The term "bristled" is not directly found in the text of the Bible; however, the concept of bristling, which can imply a reaction of anger, defensiveness, or agitation, can be related to various biblical narratives and teachings. In the context of Scripture, bristling can be understood as a human response to perceived threats, challenges, or divine instruction.

Biblical Context and Examples:

1. Human Reaction to Divine Instruction:
Throughout the Bible, individuals and groups often react defensively or with resistance to God's commands or prophetic messages. For instance, the Israelites frequently "bristled" against Moses and God's directives during their wilderness journey. In Exodus 16:2, the congregation of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, demonstrating a form of bristling against divine leadership.

2. Prophetic Confrontation:
Prophets in the Old Testament often faced bristling responses from the people they were sent to admonish. Jeremiah, for example, encountered significant opposition and hostility from those who rejected his warnings. In Jeremiah 18:18, the people plotted against him, saying, "Come, let us make plans against Jeremiah..." This reaction can be seen as a bristling against the uncomfortable truths he delivered.

3. Jesus and the Pharisees:
In the New Testament, Jesus frequently encountered resistance from the Pharisees and other religious leaders. Their bristling at His teachings and actions is evident in passages such as Mark 3:5, where Jesus, grieved by their hardness of heart, looked around at them with anger. The Pharisees' reaction to Jesus' healing on the Sabbath exemplifies a defensive and hostile response to His authority and message.

4. Apostolic Challenges:
The apostles also faced bristling reactions as they spread the Gospel. In Acts 7:54, after Stephen's speech to the Sanhedrin, the members were "furious and gnashed their teeth at him." This intense reaction illustrates the bristling of those who were confronted with the convicting power of the Holy Spirit through Stephen's testimony.

Theological Implications:

Bristling, as a human response, often reveals a heart condition resistant to God's truth and authority. It can be a manifestation of pride, fear, or misunderstanding. The Bible consistently calls believers to humility and openness to God's will, contrasting the natural inclination to bristle against divine correction or guidance. James 1:19-20 advises, "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for man's anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires."

Practical Application:

For believers, recognizing the tendency to bristle against God's word or His messengers is crucial for spiritual growth. The Scriptures encourage a posture of humility and submission to God's will, fostering a spirit of teachability and repentance. By examining instances of bristling in the Bible, Christians are reminded of the importance of aligning their responses with the character of Christ, who exemplified perfect obedience and submission to the Father.(imp. & p. p.) of Bristle.5568. samar -- to bristle up
... 5567, 5568. samar. 5569 . to bristle up. Transliteration: samar Phonetic Spelling:
(saw-mar') Short Definition: bristled. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/5568.htm - 5k

John Chapter xvi. 8-11.
... Spirit that love [1544] which casteth out the fear, [1545] that might have hindered
them from venturing to reprove the world which bristled with persecutions ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xcv john chapter xvi.htm

The Massacre
... to the city. It was in vain. Every gate was shut against him. The walls
bristled with hostile bows and spears. The young warrior ...
/.../chapter xxxiii the massacre.htm

The First Theban Empire
... The banks of the Nile already bristled with citadels, where the monarchs lived and
kept watch over the lands subject to their authority: other fortresses were ...
/.../chapter iiithe first theban empire.htm

Indian Religions.
... a border of hair, which, whether it was owing to nature, or the stiffness contracted
by the fat and colors with which they daubed themselves, bristled up, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/indian religions.htm

The victory of Unarmed Faith
... in the name of the Lord of hosts,' has no need to be afraid of an army of Goliaths,
though each bristled with swords and spears like a porcupine. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the victory of unarmed faith.htm

Counsels and Reminiscences of Soeur Therese, the Little Flower of ...
... Reverend Mother asked us to do some extremely tiring work which bristled with
difficulties, and, on purpose, I made it still more difficult for our Mistress. ...
/.../therese/story of a soul/counsels and reminiscences of soeur.htm

part iii.
... and echo through every valley in Christendom; startling the soldiers of the cross
to deeds of love, as the voice of Peter the hermit once bristled with arms ...
//christianbookshelf.org/clark/the faithful steward/part iii.htm

A Canticle of Love
The Story of a Soul. <. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/martin/the story of a soul/chapter xi a canticle of.htm

Bristled (1 Occurrence)
... (imp. & pp) of Bristle. Multi-Version Concordance Bristled (1 Occurrence). Job
4:15 Then a spirit passed before my face. The hair of my flesh stood up. ...
/b/bristled.htm - 6k

Brink (11 Occurrences)

/b/brink.htm - 10k

Bristling (1 Occurrence)

/b/bristling.htm - 6k

Bristled: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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