Topical Encyclopedia
Definition: The term "obstinate" refers to a stubborn adherence to one's own opinions or course of action, often in defiance of reason, persuasion, or moral guidance. In a biblical context, obstinacy is frequently associated with a hardened heart and resistance to God's will.
Biblical Context: The Bible often portrays obstinacy as a negative trait, particularly when it leads individuals to resist divine instruction or correction. This stubbornness is seen as a barrier to spiritual growth and obedience to God.
Old Testament References:1.
Pharaoh's Hardened Heart: One of the most notable examples of obstinacy in the Old Testament is Pharaoh's refusal to release the Israelites from bondage, despite the plagues that God sent upon Egypt. The Bible describes Pharaoh's heart as being hardened, leading him to persist in his defiance against God's command.
Exodus 7:13 states, "Still, Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said."
2.
Israel's Rebellion: The Israelites themselves are often depicted as obstinate, particularly during their wilderness wanderings. Despite witnessing God's miracles and provision, they frequently resisted His commands and expressed a desire to return to Egypt. In
Deuteronomy 9:6 , Moses reminds them, "Understand, then, that it is not because of your righteousness that the LORD your God is giving you this good land to possess, for you are a stiff-necked people."
New Testament References:1.
The Pharisees and Religious Leaders: In the New Testament, the religious leaders of Jesus' time are often portrayed as obstinate, clinging to their traditions and interpretations of the law rather than accepting Jesus as the Messiah. In
Mark 3:5 , Jesus is described as being grieved by their hardness of heart: "And looking around at them with anger, grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, 'Stretch out your hand.' And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored."
2.
Paul's Warning to the Romans: The Apostle Paul warns against obstinacy in his letter to the Romans, emphasizing the consequences of a stubborn heart.
Romans 2:5 states, "But because of your hard and unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed."
Theological Implications: Obstinacy is seen as a serious spiritual issue because it reflects a resistance to God's authority and a refusal to submit to His will. It is often linked with pride and self-reliance, which can lead to spiritual blindness and separation from God. The Bible calls believers to cultivate a humble and teachable spirit, open to correction and guidance from the Holy Spirit.
Practical Application: Christians are encouraged to examine their hearts for any signs of obstinacy and to seek God's help in overcoming it. This involves a willingness to listen to God's Word, to be open to the counsel of others, and to repent of any stubbornness that hinders one's relationship with God. Prayer, reflection, and a commitment to spiritual growth are essential in combating the tendency toward obstinacy.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Persistently adhering to an opinion; not yielding to reason; stubborn; pertinacious; unreasonable.
2. (a.) Not yielding; not easily subdued or removed; as, obstinate fever; obstinate obstructions.
Greek
4644. sklerotrachelos -- stiff-necked... Adjective Transliteration: sklerotrachelos Phonetic Spelling: (sklay-rot-rakh'-ay-
los) Short Definition: stubborn Definition: stiff-necked, stubborn,
obstinate...543. apeitheia -- disobedience
... disobedience, unbelief. From apeithes; disbelief (obstinate and rebellious) --
disobedience, unbelief. see GREEK apeithes. (apeitheia) -- 1 Occurrence....
4641. sklerokardia -- hardness of heart
... 4641 (from 4642 , "hard because dry" and 2588 , "heart") -- properly, of heart because
of a lack of moisture (lubricant); anobstinate, hard heart which lacks...
483. antilego -- to speak against, hence to contradict, oppose
... to speak against, hence to contradict, oppose NASB Word Usage argumentative (1),
contradict (1), contradicting (1), objected (1),obstinate (1), opposed (1...
4643. sklerotes -- hardness
... obstinacy, perverseness. Cognate: 4643 -- hardness (literally, "hard from
being "), ie stubborn,obstinate. See 4642 (). Word Origin...
Strong's Hebrew
7186. qasheh -- hard, severe... hard, severe NASB Word Usage cruel (2), difficult (2), fierce (2), hard (5), hardship
(1), harsh (4), harshly (5), heavier (1),
obstinate (1),
obstinate* (5
...3267. yaaz -- perhaps barbarous
... root Definition perhaps barbarous NASB Word Usage fierce (1). to be bold orobstinate.
A primitive root; to be bold orobstinate: d-fierce. 3266, 3267....
553. amets -- to be stout, strong, bold, alert
... strong, bold, alert NASB Word Usage conquered (1), courageous (11), determined
(1), harden (1), hardened (1), increases (1), made hisobstinate (1), made firm...
2388. chazaq -- to be or grow firm or strong, strengthen
... A primitive root; to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous,
causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify),obstinate; to bind...
3820. leb -- inner man, mind, will, heart
... inspiration (2), intelligence (1), kindly (5), life (1), merry-hearted* (1), middle
(2), midst (1), mind (36), minds (3), myself (6),obstinate* (2), planned...
8631. teqeph -- to grow strong
... (Aramaic) corresponding to taqaph; to become (causatively, make) mighty or
(figuratively)obstinate -- make firm, harden, be(-come) strong. see HEBREW taqaph....
6203. oreph -- back of the neck, neck
... from an unused word Definition back of the neck, neck NASB Word Usage back (5),
backs (5), became stubborn* (2), neck (11), necks (2),obstinate* (4), stubborn...
2389. chazaq -- strong, stout, mighty
... strong, stout, mighty NASB Word Usage compulsion* (3), fiercest (1), hard (2), harder
(1), loud (1), might (1), mighty (20),obstinate* (1), powerful (1...
1566. gala -- to expose, lay bare
... quarrels (1). intermeddle with. A primitive root; to beobstinate --
(inter-)meddle (with). 1565, 1566. gala. 1567 . Strong's Numbers.
3885. luwn -- to lodge, pass the night, abide
... Or liyn {leen}; a primitive root; to stop (usually over night); by implication,
to stay permanently; hence (in a bad sense) to beobstinate (especially in words...
Library
AnObstinate Roman.
... Calvary: Victory AnObstinate Roman. And now the impatient leaders detect the
first streaks of gray coming up in the east. The national...
Whether the Will of the Demons isObstinate in Evil?
... THE PUNISHMENT OF THE DEMONS (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether the will of the demons
isobstinate in evil? Objection 1: It would seem that...
How theObstinate and the Fickle are to be Admonished.
... How theobstinate and the fickle are to be admonished. (Admonition 19.)
Differently to be admonished are theobstinate and the fickle....
Christians Charged with anObstinate Contempt of Death Instances...
... Book I. Chapter XVIII. "Christians Charged with anObstinate Contempt of
Death Instances of the Same are Found Amongst the Heathen....
In the Quarrel Earlier Alluded to Between the Energetic...
... Chapter 44 In the quarrel earlier alluded to between the energetic Progressive
and theobstinate Conservative or? In the quarrel...
He Compares this Notion and Reasonable Suspicion of the Devil with...
... He compares this notion and reasonable suspicion of the devil with theobstinate
and inflexible idea of his opponents, and shows that this last is worse and...
How Saintly Men Cannot be Hard andObstinate.
... The Conferences of John Cassian. Chapter XXVI. How saintly men cannot
be hard andobstinate. Nor must we emit the value of that...
Of the 69Th Psalm, in which theObstinate Unbelief of the Jews is...
... Book XVII. Chapter 19."Of the 69th Psalm, in Which theObstinate Unbelief
of the Jews is Declared. But when the Jews will not...
Augustin Calls on victor to Correct his Errors. (See Above in Book...
... as it is the mark of every highest aim and laudable purpose to transfer one's self
readily to truer views; so it shows a depraved andobstinate judgment to...
The Pilgrim's Progress
... The name of the one wasObstinate, and the name of the other Pliable.... What!
saidObstinate, and leave our friends and comforts behind us?...
Thesaurus
Obstinate (12 Occurrences)... 2. (a.) Not yielding; not easily subdued or removed; as,
obstinate fever;
obstinate obstructions. Multi-Version Concordance
Obstinate (12 Occurrences).
...Excommunication
... If the offender still remainedobstinate, the "curse," cherem, was formally pronounced
upon him by a council of ten, and he was shut out from the intellectual...
Sinew (2 Occurrences)
... In figurative language the neck of theobstinate is compared to an "iron sinew"
(Isaiah 48:4). the King James Version "my sinews take no rest" (we`oreqay lo...
Stubborn (40 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Firm as a stub or stump; stiff; unbending; unyielding;
persistent; hence, unreasonablyobstinate in will or opinion; not...
Set (6715 Occurrences)
... 7. (vt) To fix beforehand; to determine; hence, to make unyielding orobstinate;
to render stiff, unpliant, or rigid; as, to set one's countenance....
Nostrils (22 Occurrences)
... a hook or ring inserted in it (Job 40:24; Job 41:2 (Hebrew 40:26)), so this expression
is used to indicate the humbling and taming of anobstinate person (2...
Nose (23 Occurrences)
... a hook or ring inserted in it (Job 40:24; Job 41:2 (Hebrew 40:26)), so this expression
is used to indicate the humbling and taming of anobstinate person (2...
Obstruction (1 Occurrence)
Obstinacy (1 Occurrence)
Resources
What does the Bible say about being stubborn / stubbornness? | GotQuestions.orgDoes God pursue us? | GotQuestions.orgSummary of the Book of Ezekiel - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.orgObstinate: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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