Sharper
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The term "sharper" in a biblical context often relates to the metaphorical use of sharpness to describe the penetrating and discerning nature of God's Word. The concept of sharpness is primarily associated with the ability to cut, divide, and reveal truth, as seen in the Scriptures.

Hebrews 4:12 is the most direct reference to this concept: "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart" . This verse highlights the Word of God as a powerful tool for discernment and judgment, capable of reaching the innermost parts of a person's being. The imagery of a double-edged sword suggests precision and effectiveness, emphasizing the Word's ability to separate truth from falsehood and righteousness from sin.

In the Old Testament, the sharpness of a sword is often used metaphorically to describe the power and authority of God's pronouncements. For instance, Isaiah 49:2 states, "He made my mouth like a sharp sword; He hid me in the shadow of His hand. He made me into a polished arrow; He concealed me in His quiver" . Here, the prophet Isaiah speaks of being equipped by God with words that are as effective and penetrating as a sharp sword, indicating the divine authority and impact of his prophetic message.

The sharpness of God's Word is also reflected in the teachings of Jesus Christ. In Revelation 1:16, John describes a vision of the risen Christ: "In His right hand He held seven stars, and a sharp double-edged sword came from His mouth. His face was like the sun shining at its brightest" . This imagery underscores the authority and judgment that Christ wields through His words, which are both life-giving and convicting.

The concept of sharpness extends beyond the literal to the spiritual and moral realms. In the wisdom literature, such as Proverbs, sharpness can also refer to the discernment and insight granted by God. Proverbs 27:17 states, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another" . This proverb illustrates the mutual benefit and growth that come from godly relationships and the exchange of wisdom, where individuals help refine and improve each other's character and understanding.

In summary, the biblical use of "sharper" primarily relates to the penetrating and discerning nature of God's Word, which is likened to a double-edged sword. This metaphor emphasizes the power, authority, and effectiveness of divine truth in judging and transforming the hearts and minds of believers. Through the Scriptures, God provides the ultimate standard for truth and righteousness, calling His people to live in accordance with His will.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(n.) A person who bargains closely, especially, one who cheats in bargains; a swindler; also, a cheating gamester.
Greek
5114. tomos -- sharp
... sharp. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: tomos Phonetic Spelling:
(tom-o'-ter-os) Short Definition: sharper, keener Definition: sharper, keener. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5114.htm - 6k
Library

Hebrews iv. 13-Nov
... For the word of God is quick [ie living] and powerful, and sharper than any
two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily vii hebrews iv 13-nov.htm

It is the Same in the Case of Girls. ...
... I fancy Jane Austen was stronger, sharper and shrewder than Charlotte Bronte; I
am quite certain she was stronger, sharper and shrewder than George Eliot. ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 41 it is the.htm

The Race of Life
... the man. The more God has given the man, the sharper will be God's stroke,
if he deserves it. And why? Ask yourselves. Suppose that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/the good news of god/sermon x the race of.htm

The Suffering Servant-I
... still atmosphere of the Holy Place, would feel more keenly than any other would
have done the jarring tumult of the crowds, and would know a sharper pain when ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the suffering servant-i.htm

The Lonely Christ
... That loving heart yearning for the solace of an answering heart must needs have
felt a sharper pang of unrequited love than ever pained another. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the lonely christ.htm

Of the Discipline of the Church, and Its Principal Use in Censures ...
... In correcting the latter, it is necessary to employ not only admonition or rebuke,
but a sharper remedy, as Paul shows when he not only verbally rebukes the ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 12 of the discipline.htm

I Knew How it Would Be.
... "Everybody knows Dalton to be a sharper. Eldridge is not his first victim.". ... "No.".
"What! Saw him in the hands of a sharper, and gave him no warning?". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arthur/words for the wise/i knew how it would.htm

Very Lately it Happened Thus: While the Bounty of Our Most ...
... likewise dropped the laurel crown; and now, purple-clad with the hope of his own
blood, shod with the preparation of the gospel, girt with the sharper word of ...
/.../tertullian/the chaplet or de corona/chapter i very lately it.htm

Model Speeches
... A hundred other good and noble things which you never dreamed of will have been
accomplished by the way, and the more certainly, the sharper and more agonizing ...
/.../kleiser/successful methods of public speaking/study of model speeches.htm

Book iii when She Finished Her Lay, Its Soothing Tones Left Me ...
... So far am I from terror at the remedies which you did lately tell me were sharper,
that I am longing to hear them, and eagerly I beg you for them.' ...
/.../boethius/the consolation of philosophy/book iii when she finished.htm

Thesaurus
Sharper (4 Occurrences)
... cheating gamester. Multi-Version Concordance Sharper (4 Occurrences). Hebrews
4:12 For the word of God is living, and active, and ...
/s/sharper.htm - 8k

Marrow (5 Occurrences)
... on the lees well refined" (Isaiah 25:6). In the Epistle to the Hebrews the writer
speaks of the word of God, which is "living, and active, and sharper than any ...
/m/marrow.htm - 9k

Sharp (115 Occurrences)
... 27. (vi) To play tricks in bargaining; to act the sharper. 28. (vi) To sing above
the proper pitch. Multi-Version Concordance Sharp (115 Occurrences). ...
/s/sharp.htm - 38k

Quicken (16 Occurrences)
... 3. (v.) To shorten the radius of (a curve); to make (a curve) sharper; as, to
quicken the sheer, that is, to make its curve more pronounced. ...
/q/quicken.htm - 13k

Operative (2 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and operative, and sharper than any
two-edged sword, and penetrating to the division of soul and spirit, both of ...
/o/operative.htm - 7k

Joints (7 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any
two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both ...
/j/joints.htm - 9k

Intentions (3 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any
two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both ...
/i/intentions.htm - 7k

Intents (3 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged
sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of ...
/i/intents.htm - 7k

Two-edged (7 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any
two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both ...
/t/two-edged.htm - 8k

Double-edged (6 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any
two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both ...
/d/double-edged.htm - 8k

Resources
What is the sword of the Spirit? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that iron sharpens iron? | GotQuestions.org

What is the living Word? | GotQuestions.org

Sharper: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Sharper (4 Occurrences)

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
(WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 19:43
And the men of Israel answer the men of Judah, and say, 'Ten parts we have in the king, and also in David more than you; and wherefore have ye lightly esteemed us, that our word hath not been first to bring back our king?' And the word of the men of Judah is sharper than the word of the men of Israel.
(YLT)

Micah 7:4
The best of them is as a brier: the most upright is sharper than a thorn hedge: the day of thy watchmen and thy visitation cometh; now shall be their perplexity.
(KJV WBS)

Habakkuk 1:8
Swifter than leopards have been its horses, And sharper than evening wolves, And increased have its horsemen, Even its horsemen from afar come in, They fly as an eagle, hasting to consume.
(YLT)

Subtopics

Sharper

Related Terms

Sharper (4 Occurrences)

Sharply (20 Occurrences)

Keener (2 Occurrences)

Uriel (4 Occurrences)

Penetrates (1 Occurrence)

Purposes (67 Occurrences)

Pierces (8 Occurrences)

Severance (1 Occurrence)

Spreads (31 Occurrences)

Secret (341 Occurrences)

Apocryphal

General (9 Occurrences)

Acts (271 Occurrences)

Sharpens
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