severe
qa.sheh describes what is harshly oppressive, stubbornly resistant, or formidable in force and difficulty.
The term most often marks harsh or oppressive treatment, labor, speech, rule, or character. It also describes a resistant disposition in expressions involving neck, face, forehead, heart, or way, and can characterize difficult cases, grievous circumstances, or formidable force.
Senses in use
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Harsh treatment, burden, or manner · dominant
In 1 Kings 12:4, the feminine singular form occurs in the people's request that the king lighten the yoke and service imposed by his father; the APB renders the clause with “harsh” service. In Genesis 42:7, the plural form belongs to Joseph's treatment and speech toward his brothers, while 1 Samuel 25:3 applies the masculine singular form to Nabal's character and deeds.
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Stubborn, resistant disposition · common
The masculine singular construct form repeatedly occurs with “neck” in Exodus 32:9 and Deuteronomy 9:13, where the APB renders the people as “stiff-necked.” In Ezekiel 2:4 and Ezekiel 3:7, masculine plural construct forms occur in descriptions of hard faces, foreheads, and hearts in a people unwilling to listen.
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Formidable difficulty or force · common
In Exodus 18:26, the masculine singular form characterizes cases brought to Moses rather than decided by the other judges; the APB calls them “difficult cases.” The term also stands in descriptions of a severe vision in Isaiah 21:2, a severe sword in Isaiah 27:1, and love compared with death and jealousy compared with Sheol in Song of Songs 8:6.
In the Anselm Project Bible: Across these verses, the APB uses “harsh,” “hard,” “severe,” “difficult,” “fierce,” and “stiff-necked,” depending on the clause. These renderings present the verse-level context rather than supplying a word-for-word alignment.