[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/harden/) [dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [H](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/h/) / harden # harden verb (harden, hardens, hardened, hardening) «harden» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova. ## Everyday 1. To become hard or firm, or to make something hard. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/harden/#m1) 2. Of a person or feelings: to become less kind or less soft, or more determined. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/harden/#m2) ### In the lessons In science it describes changes of state and materials: chocolate, wax, clay, concrete or glue harden as they cool or dry. In stories a face or voice «hardens» when someone becomes stern or angry. Phrase: «harden your heart». ### Examples - The melted chocolate will harden in the fridge. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/harden/#x1) - Leave the clay to harden overnight. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/harden/#x2) - Concrete takes days to harden fully. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/harden/#x3) - Wax hardens as it cools. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/harden/#x4) - His face hardened when he heard the bad news. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/harden/#x5) - The glue hardened and stuck the pieces together. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/harden/#x6) - Bread hardens if you leave it out. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/harden/#x7) - Inge heard all this, and her heart became hardened and full of bitterness. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/harden/#x8) ### Note Regular verb: hardened. The «-en» ending means «to make or become»: hard → harden, soft → soften, dark → darken. Hardening when cooling is a reversible change for chocolate and wax, but not for concrete or baked clay. ## In Jewish tradition Said of Pharaoh's heart: it becomes stubborn and unwilling to give in. Sometimes the text says Pharaoh hardened it himself, and sometimes that the LORD did. The Psalms, Nehemiah and Job use it for any person or people who stiffens the heart or neck against God. **Interpretation.** Commentators ask how Pharaoh could be punished if God hardened his heart. Many answer that Pharaoh first hardened it himself, and later God left him to his own stubbornness. The Psalm is read as a warning that Israel should not repeat the stubbornness of the wilderness at Meribah and Massah. ### Examples - But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let them go. (Torah EXO.10.27, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/H/harden/#x1) - And Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had spoken. (Torah EXO.7.13, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/H/harden/#x2) - And Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also, and he did not let the people go. (Torah EXO.8.32, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/H/harden/#x3) - 'Harden not your heart, as at Meribah, as in the day of Massah in the wilderness; (Writings PSA.95.8, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/H/harden/#x4) - But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their neck, and hearkened not to Thy commandments, (Writings NEH.9.16, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/H/harden/#x5) - He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength; who hath hardened himself against Him, and prospered? (Writings JOB.9.4, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/H/harden/#x6) ### Note Regular verb: hardened. The «-en» ending means «to make or become»: hard → harden, soft → soften, dark → darken. Hardening when cooling is a reversible change for chocolate and wax, but not for concrete or baked clay. ## On Mova - [Trees and pragmatics of «harden» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/harden/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«harden» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/harden.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «harden» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/H/harden/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«harden» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/harden.html) on Mova free.