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πωρόω

pōróō

G4456 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To make hard or unyielding (literally, to turn into a hard or stony substance); figuratively, to render a person or their faculties insensitive, unresponsive, or unfeeling, particularly in reference to the mind, heart, or perception. The term generally denotes the process of causing an inner state of insensibility or obtuseness, whether figurative (such as mental or spiritual dullness) or physical (as with calloused skin).

Semantic Range

to harden physically (as a callous or stone), to cause insensitivity, to make unresponsive, to render the mind or heart dull or obtuse, to induce spiritual or moral obtuseness, to make unable to perceive or respond

Root / Etymology

From the noun πῶρος (pōros), meaning a kind of hard stone (such as a porous stone or marble), with the denominative verb ending -όω (-oō), indicating 'to make like stone' or 'to render hard.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, πωρόω is rare, attested particularly in later medical and philosophical texts where it denotes the hardening of bodily tissue or the formation of callouses or bony material—a process of physical petrification. In the Septuagint and New Testament, the verb takes on a strongly metaphorical sense, describing the hardening of the heart, mind, or spiritual perception, often implying stubbornness, lack of responsiveness, or moral and spiritual insensibility (e.g., Mark 6:52; John 12:40; 2 Cor 3:14). The verb is used to render the Hebrew הִקְשָׁה (hikshah, 'to harden') in translation. English renderings such as 'harden,' 'callous,' or 'make insensitive' are generally adequate but may not fully convey the metaphorical depth of the Greek usage, particularly where inner transformation is contrasted with physical processes. In Hellenistic and Koine usage, πωρόω can metaphorically denote an inability to perceive or respond due to a hardened state, especially in religious or ethical contexts. The verb is distinct from σκληρύνω ('to harden,' especially in ethical or judicial senses), though the semantic fields overlap in certain passages. In later Greek, πωρόω continues to maintain both the literal sense in medical literature and the figurative extension in ethical and spiritual writings.

Translation Consistency

primary "harden" 5 occurrences

'Harden' is the most natural, single-word English verb that covers both the literal and figurative senses in SILEX — making physically hard (callous/stone) and making a person or their faculties unresponsive or insensitive (mental/spiritual dullness). Most attested translations use 'harden(ed)', so 'harden' provides consistent, idiomatic rendering across all forms of G4456.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

apparently from (a kind of stone); to petrify, i.e. (figuratively) to indurate (render stupid or callous):-- blind, harden.

Root Family

πωρόω (pōroō) — to harden, to petrify, to make unfeeling

Root πωρ- to harden, to petrify, to make unfeeling

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4456-02 ἐπωρώθη eporothe V AOR PASS IND 3P SG were hardened was hardened was hardened 1
G4456-05 πεπωρωμένην peporomenen V PRF PASS PTCP ACC F SG hardened having been hardened having been hardened 1
G4456-01 ἐπώρωσεν eporosen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG hardened he hardened he hardened 1
G4456-04 πεπωρωμένη peporomene V PRF PASS PTCP NOM F SG hardened having been hardened having been hardened 1
G4456-03 ἐπωρώθησαν eporothesan V AOR PASS IND 3P PL were hardened they were hardened they were hardened 1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4456-04 Mark 6:52 πεπωρωμένη peporomene V PRF PASS PTCP NOM F SG hardened having been hardened having been hardened
G4456-05 Mark 8:17 πεπωρωμένην peporomenen V PRF PASS PTCP ACC F SG hardened having been hardened having been hardened
G4456-01 John 12:40 ἐπώρωσεν eporosen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG hardened he hardened he hardened
G4456-03 Romans 11:7 ἐπωρώθησαν eporothesan V AOR PASS IND 3P PL were hardened they were hardened they were hardened
G4456-02 2 Corinthians 3:14 ἐπωρώθη eporothe V AOR PASS IND 3P SG were hardened was hardened was hardened
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