Bible Dictionary
Blot
A blot is a stain, reproach, or moral defect. To blot out sin means to remove it completely through forgiveness, while to blot a name from a record signifies exclusion or judgment.
Definition
A blot is a stain, reproach, scorn, or moral defect. To blot out means to wipe away, obliterate, destroy, or remove completely. The word may describe erasing a record, cutting people off, reserving sin for punishment, or forgiving sin fully.
Biblical Usage
Scripture speaks of blotting out sin as complete forgiveness. Blotting a person from a book can signify destruction or exclusion, while names remaining in the book of life represent those who inherit eternal life. Christ’s blotting out of the handwriting of ordinances is connected with fulfilling the law on behalf of His people.
Historical Background
The underlying terms carry the senses of a spot, wiping out, or smearing out. The word may describe scorn, a moral defect, or complete obliteration.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
A stain or reproach (Job 31:7; Prov. 9:7). To blot out sin is to forgive it (Ps. 51:1, 9; Isa. 44:22; Acts 3:19). Christ’s blotting out the handwriting of ordinances was his fulfilling the law in our behalf (Col. 2:14).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>blot (mum, contracted from me'um, "spot"): Occurs in the sense of scorn (Pr 9:7). In Job 31:7 (the King James Version) it is used figuratively of a moral defect; the Revised Version (British and American) has "spot." Blot out (machah, "to wipe out," exaleipho, "to smear out"), to obliterate or destroy: "That a tribe be not blotted out" (the King James Version "destroyed," Jud 21:17). To blot men out of God's book is to cut them off by an untimely death (Ex 32:32).</p><p>Figuratively: "To blot out sin" is to forgive sin fully (Ps 51:1,9; Ac 3:19; Col 2:14). Not to blot out sin is to reserve for punishment (Ne 4:5). The names of those who inherit eternal life are not blotted out of the "book of life" (Re 3:5).</p><p>See BOOK OF LIFE; BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE; FORGIVENESS.</p><p>L. Kaiser</p>