The term "refractory" is not directly found in the Bible; however, the concept is closely related to themes of stubbornness, obstinacy, and resistance to divine instruction or authority. In a biblical context, being refractory can be understood as a willful disobedience or a hardened heart against God's commands and guidance.

Biblical Examples and Themes:

1. Israel's Stubbornness:
The nation of Israel is often depicted as refractory in its relationship with God. Despite witnessing God's miracles and receiving His law, the Israelites frequently turned away from Him. In Exodus 32:9 , God describes the people as "stiff-necked": "The LORD also said to Moses, 'I have seen this people, and they are indeed a stiff-necked people.'" This term reflects their resistance to God's authority and their inclination to follow their own desires.

2. Pharaoh's Hardened Heart:
Pharaoh's refusal to release the Israelites from bondage in Egypt is another example of a refractory spirit. Despite the plagues and signs performed by God through Moses, Pharaoh's heart remained hardened. In Exodus 7:13 , it is stated, "Still, Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said." Pharaoh's obstinacy serves as a cautionary tale of the consequences of resisting God's will.

3. Prophetic Warnings:
The prophets frequently addressed the refractory nature of the people, calling them to repentance and warning of impending judgment. In Jeremiah 5:23 , the prophet laments, "But these people have stubborn and rebellious hearts; they have turned aside and gone away." The prophets' messages often highlighted the dangers of a refractory attitude, urging the people to return to God with humility and obedience.

4. New Testament Insights:
In the New Testament, the concept of being refractory is addressed through the call to submit to God's will and the teachings of Christ. Jesus often encountered resistance from the religious leaders of His time, who were described as having hardened hearts. In Mark 3:5 , Jesus is grieved by their obstinacy: "And looking around at them with anger, grieved by their hardness of heart, He said to the man, 'Stretch out your hand.' And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored."

5. Spiritual Implications:
A refractory heart is seen as a barrier to spiritual growth and relationship with God. Believers are encouraged to cultivate a heart of humility and obedience, as seen in James 4:7 : "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." The call to submission is a direct counter to a refractory spirit, emphasizing the importance of aligning one's will with God's.

Conclusion:

While the term "refractory" itself is not used in the biblical text, the concept is woven throughout Scripture, illustrating the dangers of resisting God's authority and the blessings of a submissive and obedient heart. The biblical narrative consistently calls individuals and nations to turn from their refractory ways and embrace a life of faithfulness and devotion to God.1. (a.) Obstinate in disobedience; stubborn; unmanageable; as, a refractory child; a refractory beast.

2. (a.) Resisting ordinary treatment; difficult of fusion, reduction, or the like; -- said especially of metals and the like, which do not readily yield to heat, or to the hammer; as, a refractory ore.

3. (n.) A refractory person.

4. (n.) Refractoriness.

5. (n.) (Pottery) A piece of ware covered with a vaporable flux and placed in a kiln, to communicate a glaze to the other articles.

506. anupotaktos -- not subject to rule
... in line with" (fit in with) God's plan; uncooperative, with a defiant attitude towards
duly-appointed authority; uncontrollable, refractory (unsubjected); anti ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/506.htm - 7k5637. sarar -- stubborn or rebellious
... A primitive root; to turn away, ie (morally) be refractory -- X away, backsliding,
rebellious, revolter(-ing), slide back, stubborn, withdrew. 5636, 5637. ...
/hebrew/5637.htm - 6k

3987. meen -- refusing
... Word Origin from maen Definition refusing NASB Word Usage who refuse (1). refuse.
From ma'en; refractory -- refuse. see HEBREW ma'en. 3986, 3987. meen. 3988 ...
/hebrew/3987.htm - 6k

Concerning the Revolt of the Trachonites; How Sylleus Accused ...
... that were in Arabia should be delivered up; and, by the permission of Saturninus
and Volumnius, executed the judgment himself upon those that were refractory. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 9 concerning the revolt.htm

Guelf and Ghibelline. (I)
... The Pope retorted by excommunicating his refractory vassals and looking for
help from the new German King. [Sidenote: The new contest.]. ...
/.../medley/the church and the empire/chapter viii guelf and ghibelline.htm

Parables. (xiii, xviii-xx, xxxv. )
... The potter of Hinnom does not impatiently cast upon the rubbish which abounds there
the lump of clay that has proved refractory to his design for it. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/2 parables xiii xviii-xx xxxv.htm

Examination of the Epistle
... that the wicked should die," (Ezekiel 18:23.) But it so moves God, that He is yet
delighted in the destruction of His enemies, who are refractory and refuse to ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 3/examination of the epistle.htm

First, I am to Consider what the Keeping of the Heart Supposes and ...
... denial. The darkened understanding is illuminated, the refractory will sweetly
subdued, the rebellious appetite gradually conquered. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/first i am to consider.htm

His Conversion
... of which is fixed a piece of sharpened iron, with which he urges the animal to go
on or stand still or change its course; and, if it is refractory, it kicks ...
/.../stalker/the life of st paul/chapter iii his conversion.htm

The Church of the Middle Ages
... An authority which could reduce rebellious subjects to obedience, overawe refractory
nobles, or check the tyranny of an irresponsible sovereign, could hardly ...
/.../blunt/a key to the knowledge of church history/chapter x the church of.htm

That the Word Instructed by the Law and the Prophets.
... Accordingly, of old He instructed by Moses, and then by the prophets. Moses, too,
was a prophet. For the law is the training of refractory children. ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter xi that the word instructed.htm

As He Thus Spoke, Slowly and with an Exquisite Softness...
... obstinate)"then much can be done. The Church has infinite patience even
with refractory sinners.". "Has it?" asked Manuel simply ...
//christianbookshelf.org/corelli/the master-christian/xvi as he thus spoke.htm

Of the Fourth Kind of General Mortifications, viz...
... that she finds in sensuality; but resisting it the best she can, she must be resigned
and patient with herself, as she would be at the refractory humours of ...
/.../chapter viii of the fourth.htm

Refractory (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Obstinate in disobedience; stubborn; unmanageable;
as, a refractory child; a refractory beast. ... 3. (n.) A refractory person. ...
/r/refractory.htm - 9k

Refrain (33 Occurrences)

/r/refrain.htm - 16k

Vicious (3 Occurrences)
... 5. (a.) Not well tamed or broken; given to bad tricks; unruly; refractory; as, a
vicious horse. 6. (a.) Bitter; spiteful; malignant. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/v/vicious.htm - 7k

Unruly (8 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (superl.) Not submissive to rule; disregarding restraint;
disposed to violate; turbulent; ungovernable; refractory; as, an unruly boy ...
/u/unruly.htm - 9k

Untractable (1 Occurrence)
... Untractable (1 Occurrence). Hosea 4:16 For Israel is refractory as an untractable
heifer; now will Jehovah feed them as a lamb in a wide pasture. (DBY). ...
/u/untractable.htm - 6k

Gentle (48 Occurrences)
... gentle reader. 4. (superl.) Not wild, turbulent, or refractory; quiet and
docile; tame; peaceable; as, a gentle horse. 5. (superl ...
/g/gentle.htm - 20k

Willful (3 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Governed by the will without yielding to reason; obstinate; perverse;
inflexible; stubborn; refractory; as, a willful man or horse. ...
/w/willful.htm - 7k

Inhabited (64 Occurrences)
... Psalms 68:6 God -- causing the lonely to dwell at home, Bringing out bound ones
into prosperity, Only -- the refractory have inhabited a dry place. (YLT). ...
/i/inhabited.htm - 26k

Turbulent (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Disposed to insubordination and disorder; restless; unquiet; refractory;
as, turbulent spirits. 3. (a.) Producing commotion; disturbing; exciting. ...
/t/turbulent.htm - 7k

Reforms (2 Occurrences)

/r/reforms.htm - 7k

Refractory: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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