Bible Dictionary
DENY
To deny means to disown, reject, refuse, or speak against. Scripture uses it both of rejecting a truth, as in denying the resurrection, and of denying oneself in order to follow Christ.
Definition
To deny means to disown, reject, refuse, withhold, or speak against. The intensity may range from contradicting a statement to completely disowning a person or truth. In Christian discipleship it may also mean renouncing oneself.
Biblical Usage
The New Testament uses deny of rejecting the resurrection, disowning Christ, and denying Him before others. Christ’s call to deny oneself and take up the cross has the sterner sense of renouncing oneself in order to follow Him.
Historical Background
Old Testament translations use several Hebrew terms meaning to lie or disown, withhold, or turn back and say no. The principal New Testament verb means to disown, while its prefixed form can express complete disowning.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>de-ni': This word is characteristic of the New Testament rather than the Old Testament, although it translates three different Hebrew originals, namely, kachash, "to lie," "disown" (Ge 18:15; Jos 24:27; Job 8:18; 31:28; Pr 30:9); mana`, "to withhold," "keep back" (1Ki 20:7; Pr 30:7); shubh, "to turn back," "say no" (1Ki 2:16).</p><p>In the New Testament, antilego, is once translated "deny," in the case of the Sadducees who denied the resurrection (Lu 20:27 the King James Version), and where it carries the sense of speaking against the doctrine. But the word commonly is arneomai, with or without the prefix ap-. In the absence of the prefix the sense is "to disown," but when it is added it means "to disown totally" or to the fullest extent. In the milder sense it is found in Mt 10:33; 26:70,72; of Simon Peter, Mr 14:68,70 (Ac 3:13,14; 2Ti 2:12,13; 2Pe 2:1; 1 Joh 2:22,23; Jude 1:4; Re 2:13; 3:8). But it is significant that the sterner meaning is associated with Mt 16:24 and its parallels, where Christ calls upon him who would be His disciple to deny himself and take up his cross and follow Him. See also PETER, SIMON.</p><p>James M. Gray</p>