Hard-heartedness is a term used in the Bible to describe a spiritual condition characterized by insensitivity, stubbornness, and an unwillingness to respond to God's truth and commands. This condition is often associated with a refusal to repent, a lack of compassion, and an obstinate resistance to divine guidance.

Biblical Instances and Descriptions

1. Pharaoh's Hard Heart: One of the most notable examples of hard-heartedness in the Bible is Pharaoh during the Exodus narrative. Despite witnessing numerous miracles and plagues, Pharaoh repeatedly hardened his heart against God's command to let the Israelites go. Exodus 7:13 states, "Still, Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said."

2. Israel's Rebellion: The Israelites themselves are often described as hard-hearted, particularly during their wilderness wanderings. In Psalm 95:8 , the psalmist warns, "Do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, as you did that day at Massah in the wilderness."

3. New Testament Warnings: Jesus frequently addressed the issue of hard-heartedness among the religious leaders of His time. In Mark 3:5 , Jesus, grieved by their hardness of heart, heals a man on the Sabbath, demonstrating both His authority and compassion. The Apostle Paul also warns against hard-heartedness in Romans 2:5 , stating, "But because of your hard and unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed."

Spiritual Implications

Hard-heartedness is not merely a personal failing but a spiritual condition that can have eternal consequences. It reflects a deep-seated resistance to God's will and a rejection of His grace. This condition can lead to spiritual blindness, where individuals are unable to perceive or accept the truth of the Gospel.

Causes and Consequences

The Bible suggests several causes for hard-heartedness, including pride, unbelief, and sin. Hebrews 3:13 warns, "But exhort one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness." The consequences of a hard heart are severe, leading to spiritual death and separation from God.

Remedy and Hope

Despite the severity of hard-heartedness, the Bible offers hope for transformation. Ezekiel 36:26 promises, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." This transformation is made possible through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, who softens hearts and renews minds.

In summary, hard-heartedness is a significant biblical theme that underscores the importance of remaining open and responsive to God's voice. It serves as a warning against the dangers of spiritual insensitivity and highlights the need for a heart transformed by God's grace.4641. sklerokardia -- hardness of heart
... hardness of heart. Feminine of a compound of skleros and kardia; hard-heartedness,
ie (specially), destitution of (spiritual) perception -- hardness of heart. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4641.htm - 7k

The Hard-Heartedness of the Jews, for whom the Christians Pray.
... Chapter CXXXIII."The hard-heartedness of the Jews, for whom the Christians
pray. "Now, although these and all other such unexpected ...
/.../chapter cxxxiii the hard-heartedness of the.htm

Even if the Permission had Been Given by St. Paul in the Sense ...
... Paul in the Sense Which the Psychics Allege, It Was Merely Like the Mosaic
Permission of Divorce"A Condescension to Human Hard-Heartedness. ...
/.../tertullian/on monogamy/chapter xiv even if the permission.htm

Whether God is the Cause of Spiritual Blindness and Hardness of ...
... Reply to Objection 1: Blindness and hardheartedness, as regards the withholding
of grace, are punishments, and therefore, in this respect, they make man no ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether god is the cause.htm

Savonarola -- the Ascension of Christ
... Jesus reproved the unbelief and the hard-heartedness of His disciples, because
they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume i/savonarola the ascension of.htm

Certain Other Divine Precepts the Apostolic Description of Charity ...
... a suit against his adversary will compose the matter by agreement, [9136] unless
he first begin by lopping off chagrin, hardheartedness, and bitterness, which ...
/.../tertullian/of patience/chapter xii certain other divine precepts.htm

Connection of These Primeval Testimonies with Christ.
... to the beginning by Christ: just as, in the question of divorce, by saying that
that had been permitted by Moses on account of their hard-heartedness but from ...
/.../tertullian/on monogamy/chapter v connection of these primeval.htm

the Use of Humiliation
... dry! Alas! how we set them an example of hard-heartedness, while we are
endeavoring by our words to melt and mollify them! Oh, if ...
//christianbookshelf.org/baxter/the reformed pastor/section 1 - the use.htm

The Death of Cyrus.
... rage of Tomyris."The great battle."Cyrus is defeated and slain."Tomyris's treatment
of Cyrus's body."Reflections."Hard-heartedness, selfishness, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter xii the death of.htm

If it is Objected, that the Necessity which Urges us to Pray is ...
... For it is right that those who seal up their hearts should find the ears of God
closed against them, that those who, by their hardheartedness, provoke his ...
/.../calvin/of prayer--a perpetual exercise of faith/chapter 7 if it is.htm

He Exhorts the Jews to be Converted.
... For it will be well if, persuaded by the Scriptures, you are circumcised from
hard-heartedness: not that circumcision which you have from the tenets that are ...
/.../chapter cxxxvii he exhorts the jews.htm

Hardheartedness (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Hardheartedness (1 Occurrence). Matthew 19:8 He says
to them, Moses, in view of your hardheartedness, allowed ...
/h/hardheartedness.htm - 6k

Hard-heartedness (1 Occurrence)
Hard-heartedness. Hardheartedness, Hard-heartedness. Hardiness . Multi-Version
Concordance ... Hardheartedness, Hard-heartedness. Hardiness . Reference Bible
/h/hard-heartedness.htm - 6k

Rigor (8 Occurrences)
... winter. 6. (n.) Stiffness of opinion or temper; rugged sternness; hardness;
relentless severity; hard-heartedness; cruelty. 7. (n ...
/r/rigor.htm - 9k

Adamant (2 Occurrences)
... It is an emblem of firmness in resisting adversaries of the truth (Zechariah
7:12), and of hard-heartedness against the truth (Jeremiah 17:1). ...
/a/adamant.htm - 9k

Thus (1271 Occurrences)
... Matthew 19:8 He says to them, Moses, in view of your hardheartedness, allowed you
to put away your wives; but from the beginning it was not thus. (DBY). ...
/t/thus.htm - 33k

Hard-hearted (12 Occurrences)
Hard-hearted. Hardhearted, Hard-hearted. Hardheartedness . Noah Webster's
Dictionary ... (WBS). Hardhearted, Hard-hearted. Hardheartedness . Reference Bible
/h/hard-hearted.htm - 10k

Answering (202 Occurrences)
... (DBY YLT). Mark 10:5 And Jesus answering said to them, In view of your
hard-heartedness he wrote this commandment for you; (DBY YLT). ...
/a/answering.htm - 34k

Hardiness

/h/hardiness.htm - 15k

View (86 Occurrences)
... Matthew 19:8 He says to them, Moses, in view of your hardheartedness, allowed you ...
5 And Jesus answering said to them, In view of your hard-heartedness he wrote ...
/v/view.htm - 81k

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