Dullness
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Dullness, in a biblical context, often refers to a lack of spiritual perception or understanding. It is a condition of the heart and mind that prevents individuals from fully grasping or responding to spiritual truths. This concept is addressed in various passages throughout the Bible, highlighting the importance of spiritual awareness and the dangers of spiritual insensitivity.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, dullness is frequently associated with the Israelites' repeated failure to heed God's commands and understand His purposes. The prophets often rebuked the people for their spiritual insensitivity. For instance, in Isaiah 6:9-10 , God instructs Isaiah to deliver a message to the people: "Go and tell this people: ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed."

This passage illustrates the spiritual dullness that had overtaken the Israelites, leading to their inability to comprehend God's message and repent. The dullness of heart is depicted as a barrier to receiving divine healing and restoration.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, Jesus frequently addresses the issue of dullness among His disciples and the crowds. In Matthew 13:13-15 , Jesus explains why He speaks in parables: "This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.’ In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes.’"

Here, Jesus echoes the words of Isaiah, indicating that the spiritual dullness of the people prevents them from understanding the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. This dullness is not merely intellectual but is deeply rooted in the condition of the heart.

The Apostle Paul also addresses spiritual dullness in his epistles. In Hebrews 5:11-12 , he admonishes the recipients for their lack of spiritual maturity: "We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain, because you are dull of hearing. Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to reteach you the basic principles of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food!"

Paul's rebuke highlights the expectation for believers to grow in spiritual understanding and maturity. Dullness, in this context, is seen as a hindrance to spiritual growth and the ability to teach others.

Spiritual Implications

Dullness is often portrayed as a spiritual condition that can be remedied through repentance, prayer, and a renewed focus on God's Word. The Bible encourages believers to seek wisdom and understanding, as seen in Proverbs 4:7 : "Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding."

The remedy for spiritual dullness involves a transformation of the heart and mind, aligning one's thoughts and actions with God's will. This transformation is facilitated by the Holy Spirit, who enlightens and guides believers into all truth (John 16:13).

Practical Application

Believers are encouraged to remain vigilant against spiritual dullness by engaging in regular prayer, studying Scripture, and participating in fellowship with other believers. These practices help maintain spiritual sensitivity and foster a deeper relationship with God. As James 1:5 reminds us, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."

By seeking God's wisdom and remaining open to His guidance, believers can overcome spiritual dullness and grow in their understanding and application of biblical truths.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(n.) The state of being dull; slowness; stupidity; heaviness; drowsiness; bluntness; obtuseness; dimness; want of luster; want of vividness, or of brightness.
Strong's Hebrew
2448. chakliluth -- dullness
... 2447, 2448. chakliluth. 2449 . dullness. Transliteration: chakliluth Phonetic
Spelling: (khak-lee-looth') Short Definition: redness. ...
/hebrew/2448.htm - 6k
Library

Whether Six Daughters are Fittingly Assigned to Gluttony?
... 1: It would seem that six daughters are unfittingly assigned to gluttony, to wit,
"unseemly joy, scurrility, uncleanness, loquaciousness, and dullness of mind ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether six daughters are fittingly.htm

Stones Rolled Away
... unprofitable. Now, if any man here hates a dull sermon, I am with him.
I have intense sympathy with any man who hates dullness. I ...
/.../stones rolled away and other addresses to young men/i stones rolled away.htm

Whether Folly is a Sin?
... I answer that, Folly, as stated above [2719](A[1]), denotes dullness of sense in
judging, and chiefly as regards the highest cause, which is the last end and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether folly is a sin.htm

Whether Folly is Contrary to Wisdom?
... x, under the letter of S): "A fool is one who through dullness [stuporem] remains
unmoved." And folly differs from fatuity, according to the same authority ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether folly is contrary to.htm

Whether the Gifts are Necessary to Man for Salvation?
... ii, 26) that "the Holy Ghost gives wisdom against folly, understanding against dullness,
counsel against rashness, fortitude against fears, knowledge against ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the gifts are necessary.htm

An Appeal to the Outsider; Or, the Claims of Christianity
... Christianity. Christianity professes to cure dullness. ... himself. Another source
of dullness is the thwarting of the ambitions that we have. ...
/.../stones rolled away and other addresses to young men/iv an appeal to the.htm

Letter v. Society --Conversation.
... But were I obliged to choose between sarcasm and dullness in a young girl, I should
prefer dullness. Happily, this is not a necessary alternative. ...
/.../letter v societyconversation.htm

Why this Book Has Been Written
... But when the early glow of my conversion had passed, and I had come down to the
dullness of everyday duties and responsibilities, I soon found from my own ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 1 why this book.htm

Making and Breaking Connections.
... talked-of baptism of power. That may quite likely have been due to my
own dullness of comprehension. But whatever the cause, my ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on power/making and breaking connections.htm

Letter xi. Mental Cultivation. Reading.
... incapable of improvement; and many of the greatest minds have been formed upon a
foundation which appeared to consist of little else than dullness and stupidity ...
/.../letter xi mental cultivation reading.htm

Thesaurus
Dullness (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Dullness (1 Occurrence). Lamentations 3:65 You will
give them hardness of heart, your curse to them. (See RSV). ...
/d/dullness.htm - 6k

Dimness (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The state or quality / being dim; lack of
brightness, clearness, or distinctness; dullness; obscurity. ...
/d/dimness.htm - 7k

Bore (221 Occurrences)
... 5. (vt) To weary by tedious iteration or by dullness; to tire; to trouble;
to vex; to annoy; to pester. 6. (vt) To befool; to trick. ...
/b/bore.htm - 38k

Oppression (67 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A sense of heaviness or obstruction in the body or mind; depression; dullness;
lassitude; as, an oppression of spirits; an oppression of the lungs. ...
/o/oppression.htm - 29k

Gloom (29 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A shady, gloomy, or dark place or grove. 3. (n.) Cloudiness or heaviness
of mind; melancholy; aspect of sorrow; low spirits; dullness. ...
/g/gloom.htm - 15k

Insensibility (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) Want of tenderness or susceptibility of emotion or passion; dullness; stupidity.
Multi-Version Concordance Insensibility (1 Occurrence). ...
/i/insensibility.htm - 7k

Reaping (10 Occurrences)
... Even where the sickle is used, much of the grain comes up by the roots, owing to
the toughness of the dried stalks or the dullness of the sickle. ...
/r/reaping.htm - 13k

Deadness (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The state of being destitute of life, vigor, spirit,
activity, etc.; dullness; inertness; languor; coldness; vapidness ...
/d/deadness.htm - 7k

Dullest (1 Occurrence)

/d/dullest.htm - 6k

Depression (1 Occurrence)
... 4. (n.) Humiliation; abasement, as of pride. 5. (n.) Dejection; despondency; lowness.
6. (n.) Diminution, as of trade, etc.; inactivity; dullness. ...
/d/depression.htm - 7k

Resources
Are there supposed to be any rituals in Christianity? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that iron sharpens iron? | GotQuestions.org

Dullness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Dullness (1 Occurrence)

Lamentations 3:65
You will give them hardness of heart, your curse to them.
(See RSV)

Subtopics

Dullness

Related Terms

Duly (2 Occurrences)

Dullness (1 Occurrence)

Minds (137 Occurrences)

Dullest
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