ( Psalm 97:10; Psalm 139:19-22; Proverbs 8:13; Proverbs 13:5; Amos 5:15 ). Although some of the psalms may sound vindictive, they leave punishment of the wicked to God's prerogative.
Jesus' disciples would have to hate their families to follow him ( Luke 14:26 ). Hate here refers not to emotional hostility but to the conscious establishment of priorities. Hate means to love family less than one loves Jesus ( Matthew 10:37 ). Similarly, one should hate personal life to gain eternal life ( John 12:26 ).
Disciples can expect to be hated, just as Jesus was hated by the world ( John 15:18-24; John 17:14; 1 John 3:13 ). Hatred and persecution will also occur near the end of time ( Matthew 24:9 ). Jesus encouraged His disciples to rejoice at this opposition ( Luke 6:22-23 ).
Hatred of God People sometimes hate God ( Psalm 68:1; Psalm 81:15 ) and His people. They are enemies of God who stubbornly rebel at His will and will be punished.
Divine Hatred Although God is love ( 1 John 4:8 ), some texts point to divine hatred. A holy, jealous God is displeased with human sin. For example. God hates pagan idolatry ( Deuteronomy 12:31 ) as well as hypocritical Hebrew worship ( Isaiah 1:14; Amos 5:21 ). God hates sin ( Proverbs 6:16-19; Proverbs 8:13; Malachi 2:16 ), but He desires the sinner's repentance ( Ezekiel 18:32 ). Some texts imply God's hate is directed primarily to sinful actions rather than to sinful persons ( Hebrews 1:9; Revelation 2:6 ).
God's hate is not the vindictive, emotional hate often felt by human beings but is a strong moral reaction against sin. Divine hate is often closer to the sense of loving less. God hates Esau ( Malachi 1:2-5; Romans 9:13 ) stresses divine freedom in election, not an emotional reaction. See Enemy; Love; Retaliation; Revenge; Wrath.
Warren McWilliams
Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology [2]
Hate derives from a strong dislike or ill will toward persons or things. As an emotional attitude, a person may oppose, detest, or despise contact with a thing or a person. Love and hatred often stand opposed. Wisdom says, there is "a time to love and a time to hate" ( Ecclesiastes 3:8 ). In the biblical record, every being may express or experience hate.
The Bible says that God hates religiosity ( Isaiah 1:14; Amos 5:21 ), hypocrisy and lies ( Zechariah 8:17 ), wrongdoing ( Isaiah 61:8 ); divorce ( Malachi 2:16 ), violence ( Malachi 2:16 ), idolatrous practices ( Hosea 9:15 ), and the way the prophets are treated ( Jeremiah 44:4 ). The theology underlying God's hatred rests upon two essential qualities of God: holiness and justice. As a divine being with standards, God hates anything that despises, detests, or disregards those standards. In return, people hate God ( Psalm 139:21-22 ). Humanity may choose to follow in God's path in hating anything that hates the Lord or his standards ( Psalm 139:22 ).
The Bible notes that people can hate discipline ( Psalm 50:17 ), peace ( Psalm 120:6 ), and knowledge ( Proverbs 1:22 ). This sense of "hatred" carries the meaning of "loathing." A person so characterized is viewed in a negative sense, often labeled as a "fool." Some people hate anything that is good ( Micah 3:2 ). They are viewed as "evil." They may hate God's people as well. The psalmist tells us, "I suffer from those who hate me" (9:13). A strong dislike surfaces for a variety of reasons, all encompassed by the term "hatred." Jesus accepted that believers would be hated, pronouncing a blessing on those so hated ( Luke 6:22 ). In fact, one mark of a disciple derives from being hated ( Luke 14:26 ). Of course, the world hated Jesus first ( John 7:7 ). True disciples hold an attitude of love toward those who hate them ( Luke 6:27 ). This hatred of God's people appears to be an inevitable fact of life ( Psalm 25:19; 35:19; 41:7; 83:2; Proverbs 9:8 ). God may be involved on occasion in turning people to hate his people ( Psalm 105:25 ). This idea attests how everything fits into God's plan in some way.
The response by God's people needs to mirror God's attitude toward evil. We are to hate evildoers ( Psalm 26:5 ), idolaters ( Psalm 31:6 ), the false way ( Psalm 119:104 ), falsehood ( Psalm 119:163 ), and anything that is evil ( Psalm 97:10; Proverbs 8:13; Amos 5:15 ).
Normal relationships may produce hatred between people. A husband may hate his wife ( Genesis 29:31,33 ). Joseph's brothers hated him ( Genesis 37:4 ). Amnon's lust turned to hate after he raped his sister, Tamar ( 2 Samuel 13:15 ). A parent may hate a son ( Proverbs 13:24 ). Neighbors, nations, and classes of people, such as the poor may be hated ( Deuteronomy 19:11; Proverbs 19:7; Isaiah 66:5 ). Hatred proves to be a tangible measurement of evil in the world. Its ugliness may extend in any direction. Any aversion of humans to others expresses hatred.
G. Michael Hagan
Bibliography . G. Van Groningen, TWOT, 2:880.
