Dictionary entry

σκληρός

G. Abbott-Smith's A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament

σκληρός, -ά, -όν

(< σκέλλω, to dry), [in LXX chiefly for קָשָׁה;]

hard to the touch, rough, harsh, (opp. to μαλακός); metaph., in various uses;

(a) of men, hard, stern, severe: Mt 25:24;

(b) of things, hard, rough, violent: σκληρόν σοι (ἐστι), Ac 26:14; λόγος, Jo 6:60; ἄνεμος, Ja 3:4; σκληρὰ λαλεῖν, Ju 15.†

SYN.: αὐστηρός, q.v