Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical terms, "exacting" refers to the act of demanding or requiring something, often with a sense of strictness or severity. This concept is frequently associated with the enforcement of laws, the collection of debts, or the imposition of burdens. The Bible addresses the notion of exacting in various contexts, highlighting both the human tendency to impose harsh demands and the divine call for justice and mercy.
Old Testament ContextThe Old Testament provides several instances where exacting is depicted, often in the context of social justice and economic transactions. In
Exodus 22:25, the Israelites are instructed, "If you lend money to one of My people among you who is poor, you must not be like a moneylender to him; you must not exact interest from him." This command underscores the importance of compassion and fairness, especially towards the poor and vulnerable.
In
Nehemiah 5:7, Nehemiah confronts the nobles and officials for exacting usury from their fellow Jews, saying, "I pondered them in my mind and then accused the nobles and officials. I told them, 'You are exacting usury from your own brothers!'" This rebuke highlights the moral obligation to treat others with equity and to avoid exploiting them for personal gain.
Prophetic WarningsThe prophets also address the issue of exacting, often in the context of social injustice.
Isaiah 58:3-6 criticizes the people for their hypocritical fasting, which is accompanied by oppressive behavior: "Why have we fasted, and You have not seen? Why have we humbled ourselves, and You have not noticed? Behold, on the day of your fast, you do as you please and exact all your laborers." The passage calls for a true fast that involves loosening the chains of injustice and setting the oppressed free.
New Testament InsightsIn the New Testament, the concept of exacting is often contrasted with the principles of grace and forgiveness. Jesus teaches in the Sermon on the Mount, "Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you" (
Matthew 5:42). This teaching encourages a spirit of generosity rather than a strict insistence on repayment or recompense.
The parable of the unforgiving servant in
Matthew 18:23-35 further illustrates the dangers of an exacting spirit. The servant, having been forgiven a great debt by his master, refuses to forgive a fellow servant a much smaller debt. The master's response is a stern warning against the lack of mercy: "Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had on you?" (
Matthew 18:33).
Theological ImplicationsFrom a theological perspective, the concept of exacting is closely tied to the themes of justice, mercy, and forgiveness. While the law provides a framework for justice, the biblical narrative consistently calls believers to transcend mere legalism and embrace a heart of compassion. The tension between justice and mercy is resolved in the character of God, who is both just and the justifier (
Romans 3:26).
In summary, the biblical treatment of exacting serves as a reminder of the call to live justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God (
Micah 6:8). It challenges believers to reflect God's character in their dealings with others, balancing the demands of justice with the call to extend grace and mercy.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Exact.
2. (a.) Oppressive or unreasonably severe in making demands or requiring the exact fulfillment of obligations; harsh; severe.
Greek
1558. ekdikos --exacting penalty from, avenging...exacting penalty from, avenging. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: ekdikos
Phonetic Spelling: (ek'-dik-os) Short Definition: avenging, an avenger
...840. austeros -- harsh, severe
... severe. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: austeros Phonetic Spelling:
(ow-stay-ros') Short Definition: grim, severe, strict,exacting Definition: grim...
3162. machaira -- a short sword or dagger
... sword. 3162 -- properly, a ; a short sword or dagger mainly used for stabbing;
(figuratively) an instrument forexacting . Word...
Strong's Hebrew
5377. nasha -- to lend on interest, be a creditor... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to lend on interest, be a creditor NASB Word
Usage debt (1), debtor (1), deceive (1),
exacting (1), made (2).
...5383. nashah -- to lend, become a creditor
... root Definition to lend, become a creditor NASB Word Usage creditor (4), creditors
(1),exacting (1), lending (1), lent (2), loaned (1), make (1), make the...
Library
1 John iv. 17-21
... which in this epistle is chiefly and almost alone commended, at once maketh us most
faithful in paying our debts, and you most sweet inexacting your rights....
The Ministry in Galilee --Its Aim and Method
... they might be with him and that he might send them forth to preach," and addressed
to them in the hearing of the multitudes theexacting, although unspeakably...
Herod is Made Procurator of all Syria; Malichus is Afraid of Him...
... the legions which were at difference with him; so he raised the siege of Apamia,
and took upon him the command of the army, and went aboutexacting tribute of...
Whether Cruelty is Opposed to Clemency?
... On the contrary, Seneca says (De Clementia ii, 4) that "the opposite of clemency
is cruelty, which is nothing else but hardness of heart inexacting punishment...
On Certain Modern Writers and the Institution of the Family
... He is really fleeing from his street because it is a great deal too exciting. It
is exciting because it isexacting; it isexacting because it is alive....
This Day are Opened, Our Mouths to Give Thanks
... mouths. Thank the Merciful, who has delivered the men of our city, nor thought
at that time ofexacting the debts that were due by us....
Matt. vii. 1
... that fornication is a bad thing, nor at all correct him that is playing the wanton?"
Nay, correct him, but not as a foe, nor as an adversaryexacting a penalty...
The Ministry and Prayer
... nor an interlude, nor a parade or form. For Jesus, prayer wasexacting,
all-absorbing, paramount. It was the call of a sweet duty...
Church and State in New England
... be obtainable from a franchise based upon church-membership where, as in the colonial
churches, admission to such membership was conditioned uponexacting tests...
Jesus Christ, the Divine Teacher of Prayer
... How rigidlyexacting is Christ's law of prayer!... It is a necessity to pray.
It isexacting and binding for men always to be in prayer....
Thesaurus
Exacting (5 Occurrences)... severe. Multi-Version Concordance
Exacting (5 Occurrences). Luke 19:21 for
I feared you, because you are an
exacting man. You take
...Sow (61 Occurrences)
... How much more valuable are you than birds! (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV
NIV). Luke 19:21 for I feared you, because you are anexacting man....
Didn't (734 Occurrences)
... (WEB). Luke 19:21 for I feared you, because you are anexacting man. You take up
that which you didn't lay down, and reap that which you didn't sow.' (WEB)....
Lay (524 Occurrences)
... Luke 16:20 while at his outer door there lay a beggar, Lazarus by name, (WEY RSV).
Luke 19:21 for I feared you, because you are anexacting man....
Nice (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (superl.) of trifling moment; unimportant; trivial. 3. (superl.) Over scrupulous
orexacting; hard to please or satisfy; fastidious in small matters....
Jealous (43 Occurrences)
... watchful. 2. (a.) Apprehensive; anxious; suspiciously watchful. 3. (a.)
Exacting exclusive devotion; intolerant of rivalry. 4. (a...
Loan (9 Occurrences)
... At a later period of the Hebrew commonwealth, when commerce increased, the practice
ofexacting usury or interest on loans, and of suretiship in the commercial...
Interest (35 Occurrences)
... borrowers (15:10). According to Nehemiah 5:7, 10, rich Jews were lending to
others andexacting heavy interest. Nehemiah condemns such...
Feared (134 Occurrences)
... regarded man: (KJV ASV WBS RSV NIV). Luke 19:21 for I feared you, because
you are anexacting man. You take up that which you didn...
Freemen (17 Occurrences)
... 5:7 and my heart reigneth over me, and I strive with the freemen, and with the prefects,
and say to them, 'Usury one upon another ye areexacting;' and I set...
Resources
How much of a role should media have in worship services? | GotQuestions.orgWhy is wisdom referred to as a she in Proverbs? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about stalking? | GotQuestions.orgExacting: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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