### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word **sklērós**, represented by `{{G4642}}`, describes something that is **hard** or **tough**. Figuratively, it conveys a sense of being harsh or severe. It appears **6 times** across **6 unique verses** in the Bible, used to characterize people, sayings, actions, and forces of nature.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In its biblical applications, `{{G4642}}` is used to convey different types of difficulty and severity. A servant in a parable describes his master as a **"hard** man," implying he is severe and demanding [[Matthew 25:24]]. Jesus' own disciples refer to one of his teachings as a **"hard** saying," indicating it was difficult to accept [[John 6:60]]. The word is used to describe the **"fierce** winds" that batter great ships [[James 3:4]] and the **"hard** speeches" spoken by ungodly sinners [[Jude 1:15]]. It is also used twice to describe the futility of resisting divine will, where Jesus tells Saul it is **"hard** for thee to kick against the pricks" ([[Acts 9:5]], [[Acts 26:14]]).
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help clarify the contexts in which something is considered **hard** or **severe**:
* `{{G2759}}` **kéntron** (prick): This refers to a goad used to guide animals. It is this goad, a symbol of divine impulse, that is **hard** to kick against, illustrating the pain of resisting God's direction [[Acts 9:5]].
* `{{G3056}}` **lógos** (saying, word): This term for a spoken teaching or message is what the disciples describe as **hard**, highlighting that divine truth can be challenging to human understanding [[John 6:60]].
* `{{G1097}}` **ginṓskō** (to know): The servant who saw his master as a **hard** man claimed to **know** him as such, connecting the perception of severity to a person's understanding or judgment of another's character [[Matthew 25:24]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{G4642}}` touches on themes of perception, resistance, and judgment.
* **The Futility of Resistance:** The image of it being **hard** to kick against the pricks powerfully illustrates that opposing God's will is a painful and self-defeating effort, as seen in Saul's persecution of the early church ([[Acts 9:5]], [[Acts 26:14]]).
* **Perception of Divine Severity:** The servant's description of his master as a **"hard** man" serves as a cautionary example of how a flawed perception of God's character as merely harsh can lead to fear and inaction, rather than faithful stewardship [[Matthew 25:24]].
* **The Challenge of Truth:** When the disciples call Jesus' teaching a **"hard** saying," it acknowledges that the demands of discipleship and the nature of divine truth can be difficult to accept, requiring more than superficial hearing [[John 6:60]].
* **Judgment on Ungodly Speech:** The term is used for the **"hard** speeches" of ungodly sinners, marking such defiant words as an offense that will be subject to divine judgment [[Jude 1:15]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{G4642}}` is a significant term that describes more than just physical toughness. It encapsulates the challenging nature of divine authority and truth from a human perspective. Whether applied to a person perceived as severe, a teaching that is difficult to embrace, or the futile act of resisting God's purpose, **sklērós** consistently highlights the stark and often difficult reality of the encounter between humanity and God.
TRV