In biblical terminology, the concept of "soften" often relates to the condition of the heart, particularly in its responsiveness to God's will and commandments. The term is frequently used metaphorically to describe a transformation from a state of hardness or stubbornness to one of receptivity and obedience.

Biblical Context

1. Heart Condition: The Bible often contrasts a "hard heart" with a "soft heart." A hard heart is resistant to God's word and is often associated with sin and rebellion. In contrast, a soft heart is open, teachable, and responsive to God's guidance. Ezekiel 36:26 illustrates this transformation: "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."

2. Divine Influence: The softening of the heart is frequently depicted as an act of divine intervention. God is portrayed as the one who can change the heart's condition, making it receptive to His will. In Exodus 4:21 , God tells Moses, "But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go," indicating that God has the power to influence the heart's state, whether to harden or soften it.

3. Repentance and Obedience: A softened heart is often linked to repentance and a willingness to obey God's commandments. In Hebrews 3:15 , believers are admonished, "Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion." This passage underscores the importance of maintaining a heart that is responsive to God's voice.

4. Prayer and Supplication: The process of softening one's heart can also be facilitated through prayer and supplication. In Psalm 51:10 , David prays, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." This plea reflects the desire for a heart that is pure and aligned with God's purposes.

5. Interpersonal Relationships: The concept of softening is not limited to one's relationship with God but extends to interactions with others. Ephesians 4:32 encourages believers to "be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you." A tender or softened heart is essential for fostering forgiveness and compassion within the Christian community.

Theological Implications

The softening of the heart is a critical theme in Christian theology, emphasizing the necessity of a heart that is pliable and responsive to God's transformative work. It highlights the importance of divine grace in overcoming human stubbornness and sinfulness. The softened heart is seen as a prerequisite for genuine faith, repentance, and a life that reflects the character of Christ.

In summary, the biblical concept of "soften" encompasses the transformation of the heart from a state of resistance to one of openness and obedience to God. It is a process that involves divine intervention, personal repentance, and a commitment to living out the principles of love and forgiveness in one's relationships with others.1. (v. t.) To make soft or more soft.

2. (v. t.) To render less hard; -- said of matter.

3. (v. t.) To mollify; to make less fierce or intractable.

4. (v. t.) To palliate; to represent as less enormous; as, to soften a fault.

5. (v. t.) To compose; to mitigate; to assuage.

6. (v. t.) To make less harsh, less rude, less offensive, or less violent, or to render of an opposite quality.

7. (v. t.) To make less glaring; to tone down; as, to soften the coloring of a picture.

8. (v. t.) To make tender; to make effeminate; to enervate; as, troops softened by luxury.

9. (v. t.) To make less harsh or grating, or of a quality the opposite; as, to soften the voice.

10. (v. i.) To become soft or softened, or less rude, harsh, severe, or obdurate.

4127. mug -- to melt
... root Definition to melt NASB Word Usage disheartened (1), dissolve (2), dissolved
(2), melt (3), melted (2), melted away (4), melts (1), soften (1). ...
/hebrew/4127.htm - 6k

7401. rakak -- to be tender, weak or soft
... A primitive root; to soften (intransitively or transitively), used figuratively --
(be) faint((-hearted)), mollify, (be, make) soft(-er), be tender. ...
/hebrew/7401.htm - 6k

2203. zepheth -- pitch
... pitch From an unused root (meaning to liquify); asphalt (from its tendency to soften
in the sun) -- pitch. 2202, 2203. zepheth. 2203a . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/2203.htm - 5k

4799. marach -- to rub
... lay for a plaster. A primitive root; properly, to soften by rubbing or pressure;
hence (medicinally) to apply as an emollient -- lay for a plaister. ...
/hebrew/4799.htm - 5k

The Evil and Its Remedy
... Some men imagine that the gospel was devised, in some way or other, to soften down
the harshness of God towards sin. ... Does it not soften the punishment of sin? ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the evil and its remedy.htm

Jabneh. Jamnia.
... me into bonds, his bonds are not eternal; if he should kill me, his killing would
not be eternal: and I might perhaps pacify him with words, or soften him with ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 15 jabneh jamnia.htm

The Sword of the Lord
... with the sword. It does not soften, nor restrain, nor drive to God. The
main result is, impatient longing for its removal. The text ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the sword of the lord.htm

The Scheme of Necessity Makes God the Author of Sin.
... Most of the advocates of divine providence have endeavoured to soften their views,
so as to bring them into a conformity with the common sentiments of mankind ...
/.../a theodicy or vindication of the divine glory/chapter ii the scheme of.htm

Psalm XC.
... The word, "How long," belongs to righteousness beseeching, not indignant impatience.
"Be softened," some have rendered by a verb, "soften." But "be softened ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xc.htm

On Eutropius, the Eunuch, Patrician and Consul.
... 3. Now I say these things not by way of reproaching him, or insulting his misfortune,
but from a desire to soften your minds towards him, and to induce you to ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily i on eutropius the.htm

1 Timothy iv. 14-Nov
... is a threefold show of forwardness. By the manner and the mildness of it,
therefore, he would soften it. For it is possible to reprove ...
/.../homily xiii 1 timothy iv.htm

Death to Sin is the Way Out into a Life of Holiness.
... Spring comes: the thorn does not drop off, and it does not soften; there it is,
as uncompromising as ever; but half-way up appear two brown furry balls, mere ...
//christianbookshelf.org/trotter/parables of the cross/death to sin is the.htm

John vi. 16-18
... miracle of the loaves, as desiring not only by what took place within, but also
by the miracles which were wrought without the city, to soften its disobedience ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xliii john vi 16-18.htm

Severinus in Germany.
... things, to elevate themselves by the life of the Spirit above their present distresses,
and by spiritual joy to soften and sweeten want and destitution. ...
/.../neander/light in the dark places/severinus in germany.htm

Soften (1 Occurrence)
... 4. (vt) To palliate; to represent as less enormous; as, to soften a fault. ... 7. (vt)
To make less glaring; to tone down; as, to soften the coloring of a picture. ...
/s/soften.htm - 7k

Relent (15 Occurrences)
... 2. (vi) To become less severe or intense; to become less hard, harsh, cruel, or
the like; to soften in temper; to become more mild and tender; to feel ...
/r/relent.htm - 11k

Assuage (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (vt) To soften; to allay, mitigate, ease, or lessen pain or grief; to appease
or pacify, as passion or tumult; to satisfy, as appetite or desire. ...
/a/assuage.htm - 7k

Subdue (26 Occurrences)
... 6. (vt) To reduce to tenderness; to melt; to soften; as, to subdue ferocity by tears.
7. (vt) To make mellow; to break, as land; also, to destroy, as weeds. ...
/s/subdue.htm - 15k

Sweeten (3 Occurrences)
... friendship. 3. (v.) To make mild or kind; to soften; as, to sweeten the temper.
4 ... life. 5. (v.) To soften to the eye; to make delicate. 6 ...
/s/sweeten.htm - 7k

Soft (36 Occurrences)
... certain. (BBE). Psalms 65:10 You drench its furrows. You level its ridges.
You soften it with showers. You bless it with a crop. (Root ...
/s/soft.htm - 20k

Qualify (2 Occurrences)
... 4. (vt) Hence, to soften; to abate; to diminish; to assuage; to reduce the strength
of, as liquors. 5. (vt) To soothe; to cure; -- said of persons. ...
/q/qualify.htm - 8k

Grain (413 Occurrences)
... 16. (vt) To form (powder, sugar, etc.) into grains. 17. (vt) To take the hair off
(skins); to soften and raise the grain of (leather, etc.). 18. ...
/g/grain.htm - 39k

Inches (1 Occurrence)
... of November. They soften the parched ground so that the winter grain may
be sown before the heavy continuous rains set in. The main ...
/i/inches.htm - 12k

Furrows (8 Occurrences)
... Psalms 65:10 You drench its furrows. You level its ridges. You soften it with showers.
You bless it with a crop. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV). ...
/f/furrows.htm - 8k

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