What is the difference between reproach and shame?

Shame can be an inner feeling; reproach is shame that comes from outside — insult, contempt, public disgrace. That is why the Bible speaks of “bearing” reproach.

What does “a reproach of men” mean in Psalm 22?

That the psalmist is mocked by everyone: “All they that see me laugh me to scorn” (Psalm 22:7). The psalm opens with “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”, the words of Jesus on the cross, and the Gospels see in it the passion of Christ.

Hebrew word · Strong H2781

What does reproach mean?

Reproach is public disgrace: the shame others heap on someone through insults and contempt. It is the King James word for the Hebrew cherpah, in more than 60 verses — the reproach of the barren woman, of defeated Israel, and of the righteous mocked for trusting God.

חֶרְפָּה

cherpâh · transliteration · kher-paw' · pronunciation

In Strong’s lexicon: contumely, disgrace, the pudenda
In the King James: reproach64
shame3
Appears in: 72 verses

See the full H2781 entry →Also in the lexicon: G3680 ὀνειδισμός

The meaning of reproach in the Bible

Cherpah is shame that comes from outside — the shame of Israel defeated before its neighbors, of the barren woman or the widow, of the righteous mocked for being faithful. Rachel names it when her son is born: “God hath taken away my reproach” (Genesis 30:23). God promises to lift it: “thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more” (Isaiah 54:4). In the Psalms it is the suffering of the righteous who trusts God: “But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people” (Psalm 22:6).

The New Testament reads these psalms in Jesus. Paul applies Psalm 69:9 to him — “the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me” — in Romans 15:3, and Hebrews calls Christians to follow him: “Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach” (Hebrews 13:13). Moses, the letter says, esteemed “the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt” (Hebrews 11:26).

Where reproach appears

Genesis 30:23

And she conceived, and bare a son; and said, God hath taken away my reproach:

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Psalms 22:6

But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.

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Psalms 69:9

For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.

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Isaiah 54:4

Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.

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Hebrews 13:13

Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between reproach and shame?: Shame can be an inner feeling; reproach is shame that comes from outside — insult, contempt, public disgrace. That is why the Bible speaks of “bearing” reproach.
What does “a reproach of men” mean in Psalm 22?: That the psalmist is mocked by everyone: “All they that see me laugh me to scorn” (Psalm 22:7). The psalm opens with “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”, the words of Jesus on the cross, and the Gospels see in it the passion of Christ.

The meaning of reproach in the Bible

Where reproach appears

Genesis 30:23

Psalms 22:6

Psalms 69:9

Isaiah 54:4

Hebrews 13:13

Frequently asked questions

More Bible words