Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Usage:The term "bewail" refers to the act of expressing deep sorrow or lamentation, often accompanied by weeping or mourning. In the biblical context, bewailing is a profound expression of grief or regret, typically in response to loss, sin, or divine judgment. It is a heartfelt reaction that involves both emotional and physical manifestations of sorrow.
Biblical Instances:Bewailing is a recurring theme in the Bible, reflecting the human response to various forms of suffering and loss. It is often associated with mourning for the dead, repentance for sin, or lamenting over the consequences of disobedience to God.
1.
Mourning for the Dead: In the Old Testament, bewailing is frequently connected with mourning rituals for the deceased. For example, in
Genesis 50:10, Joseph mourns for his father Jacob: "When they reached the threshing floor of Atad, which is beyond the Jordan, they lamented loudly and bitterly; and there Joseph observed a seven-day period of mourning for his father."
2.
Repentance and Lamentation: Bewailing is also linked to repentance and the acknowledgment of sin. In the book of Joel, the prophet calls the people to lament and return to the Lord: "Put on sackcloth and lament, O priests; wail, O ministers of the altar. Come, spend the night in sackcloth, O ministers of my God, for the grain offering and drink offering are withheld from the house of your God" (
Joel 1:13).
3.
Divine Judgment: The act of bewailing is sometimes a response to divine judgment or impending disaster. In
Ezekiel 27:31, the prophet describes the lamentation over the fall of Tyre: "They will shave their heads because of you and wrap themselves in sackcloth. They will weep for you in anguish of soul, with bitter mourning."
Cultural and Religious Significance:In ancient Israelite culture, bewailing was an integral part of mourning practices. It often involved specific rituals, such as wearing sackcloth, fasting, and public displays of grief. These practices were not only expressions of personal sorrow but also communal acts that reinforced social and religious bonds.
Theological Implications:From a theological perspective, bewailing serves as a reminder of the brokenness of the world and the consequences of sin. It underscores the need for repentance and the hope for divine mercy and restoration. The act of bewailing, particularly in the context of repentance, is seen as a step toward reconciliation with God.
New Testament Context:In the New Testament, the concept of bewailing is less frequent but still present. Jesus Himself speaks of mourning in the Beatitudes: "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted" (
Matthew 5:4). This reflects the promise of comfort and hope for those who grieve, pointing to the ultimate redemption and healing found in Christ.
Conclusion:While the Bible acknowledges the reality of sorrow and loss, it also offers hope and comfort through faith in God. Bewailing, as depicted in Scripture, is not merely an expression of despair but a pathway to divine consolation and renewal.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To express deep sorrow for, as by wailing; to lament; to wail over.
2. (v. i.) To express grief; to lament.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BEWAILbe-wal' (kopto): In the middle voice, this word has the thought of striking on the breast and of loud lamentation, so common among oriental people in time of great sorrow. It is used to express the most intense grief, a sorrow that compels outward demonstration (Luke 8:52;Luke 23:27). A striking instance of this grief is that of the daughter of Jephthah (Judges 11:37Leviticus 10:6).
SeeBURIAL, IV, 4, 5, 6;GRIEF.
Greek
2354. threneo -- to lament... of Speech: Verb Transliteration: threneo Phonetic Spelling: (thray-neh'-o) Short
Definition: I wail, lament Definition: intrans: I lament, wail; trans: I
bewail...2799. klaio -- to weep
...bewail, weep. Of uncertain affinity; to sob, ie Wail aloud (whereas dakruo is rather
to cry silently) --bewail, weep. (eklaien) -- 2 Occurrences....
3649. ololuzo -- to cry aloud
... Verb Transliteration: ololuzo Phonetic Spelling: (ol-ol-odd'-zo) Short Definition:
I howl, lament loudly Definition: I howl, lament loudly, cry aloud,bewail....
3996. pentheo -- to mourn, lament
... R. Trench, .). Word Origin from penthos Definition to mourn, lament NASB Word
Usage mourn (6), mourned (1), mourning (3). mourn,bewail....
Strong's Hebrew
1058. bakah -- to weep,bewail... to weep,
bewail. Transliteration: bakah Phonetic Spelling: (baw-kaw') Short Definition:
wept.
...bewail, complain, make lamentation, more, mourn, sore, with tears,.
...3306. yaphach -- to breathe, puff
...bewail self. A primitive root; properly, to breathe hard, ie (by implication) to
sigh --bewail self. 3305, 3306. yaphach. 3307 . Strong's Numbers.
56. abal -- to mourn
... mourner (1), went into mourning (1). lament, mourn. A primitive root; tobewail --
lament, mourn. 55, 56. abal. 57 . Strong's Numbers.
5091. nahah -- to wail, lament
... lament, wail. A primitive root; to groan, ieBewail; hence (through the idea of
crying aloud), to assemble (as if on proclamation) -- lament, wail....
421. alah -- to wail
... lament. A primitive root (rather identical with 'alah through the idea of invocation);
tobewail -- lament. see HEBREW 'alah. 420, 421. alah. 422 ....
Library
How those are to be Admonished who Abstain not from the Sins which...
... How those are to be admonished who abstain not from the sins which theybewail,
and those who, abstaining from them,bewail them not....
Chapter xxiii
... life. And Sarah died in Kitjath-arba, (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan,
and Abraham came tobewail Sarah and to weep for her....
Holy Exercises of Contrition.
... The First Exercise. 1. Who will give to mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I may
bewail both day and night my sins and ingratitude towards God my Creator?...
On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. x. 28, "Be not Afraid of them...
... inhabitant is gone. They whobewail the dead, cry in vain at the windows
of the house; there is none within to hear. How many things...
The Birth of Mary the Holy Mother of God, and Very Glorious Mother...
... 2. And his wife Anna [1562] mourned in two mournings, and lamented in two lamentations,
saying: I shallbewail my widowhood; I shallbewail my childlessness....
That Sons are not to be Bewailed.
... Although the death of sons leaves grief for the heart, yet it is not right
either to go forth in black garments, or tobewail them....
Epistle xi. To the People.
... That youbewail and grieve over the downfall of our brethren I know from myself,
beloved brethren, who alsobewail with you and grieve for each one, and suffer...
You See in what Manner of Fasting and Prayer the Saints Will...
... [1968] At that time the whole earth willbewail the life of anguish, and the sea
and air in like manner willbewail it; and the sun, too, will wail; and the...
What Diversity There Ought to be in the Art of Preaching.
... sins of thought. Those whobewail misdeeds, yet forsake them not; and those
who forsake them, yetbewail them not. Those who even...
Appendix ii. The Order of the Communion
... unkindness towards his Majesty, committed either by will, word, or deed, infirmity
or ignorance ; and that with inward sorrow and tears youbewail your offences...
Thesaurus
Bewail (9 Occurrences)... 2. (vi) To express grief; to lament. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
BEWAIL.
be
... Multi-Version Concordance
Bewail (9 Occurrences). 2
...Mourn (87 Occurrences)
... sadness. 2. (vi) To wear the customary garb of a mourner. 3. (vt) To grieve
for; to lament; to deplore; to bemoan; tobewail. 4. (vt...
Lament (44 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) To express or feel sorrow; to weep or
wail; to mourn. 2. (vt) To mourn for; to bemoan; tobewail....
Lewdness (68 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 12:21 And lest, when I come again, my God may humble me among you,
and I shallbewail many who have sinned already, and have not repented of the...
Fornication (52 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 12:21 And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you,
and that I shallbewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented...
Kindled (83 Occurrences)
... tear your clothes; that you don't die, and that he not be angry with all the
congregation: but let your brothers, the whole house of Israel,bewail the burning...
Kinsmen (74 Occurrences)
... tend your clothes, that ye die not, and that He be not wroth with all the congregation;
but let your brethren, the whole house of Israel,bewail the burning...
Uncover (35 Occurrences)
... heads, neither rend your clothes; lest ye die, and lest wrath come upon all the
people: but let your brethren, the whole house of Israel,bewail the burning...
Unkempt (3 Occurrences)
... tear your clothes; that you don't die, and that he not be angry with all the
congregation: but let your brothers, the whole house of Israel,bewail the burning...
Jephthah's (1 Occurrence)
... nobleness of spirit she answered, "Do to me according to that which hath proceeded
out of thy mouth." She only asked two months tobewail her maidenhood with...
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