Definition:
Gloating refers to the act of taking pleasure in someone else's misfortune or downfall. It is often characterized by a sense of malicious satisfaction or triumph over another's adversity. In the biblical context, gloating is viewed negatively and is associated with pride, arrogance, and a lack of compassion.

Biblical References and Context:
The Bible addresses the concept of gloating in several passages, often warning against it as an attitude contrary to the character of God and the teachings of Christ. Gloating is seen as an expression of a sinful heart, one that rejoices in the suffering of others rather than showing love and empathy.

1. Proverbs 24:17-18 :
"Do not gloat when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart rejoice when he stumbles, or the LORD will see and disapprove, and turn His wrath away from him."
This passage from Proverbs explicitly warns against gloating over the misfortune of one's enemies. It highlights that such behavior is displeasing to God, who values humility and compassion over pride and malice.

2. Obadiah 1:12 :
"Do not gloat over your brother in the day of his calamity, nor rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction, nor boastfully mock in the day of distress."
The prophet Obadiah condemns the Edomites for gloating over the destruction of Jerusalem. This verse underscores the inappropriateness of taking pleasure in the suffering of others, especially those with whom one shares a kinship or covenant relationship.

3. Micah 7:8 :
"Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light."
Here, the prophet Micah speaks against the enemies of Israel who might gloat over the nation's temporary downfall. The verse reflects a confidence in God's redemptive power and a rejection of the enemy's malicious joy.

Theological Implications:
Gloating is antithetical to the Christian virtues of love, humility, and forgiveness. It reflects a heart that is not aligned with the teachings of Jesus, who calls His followers to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them (Matthew 5:44). The act of gloating reveals a lack of empathy and a failure to recognize the shared humanity and fallibility of all people.

Moral and Ethical Considerations:
From a moral standpoint, gloating is considered a vice that can lead to further sin, such as pride and a hardened heart. It is a behavior that can damage relationships and communities, fostering division and animosity. Christians are encouraged to cultivate a spirit of compassion and to seek the well-being of others, even those who may be considered adversaries.

Practical Application:
Believers are called to examine their hearts and attitudes, ensuring they do not fall into the trap of gloating. Instead, they should strive to emulate Christ's example of love and mercy, offering support and encouragement to those who are suffering, regardless of past conflicts or enmities. By doing so, they reflect the grace and love of God to the world.(v. i.) To look steadfastly; to gaze earnestly; -- usually in a bad sense, to gaze with malignant satisfaction, passionate desire, lust, or avarice.2372. chazah -- see, behold
... root Definition see, behold NASB Word Usage behold (7), envisioned in visions (1),
gaze (2), gloat (1), look (3), looked (1), prophesy (3), saw (7), see (12 ...
/hebrew/2372.htm - 6k

7200. raah -- to see
... 1), enjoy (1), enjoy* (3), examined (1), experience (1), exposed (1), face* (2),
faced* (2), find (1), gaze (2), give attention (1), gloat (2), heed (1 ...
/hebrew/7200.htm - 7k

The Grave of John, and Another Grave
... feast ended"the golden charger, on which lay the freshly-dissevered head of the
Baptist, borne by Salome to her mother, that the two might gloat on it ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/xv the grave of john.htm

The Crown of Thorns.
... To us it is incomprehensible how the whole band should have been called together
merely to gloat over the sufferings of a fellow-creature and to turn His pain ...
/.../stalker/the trial and death of jesus christ/chapter vii the crown of.htm

On the Collections, V.
... For they lose those returns which they might have for ever, and while they gloat
over the brief and not always free enjoyment of what they possess, they are ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/sermon x on the collections.htm

On the Fact that not Every Devil Has the Power of Suggesting Every ...
... ought to know this, that not all devils can implant all the passions in men, but
that certain spirits brood over each sin, and that some gloat over uncleanness ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xvii on the fact.htm

The Hope of Future Bliss
... Nay, for it cannot feed upon the carcase. Doth the dove grieve because the raven
can gloat itself on carrion? Nay, for it lives on other food. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the hope of future bliss.htm

Trust in God --True Wisdom
... Be wise, and learn of God, and close your ears to him who would have you destroy
yourself that he may gloat his malicious spirit over your eternal misery. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/trust in godtrue wisdom.htm

Elucidations.
... Refined by its social atmosphere, but refusing its sanctifying power, they gloat
over the failures and falls of those with whom their own emancipation was begun ...
/.../pastor/the pastor books first second third/elucidations.htm

Gethsemane
... here is Christ's piercing rebuke, addressed, not to the poor, ignorant tools, but
to the prime movers of the conspiracy, who had come to gloat over its success ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/gethsemane.htm

Forgiven and Unforgiving
... He will not do much towards recouping himself of his loan by flinging the poor debtor
into prison, but if he cannot get his ducats he will gloat over his ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/forgiven and unforgiving.htm

Sin's Writing and Its Erasure
... Faith in Christ makes memory no longer a record which we blush to turn over, or
upon which we gloat with imaginative delight in guilty pleasures past, but a ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/sins writing and its erasure.htm

Gloat (11 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Gloat (11 Occurrences). ... Psalms 35:24 Vindicate me, Yahweh
my God, according to your righteousness. Don't let them gloat over me. ...
/g/gloat.htm - 9k

Glittering (12 Occurrences)

/g/glittering.htm - 11k

Vindicate (18 Occurrences)
... (See NAS RSV NIV). Psalms 35:24 Vindicate me, Yahweh my God, according to your
righteousness. Don't let them gloat over me. (WEB RSV NIV). ...
/v/vindicate.htm - 11k

Gloated (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Gloat. Multi-Version Concordance Gloated
(5 Occurrences). Job 31:25 If I have rejoiced because ...
/g/gloated.htm - 7k

Slips (6 Occurrences)
... (WEB). Psalms 38:16 For I said, "Don't let them gloat over me, or exalt
themselves over me when my foot slips." (WEB NAS RSV NIV). ...
/s/slips.htm - 8k

Exalt (56 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Psalms 38:16 For I said, "Don't let them
gloat over me, or exalt themselves over me when my foot slips." (WEB NIV). ...
/e/exalt.htm - 27k

Boast (86 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Psalms 38:16 For I said, "Don't let them
gloat over me, or exalt themselves over me when my foot slips." (See RSV). ...
/b/boast.htm - 33k

Polluted (80 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS). Micah 4:11 Now many nations have assembled against you, that say,
"Let her be defiled, and let our eye gloat over Zion." (See NAS). ...
/p/polluted.htm - 31k

Gloating (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Gloat. Multi-Version Concordance
Gloating (1 Occurrence). Habakkuk 3:14 You pierced ...
/g/gloating.htm - 6k

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