In the context of the Bible, the term "forceful" can be understood in various ways, often relating to the exertion of power, strength, or influence. The concept of being forceful is seen both in physical and spiritual dimensions throughout the Scriptures.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, forcefulness is often associated with physical strength and military might. For instance, the mighty men of valor, such as David's warriors, are depicted as forceful in battle. In 2 Samuel 23:8, we read about Josheb-Basshebeth, a chief of the captains, who wielded his spear against eight hundred men, demonstrating a forceful prowess in combat.

The forceful nature of God's intervention is also a recurring theme. In Exodus 15:6, the song of Moses celebrates God's forceful deliverance of Israel from Egypt: "Your right hand, O LORD, is majestic in power; Your right hand, O LORD, shatters the enemy." Here, God's forceful action is portrayed as a divine attribute, emphasizing His supreme authority and ability to protect His people.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of being forceful takes on a more spiritual dimension. Jesus speaks of the kingdom of heaven in terms of forcefulness in Matthew 11:12 : "From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subject to violence, and the violent lay claim to it." This passage has been interpreted to mean that entering the kingdom requires earnestness and determination, a spiritual forcefulness that is necessary to overcome opposition and obstacles.

The Apostle Paul also uses the imagery of forcefulness in a spiritual sense. In Ephesians 6:10-11 , he exhorts believers to "be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes." Here, the forcefulness is not physical but spiritual, as believers are called to stand firm against spiritual adversaries through the strength provided by God.

Forceful Speech and Action

The Bible also addresses the forcefulness of speech and action. Proverbs 15:1 states, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." This suggests that while forceful speech can provoke conflict, a gentle approach can be more effective in resolving disputes. Similarly, James 1:19 advises, "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger," highlighting the importance of restraint and wisdom over forceful reactions.

Divine Forcefulness

God's forceful nature is evident in His acts of creation, judgment, and salvation. In Genesis 1, the forceful power of God's word brings the universe into existence. In the prophetic literature, God's forceful judgment is depicted as a means of purifying and restoring His people. Isaiah 42:13 describes the Lord as a "mighty warrior" who "will stir up His zeal like a man of war."

In the ultimate act of divine forcefulness, the resurrection of Jesus Christ demonstrates God's power over sin and death. Romans 1:4 declares that Jesus "was declared with power to be the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead." This forceful act of God provides the foundation for Christian hope and the promise of eternal life.

Conclusion

The concept of being forceful in the Bible encompasses both physical and spiritual dimensions, reflecting God's power and the believer's call to live with determination and strength in faith. Whether in the context of battle, spiritual warfare, or divine intervention, forcefulness is portrayed as a necessary attribute for overcoming challenges and fulfilling God's purposes.(a.) Full of or processing force; exerting force; mighty.973. biastes -- a violent man
... a violent man. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: biastes Phonetic
Spelling: (bee-as-tace') Short Definition: a forceful, violent man Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/973.htm - 6k

2638. katalambano -- to lay hold of, seize
... according to," which intensifies 2983 , "aggressively take") -- properly, take hold
of , (eager self-interest); to grasp something in a forceful (firm) manner ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2638.htm - 8k

5813. Uzzi -- "forceful," the name of several Israelites
... 5812, 5813. Uzzi. 5814 . "forceful," the name of several Israelites.
Transliteration: Uzzi Phonetic Spelling: (ooz-zee') Short Definition: Uzzi. ...
/hebrew/5813.htm - 6k

Practical Hints for Speakers
... Your delivery in public speaking should be simple, sincere, natural, varied, magnetic,
earnest, forceful, attractive, energetic, animated, sympathetic ...
/.../kleiser/talks on talking/practical hints for speakers.htm

Kingo, the Hymnwriter
... Many of his hymns abound in striking similes. Their outstanding characteristic,
however, is a distinctive, forceful realism. Kingo ...
/.../aaberg/hymns and hymnwriters of denmark/chapter four kingo the hymnwriter.htm

History of Public Speaking
... his day. Charles James Fox. Charles James Fox was a plain, practical, forceful
orator of the thoroughly English type. His qualities ...
/.../kleiser/successful methods of public speaking/history of public speaking.htm

The Making of the King James Version; Its
... sovereignty from the king to Parliament.[1] Fortunately for history, and for the
progress of popular government, the Stuart line had no forceful figures in it. ...
/.../mcafee/study of the king james bible/lecture ii the making of.htm

Church Union (Continued).
... If it had been dipped in his own blood his utterances could not have been more
forceful-could not have palpitated with a heartier affection for his Chinese ...
/.../fagg/forty years in south china/ix church union continued.htm

Significant Phrases
... babel and confusion. backbone and sinew. baffled and disappointed. balanced and
forceful. barbarity and wickedness. bards and sages. base and unworthy. beam and ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section ii significant phrases.htm

Kingo's Later Years
... and practical. The poetical language and forceful eloquence of his sermons
remind one of the best of his spiritual songs. Kingo's ...
/.../aaberg/hymns and hymnwriters of denmark/chapter seven kingos later years.htm

Conversation and Public Speaking
... needed to hold one's own ground, and the general mental activity aroused in
conversation, all tend to produce an interesting, vivacious, and forceful style ...
/.../kleiser/talks on talking/conversation and public speaking.htm

The Spread Net
... to finish the sum of her perplexities, she felt in her own heart the kindling of
a sorrowful longing to be preferred by a spirit strong, forceful and magnetic ...
/.../miller/the city of delight/chapter xvi the spread net.htm

The New Testament Definitely Protected the Old Testament as a Book ...
... present that the Christian Religion would not shake itself free of the shell of
Judaism, or, in other words, would not be able to give forceful expression to ...
/.../harnack/the origin of the new testament/ 3 the new testament.htm

Forceful (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Full of or processing force; exerting force;
mighty. Multi-Version Concordance Forceful (3 Occurrences). ...
/f/forceful.htm - 7k

Forcefully (3 Occurrences)

/f/forcefully.htm - 7k

Disappoint (2 Occurrences)
... DISAPPOINT. dis-a-point': "To disappoint" may be used transitively or intransitively.
In the former case it naturally has a more forceful meaning. ...
/d/disappoint.htm - 8k

Adorn (13 Occurrences)
... Christian life. When we remember how very highly Orientals esteem the adornment
of the body, its use here becomes very forceful. It ...
/a/adorn.htm - 12k

Sparrow (4 Occurrences)
... was because it is the most unusual thing in the world for a sparrow to sit mourning
alone, and therefore it attracted attention and made a forceful comparison. ...
/s/sparrow.htm - 13k

Forced (84 Occurrences)

/f/forced.htm - 33k

Malachi (2 Occurrences)
... versa. 4. Style: Malachi was content to write prose. His Hebrew is clear
and forceful and direct; sometimes almost rhythmical. His ...
/m/malachi.htm - 21k

Polygamy
... most primitive instincts and vices of man. The monogamous have been the
forceful nations. Rome conquered the world while she was ...
/p/polygamy.htm - 19k

Purity (16 Occurrences)
... You may look through a whole pantheon of Greek gods and meet not a trace of the
force concentrated in the Puritan. He is forceful because right makes might. ...
/p/purity.htm - 30k

Johannine
... righteousness the Johannine theology makes no notable contribution to the sum of
New Testament thought, but simply restates in peculiarly forceful fashion the ...
/j/johannine.htm - 38k

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