Temper
King James Dictionary [1]
Tem'Per, L tempero, to mix or moderate
1. To mix so that one part qualifies the other to bring to a moderate state as, to temper justice with mercy. 2. To compound to form by mixture to qualify, as by an ingredient or in general, to mix, unite or combine two or more things so as to reduce the excess of the qualities of either, and bring the whole to the desired consistence or state.
Thou shalt make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together, pure and holy. Exodus 30
3. To unite in due proportion to render symmetrical to adjust, as parts to each other.
God hath tempered the body together. 1 Corinthians 12
4. To accommodate to modify.
Thy sustenance serving to the appetite of the eater, tempered itself to every man's liking.
5. To soften to mollify to assuage to soothe to calm to reduce any violence or excess.
Solon--labored to temper the warlike courages of the Athenians with sweet delights of learning.
Woman! nature made thee
To temper man we had been brutes without you.
6. To form to a proper degree of hardness as, to temper iron or steel.
The temper'd metals clash, and yield a silver sound.
7. To govern a Latinism. Not in use. 8. In music, to modify or amend a false or imperfect concord by transferring to it a part of the beauty of a perfect one, that is, by dividing the tones.
TEM'PER, n. Due mixture of different qualities or the state of any compound substance which results from the mixture of various ingredients as the temper of mortar.
1. Constitution of body. In this sense we more generally use temperament. 2. Disposition of mind the constitution of the mind, particularly with regard to the passions and affections as a calm temper a hasty temper a fretful temper. This is applicable to beasts as well as to man.
Remember with what mild
And gracious temper he both heard and judg'd.
3. Calmness of mind moderation.
Restore yourselves unto your tempers, fathers.
To fall with dignity, with temper rise.
4. Heat of mind or passion irritation. The boy showed a great deal of temper when I reproved him.
So we say, a man of violent temper, when we speak of his irritability. This use of the word is common, though a deviation from its original and genuine meaning.
5. The state of a metal, particularly as to its hardness as the temper of iron or steel. 6. Middle course mean or medium. 7. In sugar works, white lime or other substance stirred into a clarifier filled with cane-juice, to neutralize the super abundant acid.
Webster's Dictionary [2]
(1): ( v. i.) To have or get a proper or desired state or quality; to grow soft and pliable.
(2): ( n.) Milk of lime, or other substance, employed in the process formerly used to clarify sugar.
(3): ( v. i.) To accord; to agree; to act and think in conformity.
(4): ( n.) Constitution of body; temperament; in old writers, the mixture or relative proportion of the four humors, blood, choler, phlegm, and melancholy.
(5): ( v. t.) To fit together; to adjust; to accomodate.
(6): ( v. t.) To mingle in due proportion; to prepare by combining; to modify, as by adding some new element; to qualify, as by an ingredient; hence, to soften; to mollify; to assuage; to soothe; to calm.
(7): ( n.) The state of a metal or other substance, especially as to its hardness, produced by some process of heating or cooling; as, the temper of iron or steel.
(8): ( n.) Heat of mind or passion; irritation; proneness to anger; - in a reproachful sense.
(9): ( n.) Calmness of mind; moderation; equanimity; composure; as, to keep one's temper.
(10): ( n.) Disposition of mind; the constitution of the mind, particularly with regard to the passions and affections; as, a calm temper; a hasty temper; a fretful temper.
(11): ( v. t.) To govern; to manage.
(12): ( n.) The state of any compound substance which results from the mixture of various ingredients; due mixture of different qualities; just combination; as, the temper of mortar.
(13): ( v. t.) To adjust, as the mathematical scale to the actual scale, or to that in actual use.
(14): ( v. t.) To moisten to a proper consistency and stir thoroughly, as clay for making brick, loam for molding, etc.
(15): ( n.) Middle state or course; mean; medium.
(16): ( v. t.) To bring to a proper degree of hardness; as, to temper iron or steel.
Charles Buck Theological Dictionary [3]
The disposition of the mind, whether natural or acquired. The word is seldom used by good writers without an epithet, as a good or bad temper. Temper must be distinguished from passion. The passions are quick and strong emotions which by degrees subside. Temper is the disposition which remains after these emotions are past, and which forms the habitual propensity of the soul.
See Dr. Evans's Practical Discourses on the Christian Temper; and the various articles, Love, Patience, Humility, Fortitude &c. in this work.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia [4]
tem´pẽr : The word is used in the King James Version to render different Hebrew words. In Ezekiel 46:14 for "temper" ( רסס , rāṣaṣ ) the Revised Version (British and American) substitutes "moisten." In Song ( Ezekiel 5:2 ) a noun from the same stem means "dew-drops." In Exodus 29:2 the King James Version we read "cakes unleavened, tempered ( בּלל , bālal , literally, "mixed") with oil," the Revised Version (British and American) "mingled." The word denotes "rough-and-ready mixing." In the recipe for the making of incense given in Ex ( Exodus 30:35 ) occur the words "tempered together," מלח , mālaḥ (literally, "salted"; hence, the Revised Version (British and American) "seasoned with salt"). The word occurs in two interesting connections in The Wisdom of Solomon 15:7 (the Revised Version (British and American) "knead") and 16:21. In 1 Corinthians 12:24 it occurs in English Versions of the Bible as a rendering of the Greek word συγκεράννυμι , sugkeránnumi , which meant to "mix together." Paul is arguing in favor of the unity of the church and of cooperation on the part of individual members, and uses as an illustration the human body which consists of various organs with various functions. It is God, argues the apostle, who has "tempered," "compounded" or "blended," the body. Each member has its place and function and must contribute to the welfare of the whole frame. The same Greek word occurs in Hebrews 4:2 . The author urges the necessity of faith in regard to the gospel. The unbelieving Israelites had derived no benefit from their hearing of the gospel because their hearing of it was not "mixed" with faith.
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature [5]
the disposition of the mind, the sum of our inclinations and tendencies, whether natural or acquired. The word is seldom used by good writers without an epithet, as a good or a bad temper. Temper must be distinguished from passion. The. passions are quick and strong emotions, which by degrees subside. Temper is the disposition which remains after these emotions are past, and which forms the habitual propensity of the soul. See Evans, Practical Discourses on the Christian Temper; and the various articles (See Fortitude), (See Humility), (See Love), (See Patience), etc. Temperance ( Ἐγκράτεια , Self-Restraint), that virtue which a man is said to possess who moderates and restrains his sensual appetite. It is often, however, used in a much more general sense, as synonymous with moderation, and is then applied indiscriminately to all the passions. "Temperance," says Addison, "has those particular advantages above all other means of health, that it, may be practiced by all ranks and conditions at any season or in any place. It is a kind of regimen into which every man may put himself without interruption to business, expense of money, or loss of time. Physic, for the most part, is nothing else but the substitute of exercise or temperance." In order to obtain and practice this virtue, we should consider it,
1. As a divine command ( Philippians 4:5; Luke 21:34; Proverbs 23:1-3);
2. As conducive to health;
3. As advantageous to the powers of the mind;
4. As a defense against injustice, lust, imprudence, detraction, poverty, etc.;
5. The example of Christ should be a most powerful stimulus to it. e . z
