REPROACH (re-proch'), (Heb. kher paw' ; GrApetoos, on'i-dos). It denotes: 1. The bad character of one, whether procured by his own wicked deeds, or occasioned by false accusation, outrageous upbraiding, or scornful de rision ( Neh. ii :17 ; Pros-. vi :33 ; Is. li :7 ; Ezck. xxxvi :3o).
2. Slanderous speech, whereby men give dis graceful characters to others (Ps. lxxix :12).
Figurative and ApplicatiVe. (1) Persons or things arc said to be a "reproach" when loaded with bad characters, and made a common byword (Ps. xxii :6; lxxxix :41). (2) Sin is the "re proach of any people;" it is a disgrace to them, and tends to render them contemptible (Prov. xiv : 34)• (3) Oppression or mocking of the poor is a "reproaching" of God, as if his image on them deserved no respect ; as if, by making them poor, he had devoted them to hard usage ; and as if he could not protect them (Pros-. xiv :31 ; xvii :5). (4) The "reproach of Christ," is scorn and cal umny endured for adherence to him and his ways (Heb. xi :26; xiii :13). (5) Among the Hebrews,
barrenness was accounted a "reproach" as it ex cluded from a share in the multiplication of Abra ham's seed, and from being the honored progenitor of the Messiah (Gen. xxx :23 ; Is. iv :I; Luke is 25). (6) Uncireumcision was the "reproach of Egypt," as it anciently marked aliens from God,• like the Egyptians; and perhaps many of the Jews neglected to circumcise their children in Egypt (Josh. v :9). (7) God put the Philistines to a per petual "reproach" when he smote them with the long-remembered and shameful disease of the emerods (Ps. lxxviii :66). (8) "Reproach breaks the heart," as it not only tends to bereave one of his outward enjoyments, but renders him con temptible, and useless for advancing the honor of God or doing real service to mankind (Ps. lxix: 2o).