Tenderness

Physically, the state of being soft or easily damaged. Tenderness in relationships is an expression of love and affection which, in the case of God, is often linked with compassion for his people.

Physical tenderness

Of new plant growth

Ezekiel 17:22 See also Deuteronomy 32:2; 2 Kings 19:26; Isaiah 37:27, Isaiah 53:2; Matthew 24:32 parallel Mark 13:28

This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘I will take a shoot from the lofty top of the cedar, and I will set it out. I will pluck a tender sprig from its topmost shoots, and I will plant it on a high and lofty mountain.

Of meat

Genesis 18:7

Of the young and immature

Proverbs 4:3 See also Genesis 33:13; Isaiah 47:1

When I was a son to my father, tender and the only child of my mother,

Tenderness in relationships

Human love and affection

Genesis 34:3 See also 2 Samuel 1:26; Song of Solomon 7:10; Luke 15:20

And his soul was drawn to Dinah, the daughter of Jacob. He loved the young girl and spoke to her tenderly.

God's tenderness

Isaiah 40:1–2; Luke 1:78 See also Deuteronomy 32:10–14; Isaiah 30:18, Isaiah 54:10, Isaiah 63:15; Jeremiah 31:3, Jeremiah 31:20; Hosea 2:14, Hosea 11:1–4; Zephaniah 3:17

“Comfort, comfort My people,” says your God. “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her forced labor has been completed; her iniquity has been pardoned. For she has received from the hand of the LORD double for all her sins.”

because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the Dawn will visit us from on high,

The tenderness of Jesus Christ

Mark 10:16 See also Matthew 9:36, Matthew 14:14, Matthew 23:37; Mark 1:41; John 11:33–36, John 19:26–27

And He took the children in His arms, placed His hands on them, and blessed them.

A mark of Christian behaviour

Philippians 2:1–2 See also 1 Corinthians 4:21; Philippians 1:8; Colossians 3:12; 1 Peter 3:8

Therefore if you have any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose.