Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Usage:The term "languish" generally refers to a state of weakness, feebleness, or suffering, often due to prolonged neglect, distress, or hardship. In a biblical context, it can describe both physical and spiritual conditions where individuals or nations experience decline or despondency.
Biblical References:1.
Isaiah 24:4 : "The earth mourns and withers; the world languishes and withers; the exalted of the earth languish." This passage from Isaiah speaks to the universal impact of sin and judgment upon the earth. The imagery of the earth and its inhabitants languishing underscores the profound consequences of turning away from God’s commandments.
2.
Jeremiah 14:2 : "Judah mourns; her gates languish. They wail for the land, and a cry goes up from Jerusalem." Here, the prophet Jeremiah describes the dire state of Judah during a time of drought and divine judgment. The languishing of the gates symbolizes the vulnerability and despair of the people as they face the repercussions of their unfaithfulness.
3.
Lamentations 1:4 : "The roads to Zion mourn, for no one comes to her appointed feasts. All her gates are desolate; her priests groan, her maidens grieve, and she herself is in bitter anguish." In this lament, the desolation and languishing of Zion reflect the deep sorrow and abandonment felt by the people after the destruction of Jerusalem. The absence of pilgrims and the desolation of the city’s gates highlight the spiritual and communal decline.
Theological Implications:The concept of languishing in the Bible often serves as a metaphor for spiritual decline and the consequences of sin. It is a vivid reminder of the need for repentance and the restoration that comes through returning to God. The state of languishing is not merely physical but deeply spiritual, indicating a separation from the life-giving presence of God.
Spiritual Application:Believers are called to recognize the signs of spiritual languishing in their own lives and communities. This recognition should lead to a renewed commitment to prayer, repentance, and seeking God’s face. The Bible assures that God is compassionate and ready to restore those who turn back to Him with sincere hearts.
Historical Context:In the historical context of the Old Testament, the imagery of languishing often coincides with periods of national crisis, such as invasions, famines, or exiles. These events were seen as divine judgments intended to bring the people back to a covenant relationship with God. Prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah used the language of languishing to call the people to awareness and repentance.
Conclusion:The biblical theme of languishing serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of sin and the hope of redemption. It calls individuals and nations to examine their spiritual state and to seek restoration through God’s mercy and grace.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. i.) To become languid or weak; to lose strength or animation; to be or become dull, feeble or spiritless; to pine away; to wither or fade.
2. (v. i.) To assume an expression of weariness or tender grief, appealing for sympathy.
3. (v. i.) To cause to droop or pine.
4. (n.) See Languishment.
Greek
770. astheneo -- to be weak, feeble... then morally), I am sick. Cognate: 770 -- to be ill, without strength; to
languish. See 772 (). Word Origin from asthenes Definition
...Strong's Hebrew
535. amal -- to be weak,languish... amal. 536 . to be weak,
languish. Transliteration: amal Phonetic Spelling:
(aw-mal') Short Definition: fails. Word Origin a prim.
...languish, be weak, wax feeble
...1669. daeb -- to become faint,languish
... 1668, 1669. daeb. 1670 . to become faint,languish. Transliteration: daeb Phonetic
Spelling: (daw-ab') Short Definition:languish. Word Origin a prim....
3856. lahah -- tolanguish, faint
... 3855, 3856. lahah. 3857 . tolanguish, faint. Transliteration: lahah Phonetic
Spelling: (law-hah') Short Definition: languished. Word Origin a prim....
5034b. nabel -- to sink or drop down,languish, fade
... 5034a, 5034b. nabel. 5035 . to sink or drop down,languish, fade.
Transliteration: nabel Short Definition: wither. Word Origin a prim....
4448c. malal -- tolanguish, wither, fade
... 4448b, 4448c. malal. 4448d . tolanguish, wither, fade. Transliteration:
malal Short Definition: off. Word Origin a prim. root Definition...
1809. dalal -- to hang, be low,languish
... 1808, 1809. dalal. 1810 . to hang, be low,languish. Transliteration: dalal
Phonetic Spelling: (daw-lal') Short Definition: low. Word Origin a prim....
5848. ataph -- to turn aside
... A primitive root; to shroud, ie Clothe (whether transitive or reflex.); hence (from
the idea of darkness) tolanguish -- cover (over), fail, faint, feebler...
3615. kalah -- to be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished...
... 2), exterminated (1), fail (10), failed (1), fails (2), faints (1), feed (1), finish
(6), finished (67), finishes (1), fulfill (2),languish (1), languishes (1...
109. adab -- to grieve
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to grieve NASB Word Usage grieve (1). grieve.
A primitive root; tolanguish -- grieve. 108, 109. adab. 110 ....
5888. iph -- to be faint
... exhausted (1), faint (1), weary (2). be wearied. A primitive root; tolanguish --
be wearied. 5887, 5888. iph. 5889 . Strong's Numbers.
Library
Come, Ye Disconsolate, Where'er YeLanguish
... Come, ye disconsolate, where'er yelanguish. 11.10.11.10 [1508]Consolation (Webbe):...
St.3, Thomas Hastings, 1831. Come, ye disconsolate, where'er yelanguish;...
Three Degrees of Love I Shall Tell Thee, for I Would that Thou...
... [Then mayst thou boldly say "Ilanguish for love."] Then mayst thou say
"I sleep, and my heart wakes.". In the first degree, men...
How Perfect Love is Gotten by Cleanness and Love: and of Imperfect...
... Therefore it is said: Nunciate dilecto quia amore langueo, that is to say: Show
to my love that Ilanguish for love.' As who should say: Because I see not that...
The Desire of a Lover after God is Shown: and the Cursed Love of...
... But those things want that my Beloved shall show to me, longing: they wound me,
so that Ilanguish, and they heal not yet my languor fully, but rather increase...
Preface
... If their zeal and activitylanguish, the interests of religion are likely tolanguish
in proportion; while, on the other hand, whatever is calculated to...
Hymns of Hope and Consolation.
... When on my sick-bed Ilanguish, Full of sorrow, full of anguish, Fainting, gasping,
trembling, crying, Panting, groaning, speechless, dying; Methinks I hear...
Types of Talkers
... Talking is his constant exercise and recreation. He thrives on it. He lives for
talking's sake. He wouldlanguish if he were deprived of it for a single day....
Heavenly Contemplation Assisted by Sensible Objects, and Guarded...
... is imperfect"for we are renewed but in part"and goes against a world of resistance;
and, being supernatural, is prone to decline andlanguish, unless it be...
Amore Langueo. ...
... And this is the English of these two words: "Ilanguish for love." Separate men
on earth have separate gifts and graces of GOD, but the special gift of those...
The Case of Spiritual Decay and Languor in Religion
... Much do I fear that you will feel your mindlanguish and tire in the good ways of
God; nay, that you may be prevailed upon to take some step out of them, and...
Thesaurus
Languish (13 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Languish (13 Occurrences).
... (See JPS RSV). Isaiah
16:8 For the fields of Heshbon
languish with the vine of Sibmah.
...Lament (44 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Isaiah 19:8 The fishermen will lament, and all those who fish in the
Nile will mourn, and those who spread nets on the waters willlanguish....
Languished (10 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofLanguish. Multi-Version Concordance
Languished (10 Occurrences). Genesis 47:13 And there...
Languishes (11 Occurrences)
... (See NAS RSV). Isaiah 24:4 The earth mourns and fades away. The world languishes
and fades away. The lofty people of the earthlanguish. (WEB RSV NIV)....
Wither (30 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) To lose vigor or power; tolanguish; to pass away.... 6. (vt) To cause tolanguish,
perish, or pass away; to blight; as, a reputation withered by calumny....
Dries (10 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Joel 1:10 Spoiled is the field, mourned hath the ground, For spoiled
is the corn, Dried up hath been new wine,languish doth oil. (See NAS)....
Mourneth (14 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS). Isaiah 24:4 The earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth
and fadeth away, the haughty people of the earth dolanguish. (KJV ASV DBY WBS)...
Mourns (13 Occurrences)
... (WEB). Isaiah 24:4 The earth mourns and fades away. The world languishes and fades
away. The lofty people of the earthlanguish. (WEB NAS RSV)....
Pine (28 Occurrences)
... 4. (vi) To suffer; to be afflicted. 5. (vi) Tolanguish; to lose flesh or wear away,
under any distress or anxiety of mind; to droop; -- often used with away....
Languishing (6 Occurrences)
... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) ofLanguish.... (DBY JPS RSV). Psalms 6:2 Be gracious unto me,
O LORD, for Ilanguish away; heal me, O LORD, for my bones are affrighted....
Resources
What is the difference between God's sovereign will and God's revealed will? | GotQuestions.orgHow should Christians view religious liberty? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is Restorationism? | GotQuestions.orgLanguish: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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