Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Context:The term "rash" generally refers to actions or decisions made hastily, without careful consideration of the consequences. In a biblical context, rashness is often associated with impulsive behavior that leads to negative outcomes. The Bible provides several examples and teachings that caution against rashness, emphasizing the importance of wisdom, patience, and discernment.
Biblical Examples:1.
Jephthah's Vow (Judges 11:30-31, 34-35): Jephthah, a judge of Israel, made a rash vow to the LORD, promising to offer as a burnt offering whatever came out of the doors of his house to meet him if he returned victorious from battle. Tragically, his only daughter was the first to greet him. This account illustrates the dangers of making impulsive promises without considering the potential consequences. The Berean Standard Bible recounts Jephthah's vow and its fulfillment, highlighting the sorrow and regret that followed his hasty decision.
2.
Peter's Denial (Matthew 26:33-35, 69-75): The Apostle Peter, in a moment of rash confidence, declared that he would never deny Jesus, even if all others did. However, when faced with the threat of persecution, Peter denied knowing Jesus three times, as Jesus had foretold. This incident underscores the peril of overestimating one's strength and making bold claims without recognizing human frailty.
3.
Saul's Impatience (1 Samuel 13:8-14): King Saul, in a moment of impatience and fear, offered a burnt sacrifice himself instead of waiting for the prophet Samuel, as was commanded. This rash act of disobedience led to God's rejection of Saul's kingship. The BSB describes how Saul's impulsive decision cost him the favor of God and the stability of his reign.
Teachings and Warnings:1.
Proverbs on Rashness: The Book of Proverbs frequently warns against rash behavior.
Proverbs 19:2 states, "Even zeal is no good without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps misses the mark." This proverb highlights the importance of knowledge and careful consideration before taking action.
2.
James on Speech (James 1:19): The Epistle of James advises believers to be "quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger." This teaching encourages restraint and thoughtfulness, contrasting with the impulsiveness that characterizes rash behavior.
3.
Ecclesiastes on Vows (Ecclesiastes 5:2-5): Ecclesiastes cautions against making hasty vows to God, emphasizing that it is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it. The BSB captures this wisdom, urging believers to approach commitments with seriousness and deliberation.
Theological Implications:Rashness is often linked to a lack of trust in God's timing and provision. It reflects a reliance on human understanding rather than divine guidance. The Bible encourages believers to seek wisdom from God, who grants it generously to those who ask (
James 1:5). By exercising patience and discernment, Christians can avoid the pitfalls of rash decisions and align their actions with God's will.
Practical Application:Believers are encouraged to cultivate a spirit of patience and seek counsel from Scripture and fellow Christians before making significant decisions. Prayer and reflection are vital in discerning God's guidance, helping to prevent the negative consequences associated with rashness.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To pull off or pluck violently.
2. (v. t.) To slash; to hack; to cut; to slice.
3. (n.) A fine eruption or efflorescence on the body, with little or no elevation.
4. (n.) An inferior kind of silk, or mixture of silk and worsted.
5. (superl.) Sudden in action; quick; hasty.
6. (superl.) Requiring sudden action; pressing; urgent.
7. (superl.) Esp., overhasty in counsel or action; precipitate; resolving or entering on a project or measure without due deliberation and caution; opposed to prudent; said of persons; as, a rash statesman or commander.
8. (superl.) Uttered or undertaken with too much haste or too little reflection; as, rash words; rash measures.
9. (superl.) So dry as to fall out of the ear with handling, as corn.
10. (v. t.) To prepare with haste.
Greek
4312. propetes -- falling forward, headlong... forward, headlong. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: propetes Phonetic
Spelling: (prop-et-ace') Short Definition: impulsive,
rash, reckless Definition
...878. aphron -- without reason, foolish
... From a (as a negative particle) and phren; properly, mindless, ie Stupid, (by
implication) ignorant, (specially) egotistic, (practically)rash, or (morally...
Strong's Hebrew
4008. mibta --rash utterance... 4007, 4008. mibta. 4009 .
rash utterance. Transliteration: mibta Phonetic Spelling:
(mib-taw') Short Definition: statement.
... a
rash utterance.
...926. bahal -- to disturb, terrify
... be make affrighted afraid, amazed, dismayed,rash, thrust out,. A primitive
root; to tremble inwardly (or palpitate), ie (figuratively...
3886b. lua -- to talk wildly
... to talk wildly. Transliteration: lua or laa Short Definition:rash.... root Definition
to talk wildly NASB Word Usage beenrash (1), say rashly (1). 3886a, 3886b...
1875. darash -- to resort to, seek
... 1874, 1875. darash. 1876 . to resort to, seek. Transliteration: darash Phonetic
Spelling: (daw-rash') Short Definition: seek. Word Origin a prim....
4183. Morashti -- inhab. of Moresheth-gath
... inhab. of Moresheth-gath. Transliteration: Morashti Phonetic Spelling:
(mo-rash-tee') Short Definition: Moresheth. Word Origin from Moresheth Definition...
3886. luwa' -- to swallow, swallow down
... swallow down up A primitive root; to gulp; figuratively, to berash -- swallow
down (up). 3885b, 3886. luwa'. 3886a . Strong's Numbers.
3423. yarash -- to take possession of, inherit, dispossess
... yarash or yaresh. 3424 . to take possession of, inherit, dispossess. Transliteration:
yarash or yaresh Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-rash') Short Definition: possess...
6567. parash -- to make distinct, declare
... 6566, 6567. parash. 6567a . to make distinct, declare. Transliteration: parash
Phonetic Spelling: (paw-rash') Short Definition: scatter....
1644. garash -- to drive out, cast out
... 1643, 1644. garash. 1645 . to drive out, cast out. Transliteration: garash
Phonetic Spelling: (gaw-rash') Short Definition: drive. Word Origin a prim....
4116. mahar -- to hasten
... adverbially, promptly -- be carried headlong, fearful, (cause to make, in, make)
haste(-n, -ily), (be) hasty, (fetch, make ready) X quickly,rash, X shortly...
Library
ARash Vow
... ARASH VOW. 'Jesus answered him, Wilt them lay down thy life for My sake?
Verily, verily I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow...
TheRash Builder
... XIII to XXIV THERASH BUILDER.... And then He illustrates the law by these two expanded
similes or condensed parables, of therash builder and therash soldier....
Rash Decisions.
... XLI.RASH DECISIONS. 4th Sunday after Trinity. S. Luke 6:37. "Judge not"condemn
not"forgive.". INTRODUCTION."Our Lord here condemns allrash judgments....
Christ RepressingRash Discipleship
... ST. MATTHEW Chaps. I to VIII CHRIST REPRESSINGRASH DISCIPLESHIP. 'And a certain
scribe came, and said unto Him, Master, I will follow...
On AvoidingRash Judgment
... THE FIRST BOOK. ADMONITIONS PROFITABLE FOR THE SPIRITUAL LIFE CHAPTER XIV
On avoidingrash judgment. Look well unto thyself, and...
The Fourteenth Chapter: AvoidingRash Judgment
... BOOK ONE. THOUGHTS HELPFUL IN THE LIFE OF THE SOUL The Fourteenth Chapter:
AvoidingRash Judgment. TURN your attention upon yourself...
AgainstRash and Vain Swearing.
... AGAINSTRASH AND VAIN SWEARING. "But above all things, my brethren, swear not."
James 5:12. Among other precepts of good life (directing...
Writing iv. Nor Indeed is this Incapable of Proof, Neither is it a...
... Writing IV. Nor indeed is this incapable of proof, neither is it arash conjecture.?
Nor indeed is this incapable of proof, neither is it arash conjecture....
Although Certain as to the Number of the Name of Antichrist, yet...
... Against Heresies: Book V Chapter XXX."Although certain as to the number of the name
of Antichrist, yet we should come to norash conclusions as to the name...
To what an Extent the Christian Truth Has Been Assailed byRash...
... the divine institutes Book V. Of Justice. Chap. II."To What an Extent the
Christian Truth Has Been Assailed byRash Men. Therefore...
Thesaurus
Rash (18 Occurrences)... precipitate; resolving or entering on a project or measure without due deliberation
and caution; opposed to prudent; said of persons; as, a
rash statesman or
...Utterance (21 Occurrences)
... Numbers 30:6 "If she is married to a husband, while her vows are on her, or the
rash utterance of her lips, with which she has bound her soul, (WEB JPS ASV YLT...
Obligates (4 Occurrences)
... Numbers 30:6 "If she is married to a husband, while her vows are on her, or the
rash utterance of her lips, with which she has bound her soul, (See NIV)....
Impetuous (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Impulsive;rash; passionate; vehement
in feeling; violent; as, a man of impetuous temper. 2. (a...
Rashly (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (adv.) In arash manner; with precipitation.
Multi-Version Concordance Rashly (6 Occurrences). Acts 19:36...
Rosh (5 Occurrences)
... probability Fried. Delitzsch's identification of Rosh with the mat Rasi, "land
ofRash" of the Assyrian inscriptions, is the best. Sargon...
Mizpah (42 Occurrences)
... national danger. Here he made hisrash vow; and here his daughter submitted
to her mysterious fate (Judges 10:17; 11:11, 34). It...
Presumptuous (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Making too many assumptions; overconfident or venturesome; audacious;rash;
taking liberties unduly; arrogant; insolent; as, a presumptuous commander...
Parable (52 Occurrences)
... the Good Samaritan, the Friend at Midnight, the Rich Fool, the Watchful Servants,
the Barren Fig Tree, the Chief Seats, the Great Supper, theRash Builder, the...
Vows (38 Occurrences)
... Numbers 30:6 "If she is married to a husband, while her vows are on her, or the
rash utterance of her lips, with which she has bound her soul, (WEB JPS ASV YLT...
Resources
What does the Bible say about keeping your vows / oaths? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Abigail in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the story of the ten lepers in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgRash: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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