Definition and Context:
The term "harsher" is not directly found as a standalone word in the Bible; however, it is often used in biblical discussions to describe actions, judgments, or words that are more severe or strict. In the context of Scripture, the concept of harshness can be associated with God's judgments, human interactions, or the consequences of sin.

Biblical References:

1. God's Judgments:
The Bible often describes God's judgments as just and righteous, yet they can be perceived as harsh by human standards. In the Old Testament, God's judgments on nations and individuals who defied His commandments were sometimes severe. For example, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19) is a demonstration of God's harsh judgment against sin. The Berean Standard Bible states, "Then the LORD rained down sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens" (Genesis 19:24).

2. Human Interactions:
The Bible also addresses the harshness in human relationships. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul advises against harshness in familial and social interactions. In Ephesians 6:4, Paul instructs, "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord" . This suggests that while discipline is necessary, it should not be administered in a harsh manner that leads to resentment.

3. Consequences of Sin:
The harsh consequences of sin are a recurring theme in Scripture. The Book of Proverbs often contrasts the outcomes of righteous living with the harsh realities faced by those who choose wickedness. Proverbs 13:15 states, "Good understanding wins favor, but the way of the unfaithful is hard" . This highlights the harshness of the path chosen by those who reject wisdom and righteousness.

4. Jesus' Teachings:
Jesus Christ, in His teachings, often addressed the harshness of the Pharisees and religious leaders who imposed strict and burdensome laws on the people. In Matthew 23:4, Jesus criticizes them, saying, "They tie up heavy, burdensome loads and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them" . Here, Jesus condemns the harshness of legalism that lacks compassion and mercy.

5. Warnings Against Harshness:
The Bible warns against the use of harsh words and actions. In Colossians 3:19, husbands are specifically instructed, "Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them" . This admonition underscores the importance of love and gentleness in relationships, reflecting the character of Christ.

Theological Implications:
The concept of harshness in the Bible serves as a reminder of the balance between justice and mercy. While God's judgments can be severe, they are always just and serve a greater purpose in His divine plan. Believers are called to emulate Christ's example of love and compassion, avoiding harshness in their interactions with others. The Bible encourages a life of righteousness, where discipline is tempered with grace, and justice is administered with mercy.7185. qashah -- to be hard, severe or fierce
... Word Usage became stubborn* (2), cruel (1), defied* (1), hard (1), hard thing (1),
hard-pressed (1), harden (2), hardened (1), hardens (2), harsher (1), made ...
/hebrew/7185.htm - 6k

Come Ye, Let us Hear How Death Convicts the People: that Harsher ...
... Hymn LXVII. Come ye, let us hear how Death convicts the People: that harsher
than Death was their sword, against the just. 1. Come ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn lxvii come ye let.htm

The Third Book
... For this reason the Savior added to this precept a still harsher decree, saying:
"Whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the third book.htm

Preface.
... hopes that they will bear in mind how the need of being both brief and clear is
apt to render statements apparently bolder, and sometimes harsher, than where ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/preface.htm

A Word to the Wavering Ones
... To see the absurdity, not to call it by any harsher name, of the position of doubt
taken up by this dear Christian, it is only necessary to consider how it ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 12 a word to.htm

Notes
... and rythmical. The Chillwayuk dialect is harsher and more guttural. The
Nanaimos, the Yales, the Sumas, the Kwantuls, etc. of BC ...
//christianbookshelf.org/various/indian methodist hymn-book/notes.htm

Our Miseries, Messengers of Mercy
... measure did not move them, because their sin was written as with an iron pen, and
graven upon the very horns of their altars, then he tried harsher means; he ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/our miseries messengers of mercy.htm

With those Also Who, as it were from Sleep...
... satellites of the devil, that we might not be the cause to them of a manifold death,
inasmuch as thus we should be compelling them both to be harsher, and to ...
/.../peter/the writings of peter of alexandria/canon ix with those also.htm

a Condition in Chastisement.
... been spared? Thy heavenly Father loves thee too much, and too tenderly,
to bestow harsher correction than thy case requires? Is ...
/.../macduff/the faithful promiser/16th day a condition in.htm

On Filthy Speaking.
... and stop the mouths of those who practice it by stern looks and averting the face,
and by what we call making a mock of one: often also by a harsher mode of ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter vi on filthy speaking.htm

To the Smyrnaeans
... had been given. It is worthy of notice that he adopts a harsher attitude
to the Docetic heretics than to the Judaizers. The former ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/richardson/early christian fathers/to the smyrnaeans.htm

Harsher (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Harsher (1 Occurrence). ... And the words of the men of Judah
were harsher than the words of the men of Israel. (DBY NAS). ...
/h/harsher.htm - 6k

Slight (13 Occurrences)
... and was not my advice the first, to bring back my king? And the words of the men
of Judah were harsher than the words of the men of Israel. (DBY). ...
/s/slight.htm - 11k

Scorpion (6 Occurrences)
... to a whip that was called a scorpion, but rather that as the sting of a scorpion
is worse than the lash of a whip, so his treatment would be harsher than his ...
/s/scorpion.htm - 13k

Harshly (20 Occurrences)

/h/harshly.htm - 11k

Harsha (4 Occurrences)

/h/harsha.htm - 8k

Criticism (1 Occurrence)
... again, arise from insertion in the text of marginal notes or glosses, from motives
of harmonizing, from the substitution of smoother for harsher or more abrupt ...
/c/criticism.htm - 101k

Bible
... again, arise from insertion in the text of marginal notes or glosses, from motives
of harmonizing, from the substitution of smoother for harsher or more abrupt ...
/b/bible.htm - 101k

Why did God punish David and Bathsheba's innocent child with death? | GotQuestions.org

Is Christian rock music appropriate? | GotQuestions.org

What is a nomad? | GotQuestions.org

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