The term "hardeneth" is derived from the verb "harden," which in biblical context often refers to the spiritual condition of a person's heart becoming resistant or unresponsive to God's will and truth. This concept is frequently encountered in the Scriptures, illustrating the tension between divine sovereignty and human responsibility.

Biblical Usage and Context

The hardening of the heart is a significant theme in the Bible, particularly in the narratives involving Pharaoh during the Exodus. In Exodus 7:3 , God declares, "But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and though I multiply My signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, he will not listen to you." This hardening serves as a demonstration of God's power and sovereignty, as well as a judgment against Pharaoh's persistent rebellion.

The hardening of the heart is not limited to Pharaoh. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul references this concept in Romans 9:18 : "Therefore God has mercy on whom He wants to have mercy, and He hardens whom He wants to harden." This passage underscores the mystery of God's sovereign will in the context of human salvation and judgment.

Theological Implications

The hardening of the heart raises important theological questions about free will and divine sovereignty. From a conservative Christian perspective, it is understood that God, in His omniscience and justice, may choose to harden the hearts of individuals as a form of judgment or to fulfill His divine purposes. This does not negate human responsibility; rather, it highlights the seriousness of rejecting God's truth and grace.

In Hebrews 3:8 , believers are admonished, "Do not harden your hearts, as you did in the rebellion, in the day of testing in the wilderness." This exhortation serves as a warning to remain receptive to God's voice and to avoid the pitfalls of unbelief and disobedience.

Practical Application

The concept of hardening serves as a cautionary tale for believers to maintain a soft and responsive heart towards God. Regular engagement with Scripture, prayer, and fellowship with other believers are essential practices to guard against spiritual hardening. The Bible encourages believers to be vigilant, as seen in Proverbs 28:14 : "Blessed is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble."

In summary, "hardeneth" in the biblical sense is a profound reminder of the need for humility and openness to God's leading. It challenges individuals to examine their own hearts and to seek God's grace to remain pliable and obedient to His will.

Predestination and the Justice of God
... act, it is through justice. For, "he hath mercy on whom he willeth; and
whom he willeth, he hardeneth." [205] Now when the apostle ...
/.../handbook on faith hope and love/chapter xxv predestination and the.htm

As God's Mercy is Free, So his Judgments are Just, and Cannot be ...
... applies to both, that is, both to His mercy and His justice: "Therefore hath He
mercy on whom He will have mercy, and whom He will He hardeneth." [1287] "He ...
/.../augustine/the enchiridion/chapter 99 as gods mercy is.htm

Why the Father Does not Teach all that they May Come to Christ.
... not? Since, "On whom He will He has mercy, and whom He will He hardeneth."
[3470] But He has mercy when He gives good things. He ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 14 why the father does.htm

The Sovereignty of God in Reprobation
... Verse 18. "Therefore hath He mercy on whom He will have mercy, and whom He will
He hardeneth." The "therefore" announces the general conclusion which the ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter five the sovereignty of.htm

Little Sarah Howley.
... 3. After this, she heard another sermon upon Proverbs 29, 15 "He that, being often
reproved, hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without ...
/.../wesley/stories of boys and girls who loved the saviour/little sarah howley.htm

Let us not Sink in Hopeless Sorrow, or Break Out into Clamorous ...
... and unnatural: GOD and Man might look upon us as acting a most unworthy Part, should
we be like the Ostrich in the Wilderness, which hardeneth herself against ...
/.../submission to divine providence in the death of children/3 let us not sink.htm

Confusion.
... These are they of whom it is written""He that being often reproved, hardeneth his
neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy." Then they will ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon vii confusion.htm

Who Teach: that God, Simply by virtue of his Righteous Will...
... faith and conversion. For this is firmly decreed: He hath mercy on whom
he will, and whom he will he hardeneth (Rom.9:18). And also ...
/.../various/the canons of dordt/paragraph 8 who teach that.htm

Predestination to Eternal Life is Wholly of God's Free Grace.
... of mercy; when He does it not, it is of justice that He does it not for "He hath
mercy on whom He will have mercy, and whom He will He hardeneth." [1279] And ...
/.../augustine/the enchiridion/chapter 98 predestination to eternal life.htm

The Will of the Omnipotent God is Never Defeated, and is Never ...
... The omnipotent God, then, whether in mercy He pitieth whom He will, or in judgment
hardeneth whom He will, is never unjust in what He does, never does anything ...
/.../augustine/the enchiridion/chapter 102 the will of the.htm

Hardeneth (7 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Hardeneth (7 Occurrences). Romans 9:18 Therefore hath
he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. ...
/h/hardeneth.htm - 8k

Harden (22 Occurrences)
... As Paul says (Romans 9:18),"Whom he will he hardeneth" (skleruno); Exodus 11:7,
"The election obtained it, and the rest were hardened" (the Revised Version ...
/h/harden.htm - 19k

Reproved (20 Occurrences)
... (See JPS). Proverbs 29:1 He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall
suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV). ...
/r/reproved.htm - 12k

Establisheth (16 Occurrences)
... step. (YLT). Proverbs 21:29 A wicked man hardeneth his face; But as for
the upright, he establisheth his ways. (ASV DBY). Proverbs ...
/e/establisheth.htm - 11k

Directeth (9 Occurrences)
... steps. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). Proverbs 21:29 A wicked man hardeneth his face:
but as for the upright, he directeth his way. (KJV WBS). ...
/d/directeth.htm - 8k

Continueth (8 Occurrences)
... Exodus 9:34 and Pharaoh seeth that the rain hath ceased, and the hail and the voices,
and he continueth to sin, and hardeneth his heart, he and his servants ...
/c/continueth.htm - 8k

Strengtheneth (28 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 36:13 and also, against king Nebuchadnezzar he hath rebelled, who had
caused him to swear by God, and he hardeneth his neck, and strengtheneth his ...
/s/strengtheneth.htm - 14k

Reproof (29 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Proverbs 29:1 He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck shall
suddenly be broken, and that without remedy. (See NAS). ...
/r/reproof.htm - 15k

Feareth (36 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). Proverbs 28:14 Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he
that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). ...
/f/feareth.htm - 17k

Voices (76 Occurrences)
... Exodus 9:34 and Pharaoh seeth that the rain hath ceased, and the hail and the voices,
and he continueth to sin, and hardeneth his heart, he and his servants ...
/v/voices.htm - 29k

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