Topical Encyclopedia
The term "fiercely" is often associated with intense, passionate, or aggressive behavior or actions. In the context of the Bible, it can describe the demeanor or actions of individuals, groups, or even God Himself in various narratives. The word may not always appear explicitly in the text, but the concept is evident in numerous passages.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, the concept of fierceness is frequently associated with God's judgment and the actions of warriors. For example, in the book of Exodus, the Egyptians pursued the Israelites fiercely as they fled from slavery. The intensity of Pharaoh's pursuit is described in
Exodus 14:8 : "And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, so that he pursued the Israelites, who were marching out boldly."
The fierceness of God's wrath is also a recurring theme. In
Deuteronomy 9:19 , Moses recounts his fear of God's anger: "For I was afraid of the anger and wrath that the LORD had kindled against you, enough to destroy you. But the LORD listened to me that time as well."
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the concept of fierceness can be seen in the actions and attitudes of individuals. For instance, the Apostle Paul, before his conversion, is described as fiercely persecuting the early Christians. In
Acts 9:1 , it is written: "Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out threats of murder against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest."
The fierceness of spiritual warfare is also highlighted in the New Testament. Believers are called to stand firm against the fierce attacks of the enemy.
Ephesians 6:12 states: "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
Symbolism and ImageryFierceness is often symbolized through imagery of wild animals or natural forces. In the prophetic literature, such as the book of Daniel, fierce beasts represent empires or kings.
Daniel 7:7 describes a vision: "After this, as I watched in my vision in the night, I saw a fourth beast—terrifying and dreadful and exceedingly strong. It had large iron teeth; it devoured and crushed, and it trampled underfoot whatever was left. It was different from all the beasts before it, and it had ten horns."
Moral and Ethical ImplicationsThe Bible often contrasts human fierceness with the virtues of gentleness and self-control. Believers are encouraged to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit, which includes gentleness, as seen in
Galatians 5:22-23 : "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
While fierceness can be associated with negative traits such as anger and aggression, it can also be seen positively when directed towards righteous causes. The zeal for God's house, as demonstrated by Jesus when He cleansed the temple, is an example of righteous fierceness.
John 2:17 reflects this: "His disciples remembered that it is written: 'Zeal for Your house will consume Me.'"
In summary, the concept of fierceness in the Bible encompasses a range of meanings, from the destructive power of God's judgment to the passionate zeal for righteousness. It serves as a reminder of the intensity with which both divine and human actions can be carried out.
Greek
1264. diamachomai -- to struggle against... Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: diamachomai Phonetic Spelling: (dee-am-akh'-
om-ahee) Short Definition: I strive greatly, contend
fiercely Definition: I
...2159. eutonos -- in a well-strung manner, fig. vigorously
... of teino (to stretch); in a well-strung manner, ie (figuratively) intensely (in
a good sense, cogently; in a bad one,fiercely) -- mightily, vehemently....
4804. suzetetes -- a disputer
... together" and 2212 , "seek") -- properly, "a joint-seeker," referring to a who delves
into philosophical and religious matters, iefiercely dialogues with...
Strong's Hebrew
2787. charar -- to be hot or scorched, to burn... root Definition to be hot or scorched, to burn NASB Word Usage been charred (1),
blow
fiercely (1), burn (1), burned (2), charred (1), glow (1), kindle (1
...1481b. gur -- to stir up strife, quarrel
... root Definition to stir up strife, quarrel NASB Word Usage assails (1), attack
(1), band (1),fiercely assails (1), launch an attack (1), stir (1)....
Library
Although, Even if There Went Before no Testimonies Concerning...
... had not learned. And of them who heard them, part believed, part, believing
not,fiercely withstood them who preached. Thus while...
The Adventures of Saint Patrick of Ireland.
... huge battle-axe dealt many a fearful blow in return.Fiercely raged the
combat. Blow after blow was given and taken with right good...
The Festival of Games, in Honor of Augustus, were About to Begin...
... That morning of the day before the games the old king had summoned Vergilius.
"I will not be cheated by God or man," said he,fiercely....
Tenants who Wanted to be Owners
... They 'saw Him' and were they touched? No, they only gripped their privileges the
tighter, and determined morefiercely to assert their ownership....
The Rock of Castello.
... Often, often, then, when the wintry tempests and Alpine storms, and drifting snows,
were ragingfiercely around, adding to the terrors of the enemy, did these...
The Fight for the Gospel; Or, Moravians and Rationalists, 1775...
... The morefiercely the theological controversy raged, the more ready was the average
working pastor to flee from the dust and din of battle by appealing to the...
That Evening Vergilius Went to Feast with the Young Herodian...
... The black leopard spatfiercely and struck at the points that were put upon it,
the deep rumble in its throat swelling into loud crescendos....
The King's Courts
... Here were the people clothed in soft raiment, and accustomed to sumptuous fare,
bending as reeds before the gusts of wind sweepingfiercely across the marsh....
A Divided Heart
... the end." Now it is an observation which your experience will probably warrant,
as certainly mine does, that mostly these people stand up sofiercely for the...
Paracelsus {13}
... At such pretenders Paracelsus sneered, at last only toofiercely, not only as men
whose knowledge consisted chiefly in wearing white gloves, but as rogues...
Thesaurus
Fiercely (8 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Fiercely (8 Occurrences).
... (WEB JPS ASV NAS RSV NIV).
Lamentations 3:52 My enemies chased me
fiercely, like a bird without cause. (WBS).
...Bellows (1 Occurrence)
... "The bellows blowfiercely; the leads is of the fire." Here the imagery is drawn
from the refiner's art, and the "bellows" are those used to make the refiner's...
Refining (8 Occurrences)
... If of base metal they will be like the dross described in Jeremiah 6:29, 30. The
refiner may blowfiercely, but in vain, for nothing but lead dross appears....
Fierceness (33 Occurrences)
Uproar (33 Occurrences)
... Acts 23:9 So there arose a great uproar; and some of the Scribes belonging to the
sect of the Pharisees sprang to their feet andfiercely contended, saying...
Refine (9 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 6:29 The bellows blowfiercely; the lead is consumed of the fire: in vain
do they go on refining; for the wicked are not plucked away. (See JPS YLT)....
Refiner (10 Occurrences)
... If of base metal they will be like the dross described in Jeremiah 6:29, 30. The
refiner may blowfiercely, but in vain, for nothing but lead dross appears....
Pile (16 Occurrences)
... Heap on the wood, make the fire hot." Isaiah 30:33 may be paraphrased, `the
pyre thereof is of much wood, burningfiercely.' See TOPHETH....
Belonging (90 Occurrences)
... Acts 23:9 So there arose a great uproar; and some of the Scribes belonging to the
sect of the Pharisees sprang to their feet andfiercely contended, saying...
Sect (10 Occurrences)
... Acts 23:9 So there arose a great uproar; and some of the Scribes belonging to the
sect of the Pharisees sprang to their feet andfiercely contended, saying...
Resources
What are the different English Bible versions? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did God strike Uzzah dead for touching the Ark of the Covenant? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to mount up with wings like eagles? | GotQuestions.orgFiercely: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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