The term "fretted" appears in the context of the Bible to describe a state of being worn away, corroded, or consumed, often by a destructive force. In the Berean Standard Bible , the concept of fretting is associated with both physical and emotional conditions, reflecting a broader biblical theme of decay and anxiety.

Biblical Usage and Context

1. Levitical Law and Physical Decay: In the Old Testament, the term "fretted" is used in the context of Levitical laws concerning cleanliness and purity. Specifically, in Leviticus 13:55, the term is used to describe a garment that has been affected by mildew or mold: "After the article has been washed, the priest is to examine it again, and if the mildew has not changed in appearance, even though it has not spread, it is unclean. You must burn it, whether the rot is on the front or back." Here, "fretted" refers to the destructive process of decay that renders the garment unclean and unfit for use, symbolizing the pervasive nature of sin and impurity.

2. Emotional and Spiritual Fretting: The Bible also addresses the concept of fretting in an emotional or spiritual sense. In Psalm 37:1, the psalmist advises, "Do not fret over those who do evil; do not envy those who do wrong." This usage of "fret" conveys a sense of anxiety or worry, particularly in response to the apparent success of the wicked. The biblical exhortation is to trust in the Lord and refrain from allowing such concerns to consume one's peace and faith.

3. Proverbs and Wisdom Literature: The wisdom literature of the Bible often addresses the human tendency to fret. Proverbs 24:19 echoes the sentiment found in the Psalms: "Do not fret over evildoers, and do not be envious of the wicked." This reinforces the idea that fretting is counterproductive and that believers should focus on righteousness and trust in God's justice.

Theological Implications

The concept of fretting, both in its physical and emotional dimensions, serves as a metaphor for the corrosive effects of sin and anxiety on the human soul. In the biblical narrative, fretting is often juxtaposed with faith and trust in God. The scriptures encourage believers to resist the temptation to fret, whether over material decay or the prosperity of the wicked, and instead to place their confidence in God's providence and righteousness.

Practical Application

For the believer, the biblical admonition against fretting serves as a call to cultivate a life of faith and trust. By focusing on God's promises and maintaining a perspective rooted in eternal truths, Christians are encouraged to rise above the anxieties and concerns of the world. This aligns with the broader biblical teaching that peace and contentment are found in a steadfast relationship with God, rather than in the transient and often troubling circumstances of life.

In summary, the biblical concept of "fretted" encompasses both the physical decay of materials and the emotional turmoil that can afflict the human heart. Through the lens of scripture, believers are called to recognize the futility of fretting and to embrace a life of faith, trusting in the sovereign and just nature of God.1. (imp. & p. p.) of Fret.

2. (p. p. & a.) Rubbed or worn away; chafed.

3. (p. p. & a.) Agitated; vexed; worried.

4. (p. p. & a.) Ornamented with fretwork; furnished with frets; variegated; made rough on the surface.

5. (p. p. & a.) Interlaced one with another; -- said of charges and ordinaries.

The Letter of the Synod, Relative to Its Decisions: and the ...
... But I wish to know from you, whether you consider that the vault of the basilica
should be fretted, or constructed on some other plan: for if it is to be ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of scholasticus/chapter ix the letter of the.htm

Hillis -- God the Unwearied Guide
... When the northern host swept southward, and overwhelmed Jerusalem, the onrushing
wave was fretted with fire; later, when the wave of war retreated, it carried ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume 10/hillis god the unwearied.htm

Jesus and the Bethany Sisters.
... Still, the lesson unmistakably is that Martha should not have been fretted; that
she should have kept sweet amid all the pressure of work that so burdened her. ...
/.../miller/personal friendships of jesus/chapter x jesus and the.htm

Literary Expressions
... A curious and inexplicable uneasiness. A curious vexation fretted her. A daily
avalanche of vituperation [vituperation = harshly abusive language]. ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section vii literary expressions.htm

All the Bells were Ringing the Angelus. ...
... to Catherine de Medicis and lover of the brilliant Diane de Poitiers,"and one broad
beam fell purpling aslant into the curved and fretted choir-chapel ...
//christianbookshelf.org/corelli/the master-christian/i all the bells were.htm

Fifth Day. Meekness.
... Never ruffled and fretted by real or imagined injuries, he puts the best construction
on motives and actions, and by a gentle answer to unmerited reproach ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/the mind of jesus/fifth day meekness.htm

Numbers
... Sore at heart, they fretted against God and Moses, and deadly serpents were sent
among them in chastisement, but the penitent and believing were restored by ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/numbers.htm

"He Hardened his Heart"
... In treating with the issue he had fretted and fumed, promised and retracted, temporized
with the Hebrew mystic or stormed at him, hesitated and resolved, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxx he hardened his.htm

The Sons of God
... I think I need not remind you of your condition here below; you are too conversant
with it, being hourly fretted with troubles, vexed with your own infirmities ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/the sons of god.htm

To Monna Giovanna Di Corrado Maconi
... Monna Lapa was evidently not the only mother in Siena who fretted over the long
absence from home of Catherine and her spiritual children. ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to monna giovanna di corrado.htm

Fretted (1 Occurrence)
... 5. (pp & a.) Interlaced one with another; -- said of charges and ordinaries.
Multi-Version Concordance Fretted (1 Occurrence). Ezekiel ...
/f/fretted.htm - 7k

Gallery (2 Occurrences)
... (2.) Hebrews rahit (Cant. 1:17), translated "rafters," marg. "galleries;" probably
panel-work or fretted ceiling. Noah Webster's Dictionary. ...
/g/gallery.htm - 11k

Fret (9 Occurrences)
... (Isaiah 8:21, "They shall fret themselves, and curse," etc.); of raghaz, to be moved"
(with anger, etc.) (Ezekiel 16:43, "Thou hast fretted me in all these ...
/f/fret.htm - 13k

Fretful (1 Occurrence)

/f/fretful.htm - 6k

Fretteth (1 Occurrence)

/f/fretteth.htm - 6k

Fretting (6 Occurrences)
... (Isaiah 8:21, "They shall fret themselves, and curse," etc.); of raghaz, to be moved"
(with anger, etc.) (Ezekiel 16:43, "Thou hast fretted me in all these ...
/f/fretting.htm - 10k

Palestine (1 Occurrence)
... The whole land consists of rounded limestone hills, fretted into countless stony
valleys, offering but rarely level tracts, of which Esdraelon alone, below ...
/p/palestine.htm - 89k

Gibeon (39 Occurrences)
... He did this "in his zeal for. Israel and Judah," who may have fretted
at the inconvenience of having the Gibeonites among them. ...
/g/gibeon.htm - 31k

Recompense (79 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 16:43 Because thou hast not remembered the days of thy youth, but hast fretted
me in all these things; behold, therefore I also will recompense thy way ...
/r/recompense.htm - 30k

What can we learn from the story of Elisha and Naaman? | GotQuestions.org

Fretted: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus