Topical Encyclopedia
The term "vehement" is used in the Bible to describe intense, passionate, or forceful emotions and actions. It is often associated with fervent expressions of love, anger, or zeal. The word itself is derived from Latin roots meaning "to carry" or "to convey," suggesting a forceful conveyance of emotion or action.
Biblical Usage and ContextIn the Scriptures, "vehement" is used to describe both positive and negative expressions of intensity. It is important to understand the context in which this term is used to fully grasp its implications.
1.
Vehement Love and Zeal: The Bible often speaks of a fervent love for God and His commandments. This kind of love is not passive but is characterized by a deep, abiding passion and commitment. In
2 Corinthians 7:11 , Paul speaks of the Corinthians' earnestness and zeal in their repentance: "Consider what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what zeal, what vindication! In every way you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter."
2.
Vehement Anger and Wrath: The Bible also uses "vehement" to describe intense anger or wrath, often in the context of divine judgment or human conflict. In
Mark 14:71 , Peter's vehement denial of Jesus is recorded: "But he began to curse and swear, 'I do not know this man you are talking about!'"
3.
Vehement Wind and Storms: The natural world is sometimes described with this term to convey the power and intensity of God's creation. In
Jonah 1:4 , a great storm is described: "Then the LORD hurled a great wind upon the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship was in danger of breaking apart."
Theological ImplicationsThe use of "vehement" in the Bible underscores the depth and intensity of human emotions and divine actions. It serves as a reminder of the passionate nature of God's love and justice, as well as the fervency expected in the believer's life. The intensity of God's love is mirrored in the call for believers to love Him with all their heart, soul, and strength (
Deuteronomy 6:5).
Practical ApplicationUnderstanding the concept of vehemence in the Bible encourages believers to examine the intensity of their own faith and devotion. It challenges Christians to pursue a fervent relationship with God, characterized by passionate worship, zealous service, and earnest repentance. At the same time, it warns against the dangers of unchecked anger and the destructive power of vehement emotions when not aligned with God's will.
In summary, "vehement" in the biblical context highlights the profound intensity of emotions and actions, whether in love, anger, or natural phenomena, and calls believers to a life of passionate devotion and righteous zeal.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Very ardent; very eager or urgent; very fervent; passionate; as, a vehement affection or passion.
2. (a.) Acting with great force; furious; violent; impetuous; forcible; mighty; as, vehement wind; a vehement torrent; a vehement fire or heat.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
VEHEMENT, VEHEMENTLYve'-he-ment, ve'-he-ment-li (charishi; epipothesis): "Vehement" (from Latin vehere, "to carry," or ve, "out of," and mens, "mind"), carried away by the mind or force of passion, occurs twice in the Old Testament (Songs 8:6, the King James Version "a most vehement flame" (jealousy)) as the translation of shalhebheth-yah, "the flame of Yah," which perhaps means lightning (the Revised Version (British and American) "a very flame of Yahweh," margin "a most vehement flame, Hebrew: Yah"); and as the translation of the King James Version charishi, "silent," "still," hence "sultry" (Jonah 4:8, the King James Version "a vehement east wind," the Revised Version (British and American) "sultry"). In the New Testament, "vehement desire" is (the King James Version) the translation of epipothesis, "earnest desire" (2 Corinthians 7:11, the Revised Version (British and American) "longing").
"Vehemently" is the translation of deinos, "greatly" (Luke 11:53); of ek perissou or ekperissos, "beyond measure" (Mark 14:31, "He spake exceeding vehemently"); of eutonos, "intensely" (Luke 23:10); and in the King James Version of prosrhegnumi, "to break" or "dash upon" (Luke 6:48, 49, the Revised Version (British and American) "break").
W. L. Walker
Greek
4053. perissos -- abundant... as noun) preeminence -- exceeding abundantly above, more abundantly, advantage,
exceedingly, very highly, beyond measure, more, superfluous,
vehement(-ly).
...4970. sphodra -- very much
... a !". [4970 ("exceedingly") is "properly the of ('vehement, violent') and
means ', ,' and is placed after adjectives" (J. Thayer).]....
2478. ischuros -- strong, mighty
... is-khoo-ros') Short Definition: strong, mighty, powerful Definition: strong (originally
and generally of physical strength); mighty, powerful,vehement, sure....
1972. epipothesis -- longing
... earnest desire. From epipotheo; a longing for -- earnest (vehement) desire. see
GREEK epipotheo. (epipothesin) -- 2 Occurrences. 1971, 1972....
Strong's Hebrew
2759. charishi -- perhaps sultry...vehement. From charash in the sense of silence; quiet, ie Sultry (as feminine noun,
the sirocco or hot east wind) --
vehement. see HEBREW charash. 2758, 2759
...5794. az -- strong, mighty, fierce
... fierce, greedy, mighty, power, roughly, strong. From azaz; strong,vehement, harsh --
fierce, + greedy, mighty, power, roughly, strong. see HEBREW azaz....
4834. marats -- to be sick
... A primitive root; properly, to press, ie (figuratively) to be pungent orvehement;
to irritate -- embolden, be forcible, grievous, sore. 4833, 4834....
3050. Yah -- the name of the God of Israel
... Jah, the Lord. Contraction for Yhovah, and meaning the same; Jah, the sacred name --
Jah, the Lord, mostvehement. Compare names in "-iah," "- jah."....
Library
Of Fervent Love andVehement Desire of Receiving Christ
... THE FOURTH BOOK. OF THE SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR CHAPTER XVII Of fervent love and
vehement desire of receiving Christ. The Voice of the Disciple...
If Frequent andVehement Applause Follows a Speaker...
... Book 4 Chapter 53. If frequent andvehement applause follows a speaker?
53. If frequent andvehement applause follows a speaker...
Treats of How God Inspires the Soul with SuchVehement and...
... THE SIXTH MANSIONS CHAPTER XI. TREATS OF HOW GOD INSPIRES THE SOUL WITH SUCHVEHEMENT
AND IMPETUOUS DESIRES OF SEEING HIM AS TO ENDANGER LIFE....
Then Hades, Receiving Prince Satan, Said to Him, withVehement...
... Part II."Christ's Descent into Hell. Latin. First Version. Chapter 7 (23). Then
Hades, receiving Prince Satan, said to him, withvehement revilings?...
On the Other Hand, I Find in Myself aVehement Impulse to Turn...
... [Way-1-3] On the other hand, I find in myself avehement impulse to turn
preacher amongst? On the other hand, I find in myself...
Rapid Promotion of John to the Bishopric, and MoreVehement...
... Book VIII. Chapter III."Rapid Promotion of John to the Bishopric, and more
Vehement Grappling with its Affairs. He re-establishes...
Whether Continence is Better than Temperance?
... is not crowned, except he strive lawfully," and the continent man, since he is subject
tovehement evil desires, strives more than the temperate man, in whom...
Now Suppose that While You were Writing This, as You Tell us You...
... of Rome as you call it, you will then stir up against him as you complain that they
now do by your letters of admonition, yourvehement attestations, and...
John xiii. 1
... 1976] That He washed some one other before him is clear from its saying, "But when
He came [1977] to Peter." Yet the Evangelist is not avehement accuser, [1978...
1 Cor. xi. 17
... because that was unusually harsh he interposes the discourse about wearing of long
hair, that he might not have to pass from one set ofvehement reproofs to...
Thesaurus
Vehement (10 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Very ardent; very eager or urgent; very
fervent; passionate; as, a
vehement affection or passion.
...Vehemently (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (adv.) In avehement manner. Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia.VEHEMENT, VEHEMENTLY. ve'-he-ment, ve'-he...
Transport (18 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To carry away withvehement emotion, as joy, sorrow, complacency, anger,
etc.; to ravish with pleasure or ecstasy; as, music transports the soul....
Vegetation (18 Occurrences)
Violent (151 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Moving or acting with physical strength; urged or impelled with force; excited
by strong feeling or passion; forcible;vehement; impetuous; fierce...
Keen (3 Occurrences)
... 5. (superl.) Eager;vehement; fierce; as, a keen appetite. 6. (vt) To sharpen; to
make cold. 7. (n.) A prolonged wail for a deceased person. Cf. Coranach....
Numerous (88 Occurrences)
... Luke 11:53 After He had left the house, the Scribes and Pharisees commenced avehement
attempt to entangle Him and make Him give off-hand answers on numerous...
Off-hand (1 Occurrence)
... Luke 11:53 After He had left the house, the Scribes and Pharisees commenced avehement
attempt to entangle Him and make Him give off-hand answers on numerous...
Outcry (56 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Avehement or loud cry; a cry of distress, alarm,
opposition, or detestation; clamor. 2. (n.) Sale at public auction....
Resources
The Haters: The Church of Christ | GotQuestions.orgWhat is Westboro Baptist Church? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of shigionoth in Habakkuk? | GotQuestions.orgVehement: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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