What does disputatious mean in the Bible?

The word "disputatious" does not appear in the Bible, but the concept of argumentation and disagreement certainly does. The Bible is full of stories of people who had differing opinions and engaged in debate and discussion to try to come to a resolution.

In the Old Testament, there are many examples of people who questioned God and challenged his authority. Moses, for example, argued with God about his ability to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, and Abraham questioned God's plan to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.

In the New Testament, we see Jesus engaging in debates with the religious leaders of his time, challenging their interpretations of the law and their understanding of God's will. He also encouraged his followers to engage in dialogue with others, to share their beliefs and defend their faith.

While the Bible acknowledges the importance of debate and discussion, it also warns against being too argumentative or contentious. In the book of Proverbs, for example, we are told that "a gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger" (Proverbs 15:1). And in the book of James, we are warned that "the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark" (James 3:5).