Lexical Summary skléros: Hard, harsh, difficult, severe Original Word: σκληρός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance fierce, hard. From the base of skelos; dry, i.e. Hard or tough (figuratively, harsh, severe) -- fierce, hard. see GREEK skelos HELPS Word-studies 4642 sklērós – properly, hard (because dried out); (figuratively) stiff, stubborn (unyielding) describing people who "won't budge" (bend, submit), or what is unyieldingly harsh. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom skelló (to dry) Definition hard, rough NASB Translation difficult (1), hard (2), harsh things (1), strong (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4642: σκληρόςσκληρός, σκληρά, σκληρόν (σκέλλω, σκληναι, (to dry up, be dry)), from (Hesiod, Theognis), Pindar, Aeschylus down; the Sept. for קָשֶׁה, hard, harsh, rough, stiff (τά σκληρά καί τά μαλακά, Xen) mem. 3, 10, 1); of men, metaphorically, harsh, stern, hard: Matthew 25:24 (1 Samuel 25:3; Isaiah 19:4; Isaiah 48:4; many examples from secular authors are given by Passow, under the word, 2 b.; (Liddell and Scott, under the word, II. 2; especially Trench, § xiv.)); of things: ἄνεμος, violent, rough, James 3:4; ὁ λόγος, offensive and intolerable, John 6:60, equivalent to ὅς σκανδαλίζει, 61; σκληρά λαλεῖν κατά τίνος, to speak hard and bitter things against one, Jude 1:15 (σκληρά λαλεῖν τίνι is also used of one who speaks roughly, Genesis 42:7, 30; ἀποκρίνεσθαι σκληρά, to reply with threats, 1 Kings 12:13); σκληρόν ἐστι followed by an infinitive, it is dangerous, turns out badly (A. V. it is hard), Acts 9:5 Rec.; Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Greek 4642 conveys the idea of what is “hard, harsh, stiff, or unyielding.” In the New Testament it may describe physical conditions (James 3:4), verbal expressions (Jude 1:15), inward attitudes (John 6:60), or the unreasonableness of resisting God (Acts 26:14). Each occurrence calls attention to humanity’s tendency toward obstinacy and the divine requirement that hardness give way to humble submission. Canonical Occurrences • Matthew 25:24 – The third servant brands his master “a hard man,” exposing his own misconception of the Master’s character and justifying slothful stewardship. Nuances and Semantic Range 1. Physical Rigidity: As with the “strong winds” in James, the term can simply denote force or toughness in creation. Old Testament Echoes Hebrew writers often describe Pharaoh’s “hard heart” (Exodus 7:13) and Israel’s “stiff neck” (Deuteronomy 10:16). The Septuagint frequently employs the root σκληρ- to translate these phrases, preparing readers for the New Testament’s development of the theme. The moral lesson is consistent: stubborn resistance provokes divine discipline, while repentance brings mercy. Historical and Cultural Background “Kicking against the goads” (Acts 26:14) comes from agriculture: a pointed stick prodding oxen. Likewise, ancient maritime practice (James 3:4) demonstrates that even the strongest gales can be countered with skillful steering. Both images would have been familiar to first-century audiences and reinforce the folly of obstinate resistance versus the wisdom of yielded obedience. Theological Themes 1. Divine Authority vs. Human Rebellion – Hardness represents humanity’s refusal to bow, whether outward (persecution) or inward (unbelief). Practical Ministry Implications • Preaching: Address the difference between perceived harshness and actual holiness in God’s character to dismantle excuses for disobedience. Related New Testament Concepts • πωρόω (to harden): focuses on the heart’s callousness (Mark 6:52). Summary Across its six New Testament occurrences, σκληρός exposes the tension between God’s rightful severity and the human inclination toward rigidity and rebellion. Whether describing external forces, internal resistance, or verbal hostility, the word presses readers to exchange hardness for humble submission, trusting that the One who seems “hard” to the unfaithful is exceedingly gracious to those who believe. Forms and Transliterations σκληρά σκληράς σκληροί σκληροίς σκληρον σκληρόν Σκληρος Σκληρός σκληρὸς σκληρότεροί σκληρώ σκληρων σκληρών σκληρῶν skleron sklerón sklerôn sklēron sklērón sklērōn sklērō̂n Skleros Sklerós skleròs Sklēros Sklērós sklēròsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 25:24 Adj-NMSGRK: σε ὅτι σκληρὸς εἶ ἄνθρωπος NAS: I knew you to be a hard man, KJV: that thou art an hard man, reaping INT: you that hard you are a man John 6:60 Adj-NMS Acts 9:5 Adj-NNS Acts 26:14 Adj-NNS James 3:4 Adj-GMP Jude 1:15 Adj-GNP Strong's Greek 4642 |
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