To despise
means to regard something of little value or worth. For example, the same word despise
is used to describe Esau’s disregard for his birthright, as he gives greater value to a bowl of lentils (Genesis 25:34). This word is used to describe the attitude of some men who thought little of King Saul’s ability to save
them from their enemies, and accordingly offered no gift to Saul at his coronation (1 Samuel 10:27).
The reference to God’s name includes all that God is and all that God has done, as revealed through the history of God dealings with his people, and as recorded in Holy Scripture.
That the priests despised God’s name implies that they regarded God poorly, seeing little worth in having God as their God, and little value in being God’s people.
6 “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the LORD of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’