The term "softly" in the Bible often conveys a sense of gentleness, calmness, or subtlety. It is used in various contexts, from describing speech to illustrating actions. The concept of speaking or acting softly is frequently associated with wisdom, humility, and a peaceful demeanor, which are virtues highly regarded in biblical teachings.

Biblical References:

1. 2 Samuel 18:5 : "The king commanded Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, 'Treat the young man Absalom gently for my sake.' And all the troops heard the king's orders concerning Absalom to each of the commanders." In this passage, the word "gently" is translated from the Hebrew word that can also mean "softly." King David's instruction to treat Absalom softly reflects a desire for mercy and compassion, even towards a rebellious son.

2. Proverbs 15:1 : "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Here, the concept of a "gentle answer" aligns with the idea of speaking softly. The proverb highlights the power of soft speech to defuse tension and promote peace, contrasting it with the destructive potential of harsh words.

3. Isaiah 8:6 : "Because this people has rejected the gently flowing waters of Shiloah and rejoiced in Rezin and the son of Remaliah." The "gently flowing waters" symbolize God's provision and peace, which the people of Israel rejected. The imagery of soft, flowing waters serves as a metaphor for God's gentle and sustaining presence.

4. 1 Kings 19:12 : "After the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper." In this narrative, Elijah encounters God not in the powerful forces of nature but in a "gentle whisper" or "still small voice." This passage underscores the idea that God's communication can be soft and subtle, yet profoundly impactful.

Theological Implications:

The use of "softly" in the Bible often points to the value of gentleness and humility in the life of a believer. It suggests that strength is not always demonstrated through force or loudness but can be expressed through quiet confidence and gentle actions. This aligns with the teachings of Jesus, who exemplified humility and gentleness, as seen in Matthew 11:29 : "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

Practical Application:

Believers are encouraged to adopt a "soft" approach in their interactions with others, reflecting the character of Christ. This includes speaking with kindness, acting with compassion, and responding to conflict with a spirit of peace. The biblical call to live softly is a reminder of the transformative power of gentleness in a world often characterized by harshness and aggression.(adv.) In a soft manner.5285. hupopneo -- to blow underneath
... blow softly. From hupo and pneo; to breathe gently, ie Breeze -- blow softly. see
GREEK hupo. see GREEK pneo. (upopneusantos) -- 1 Occurrence. 5284, 5285. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5285.htm - 6k3814. lat -- softly
... lat. 3815 . softly. Transliteration: lat Phonetic Spelling: (lawt) Short Definition:
softly. Word Origin from a preposition prefix and at, qv. softly ...
/hebrew/3814.htm - 6k

328. at -- gentleness
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition gentleness NASB Word Usage despondently
(1), gently (3), leisure (1). charmer, gently, secret, softly. ...
/hebrew/328.htm - 6k

1718. dadah -- perhaps to move slowly
... 1), wander (1). go softly, with. A doubtful root; to walk gently -- go (softly,
with). 1717, 1718. dadah. 1719 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/1718.htm - 5k

7817. shachach -- to bow, be bowed down, crouch
... bowed down (3), bowing (1), bows down (1), bring down (1), brought low (1), collapsed
(1), crouch (2), despair (4), humbled (3), prostrate (1), sing softly (1 ...
/hebrew/7817.htm - 6k

Softly Now the Light of Day
... THE HYMNAL. I. DAILY PRAYER: Morning Daily Prayer: Evening 19. Softly now the light
of day. Four 7's ... George W. Doane, 1824. Softly now the light of day. ...
/.../daily prayer evening 19 softly.htm

A Human Picture of God.
... And the mother said, "Why don't you eat?" And he said softly, "Why don't you eat?"
And, with a catch in her throat, she said, "I can't, for thinking of Phil ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks with world winners/a human picture of god.htm

How this Sacred Repose is Practised.
... heat of their little frame, and the agreeable vapours which it sends to the brain
begin to lull them to sleep, Theotimus, you will see them softly shut their ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter ix how this sacred.htm

Holy Spirit, Faithful Guide. D.
... side; Gently lead us by the hand, Pilgrims in a desert land; Weary souls fore'er
rejoice, While they hear that sweetest voice Whisper softly, wanderer come! ...
/.../lorenz/the otterbein hymnal/171 holy spirit faithful guide.htm

He came to his Own.
... And he said softly, "Forgive me, mother: it is late, I forgot." And he showed her
to her sleeping apartment. ... She came in very softly. And he started up. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/he came to his own.htm

All the Bells were Ringing the Angelus. ...
... Yet the late sunshine flowed very softly on and over the ghastly white,
semi-transparent form, outlining it with as much tender glory as the gracious figure ...
//christianbookshelf.org/corelli/the master-christian/i all the bells were.htm

The Best Light for Studying a Thorn.
... Let us say it very softly, remembering as we instinctively will, that where we think
of one in him there come crowding to memory's door many more in one's self ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on prayer/the best light for studying.htm

Yoked Service.
... He comes to a man and says, "I know you. I have been thinking about you." Then
very softly""I"love"you. I need you, for a plan of Mine. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on service/yoked service.htm

Funeral Hymn.
... Go in thy last long home to dwell; Softly our loving hands prepare. Thy narrow
bed"sleep softly there! Love looks below, with weeping eyes,. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/borthwick/hymns from the land of luther/funeral hymn.htm

"Inasmuch. "
... The Present Opportunity "Inasmuch.". May I speak very softly of another side of
this knocking at our door? Who is it that is knocking? Aye, Who? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks with world winners/inasmuch.htm

Softly (10 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (adv.) In a soft manner. Multi-Version Concordance
Softly (10 Occurrences). Acts 27:13 When the south wind ...
/s/softly.htm - 9k

Softly-flowing (1 Occurrence)
Softly-flowing. Softly, Softly-flowing. Softy . Multi-Version
Concordance Softly-flowing (1 Occurrence). Isaiah 8:6 ...
/s/softly-flowing.htm - 6k

Softy (1 Occurrence)
... And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and
put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly...
/s/softy.htm - 6k

Jael (6 Occurrences)
... When sleep came to the wearied fugitive she took a "tent-pin, and took a hammer
in her hand, and went softly unto him, and smote the pin into his temples ...
/j/jael.htm - 14k

Secretly (104 Occurrences)
... Judges 4:21 Then Jael Heber's wife took a tent peg, and took a hammer in her hand,
and went softly to him, and struck the pin into his temples, and it pierced ...
/s/secretly.htm - 37k

Shiloah (1 Occurrence)
... It is the waters of this spring which are referred to in Isaiah 8:5, 6: "Forasmuch
as this people have refused the waters of Shiloah that go softly,.... ...
/s/shiloah.htm - 17k

Quietly (30 Occurrences)
... at the end of the heap of grain. She came softly, uncovered his feet, and
laid her down. (See NIV). 2 Samuel 3:27 When Abner was ...
/q/quietly.htm - 16k

Uncovering (13 Occurrences)
... Now when Boaz had taken meat and drink, and his heart was glad, he went to take
his rest at the end of the mass of grain; then she came softly and, uncovering ...
/u/uncovering.htm - 10k

Obtained (61 Occurrences)
... Acts 27:13 When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their
purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close to shore. ...
/o/obtained.htm - 25k

Ja'el (6 Occurrences)
... Judges 4:21 But Ja'el the wife of Heber took a tent peg, and took a hammer in her
hand, and went softly to him and drove the peg into his temple, till it went ...
/j/ja'el.htm - 8k

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