Topical Encyclopedia
The term "slightly" is not frequently encountered in the Bible, yet its implications can be discerned through various scriptural contexts that address themes of superficiality, insincerity, or inadequate attention to spiritual matters. In the Berean Standard Bible, the concept of doing something "slightly" can be understood as performing an action with insufficient seriousness or depth, often leading to incomplete or ineffective outcomes.
Superficial Healing and ProphecyOne of the most illustrative uses of the concept akin to "slightly" is found in the prophetic books, where the prophets criticize the leaders and false prophets of Israel for their superficial treatment of the people's spiritual ailments. In
Jeremiah 6:14 , the prophet declares, "They have dressed the wound of My people with very little care, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace." This passage highlights the danger of addressing deep-seated issues with inadequate solutions, akin to treating a serious wound with a mere bandage. The leaders' failure to address the root causes of the people's spiritual and moral decay is a recurring theme in the prophetic literature.
Inadequate RepentanceThe notion of doing something "slightly" can also be applied to the concept of repentance. Genuine repentance in the biblical sense requires a heartfelt turning away from sin and a sincere commitment to follow God's commandments. However, there are instances where individuals or groups exhibit a form of repentance that is superficial or insincere. In the book of Hosea, God laments the fleeting and insubstantial nature of Israel's devotion: "For your loyalty is like a morning mist, like the early dew that vanishes" (
Hosea 6:4). This imagery conveys the idea of a commitment that is temporary and lacking in depth, akin to a slight or superficial change.
Spiritual SuperficialityThe New Testament also addresses the issue of spiritual superficiality, particularly in the teachings of Jesus. In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus describes the seed that falls on rocky ground, which represents those who receive the word with joy but have no root and quickly fall away when trouble arises (
Matthew 13:20-21). This parable underscores the importance of a deep and enduring faith, as opposed to a shallow or slight engagement with the gospel.
Warnings Against ComplacencyThe epistles further caution against a complacent or superficial approach to faith. In the book of Revelation, the church in Laodicea is admonished for being lukewarm, neither hot nor cold (
Revelation 3:15-16). This rebuke serves as a warning against a faith that is half-hearted or slight, urging believers to pursue a fervent and committed relationship with Christ.
In summary, while the term "slightly" may not appear explicitly in the biblical text, its thematic presence is evident in the warnings against superficiality, insincerity, and inadequate attention to spiritual matters. The biblical narrative consistently calls for a deep, genuine, and wholehearted commitment to God and His commandments.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
adv.) In a slight manner.
2. (adv.) Slightingly; negligently.
Greek
3357. metrios -- moderately... a little. Adverb from a derivative of metron; moderately, ie
Slightly -- a little.
see GREEK metron. (metrios) -- 1 Occurrence. 3356, 3357. metrios. 3358 .
...2269b. hesson -- inferior, less
... Word Origin cptv. from eka (slightly, a little) Definition inferior, less NASB Word
Usage less (1), worse (1). 2269a, 2269b. hesson. 2270 . Strong's Numbers
1041. bomos -- a platform, an altar
... Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: bomos Phonetic Spelling: (bo'-mos) Short
Definition: an altar Definition: an altar, platform; aslightly-elevated spot...
5530. chraomai -- to use, make use of
... Middle voice of a primary verb (perhaps rather from cheir, to handle); to furnish
what is needed; (give an oracle, "graze" (touchslightly), light upon, etc...
2276. hetton -- less, worse.
... less, worse. Neuter of comparative of heka (slightly) used for that of kakos; worse
(as noun); by implication, less (as adverb) -- less, worse. see GREEK kakos....
Library
The Larger Part of Womankind, However, have had to Fight for...
... Chapter 19 The larger part of womankind, however, have had to fight for
thingsslightly more intoxicating? The larger part of...
Argument: the Weapon that C??cilius hadSlightly Brandished...
... Chapter XXVI."Argument: The Weapon that C??cilius HadSlightly Brandished Against
Him, Taken from the Auspices and Auguries of Birds, Octavius Retorts by...
Some Things Here Hard and TooSlightly Treated, and Apparently not...
... Chapter IV."Some Things Here Hard and TooSlightly Treated, and Apparently Not
Sufficiently Brought Out According to the Rule of Theology....
Why the Righteousness which is of the Law is ValuedSlightly by...
... Book III. Chapter 20."Why the Righteousness Which is of the Law is Valued
Slightly by Paul. Therefore the blessed Paul casts away...
Physical Characteristics.
... His complexion was ruddy, his hair neither thick nor crisp curling, his beard scanty
and not growing in many places, his noseslightly hooked, and his eyes...
The Minute Prescriptions of the Law Meant to Keep the People...
... [2930] Isaiah 58:7,slightly changed from the second to the third person. [2931]
Psalm 34:13, 14.... [2937] Psalm 24:4, 5. He hasslightly misquoted the passage....
Whitefield -- the Method of Grace
... THE METHOD OF GRACE. They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people
slightly, saying, Peace, peace, when there is no peace."Jeremiah 6. 14....
The Third Commandment
... or taken in vain. We take God's name in vain: [1] When we speakslightly
and irreverently of his name. That thou mayest fear this...
Preface.
... To his homilies we owe most of his exegetical labors. The homilies were delivered
extempore, taken down by scribes andslightly revised by Augustin....
The Method of Grace
... The Method of Grace. Jeremiah 6:14 " "They have healed also the hurt of the daughter
of my peopleslightly, saying, Peace, peace, when there is no peace....
Thesaurus
Slightly (2 Occurrences)...Slightly (2 Occurrences). Jeremiah 6:14 They have healed also the hurt of my
people
slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.
...Lightly (31 Occurrences)
... 3. (adv.) Without deep impression. 4. (adv.) In a small degree;slightly; not severely.
5. (adv.) With little effort or difficulty; easily; readily....
Lime (4 Occurrences)
... var. acida which is intensely sour, and the sweet lime (C. Medica, var.
Limetta) which is onlyslightly sour. 4. (n.) Birdlime....
Roving (4 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The operation of forming the rove, orslightly twisted sliver or roll of
wool or cotton, by means of a machine for the purpose, called a roving frame...
Slime (6 Occurrences)
Version
... It is believed that it belongs to the fifth century, and perhaps aslightly earlier
period of it than the manuscript A. The fourth, D, or the manuscript of Beza...
Zoheleth (1 Occurrence)
... He was afterwards pardoned. Zoheleth projects into orslightly over-hangs the
Kidron valley. It is now called ez-Zehwell or Zahweileh. Int....
Zilpah (7 Occurrences)
... 29:24; Genesis 30:9). In Ezekiel 48 the Zilpah tribes have the 5th division toward
the South of Palestine and the 6th to the North, aslightly more favorable...
Kidron (11 Occurrences)
... From this point it narrows and deepens gradually, bendingslightly West of South,
and, after receiving the Tyropoeon valley, joins a little farther Southwest...
Nakedness (50 Occurrences)
... Aslightly different euphemistic usage is that of Leviticus 18:19, which in Ezekiel
16:36, 37 is played off against the literal sense (compare Ezekiel 22:10...
Resources
What does Jesus mean when He says, “Verily, verily” or “Truly, truly,” in the gospels? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the best evidence/argument for intelligent design? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is absolute reality? | GotQuestions.orgSlightly: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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