In biblical terminology, the concept of "slacked" often relates to the idea of easing, loosening, or diminishing in intensity or effort. This term can be applied in various contexts within Scripture, including the easing of labor, the diminishing of wrath, or the relaxation of diligence.

Old Testament Context

1. Labor and Burden: In the context of labor, "slacked" can refer to the easing of burdens or the reduction of work. For instance, in the narrative of the Israelites' bondage in Egypt, the taskmasters were instructed not to slacken the Israelites' labor despite their increasing burdens (Exodus 5:8). This highlights the harshness of their oppression and the refusal to ease their suffering.

2. Divine Wrath: The concept of slackness is also relevant in discussions of divine wrath and judgment. In the prophetic literature, there is often a call for repentance to prevent the outpouring of God's wrath. The idea is that God's anger can be "slacked" or diminished through genuine repentance and turning back to Him. This is seen in the warnings and calls for repentance throughout the books of the prophets.

3. Diligence and Zeal: Proverbs and other wisdom literature emphasize the importance of not slackening in diligence and zeal. Proverbs 18:9 states, "Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys." This underscores the value placed on hard work and the dangers of laziness or complacency.

New Testament Context

1. Spiritual Vigilance: In the New Testament, the concept of being "slacked" can be applied to spiritual vigilance and readiness. Believers are encouraged to remain diligent in their faith and not to slack in their spiritual duties. This is particularly evident in the parables of Jesus, such as the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13), where the wise virgins are prepared and vigilant, while the foolish ones are slack in their preparations.

2. Perseverance in Faith: The epistles often exhort believers to persevere and not to grow weary or slack in doing good. Galatians 6:9 encourages, "Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." This call to perseverance is a reminder of the importance of steadfastness in the Christian walk.

3. Divine Patience: The New Testament also speaks to the patience of God, who is not "slack" concerning His promises. 2 Peter 3:9 states, "The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." Here, the term "slack" is used to describe God's deliberate patience and mercy, allowing time for repentance.

Theological Implications

The concept of being "slacked" carries significant theological implications. It serves as a reminder of the importance of diligence in both physical and spiritual matters. The Bible consistently warns against the dangers of complacency and encourages believers to remain steadfast in their faith and duties. Additionally, the notion of God's patience and mercy, as opposed to slackness, highlights His desire for all to come to repentance and the fulfillment of His promises in His perfect timing.(imp. & p. p.) of Slacken.6313. pug -- to grow numb
... cease, be feeble, faint, be slacked. A primitive root; to be sluggish -- cease,
be feeble, faint, be slacked. 6312, 6313. pug. 6314 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/6313.htm - 5k

7875. sid -- lime, whitewash
... lime, plaster. From siyd; lime (as boiling when slacked) -- lime, plaister. see
HEBREW siyd. 7874, 7875. sid. 7876 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/7875.htm - 6k

Habakkuk-On his Watch-Tower
... God's chosen and covenant people had despised and forsaken God. The law of God
was "slacked," till the land was full of all unrighteousness. ...
/.../whyte/lord teach us to pray/ix habakkuk-on his watch-tower.htm

Habakkuk's Rhapsody of the Chaldeans
... Therefore the law is slacked, and judgement doth never go forth: for the wicked
doth compass about the righteous; therefore judgement goeth forth perverted. ...
/.../habakkuks rhapsody of the chaldeans.htm

"Love was Our Lord's Meaning"
... Lord's meaning. And I saw full surely that ere God made us He loved us;
which love was never slacked, nor ever shall be. And in ...
/.../julian/revelations of divine love/chapter lxxxvi love was our.htm

Manasseh and Josiah
... Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth
compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth." Habakkuk ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 32 manasseh and josiah.htm

How Christ is to be Made Use Of, in Reference to the Killing and ...
... If their girdle of truth be slacked, loosed, or weakened, and they be meeting with
temptations anent their hypocrisy, and Satan objecting to them their double ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter vi how christ is.htm

A Sight of the Crowned Christ
... Has that momentum of movement toward increasing smokiness slacked? Is the waiting
time nearly run out? The present is a momentous time. ...
/.../quiet talks on the crowned christ of revelation/iii a sight of the crowned.htm

Introduction to Oration ii.
... Judgment has been given against me, and the judge is a spoiler. Therefore
the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth. ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/introduction to oration ii.htm

Slacked (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Slacken. Multi-Version Concordance
Slacked (2 Occurrences). Psalms 77:2 In the day of my ...
/s/slacked.htm - 7k

Slacken (1 Occurrence)

/s/slacken.htm - 7k

Slack (19 Occurrences)

/s/slack.htm - 12k

Uplifted (26 Occurrences)
... (DBY NAS RSV). Psalms 77:2 In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: My hand was
stretched out in the night, and slacked not; My soul refused to be comforted. ...
/u/uplifted.htm - 14k

Lime (4 Occurrences)
... It develops great heat when treated with water, forming slacked lime, and is
an essential ingredient of cement, plastering, mortar, etc. ...
/l/lime.htm - 11k

Refuseth (22 Occurrences)
... Psalms 77:2 In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: My hand was stretched out
in the night, and slacked not; My soul refused to be comforted. (See JPS). ...
/r/refuseth.htm - 13k

Beset (16 Occurrences)
... Habakkuk 1:4 Therefore the law is slacked, and justice doth never go forth; for
the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore justice goeth forth ...
/b/beset.htm - 12k

Ceasing (15 Occurrences)
... Psalms 77:2 In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: My hand was stretched out
in the night, and slacked not; My soul refused to be comforted. (See JPS). ...
/c/ceasing.htm - 10k

Sore (156 Occurrences)
... means the "outstretched hand," hence, the Revised Version (British and American)
renders the text: "My hand was stretched out in the night and slacked not." In ...
/s/sore.htm - 40k

Streameth (1 Occurrence)
... Psalms 77:2 In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: My hand was stretched out
in the night, and slacked not; My soul refused to be comforted. (See JPS). ...
/s/streameth.htm - 6k

Slacked: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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