Chronological timeline of texts tagged with Divine Honor and Shame
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Throughout the Hebrew Bible, God is portrayed as following the rules of honor and shame culture, acting not for the benefit of Israel and other nations, but to vindicate and restore the honor of His own reputation. This reflects an ancient Near Eastern cultural context in which concepts of honor and shame held central social significance. When Israel’s actions bring public dishonor to God, divine intervention is often framed as a means of preserving or restoring His reputation among the nations.
Note: Dates shown in this timeline are approximate and based on scholarly estimates.
Back to Tag7th-5th Centuries B.C.E.
Isaiah 43:25
Hebrew Bible
24 You did not buy me aromatic reeds; you did not present to me the fat of your sacrifices. Yet you burdened me with your sins; you made me weary with your evil deeds. 25 I, I am the one who blots out your rebellious deeds for my sake; your sins I do not remember. 26 Remind me of what happened. Let’s debate! You, prove to me that you are right!
6th Century B.C.E.
Ezekiel 20:9
Hebrew Bible
7 I said to them, “Each of you must get rid of the detestable idols you keep before you, and do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt; I am the Lord your God.” 8 But they rebelled against me and refused to listen to me; no one got rid of their detestable idols, nor did they abandon the idols of Egypt. Then I decided to pour out my rage on them and fully vent my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt. 9 I acted for the sake of my reputation, so that I would not be profaned before the nations among whom they lived, before whom I revealed myself by bringing them out of the land of Egypt. 10 “‘So I brought them out of the land of Egypt and led them to the wilderness. 11 I gave them my statutes and revealed my regulations to them. The one who carries them out will live by them!
6th Century B.C.E.
Ezekiel 36:21
Hebrew Bible
20 But when they arrived in the nations where they went, they profaned my holy name. It was said of them, ‘These are the people of the Lord, yet they have departed from his land.’ 21 I was concerned for my holy reputation, which the house of Israel profaned among the nations where they went. 22 “Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: It is not for your sake that I am about to act, O house of Israel, but for the sake of my holy reputation, which you profaned among the nations where you went.
6th-3rd Centuries B.C.E.
Psalm 74:22
Hebrew Bible
20 Remember your covenant promises, for the dark regions of the earth are full of places where violence rules. 21 Do not let the afflicted be turned back in shame. Let the oppressed and poor praise your name. 22 Rise up, O God. Defend your honor. Remember how fools insult you all day long. 23 Do not disregard what your enemies say or the unceasing shouts of those who defy you.
6th-3rd Centuries B.C.E.
Psalm 79:9
Hebrew Bible
8 Do not hold us accountable for the sins of earlier generations. Quickly send your compassion our way, for we are in serious trouble. 9 Help us, O God, our deliverer! For the sake of your glorious reputation, rescue us. Forgive our sins for the sake of your reputation. 10 Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” Before our very eyes may the shed blood of your servants be avenged among the nations.
6th-3rd Centuries B.C.E.
Psalm 106:8
Hebrew Bible
6 We have sinned like our ancestors; we have done wrong, we have done evil. 7 Our ancestors in Egypt failed to appreciate your miraculous deeds. They failed to remember your many acts of loyal love, and they rebelled at the sea, by the Red Sea. 8 Yet he delivered them for the sake of his reputation that he might reveal his power. 9 He shouted at the Red Sea and it dried up; he led them through the deep water as if it were a desert. 10 He delivered them from the power of the one who hated them and rescued them from the power of the enemy.
1st Century B.C.E.
LXX Ezekiel 36:22
Septuagint
19 and scattered them among the nations and drove them away among the territories. I judged them according to their way and according to their sin. And they entered among the nations where they entered there, and they profaned my holy name when they said, ‘These are the people of the Lord, and they have come from his land. 21 And I had pity on them on account of my holy name, which the house of Israel profaned among the nations wherever they entered there. 22 “On account of this, say to the house of Israel, ‘This is what the Lord says: “I shall act not for you, O house of Israel, but rather on account of my holy name, which you profaned among the nations where you went there.