Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical terminology, the word "gross" is often used to describe something that is thick, dense, or coarse. It can refer to physical objects, spiritual conditions, or moral states. The term is not frequently used in the Bible, but its implications are significant in understanding certain passages and themes.
Physical and Material ContextsIn a physical sense, "gross" can describe something that is substantial or weighty. For example, in the context of the tabernacle or temple, materials that are described as "gross" might be those that are heavy or dense, indicating their value and durability. The use of such materials would underscore the importance and sacredness of the structure.
Spiritual and Moral ContextsMore prominently, "gross" is used metaphorically to describe spiritual insensitivity or moral corruption. In
Isaiah 6:10, the prophet speaks of the people's hearts becoming "calloused" or "gross," indicating a state of spiritual dullness and resistance to God's message: "Make the heart of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed" . This passage highlights the danger of becoming spiritually insensitive, where one's heart is so hardened that it becomes impervious to divine truth and guidance.
Similarly, in
Matthew 13:15, Jesus refers to this prophecy from Isaiah when explaining why He speaks in parables: "For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them" . Here, "gross" is synonymous with a spiritual condition that prevents individuals from receiving and responding to the Gospel.
Moral ImplicationsThe concept of "gross" also extends to moral corruption and sinfulness. In the biblical worldview, sin is often depicted as a weight or burden, something that is heavy and oppressive. The "grossness" of sin can be understood as its ability to cloud judgment, harden hearts, and separate individuals from God. This is evident in passages that speak of the consequences of sin and the need for repentance and redemption.
Theological SignificanceFrom a theological perspective, the use of "gross" in the Bible serves as a warning against spiritual complacency and moral decay. It calls believers to remain vigilant in their faith, to keep their hearts open to God's word, and to avoid the hardening that comes from persistent sin. The imagery of a "gross" heart or spirit underscores the importance of maintaining a tender and responsive relationship with God, one that is open to His correction and guidance.
In summary, while the term "gross" may not appear frequently in the biblical text, its implications are profound, serving as a metaphor for spiritual and moral conditions that hinder one's relationship with God. Through the lens of Scripture, believers are encouraged to seek purity of heart and to remain sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
superl.) Great; large; bulky; fat; of huge size; excessively large.
2. (superl.) Coarse; rough; not fine or delicate.
3. (superl.) Not easily aroused or excited; not sensitive in perception or feeling; dull; witless.
4. (superl.) Expressing, Or originating in, animal or sensual appetites; hence, coarse, vulgar, low, obscene, or impure.
5. (superl.) Thick; dense; not attenuated; as, a gross medium.
6. (superl.) Great; palpable; serious; vagrant; shameful; as, a gross mistake; gross injustice; gross negligence.
7. (superl.) Whole; entire; total; without deduction; as, the gross sum, or gross amount, the gross weight; -- opposed to net.
8. (n.) The main body; the chief part, bulk, or mass.
9. (sing. & pl.) The number of twelve dozen; twelve times twelve; as, a gross of bottles; ten gross of pens.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
GROSSgros (`araphel): Used twice with "darkness" inIsaiah 60:2Jeremiah 13:16. In the New Testament the verb pachuno, "to make fat," is applied twice to "making gross" the heart (Matthew 13:15Acts 28:27).
SeeGREASE.
Greek
1608. ekporneuo -- mid. to give oneself up to fornication... Word Origin from ek and porneuo Definition mid. to give oneself up to fornication
NASB Word Usage
gross immorality (1), indulged in
gross immorality (1).
...3975. pachuno -- to thicken, to fatten, fig. to make dull
... become dull. From a derivative of pegnumi (meaning thick); to thicken, ie (by
implication) to fatten (figuratively, stupefy or render callous) -- waxgross....
4152. pneumatikos -- spiritual
... From pneuma; non-carnal, ie (humanly) ethereal (as opposed togross), or (daemoniacally)
a spirit (concretely), or (divinely) supernatural, regenerate...
Strong's Hebrew
2954. taphash -- to begross... to be
gross. Transliteration: taphash Phonetic Spelling: (taw-fash') Short Definition:
covered.
... root Definition to be
gross NASB Word Usage covered (1). be fat.
...5666. abah -- to be thick, fat, orgross
... 5665, 5666. abah. 5667 . to be thick, fat, orgross. Transliteration: abah
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-baw') Short Definition: thicker. Word Origin a prim....
6205. araphel -- cloud, heavy cloud
...gross, thick dark cloud,. Probably from araph; gloom (as of a lowering sky) --
(gross, thick) dark (cloud, -ness). see HEBREW araph. 6204, 6205....
8082. shamen -- fat, robust
... fat, lusty, plenteous From shaman; greasy, ieGross; figuratively, rich -- fat,
lusty, plenteous. see HEBREW shaman. 8081, 8082. shamen. 8082a ....
8080. shamen -- to grow fat
... become make, wax fat. A primitive root; to shine, ie (by analogy) be (causatively,
make) oily orgross -- become (make, wax) fat. 8079, 8080. shamen. 8081...
Library
The ChristianGross.
... THE CHRISTIANGROSS. THE CHRISTIANGROSS. 8,6,8,6. "Then said Jesus unto
his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny...
I have Elsewhere Shown theGross Darkness and Ignorance which...
... Address 49: I have elsewhere shown thegross darkness and ignorance which
govern that which is called? I have elsewhere shown...
The Second Commandment:Gross Sin Forbidden.
... Apostles. The Lord's Teaching Through the Twelve Apostles to the Nations.
Chapter II. "The Second Commandment:Gross Sin Forbidden. 1...
Does God Forbid in this Commandment, Only Adultery, and Such Like...
... Lord's Day 41 Question 109 Does God forbid in this commandment, only adultery,
and such likegross sins? Does God forbid in this...
Apion Book 2 Footnotes
... of those Ptolemus, which has been universally supposed to have happened under Ptolemy
Philopater, the fourth of them, is no better than agross error of the...
Of Evil Angels
... 2. We can only observe, in agross and general manner, rising one above another,
first, inorganical earth, then minerals and vegetables in their several orders...
Preface.
... can not, punish. Considering the divine attributes, the first is toogross
to be digested by our strongest wishes. And since omnipotence...
Your Apology Says that There are Three Opinions as to the Origin...
... the opinion of Origen is true that our souls existed before our bodies and committed
some sin because of which they have been tied to thesegross bodies; or...
Thou Shalt not Take the Name of the Lord, Thy God, in Vain.
... Behold, all this is decking one's self out with God's name, or making a pretty show,
or claiming to be right, whether it occur ingross, worldly business or in...
The Indwelling Spirit Fully and Forever Satisfying.
... the First Epistle to the Corinthians that the believers in Corinth were very imperfect
believers; they were full of imperfection and there wasgross sin among...
Thesaurus
Gross (12 Occurrences)... 5. (superl.) Thick; dense; not attenuated; as, a
gross medium. 6. (superl.)
Great; palpable; serious; vagrant; shameful; as, a
gross...Outrage (3 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Injurious violence or wanton wrong done to persons or things; agross violation
of right or decency; excessive abuse; wanton mischief;gross injury....
Grossness (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The state or quality of beinggross; thickness;
corpulence; coarseness; shamefulness. Multi-Version Concordance...
Waxed (57 Occurrences)
... Matthew 13:15 For this people's heart is waxedgross, and their ears are dull of
hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see...
Fine (184 Occurrences)
... artful; skillful; dexterous. 4. (superl.) Not coarse,gross, or heavy. 5.
(superl.) Notgross; subtle; thin; tenous. 6. (superl.) Not...
Converted (11 Occurrences)
... Matthew 13:15 For this people's heart is waxedgross, and their ears are dull of
hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see...
Coarse (6 Occurrences)
... Large in bulk, or composed of large parts or particles; of inferior quality or
appearance; not fine in material or close in texture;gross; thick; rough...
Haply (26 Occurrences)
... Matthew 13:15 For this people's heart is waxedgross, And their ears are dull of
hearing, And their eyes they have closed; Lest haply they should perceive with...
Guilty (131 Occurrences)
... and may have to mourn over many whose hearts still cling to their old sins, and
who have not repented of the impurity, fornication, andgross sensuality, of...
Jehoram (27 Occurrences)
... His daughter Jehosheba was married to the high priest Jehoiada. He sank intogross
idolatry, and brought upon himself and his kingdom the anger of Jehovah....
Resources
Should we tithe off our gross or net income? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the strange flesh in Jude 1:7? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about rape? | GotQuestions.orgGross: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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