Hurtful
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The term "hurtful" in the biblical context often refers to actions, words, or intentions that cause harm, injury, or distress to others. The Bible addresses the concept of being hurtful in various passages, emphasizing the importance of love, kindness, and the avoidance of actions that can cause pain or damage to others.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, the concept of being hurtful is often associated with wickedness and sin. The Psalms frequently mention the hurtful nature of the wicked. For example, in Psalm 52:2 , it is written, "Your tongue devises destruction like a sharpened razor, O worker of deceit." This verse highlights the destructive power of words and the hurt they can cause when used deceitfully.

Proverbs also addresses the hurtful nature of certain behaviors. Proverbs 12:18 states, "There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." This contrast between hurtful and healing words underscores the importance of using speech to uplift rather than harm.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the teachings of Jesus and the apostles further emphasize the avoidance of hurtful behavior. Jesus, in His Sermon on the Mount, teaches about the significance of love and reconciliation. In Matthew 5:22 , He warns, "But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment." This passage highlights the hurtful nature of anger and the importance of resolving conflicts peacefully.

The Apostle Paul, in his letters, frequently advises against actions that can be hurtful to others. In Ephesians 4:29 , Paul instructs, "Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen." This exhortation encourages believers to speak in ways that edify rather than harm.

Moral and Ethical Implications

The Bible's teachings on hurtful behavior carry significant moral and ethical implications for believers. The call to love one's neighbor as oneself, as stated in Matthew 22:39 , "And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’" serves as a guiding principle for avoiding hurtful actions. This commandment underscores the importance of empathy, compassion, and understanding in interpersonal relationships.

Furthermore, the Bible encourages believers to seek forgiveness and reconciliation when hurtful actions occur. In Matthew 18:15 , Jesus provides guidance on addressing offenses: "If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over." This process of reconciliation is vital for healing and restoring relationships.

Practical Application

In practical terms, avoiding hurtful behavior involves self-control, mindfulness, and a commitment to living according to biblical principles. Believers are called to examine their words and actions, ensuring they align with the teachings of Christ. The cultivation of virtues such as patience, kindness, and humility can help prevent hurtful interactions and promote a spirit of love and unity within the community of faith.

Overall, the Bible's teachings on hurtfulness serve as a reminder of the power of words and actions to either harm or heal. By adhering to the principles of love and compassion, believers can strive to live in a manner that reflects the character of Christ and fosters peace and harmony among all people.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(a.) Tending to impair or damage; injurious; mischievous; occasioning loss or injury; as, hurtful words or conduct.
Greek
983. blaberos -- hurtful
... hurtful. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: blaberos Phonetic Spelling:
(blab-er-os') Short Definition: injurious, hurtful Definition: injurious, hurtful ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/983.htm - 6k

4190. poneros -- toilsome, bad
... From a derivative of ponos; hurtful, ie Evil (properly, in effect or influence,
and thus differing from kakos, which refers rather to essential character, as ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4190.htm - 8k

Strong's Hebrew
2248. chabula -- a hurtful act, crime
... 2247, 2248. chabula. 2249 . a hurtful act, crime. Transliteration: chabula
Phonetic Spelling: (khab-oo-law') Short Definition: crime. ...
/hebrew/2248.htm - 6k

5142. nezaq -- to suffer injury
... have damage, hurtful. (Aramaic) corresponding to the root of nezeq; to suffer
(causatively, inflict) loss -- have (en-)damage, hurt(-ful). see HEBREW nezeq. ...
/hebrew/5142.htm - 6k

6090a. otseb -- a pain
... a pain. Transliteration: otseb Short Definition: pain. Word Origin from atsab
Definition a pain NASB Word Usage hurtful (1), pain (2). 6090, 6090a. ...
/hebrew/6090a.htm - 5k

Library

Everything that is Useless or Hurtful is Rejected.
... Chapter VI."Everything that is Useless or Hurtful is Rejected. Since, therefore,
great difference of nature obtains in all animals ...
/.../chapter vi everything that is useless.htm

If Evil is Defined as that which is Hurtful, this Implies Another ...
... On the Morals of the Manich??ans. Chapter 3. "If Evil is Defined as that Which
is Hurtful, This Implies Another Refutation of the Manich??ans. ...
/.../chapter 3 name evil is.htm

From God Also is the Very Power to be Hurtful.
... Concerning the Nature of Good, Against the Manich??ans. Chapter 32. "From
God Also is the Very Power to Be Hurtful. Likewise because ...
/.../chapter 32 name god also.htm

The Nature of Error. All Error is not Hurtful, Though it is Man's ...
... Chapter 17."The Nature of Error. All Error is Not Hurtful, Though It is
Man's Duty as Far as Possible to Avoid It. For although ...
/.../augustine/the enchiridion/chapter 17 the nature of error.htm

The Opposite Opinion is Injurious to Grace and Hurtful to Good ...
... FIFTH PART I. THE OPPOSITE OPINION IS INJURIOUS TO GRACE AND HURTFUL TO
GOOD MORALS. It is First shewn, that the interpretation of ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/i the opposite opinion is.htm

Declaring when Spiritual and Corporal Penances Ought to be Used ...
... Declaring when Spiritual and Corporal Penances ought to be used, and how hurtful
they are, when they are done indiscreetly according to ones own Judgment and ...
/.../chap xv declaring when spiritual.htm

That Except that Wholesome Sorrow, which Springs up in Three Ways ...
... Prolegomena. Chapter XII. That except that wholesome sorrow, which springs up in
three ways, all sorrow and dejection should be resisted as hurtful. ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xii that except that.htm

Whether Anyone Can Dispense from an Oath?
... from a vow arises from the fact that something which is useful and morally good
in itself and considered in general, may be morally evil and hurtful in respect ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether anyone can dispense from.htm

Whether Contrition is the Greatest Possible Sorrow in the World?
... Reply to Objection 1: Just as sensible sorrow is on account of the sensation of
hurt, so interior sorrow is on account of the thought of something hurtful. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether contrition is the greatest.htm

But You, Beloved, who Possess this Faith, or who have Begun Now ...
... or the false Jews, or the deceitful heretics, or also within the Catholic (Church)
itself evil Christians, enemies by so much the more hurtful, as they are the ...
/.../augustine/concerning faith of things not seen /11 but you beloved who.htm

Thesaurus
Noisome (7 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Noxious; harmful; dangerous; as, a noisome odor; hurtful; mischievous;
unwholesome; insalubrious; destructive; as, noisome effluvia. ...
/n/noisome.htm - 9k

Weed (3 Occurrences)
... 10. (vt) To take away, as noxious plants; to remove, as something hurtful; to extirpate.
11. (vt) To free from anything hurtful or offensive. 12. ...
/w/weed.htm - 8k

Evilspeaking
... backbiter" (Romans 1:30); the verb katalaleo is rendered to "speak against" (1 Peter
2:12 James 4:11 1 Peter 3:16); (2) of blasphemia, "what is hurtful to the ...
/e/evilspeaking.htm - 9k

Evil-speaking (5 Occurrences)
... backbiter" (Romans 1:30); the verb katalaleo is rendered to "speak against" (1 Peter
2:12 James 4:11 1 Peter 3:16); (2) of blasphemia, "what is hurtful to the ...
/e/evil-speaking.htm - 10k

Hurtful (5 Occurrences)
... (a.) Tending to impair or damage; injurious; mischievous; occasioning loss or
injury; as, hurtful words or conduct. ...Hurtful (5 Occurrences). ...
/h/hurtful.htm - 8k

Noxious (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (a.) Hurtful; harmful; baneful; pernicious; injurious; destructive; unwholesome;
insalubrious; as, noxious air, food, or climate; pernicious; corrupting to ...
/n/noxious.htm - 7k

Givest (31 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS RSV). Psalms 144:10 Who givest salvation unto kings; who rescuest
David thy servant from the hurtful sword. (DBY JPS RSV). ...
/g/givest.htm - 15k

Wicked (476 Occurrences)
... 3. (a.) Cursed; baneful; hurtful; bad; pernicious; dangerous. 4. (a.) Ludicrously
or sportively mischievous; disposed to mischief; roguish. ...
/w/wicked.htm - 37k

Wishing (25 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 6:9 and those wishing to be rich, do fall into temptation and a snare,
and many desires, foolish and hurtful, that sink men into ruin and destruction ...
/w/wishing.htm - 13k

Injuriously (13 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (adv.) In an injurious or hurtful manner; wrongfully;
hurtfully; mischievously. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/i/injuriously.htm - 10k

Resources
What does the Bible say about satire and/or sarcasm? | GotQuestions.org

What is inner healing, and is it biblical? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about dealing with mental illness? | GotQuestions.org

Hurtful: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Hurtful (5 Occurrences)

1 Timothy 6:9
But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
(KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Ezra 4:13
Be it known now to the king that if this city is built, and the walls finished, they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll, and in the end it will be hurtful to the kings.
(WEB ASV)

Ezra 4:15
that search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers: so you shall find in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful to kings and provinces, and that they have moved sedition within the same of old time; for which cause was this city laid waste.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS RSV)

Psalms 139:24
See if there is any way of sorrow in me, and be my guide in the eternal way.
(See NAS)

Psalms 144:10
It is he that giveth salvation unto kings: who delivereth David his servant from the hurtful sword.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS)

Subtopics

Hurtful

Related Terms

Kind (290 Occurrences)

Urinates (6 Occurrences)

Withheld (32 Occurrences)

Withholden (12 Occurrences)

Daybreak (19 Occurrences)

Despite (18 Occurrences)

Disdain (6 Occurrences)

Malicious (13 Occurrences)

Man-child (11 Occurrences)

Pricking (1 Occurrence)

Piercing (7 Occurrences)

Pisseth (6 Occurrences)

Brier (10 Occurrences)

Scorned (18 Occurrences)

Prick (2 Occurrences)

Hadst (43 Occurrences)

Restrained (51 Occurrences)

Nabal (18 Occurrences)

Neighbors (40 Occurrences)

Hurtful (5 Occurrences)

Deed (71 Occurrences)

Contempt (55 Occurrences)

Wouldn't (67 Occurrences)

Belonging (90 Occurrences)

Treated (69 Occurrences)

Nevertheless (153 Occurrences)

Wall (227 Occurrences)

Unless (102 Occurrences)

Hurtling (1 Occurrence)

Hasted (35 Occurrences)

Harming (3 Occurrences)

Hurried (48 Occurrences)

Thorn (30 Occurrences)

Saul (371 Occurrences)

Haste (106 Occurrences)

Hurt (84 Occurrences)

Hurt
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