The term "harsh" in the Bible often refers to actions, words, or attitudes that are severe, unkind, or lacking in compassion. Throughout Scripture, believers are cautioned against harshness, particularly in their interactions with others, as it contradicts the principles of love, gentleness, and kindness that are central to Christian living.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, harshness is frequently associated with oppressive leadership and unjust treatment. For example, in Exodus 1:14, the Egyptians "made their lives bitter with harsh labor in brick and mortar and with all kinds of work in the fields." This harsh treatment of the Israelites under Pharaoh's rule exemplifies the cruelty and lack of compassion that God opposes.

The wisdom literature also addresses the issue of harshness. Proverbs 15:1 states, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." This proverb highlights the destructive potential of harsh words and the value of gentleness in communication.

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, the teachings of Jesus and the apostles further emphasize the importance of avoiding harshness. Jesus Himself modeled gentleness and compassion, even when correcting others. In Matthew 11:29, He invites, "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."

The apostle Paul also addresses the issue of harshness in his epistles. In Ephesians 4:31-32, he instructs believers to "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you." Here, Paul contrasts harshness with kindness and forgiveness, urging Christians to embody the latter.

Parental and Marital Relationships

The Bible specifically warns against harshness in familial relationships. In Colossians 3:19, husbands are instructed, "Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them." This command underscores the importance of love and gentleness within marriage, reflecting the sacrificial love Christ has for the Church.

Similarly, in the context of parenting, Ephesians 6:4 advises, "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." This verse cautions against harsh discipline that can lead to resentment, advocating instead for nurturing guidance.

Spiritual Leadership

Leaders within the church are also called to avoid harshness. In 1 Peter 5:2-3, elders are exhorted to "shepherd the flock of God that is among you, watching over them—not out of compulsion, but because it is God's will; not out of greed, but out of eagerness; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock." This passage highlights the importance of leading with humility and care, rather than with a domineering or harsh attitude.

Conclusion

The Bible consistently presents harshness as contrary to the character of God and the teachings of Christ. Believers are encouraged to cultivate a spirit of gentleness, kindness, and love in all their interactions, reflecting the grace and compassion that God extends to humanity.1. (a.) Rough; disagreeable; grating

2. (a.) disagreeable to the touch.

3. (a.) disagreeable to the taste.

4. (a.) disagreeable to the ear.

5. (a.) Unpleasant and repulsive to the sensibilities; austere; crabbed; morose; abusive; abusive; severe; rough.

6. (a.) Having violent contrasts of color, or of light and shade; lacking in harmony.

840. austeros -- harsh, severe
... harsh, severe. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: austeros Phonetic Spelling:
(ow-stay-ros') Short Definition: grim, severe, strict, exacting Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/840.htm - 6k

4642. skleros -- hard, rough
... hard, rough. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: skleros Phonetic Spelling:
(sklay-ros') Short Definition: hard, violent, harsh, stern Definition: hard ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4642.htm - 6k

5467. chalepos -- hard (to do or bear)
... hard (to do or bear). Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: chalepos Phonetic
Spelling: (khal-ep-os') Short Definition: hard, harsh, fierce Definition: (a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5467.htm - 6k

3058. loidoreo -- to abuse, revile
... 3058 (from 3060 , "a reviler") -- properly, to say harsh things (make verbal assaults);
to ; to spue bitter (tasteless) statements, using , words to demoralize ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3058.htm - 7k

4087. pikraino -- to make bitter
... Verb Transliteration: pikraino Phonetic Spelling: (pik-rah'-ee-no) Short Definition:
I embitter Definition: I make bitter, embitter; pass: I grow angry or harsh ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4087.htm - 6k

1632. garol -- harsh
... 1631, 1632. garol. 1633 . harsh. Transliteration: garol Phonetic Spelling:
(gaw-role') Short Definition: harsh. Word ... harsh From ...
/hebrew/1632.htm - 6k

7230. rob -- multitude, abundance, greatness
... 1), great (13), great number (1), great numbers (1), great quantities (1), great
quantity (1), greatly (1), greatness (12), grossness (1), harsh (1), immense (1 ...
/hebrew/7230.htm - 6k

5794. az -- strong, mighty, fierce
... fierce, greedy, mighty, power, roughly, strong. From azaz; strong, vehement, harsh --
fierce, + greedy, mighty, power, roughly, strong. see HEBREW azaz. ...
/hebrew/5794.htm - 6k

6089a. etseb -- a hurt, pain, toil
... Word Origin from atsab Definition a hurt, pain, toil NASB Word Usage hard-earned
goods (1), harsh (1), labor (1), pain (1), painful labors (1), sorrow (1). ...
/hebrew/6089a.htm - 5k

2556. chamets -- to be sour or leavened
... A primitive root; to be pungent; ie In taste (sour, ie Literally fermented, or
figuratively, harsh), in color (dazzling) -- cruel (man), dyed, be grieved ...
/hebrew/2556.htm - 5k

7186. qasheh -- hard, severe
... Word Origin from qashah Definition hard, severe NASB Word Usage cruel (2), difficult
(2), fierce (2), hard (5), hardship (1), harsh (4), harshly (5), heavier (1 ...
/hebrew/7186.htm - 6k

8182. shoar -- horrid, disgusting
... open (1). vile. From sha'ar; harsh or horrid, ie Offensive -- vile. see HEBREW
sha'ar. 8181, 8182. shoar. 8183 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/8182.htm - 6k

The Harsh Measures of the Pelagians against the Holy Monks and ...
... A work on the proceedings of pelagius, Chapter 66."The Harsh Measures of the Pelagians
Against the Holy Monks and Nuns Who Belonged to Jerome's Charge. ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 66 the harsh measures of.htm

In Short, the New Education is as Harsh as the Old...
... Chapter 34 In short, the new education is as harsh as the old? In short, the new
education is as harsh as the old, whether or no it is as high. ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 34 in short the.htm

And that Fathers Also Should not be Harsh in Respect of their ...
... Third Book. 71. And that fathers also should not be harsh in respect of
their children. Also in the same place: "And, ye fathers ...
/.../three books of testimonies against the jews/71 and that fathers also.htm

Psalm XCI.
... "From the snare of the hunter, and from a harsh word." Deliverance from the ... Many
have fallen into the hunter's net through a harsh word. What is it that I say? ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xci.htm

Gentleness.
... "Well," says one, "in my very make -up I am rough, harsh, and hasty." You need
to be made anew. When ... manner? Are you too harsh and rough? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/how to live a holy life/gentleness.htm

That Our Progress in Holy Love Does not Depend on Our Natural ...
... all the faculties of the heart: and thence proceeds a most delightful sweetness,
which appears not in those whose souls are peevish, harsh, melancholy and ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter i that our progress.htm

Thus Far I have Made Answer About My Crimes, and Indeed in Defence ...
... wished to come himself, were it not that he had lately returned, after thirty years'
absence, to his parents, and that it would have seemed harsh and inhuman ...
/.../1 thus far i have.htm

God's Slaves
... As I have said, such a speech would argue a harsh human master, but is there not
a truth which is not harsh in it in reference to us and God? Duty never ends. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/gods slaves.htm

Forgiven and Unforgiving
... It sounds harsh, cruel, almost brutal, that the man and his wife and his children
should be sold into slavery, and all that he had should be taken from him, in ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/forgiven and unforgiving.htm

Judging, Asking, and Giving
... beam, big though it is, needs to be 'considered.' So it often escapes notice, and
will surely do so, if we are yielding to the temptation of harsh judgment of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/judging asking and giving.htm

Bray (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A harsh, grating, or discordant sound; the
cry of a donkey. ... 3. (vi) To utter a loud, harsh cry, as an ass. ...
/b/bray.htm - 8k

Rough (24 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) Not courteous or kind; harsh; rude; uncivil; as, a rough temper. 8. (n.)
Marked by severity or violence; harsh; hard; as, rough measures or actions. ...
/r/rough.htm - 15k

Grate (6 Occurrences)
... 5. (vt) To rub roughly or harshly, as one body against another, causing a harsh
sound; as, to grate the teeth; to produce (a harsh sound) by rubbing. ...
/g/grate.htm - 10k

Grating (6 Occurrences)
... 5. (a.) That grates; making a harsh sound; harsh. 6. (n.) A harsh sound caused
by attrition. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. GRATE; GRATING. ...
/g/grating.htm - 10k

Austere (2 Occurrences)
... os-ter' austeros, "harsh," ("rough"): Twice used by Christ in the parable of the
Pounds (Luke 19:21, 22), and of special significance as illustrating the false ...
/a/austere.htm - 8k

Soften (1 Occurrence)
... 5. (vt) To compose; to mitigate; to assuage. 6. (vt) To make less harsh, less rude,
less offensive, or less violent, or to render of an opposite quality. ...
/s/soften.htm - 7k

Soft (36 Occurrences)
... or metal. 2. (superl.) Not rough, rugged, or harsh to the touch; smooth; delicate;
fine; as, soft silk; a soft skin. 3. (superl.) Hence ...
/s/soft.htm - 20k

Hagar (15 Occurrences)
... Under the harsh treatment of her mistress Hagar's life became intolerable, and she
fled into the wilderness, turning her steps naturally toward Egypt, her ...
/h/hagar.htm - 22k

Jar (45 Occurrences)
... 8. (n.) A rattling, tremulous vibration or shock; a shake; a harsh sound;
a discord; as, the jar of a train; the jar of harsh sounds. ...
/j/jar.htm - 21k

Rugged (7 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) Rough with bristles or hair; shaggy. 4. (n.) Harsh; hard; crabbed; austere; --
said of temper, character, and the like, or of persons. ...
/r/rugged.htm - 9k

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