Topical Encyclopedia
The term "relented" in the biblical context often refers to a change of mind or heart, particularly in relation to God's response to human actions or prayers. It is a concept that highlights the dynamic relationship between God and humanity, where divine judgment or intended action is altered due to intercession, repentance, or mercy.
Old Testament UsageIn the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "relented" is "נָחַם" (nacham), which can mean to be sorry, to console oneself, or to change one's mind. This term is used in various contexts to describe God's response to human behavior.
One notable instance is found in the account of Jonah and the city of Nineveh. After Jonah's warning of impending destruction, the people of Nineveh repented of their sins. In
Jonah 3:10 , it is written: "When God saw their actions—that they had turned from their evil ways—He relented of the disaster He had threatened to bring upon them." This passage illustrates God's willingness to withhold judgment in response to genuine repentance.
Another significant example is in the narrative of the golden calf in
Exodus 32. After the Israelites sinned by worshiping the calf, Moses interceded on their behalf.
Exodus 32:14 states: "So the LORD relented from the calamity He had threatened to bring on His people." Here, the intercession of Moses plays a crucial role in God's decision to relent.
Theological ImplicationsThe concept of God relenting raises important theological questions about the nature of God and His interactions with humanity. It demonstrates God's responsiveness to human actions and His desire for repentance and reconciliation. While God is sovereign and His ultimate purposes are unchanging, the biblical narrative shows that He is not indifferent to human behavior and is willing to alter His course of action in response to repentance and prayer.
This dynamic is also evident in the account of King Hezekiah. In
2 Kings 20, when Hezekiah was ill and near death, he prayed earnestly to the Lord. In response, God relented and added fifteen years to his life (
2 Kings 20:5-6).
New Testament ConsiderationsWhile the specific term "relented" is less frequently used in the New Testament, the concept is present in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. The parable of the prodigal son (
Luke 15:11-32) reflects the idea of a compassionate and forgiving God who is willing to relent and restore those who return to Him in repentance.
ConclusionThe biblical theme of God relenting underscores His mercy and compassion. It serves as a reminder of the power of repentance and intercession, and the profound truth that God is both just and merciful. Through the examples of Nineveh, Moses, and Hezekiah, Scripture reveals a God who is deeply engaged with His creation, responsive to human actions, and eager to extend grace and forgiveness.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Relent.
Strong's Hebrew
5162. nacham -- to be sorry, console oneself... 3), consolers (1), consoling (1), give rest (1), have compassion (2), moved to pity
(1), regret (1), regretted (1), relent (5),
relented (4), relenting (3
...Library
Dining with a Pharisee. Sabbath Healing and Three Lessons...
... Though silenced, the Phariseesrelented not, either as to their bigotry or their
hatred.] 7 And he spake a parable unto those that were bidden, when he marked...
Martin Rinkart
... no mercy with men, let us take refuge with God." He fell on his knees, and prayed
with such touching earnestness that the Swedish generalrelented, and lowered...
The Jewish Rebellions
... They answered that they must obey God rather than man. Petronius's heartrelented;
he left his soldiers behind and went on to try the Jews at Tiberias....
Chapter xxxii
... Jacob's first object in dealing with Esau is to conciliate him. Rebekah has not
sent for Jacob, as she was to do when Esau's wrathrelented....
Yorkshire and the Settlement System.
... "See," said a wit, "he has got wings." At last the Vicarrelented, took him
into the Vicarage, and thus saved him from an early death....
The First-Born
... Without more than ordinary concern he had watched the hand of the scourge pursue
it into ruin till what time he should relent, and he had notrelented....
Persistency in Wrong Doing.
... The Governor took it up and saw, "Dear old Friend"THE SUN IS SETTING." Then his
heartrelented, he excused himself to his guests, and ran to the house of the...
From Megiddo to Carchemish, 608-605.
... death? Did they not fear the Lord and soothe the Lord's face, and the Lord
relented of the evil He had uttered against them. Yet...
Three Afternoons Off the Track
... women standing in the shadow behind their verandah pillars, and some of them looked
as if they would like to let us in, but the street had notrelented; and a...
How Josephus was Discovered by a Woman, and was Willing to Deliver...
... Nor were there any of the Roman commanders, how much soever they had been enraged
at him before, butrelented when they came to the sight of him....
Thesaurus
Relented (9 Occurrences)...Relented (9 Occurrences).
... Didn't he fear Yahweh, and entreat the favor of Yahweh,
and Yahweh
relented of the disaster which he had pronounced against them?
...Relent (15 Occurrences)
... Didn't he fear Yahweh, and entreat the favor of Yahweh, and Yahwehrelented
of the disaster which he had pronounced against them?...
Relax (5 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 24:16 When the angel stretched out his hand toward Jerusalem to destroy
it, Yahwehrelented of the disaster, and said to the angel who destroyed the...
Araunah (14 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 24:16 When the angel stretched out his hand toward Jerusalem to destroy
it, Yahwehrelented of the disaster, and said to the angel who destroyed the...
Threshing (57 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 24:16 When the angel stretched out his hand toward Jerusalem to destroy
it, Yahwehrelented of the disaster, and said to the angel who destroyed the...
Disaster (131 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 24:16 When the angel stretched out his hand toward Jerusalem to destroy
it, Yahwehrelented of the disaster, and said to the angel who destroyed the...
Grieved (87 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 24:16 When the angel stretched out his hand toward Jerusalem to destroy
it, Yahwehrelented of the disaster, and said to the angel who destroyed the...
Jebusite (39 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 24:16 When the angel stretched out his hand toward Jerusalem to destroy
it, Yahwehrelented of the disaster, and said to the angel who destroyed the...
Floor (69 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 24:16 When the angel stretched out his hand toward Jerusalem to destroy
it, Yahwehrelented of the disaster, and said to the angel who destroyed the...
Calamity (108 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 24:16 When the angel stretched out his hand toward Jerusalem to destroy
it, Yahwehrelented of the disaster, and said to the angel who destroyed the...
Resources
Does God change His mind? | GotQuestions.orgDid Balaam's donkey really talk to him? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to stand in the gap (Ezekiel 22:30)? | GotQuestions.orgRelented: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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