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Tyndale Open Bible Dictionary

IntroIndex©

HATRED

Intense feeling of aversion or enmity, which could prompt a person to loathe someone or something, or even to seek revenge for having been wronged. The Scriptures forbid people to hate others (Lv 19:17-18) because it leads to sin. Indeed, hatred itself is considered murder (1 Jn 3:15). We are called upon to let God, the holy one, avenge all wrongs (Prv 20:22), and we are commanded by Jesus to love our enemies (Mt 5:43-44).

Not all aspects of hatred are sinful. The Scriptures tell us that God hates evil (Prv 6:16-19) and evil people (Ps 5:5). The Scripture also has expressions such as “Jacob have I loved; Esau I have hated” (Mal 1:2-3). This means that God elected Jacob and not Esau to be the progenitor of the chosen Jewish race. In similar fashion, would-be Christians are challenged by Jesus to hate their lives and earthly relationships if they want to follow him (Lk 14:26). This means that they must choose Jesus above all else.