Softer
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The term "softer" does not appear explicitly in the Bible; however, the concept of softness, particularly in terms of character and demeanor, is addressed in various passages. In biblical terms, softness can be associated with gentleness, humility, and a tender heart, qualities that are esteemed in the Scriptures.

Gentleness and Humility

Gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit, as outlined in Galatians 5:22-23 : "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." This passage highlights the importance of a gentle spirit as a characteristic of a life led by the Holy Spirit. Gentleness is often linked with humility, as seen in Ephesians 4:2 : "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." Here, believers are encouraged to adopt a demeanor that reflects Christ's own humility and gentleness.

A Tender Heart

A tender heart is another aspect of being "softer" in biblical terms. This is seen in the call to compassion and kindness. In Colossians 3:12 , Paul writes, "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience." A tender heart is open to the needs of others and responsive to God's guidance.

The Example of Jesus

Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of gentleness and humility. In Matthew 11:29 , Jesus invites His followers to learn from Him, saying, "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Jesus' life and ministry exemplified a perfect balance of strength and softness, demonstrating that true power is often expressed through gentleness and love.

Softness in Speech

The Bible also addresses the importance of softness in speech. Proverbs 15:1 states, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." This proverb underscores the power of gentle words to diffuse tension and promote peace. Similarly, Colossians 4:6 advises, "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."

Contrasting Hardness of Heart

In contrast to a soft heart, the Bible warns against hardness of heart, which is often associated with stubbornness and resistance to God's will. Hebrews 3:15 cautions, "As it has been said: 'Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.'" A hardened heart is closed off to God's influence and is often linked with disobedience and unbelief.

In summary, while the term "softer" is not directly used in the Bible, the qualities it represents—gentleness, humility, and a tender heart—are highly valued in Scripture. These attributes are seen as reflections of a Christ-like character and are essential for living a life that honors God and serves others.
Strong's Hebrew
7401. rakak -- to be tender, weak or soft
... root Definition to be tender, weak or soft NASB Word Usage faint (1), fainthearted*
(3), grow faint (1), softened (1), softer (1), tender (2). ...
/hebrew/7401.htm - 6k
Library

But, if it Does not Weary You, Let the Point Out as Briefly as ...
... heel against Me:" and in another place; "My friends and My neighbours drew near
and set themselves against Me:" and again; "His words were made softer than oil ...
/.../20 but if it does.htm

A Compendious view of the Christian Life.
... Chapter XI."A Compendious View of the Christian Life. Wherefore the wearing of gold
and the use of softer clothing is not to be entirely prohibited. ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter xi a compendious view of.htm

To those who had not Attended the Assembly.
... truth. For "a perpetual dropping of water" it says, "wears a rock," yet
what is softer than water? and what is harder than a rock? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chrysostom/on the priesthood/to those who had not.htm

Offenses
... out devils in that name, and had forbidden him, "because he followeth not us." The
spirit of partisanship which these words betray is somewhat softer in St. ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 9 38-50 offenses.htm

Justification by Faith --Illustrated by Abram's Righteousness
... A merely religious faith may be the choice of men whose heads are softer than their
hearts, fitter for cloisters than markets; but the manly faith which God ...
/.../justification by faithillustrated by abrams.htm

The Betrayal
... The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his
words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords." Even an obscure ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/the betrayal.htm

1875-1877. Mrs. Way's Sewing --Class for Jewesses --Bible Flower ...
... floor of a room filled with noisy children, and disorderly men and women; to other
sufferers tossing feverishly in hospital wards, with nothing softer for the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lowe/gods answers/chapter vi 1875-1877 mrs ways.htm

Enduring to the End
... While he is yet in his youth, there are multitudes of the softer temptations to
turn the head and trip the feet of the youthful herald of the cross; and when ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/enduring to the end.htm

The Note of Accusation.
... of the history of preaching will reveal to us that all the great preachers have
been examples of faithfulness concerning, not only the softer, but also the ...
/.../jackson/the message and the man/chapter i the note of.htm

Of the Parts of Man: the Eyes and Ears.
... But He designed that which might be between these, that a softer cartilage might
bind them, and that they might have at once a befitting and flexible firmness. ...
/.../lactantius/on the workmanship of god/chap viii of the parts of.htm

Thesaurus
Softer (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Softer (1 Occurrence). ... His words were softer than oil,
yet they were drawn swords. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). ...
/s/softer.htm - 6k

Tender (66 Occurrences)
... 11. (superl.) Physically weak; not hardly or able to endure hardship; immature;
effeminate. 12. (superl.) Susceptible of the softer passions, as love ...
/t/tender.htm - 33k

Softly (10 Occurrences)

/s/softly.htm - 9k

Keen-edged (2 Occurrences)
... Keen-edged (2 Occurrences). Psalms 55:21 His mouth was smooth as butter, But his
heart was war: His words were softer than oil, Yet were they drawn swords. ...
/k/keen-edged.htm - 6k

Flax (11 Occurrences)
... The tough fibers of the latter, after the decay and removal of the softer woody
and gummy material, make up the crude "flax." Linseed, linseed oil and oilcake ...
/f/flax.htm - 13k

Earth (10501 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) The softer inorganic matter composing part of the surface of the globe,
in distinction from the firm rock; soil of all kinds, including gravel, clay ...
/e/earth.htm - 26k

Milky (1 Occurrence)
... Milky (1 Occurrence). Psalms 55:21 Smooth were the milky words of his mouth, but
his heart was war; his words were softer than oil, yet are they drawn swords. ...
/m/milky.htm - 6k

Mill (9 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) A hardened steel roller having a design in relief, used for imprinting
a reversed copy of the design in a softer metal, as copper. ...
/m/mill.htm - 18k

Merari (38 Occurrences)
... They and the Gershonites were "under the hand" of Ithamar, son of Aaron, the sons
of Gershon having charge of the softer material of the tabernacles-curtains ...
/m/merari.htm - 23k

Brass (168 Occurrences)
... of brass. A brass is often lined with a softer metal, when the latter is
generally called a white metal lining. See Bearing. 3. (n ...
/b/brass.htm - 44k

Resources
Does the Bible mention the lost city of Atlantis? Is there any evidence for Atlantis? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that it is not good for a man to be alone (Genesis 2:18)? | GotQuestions.org

What is Gestalt therapy, and is it biblical? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Softer (1 Occurrence)

Psalms 55:21
His mouth was smooth as butter, but his heart was war. His words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Subtopics

Softer

Related Terms

Softly-flowing (1 Occurrence)

Softy (1 Occurrence)

Jael (6 Occurrences)

Secretly (104 Occurrences)

Shiloah (1 Occurrence)

Quietly (30 Occurrences)

Uncovering (13 Occurrences)

Obtained (61 Occurrences)

Ja'el (6 Occurrences)

Gihon (6 Occurrences)

Whisper (9 Occurrences)

Weighed (44 Occurrences)

Fairly (8 Occurrences)

Fasted (20 Occurrences)

Tenderly (9 Occurrences)

Temples (17 Occurrences)

Tent-pin (4 Occurrences)

Remaliah's (3 Occurrences)

Rejoices (30 Occurrences)

Refuseth (22 Occurrences)

Remali'ah (13 Occurrences)

Remaliah (13 Occurrences)

Exhausted (26 Occurrences)

Despondently (1 Occurrence)

Delicate (32 Occurrences)

Dionysus

Dejectedly (1 Occurrence)

Merry (38 Occurrences)

Moan (13 Occurrences)

Meekly (1 Occurrence)

Pile (16 Occurrences)

Pierced (63 Occurrences)

Pin (10 Occurrences)

Peg (8 Occurrences)

Booth (9 Occurrences)

Blew (37 Occurrences)

Bo'az (24 Occurrences)

Breathe (17 Occurrences)

Bracelet (5 Occurrences)

Bacchus

Anchor (4 Occurrences)

Sackcloth (47 Occurrences)

Swooned (3 Occurrences)

Supposing (16 Occurrences)

Sent (7705 Occurrences)

Shelah (18 Occurrences)

Softer (1 Occurrence)

Soft (36 Occurrences)

Sailed (28 Occurrences)

Siloah (1 Occurrence)

Shilo'ah (1 Occurrence)

Fastened (43 Occurrences)

Weary (77 Occurrences)

Nail (9 Occurrences)

Heber's (1 Occurrence)

Picked (43 Occurrences)

Melt (33 Occurrences)

Heber (13 Occurrences)

Rejoiceth (39 Occurrences)

Go (17871 Occurrences)

Uncovered (78 Occurrences)

Siloam (4 Occurrences)

Rezin (11 Occurrences)

Tore (59 Occurrences)

Shore (45 Occurrences)

Inasmuch (42 Occurrences)

Wanted (73 Occurrences)

Hammer (15 Occurrences)

South (170 Occurrences)

Bitterness (37 Occurrences)

Drank (70 Occurrences)

Approached (61 Occurrences)

Boaz (25 Occurrences)

Drunk (84 Occurrences)

Ahab (85 Occurrences)

Asleep (50 Occurrences)

Mass (65 Occurrences)

Endure (90 Occurrences)

Singing (65 Occurrences)

Softening
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