Lexical Summary sklérunó: To harden Original Word: σκληρύνω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance harden. From skleros; to indurate, i.e. (figuratively) render stubborn -- harden. see GREEK skleros HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 4645 sklērýnō – properly, to harden; become inflexible (literally "dried out"); (figuratively) obstinately stubborn, resisting what God says is right. See 4642 (sklēros). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom skléros Definition to harden NASB Translation becoming hardened (1), harden (3), hardened (1), hardens (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4645: σκληρύνωσκληρύνω (cf. Winer's Grammar, 92 (88)); 1 aorist subjunctive 2 person plural σκληρύνητε; passive, imperfect ἐσκληρυνομην; 1 aorist ἐσκληρυνθην; (σκληρός, which see); the Sept. for הִקְשָׁה and הִזֵּק, to make hard, to harden; properly, in Hippocrates and Galen; metaphorically, to render obstinate, stubborn (A. V. to harden): τινα, Romans 9:18 (in opposed to those who interpret it to treat harshly, cf. Fritzsche, vol. ii., p. 323f; (cf., too, Meyer at the passage)); τήν καρδίαν τίνος, Hebrews 3:8, 15 and Hebrews 4:7 (from Psalm 94:8 Topical Lexicon Definition and Conceptual Background σκληρύνω speaks of a moral and spiritual “hardening,” a progressive resistance that renders the heart insensitive to God’s voice. While a physical callous forms through repeated friction, this hardening develops through repeated unbelief, sin, or the judicial act of God. Scripture consistently sets it in contrast to the soft, teachable heart that trembles at His word. Occurrences in the New Testament 1. Acts 19:9 records the hardening of some in Ephesus who “refused to believe, maligning the Way before the crowd.” 3–6. Hebrews warns four times (3:8, 3:13, 3:15, 4:7) against hardening the heart, echoing the wilderness generation. Theology of Hardening • Judicial element: Romans 9:18 shows that hardening can be God’s righteous response to persistent rebellion, paralleling Pharaoh in Exodus. Divine hardening never violates human responsibility; rather, it ratifies the sinner’s chosen defiance. Relationship between Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility Scripture holds both in tension. Acts 19:9 and Hebrews passages place the burden on human listeners—“do not harden your hearts.” Yet Romans 9 locates the ultimate prerogative in God. Together they teach that God’s sovereign decisions never excuse human unbelief; rather, they magnify the grace that softens hearts to believe. Pastoral and Ministry Implications • Urgency of Today: Hebrews repeatedly employs “Today,” stressing the limited window for repentance. Historical Usage in Early Church Teachings Early fathers—Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, and Chrysostom—cited Hebrews to warn catechumens against delaying obedience. Augustine appealed to Romans 9:18 to defend divine justice and grace, asserting that the same sun that melts wax hardens clay; the difference lies not in God but in human disposition. Practical Application for Believers Today • Guard the heart through regular exposure to Scripture and prompt obedience. Connection to the Larger Biblical Narrative From Pharaoh’s obstinacy to Israel’s wilderness testing to the final call of Revelation (“Whoever has ears, let them hear”), hardening and softening appear as twin themes underscoring redemption history. God’s persistent call, matched by His sovereign mercy, invites every generation to heed His voice “Today.” Forms and Transliterations εσκλήρυναν εσκλήρυνας εσκλήρυνε εσκληρύνθη εσκληρυνοντο εσκληρύνοντο ἐσκληρύνοντο σκληρυνει σκληρύνει σκληρυνείτε σκληρυνητε σκληρύνητε σκληρυνθείη σκληρυνθη σκληρυνθή σκληρυνθῇ σκληρυνομένη σκληρυνώ σκληρώς σκνίπα σκνίπες σκολιάζων esklerunonto esklērunonto esklerynonto esklerýnonto esklērynonto esklērýnonto sklerunei sklērunei sklerunete sklērunēte sklerunthe sklērunthē sklerynei sklerýnei sklērynei sklērýnei sklerynete sklerýnete sklērynēte sklērýnēte sklerynthe sklērynthē sklerynthêi sklērynthē̂iLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 19:9 V-IIM/P-3PGRK: δέ τινες ἐσκληρύνοντο καὶ ἠπείθουν NAS: some were becoming hardened and disobedient, KJV: divers were hardened, and INT: moreover some were hardened and disobeyed Romans 9:18 V-PIA-3S Hebrews 3:8 V-PSA-2P Hebrews 3:13 V-ASP-3S Hebrews 3:15 V-PSA-2P Hebrews 4:7 V-PSA-2P Strong's Greek 4645 |
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