Cruel; Cruelty
TextsWhat is the meaning of Cruel; Cruelty in the Bible?
The Hebrew lexicon includes terms such as 'amar' (to be cruel/harsh) and 'qashah' (hard/heavy), which describe severe actions or attitudes in the Old Testament, including divine judgments and the hardening of Pharaoh's heart, reflecting ancient Near Eastern concepts of authority and retribution.
TEXTUAL SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding these terms clarifies the linguistic nuance between divine justice and human malice, allowing readers to distinguish between theological assertions of sovereign judgment and ethical critiques of human behavior within the biblical narrative.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Cruel; Cruelty in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Cruel; Cruelty clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.