Topical Bible: Fierceness

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Topical Encyclopedia

Definition and Nature:
Fierceness, in a biblical context, often refers to intense and violent aggression, wrath, or anger. It is a characteristic that can be attributed to both humans and God, though with different implications and outcomes. In humans, fierceness is typically seen as a negative trait, associated with sin and destructive behavior. In contrast, the fierceness of God is often depicted as a righteous and just response to sin and rebellion.

Biblical References:

1. Human Fierceness:
Human fierceness is frequently condemned in Scripture as it leads to violence, strife, and destruction. In Genesis 49:7, Jacob curses the fierce anger of Simeon and Levi, saying, "Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce; and their wrath, for it is cruel! I will disperse them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel." This passage highlights the destructive nature of human fierceness and its consequences.

Proverbs 27:4 warns of the dangers of human wrath and fierceness: "Wrath is cruel and anger is like a flood, but who can withstand jealousy?" Here, fierceness is likened to a flood, emphasizing its overwhelming and uncontrollable nature.

2. Divine Fierceness:
The fierceness of God is portrayed as a righteous and holy response to sin. It is an expression of His justice and holiness. In Isaiah 63:3, God declares, "I have trodden the winepress alone, and from the peoples no one was with Me. I trampled them in My anger and trod them down in My wrath; their blood spattered My garments, and I stained all My clothing." This imagery of the winepress illustrates the fierceness of God's judgment against the wicked.

Revelation 19:15 describes the return of Christ with fierce judgment: "From His mouth proceeds a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty." This passage underscores the ultimate expression of divine fierceness in the final judgment.

3. Fierceness in Prophecy:
The prophetic books often speak of the fierceness of God's wrath as a warning to nations and individuals. Jeremiah 25:37-38 states, "The peaceful meadows will become lifeless because of the LORD’s burning anger. Like a lion, He has left His lair; for their land has become a desolation because of the sword of the oppressor and because of the LORD’s fierce anger." Here, the fierceness of God is depicted as a force that brings desolation and judgment upon the land.

4. Fierceness and Redemption:
While fierceness is often associated with judgment, the Bible also presents a redemptive aspect. God's fierce anger is not arbitrary but serves a purpose in His redemptive plan. In Hosea 11:9, God expresses His reluctance to unleash His fierce anger on Israel: "I will not execute the full fury of My anger; I will not turn back to destroy Ephraim. For I am God and not man—the Holy One among you—and I will not come in wrath." This passage reveals God's mercy and His desire for repentance and restoration.

Theological Implications:
Fierceness, when attributed to humans, is a manifestation of the fallen nature and is often linked to sin and rebellion against God. It serves as a warning against allowing anger and wrath to control one's actions. In contrast, the fierceness of God is an aspect of His divine nature, reflecting His holiness and justice. It serves as a reminder of the seriousness of sin and the certainty of divine judgment, while also pointing to the hope of redemption and restoration for those who turn to Him in repentance.

Greek

2372. thumos -- passion
... fierceness, indignation, wrath. From thuo; passion (as if breathing hard) -- fierceness,
indignation, wrath. Compare psuche. see GREEK thuo. see GREEK psuche. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2372.htm - 7k

Strong's Hebrew

5807. ezuz -- strength, might, fierceness
... 5806, 5807. ezuz. 5808 . strength, might, fierceness. Transliteration: ezuz
Phonetic Spelling: (ez-ooz') Short Definition: fierceness. ...
/hebrew/5807.htm - 6k

395. akzeriyyuth -- cruelty, fierceness
... cruelty, fierceness. Transliteration: akzeriyyuth Phonetic Spelling: (ak-ze-ree-
ooth') Short Definition: fierce. ... cruel. From 'akzariy; fierceness -- cruel. ...
/hebrew/395.htm - 6k

2740. charon -- (burning of) anger
... Word Origin from charah Definition (burning of) anger NASB Word Usage burning (17),
burning anger (2), fierce (15), fierceness (3), fury (1), wrath (3). ...
/hebrew/2740.htm - 6k

7494. raash -- a quaking, shaking
... 1), tumult (2). commotion, confused noise, earthquake, fierceness, quaking,
rattling, rushing, shaking. From ra'ash; vibration, bounding ...
/hebrew/7494.htm - 6k

Library

That Even the Fierceness of War and all the Disquietude of Men ...
... Book XIX. Chapter 12."That Even the Fierceness of War and All the Disquietude of
Men Make Towards This One End of Peace, Which Every Nature Desires. ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 12 that even the fierceness.htm

The War in Heaven.
... a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them
with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon xxi the war in.htm

Reformation Lessons
... Notwithstanding the Lord turned not from the fierceness of his great wrath, wherewith
his anger was kindled against Judah, because of all the provocations that ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xxxii reformation lessons.htm

Matt. x. 16
... For He beyond all others knows the nature of things; He knows that fierceness
is not quenched by fierceness, but by gentleness. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xxxiii matt x 16.htm

The Testament of Abraham. Version I.
... Therefore the invisible God said to Death, Come hither, thou bitter and fierce name
of the world, hide thy fierceness, cover thy corruption, and cast away thy ...
/.../unknown/the testament of abraham/the testament of abraham version.htm

1 John iv. 12-Apr
... was this? The dove hath no gall: yet with beak and wings she fights for
her young; hers is a fierceness without bitterness. And ...
/.../ten homilies on the epistle of john to the parthians/homily vii 1 john iv.htm

"My Little Children, These Things Write I unto You, that Ye Sin ...
... It is not fierceness and violence can cure their fierceness, but meekness and
condescendency to follow their humours and soft dealing with them. ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xxiii my little children.htm

The Word
... the word. Contrary to this meekness is fierceness of spirit, whereby men
are ready to rise up in rage against the sword. Proud men ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/4 3 the word.htm

The Return of Christ to the Earth Itself.
... a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations: and He shall rule them
with a rod of iron; and He treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/7 the return of christ.htm

The Demoniac of Gadara
... And as we read of men who are haunted by a fearful looking for of judgment and a
fierceness of fire, so they had no hope of escape, except until "the time ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 5 1-20 the demoniac of.htm

Thesaurus

Fierceness (33 Occurrences)
...Fierceness (33 Occurrences). Hebrews 10:27 but a certain fearful expectation of
judgment, and a fierceness of fire which will devour the adversaries. ...
/f/fierceness.htm - 16k

Fierce (92 Occurrences)
... Babylon the great was remembered in the sight of God, to give to her the cup of
the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. (Root in WEB KJV WEY ASV WBS NAS). ...
/f/fierce.htm - 34k

Girdest (6 Occurrences)
... heights Thou girdest on. (YLT). Psalms 76:10 For the fierceness of man praiseth
Thee, The remnant of fierceness Thou girdest on. (YLT). ...
/g/girdest.htm - 7k

Praiseth (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Praiseth (4 Occurrences). Psalms 76:10 For the fierceness
of man praiseth Thee, The remnant of fierceness Thou girdest on. (YLT). ...
/p/praiseth.htm - 7k

Indignation (56 Occurrences)
... Psalms 69:24 Pour out your indignation on them. Let the fierceness of your anger
overtake them. ... Who can endure the fierceness of his anger? ...
/i/indignation.htm - 24k

Fiercely (8 Occurrences)

/f/fiercely.htm - 8k

Rocks (48 Occurrences)
... Yahweh turned from the fierceness of his anger. ... (See JPS). Nahum 1:6 Who can stand
before his indignation? Who can endure the fierceness of his anger? ...
/r/rocks.htm - 21k

Retribution (14 Occurrences)
... the manifestation, the blazing forth of the wrath; in the last two passages it is
used in combination with orge, and is rendered "fierceness," the fierceness...
/r/retribution.htm - 29k

Vent (8 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Job 20:23 When he is about to fill his belly, God will cast the fierceness
of his wrath on him. It will rain on him while he is eating. (See NIV). ...
/v/vent.htm - 9k

Kindleth (9 Occurrences)
... Lamentations 4:11 Completed hath Jehovah His fury, He hath poured out the fierceness
of His anger, And he kindleth a fire in Zion, And it devoureth her ...
/k/kindleth.htm - 9k

Resources

What is the “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” sermon? | GotQuestions.org

Who/what is the Lion of the tribe of Judah? | GotQuestions.org

Who is the false prophet of the end times? | GotQuestions.org

Fierceness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus

Concordance

Fierceness (33 Occurrences)

Hebrews 10:27
but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which will devour the adversaries. The Letter from James
(WEB ASV)

Revelation 16:19
The great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. Babylon the great was remembered in the sight of God, to give to her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS)

Revelation 19:15
Out of his mouth proceeds a sharp, double-edged sword, that with it he should strike the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He treads the winepress of the fierceness of the wrath of God, the Almighty.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS)

Numbers 25:4
And Jehovah saith unto Moses, 'Take all the chiefs of the people, and hang them before Jehovah -- over-against the sun; and the fierceness of the anger of Jehovah doth turn back from Israel.'
(YLT)

Deuteronomy 13:17
There shall cleave nothing of the devoted thing to your hand; that Yahweh may turn from the fierceness of his anger, and show you mercy, and have compassion on you, and multiply you, as he has sworn to your fathers;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Joshua 7:26
They raised over him a great heap of stones that remains to this day. Yahweh turned from the fierceness of his anger. Therefore the name of that place was called "The valley of Achor" to this day.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS)

1 Samuel 28:18
Because thou hast not hearkened to the voice of Jehovah, nor didst the fierceness of His anger on Amalek -- therefore this thing hath Jehovah done to thee this day;
(YLT)

2 Kings 23:26
Notwithstanding, Yahweh didn't turn from the fierceness of his great wrath, with which his anger was kindled against Judah, because of all the provocation with which Manasseh had provoked him.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

2 Chronicles 28:13
and say to them, 'Ye do not bring in the captives hither, for, to guilt against Jehovah on us, ye are saying to add unto our sin and unto our guilt? for abundant 'is' the guilt we have, and the fierceness of anger on Israel.'
(YLT)

2 Chronicles 29:10
Now -- with my heart -- to make a covenant before Jehovah, God of Israel, and the fierceness of His anger doth turn back from us.
(YLT)

2 Chronicles 30:8
Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves unto the LORD, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever: and serve the LORD your God, that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you.
(KJV DBY WBS YLT)

Nehemiah 13:18
Thus did not your fathers do? and our God bringeth in on us all this evil, and on this city, and ye are adding fierceness on Israel, to pollute the sabbath.'
(YLT)

Job 20:23
When he is about to fill his belly, God will cast the fierceness of his wrath on him. It will rain on him while he is eating.
(WEB JPS ASV YLT)

Job 39:19
Hast thou given the horse his might? Hast thou clothed his neck with the quivering mane?
(See JPS)

Job 39:24
He eats up the ground with fierceness and rage, neither does he stand still at the sound of the trumpet.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS RSV)

Psalms 69:24
Pour out your indignation on them. Let the fierceness of your anger overtake them.
(WEB JPS ASV DBY YLT)

Psalms 76:10
For the fierceness of man praiseth Thee, The remnant of fierceness Thou girdest on.
(YLT)

Psalms 78:49
He threw on them the fierceness of his anger, wrath, indignation, and trouble, and a band of angels of evil.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS)

Psalms 85:3
You have taken away all your wrath. You have turned from the fierceness of your anger.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT)

Isaiah 7:4
and thou hast said unto him: 'Take heed, and be quiet, fear not, And let not thy heart be timid, Because of these two tails of smoking brands, For the fierceness of the anger of Rezin and Aram, And the son of Remaliah.
(YLT)

Isaiah 9:5
For all the armor of the armed man in the tumult, and the garments rolled in blood, shall be for burning, for fuel of fire.
(See JPS)

Isaiah 42:25
Therefore he poured the fierceness of his anger on him, and the strength of battle; and it set him on fire all around, but he didn't know; and it burned him, but he didn't take it to heart."
(WEB ASV NAS)

Isaiah 66:15
For, behold, Yahweh will come with fire, and his chariots shall be like the whirlwind; to render his anger with fierceness, and his rebuke with flames of fire.
(WEB ASV)

Jeremiah 4:26
I have looked, and lo, The fruitful place 'is' a wilderness, And all its cities have been broken down, Because of Jehovah, Because of the fierceness of His anger.
(YLT)

Jeremiah 12:13
They sowed wheat, and have thorns reaped, They have become sick -- they profit not, And they have been ashamed of your increases, Because of the fierceness of the anger of Jehovah.
(YLT)

Jeremiah 25:37
And the peaceable habitations have been cut down, Because of the fierceness of the anger of Jehovah.
(YLT)

Jeremiah 25:38
He has left his covert, as the lion; for their land is become an astonishment because of the fierceness of the oppressing sword, and because of his fierce anger.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS)

Jeremiah 30:24
The fierceness of the anger of Jehovah Doth not turn back till His doing, Yea, till His establishing the devices of His heart, In the latter end of the days we consider it!
(YLT)

Jeremiah 51:45
Go forth from its midst, O My people, And deliver ye, each his soul, Because of the fierceness of the anger of Jehovah,
(YLT)

Lamentations 1:12
Is it' nothing to you, all ye passing by the way? Look attentively, and see, If there is any pain like my pain, That He is rolling to me? Whom Jehovah hath afflicted In the day of the fierceness of His anger.
(YLT)

Lamentations 4:11
Completed hath Jehovah His fury, He hath poured out the fierceness of His anger, And he kindleth a fire in Zion, And it devoureth her foundations.
(YLT)

Hosea 11:9
I will not execute the fierceness of my anger. I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of you; and I will not come in wrath.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT)

Nahum 1:6
Who can stand before his indignation? Who can endure the fierceness of his anger? His wrath is poured out like fire, and the rocks are broken apart by him.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS)

Subtopics

Fierceness

Related Terms

Fierceness (33 Occurrences)

Nehemiah (9 Occurrences)

Fiercest (1 Occurrence)

Responded (35 Occurrences)

Pilate (60 Occurrences)

Pontius (4 Occurrences)

Scorn (65 Occurrences)

Claim (30 Occurrences)

Contempt (55 Occurrences)