Blasphemy. In its technical English sense, blasphemy signifies the speaking evil of God and, in this sense, it is found Psalms 74:18; Isaiah 52:5; Romans 2:24, etc. But, according to its derivation, it may mean any species of calumny and abuse: See 1 Kings 21:10; Acts 18:6; Judges 1:9, etc.
Blasphemy was punished by stoning, which was inflicted on the son of Shelomith. Leviticus 24:11. On this charge, both our Lord and St. Stephen were condemned to death, by the Jews.
[The Unforgivable Sin!] The blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, Matthew 12:32; Mark 3:28, consisted in attributing to the power of Satan, those unquestionable miracles which Jesus performed by "the finger of God," and the power of the Holy Spirit. It is plainly such a state of wilful, determined opposition to God and the Holy Spirit, that no efforts will avail to lead to repentance. Among the Jews, it was a sin against God, answering to treason, in our times.