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σκληροκαρδία

sklērokardía

G4641 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Stubbornness or callousness of disposition, particularly a resistant or unyielding attitude in one's innermost self or understanding. The word signifies a persistent inability or refusal to be moved emotionally or morally, especially in response to appeals or evidence. It extends to a dullness or insensitivity toward moral or ethical concerns, and by extension, an unwillingness to change one's mind or conduct.

Semantic Range

obstinacy, stubbornness of mind or heart, moral callousness, unwillingness to be moved or persuaded, insensitivity to ethical or divine instruction, resistance or opposition arising from an unyielding disposition

Root / Etymology

From the compound of σκληρός ('hard, harsh, rigid') and καρδία ('heart'). Literally, 'hard-heartedness.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

σκληροκαρδία appears in Hellenistic Greek and is attested in the Septuagint (notably in Deuteronomic and prophetic contexts) and the New Testament, where it is used to describe an obstinate or unresponsive disposition, especially toward divine command or ethical instruction. The term does not strictly refer to a lack of emotional feeling but rather a deliberate or entrenched resistance of one's inner self—often the center of thought, will, and moral sensitivity in Greek anthropology. In the New Testament, it is frequently employed to explain why individuals or groups ignore, disobey, or resist divine instruction or compassionate action. English tradition sometimes translates it as 'hardness of heart'; however, this may understate the active, willful refusal implied by the Greek usage. The term differs from related concepts such as ἀπιστία (unbelief) or ἁμαρτία (sin), focusing less on disbelief or wrongdoing per se and more on a hardened disposition that resists moral or spiritual transformation.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

feminine of a compound of σκληρός and καρδία; hard-heartedness, i.e. (specially), destitution of (spiritual) perception:--hardness of heart.

Root Family

σκληροκαρδία (sklērokardia) — hard, rigid; heart, innermost self; stubbornness, moral callousness

Root σκληρο-, καρδ- hard, harsh, rigid; heart, innermost self

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4641-01 σκληροκαρδίαν sklerokardian N ACC F SG hardness of heart hard-heartedness hard-heartedness 3

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4641-01 Matthew 19:8 σκληροκαρδίαν sklerokardian N ACC F SG hardness of heart hard-heartedness hard-heartedness
G4641-01 Mark 10:5 σκληροκαρδίαν sklerokardian N ACC F SG hardness of heart hard-heartedness hardness of heart
G4641-01 Mark 16:14 σκληροκαρδίαν sklerokardian N ACC F SG hardness of heart hard-heartedness hard-heartedness
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