Topical Encyclopedia
The term "bereft" refers to a state of being deprived of something valuable or beloved, often used in the context of loss, particularly the loss of a loved one. In the Bible, the experience of being bereft is a common human condition that is addressed with compassion and understanding. The Scriptures provide numerous examples and teachings that reflect on the nature of loss and the comfort that God offers to those who are grieving.
Biblical Examples of Bereavement:1.
Job's Loss: One of the most poignant examples of being bereft is found in the account of Job. Job experienced profound loss, losing his children, wealth, and health. Despite his suffering, Job remained faithful to God. In
Job 1:21 , he declares, "Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD." Job's response to his bereavement is a testament to his unwavering faith and trust in God's sovereignty.
2.
Naomi and Ruth: The Book of Ruth provides another illustration of bereavement. Naomi, after losing her husband and two sons, expresses her grief and sense of emptiness. In
Ruth 1:20-21 , she says, "Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty." Despite her loss, Naomi's account is one of redemption and hope, as God provides for her through her daughter-in-law Ruth.
3.
David's Mourning: King David also experienced being bereft, particularly in the loss of his son Absalom. In
2 Samuel 18:33 , David laments, "O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you—O Absalom, my son, my son!" David's grief is a powerful expression of a father's love and the deep sorrow that accompanies the loss of a child.
Theological Reflections on Bereavement:The Bible acknowledges the reality of grief and loss, yet it also offers hope and comfort. Believers are encouraged to find solace in God's presence and promises. In
Matthew 5:4 , Jesus assures, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." This beatitude highlights the compassionate nature of God, who draws near to the brokenhearted.
The Apostle Paul, in
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 , provides encouragement to those who are bereft, stating, "Brothers, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who are without hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, we also believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him." This passage underscores the Christian hope in the resurrection and eternal life, offering comfort to those who mourn.
Practical Implications for Believers:In times of bereavement, Christians are called to support one another, bearing each other's burdens as instructed in
Galatians 6:2 : "Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." The community of faith plays a vital role in providing comfort and encouragement to those who are grieving.
Moreover, believers are reminded of the promise of God's presence.
Psalm 34:18 assures, "The LORD is near to the brokenhearted; He saves the contrite in spirit." This verse emphasizes that God is intimately aware of and responsive to the pain of His people, offering His presence as a source of strength and healing.
In summary, the Bible addresses the experience of being bereft with empathy and hope, pointing to God's ultimate plan of redemption and the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
p. p.) of Bereave.
2. (v.) imp. & p. p. of Bereave.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BEREAVE; BEREAVER; BEREFTbe-rev', be-rev'-er, be-reft': Bereave is frequently used in the Old Testament in the (now almost obsolete) meaning of "to deprive," "to take away," especially with reference to loss of children. The Hebrew word used here is shakhol, "to be childless," or in the Piel "to make childless" (compareGenesis 42:36 et al.). In the King James VersionEcclesiastes 4:8 (from the Hebrew chacer, "to lack") we read "and bereave my soul of good" (the Revised Version (British and American) "deprive"), and inEzekiel 36:14 (from Hebrew kashal, "to stumble"), "neither bereave thy nations any more" (the Revised Version, margin "cause to stumble").
Bereaver, otherwise very rare, is found the Revised Version (British and American)Ezekiel 36:13 (from Hebrew shakhol "to be childless"), "a bereaver of thy nation" (the King James Version "hast bereaved").
Bereft is found in1 Timothy 6:5 (from the Greek apostereo, "to rob") "bereft of the truth" (the King James Version "destitute"). The expression bereavement (the Revised Version (British and American)Isaiah 49:20) in the phrase "the children of thy bereft" means "the children born to thee in the time when God had afflicted thee."
A. L. Breslich
Greek
642. aporphanizo -- to be bereaved... from 575 , "separate from" and 3737 , "leave as an orphan") -- properly, to orphan;
(figuratively) , leaving someone defenseless -- like an orphan,
bereft of a
...650. apostereo -- to defraud, deprive of
... ap-os-ter-eh'-o) Short Definition: I deprive one of something, rob Definition: I
defraud, deprive of, despoil; mid: I endure deprivation; pass: I ambereft of....
Strong's Hebrew
4480. min -- from... because (92), because* (86), before (12), before* (117), beforehand* (1), behind*
(10), belongs (1), below (1), below* (10), beneath* (7),
bereft* (1), beside
...369. ayin -- nothing, nought
... root Definition nothing, nought NASB Word Usage almost (1),bereft* (1), beyond
(5), beyond* (1), cease (2), countless* (2), else* (1), endless* (1), fails (1...
7604. shaar -- to remain, be left over
... root Definition to remain, be left over NASB Word Usagebereft (1), have a left
(1), have...left (1), leave (12), leave as a remnant (1), leaves (1), left (73...
Library
1St Day of Month. Pardoning Grace.
... stranger to thy bosom. Though thou hast all else beside,bereft of God thou
must be "bereft indeed." Lord! I come! As thy pardoning...
Our Creation and God's Incarnation Most Intimately Connected. As...
... state of non-existence, they were called into being by the Presence and loving-kindness
of the Word, it followed naturally that when men werebereft of the...
O, Death, be not Thou Boastful, Over the Just
... presence."31. Ye shall have life from the dead, O ye mortals, and I who
ambereft shall bebereft in the midst of Sheol."32. Let...
That Therefore the Baptism of John was not the Same as the Baptism...
... into whatever depth of evil, and into whatever fearful whirlpool of sin the baptized
person may fall, even to the ruin of apostasy, he yet is notbereft of his...
Scriptural Poems; Being Several Portions of Scripture Digested...
... Mahlon, t'other Chilion, His wife was Naomi, Ephrathites they were: They went to
Moab and continued there: Where of her husband Naomi wasbereft, And only she...
On the Coming of Our Lord in the Flesh; Its Nature and Cause.
... manifested his blessed and wondrous healing power; restoring the dead to life again,
and renewing with a word the powers of those who had beenbereft of bodily...
The Attractive Power of God
... heaven. Deadly sin is also a death of all grace, for whenever such a sin
is committed, the soul isbereft of all grace. Similarly...
The Divine Dilemma and Its Solution in the Incarnation
... would have been well enough; but when once transgression had begun men came under
the power of the corruption proper to their nature and werebereft of the...
"Nothing is Impossible to Industry, "Said one of the Seven Sages...
... The widow, weak and helpless, is helplessness personified;bereft of every hope
and influence which could move an unjust judge, she yet wins her case solely by...
He Restoreth My Soul.
... But we, like senseless, erring sheep, ifbereft of the Shepherd's guiding care,
do not learn, in life's sad school, the way to keep free from harm....
Thesaurus
Bereft (9 Occurrences)... BEREAVE; BEREAVER;
BEREFT.
...Bereft is found in 1 Timothy 6:5 (from the Greek apostereo,
"to rob") "
bereft of the truth" (the King James Version "destitute").
...Bereaver (1 Occurrence)
... BEREAVE; BEREAVER;BEREFT....Bereft is found in 1 Timothy 6:5 (from the Greek apostereo,
"to rob") "bereft of the truth" (the King James Version "destitute")....
Bereave (10 Occurrences)
... BEREAVE; BEREAVER;BEREFT....Bereft is found in 1 Timothy 6:5 (from the Greek apostereo,
"to rob") "bereft of the truth" (the King James Version "destitute")....
Bered (2 Occurrences)
Berekiah (11 Occurrences)
Fatherless (44 Occurrences)
... Here the word for "fatherless" is orphanos ("bereft," "orphaned"), which
is the Septuagint translation of the Old Testament yathom....
Corrupted (28 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 6:5 wranglings of men corrupted in mind andbereft of the truth,
supposing that godliness is a way of gain. (ASV DBY YLT)....
Comfortless (1 Occurrence)
... in John 14:18, the Revised Version (British and American) "desolate"; "fatherless"
in James 1:27 (compare Psalm 68:5). The term signifiesbereft of a father...
Hosea (6 Occurrences)
... Israel, nowbereft of all, helpless, homeless, is at last convinced that, as her
God could take away all, so it was from Him she had received all: she is shut...
Resources
What is the meaning of Easter? What does Easter mean? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about self-hatred? | GotQuestions.orgWhat did it mean to tear one's clothes in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgBereft: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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