Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, a mourner is an individual who expresses grief or sorrow, often due to the death of a loved one or as a response to sin and its consequences. Mourning is a significant theme throughout the Scriptures, reflecting both personal and communal expressions of lamentation.
Old Testament ContextMourning in the Old Testament is often associated with death and loss. The Hebrew culture had specific customs for mourning, including wearing sackcloth, putting ashes on one's head, fasting, and weeping.
Genesis 37:34 describes Jacob's mourning for his son Joseph: "Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth around his waist, and mourned for his son many days." Mourning was not only a personal expression but also a communal one, as seen in the collective lamentations of Israel during times of national tragedy (e.g.,
Lamentations 1:1-4).
Mourning also had a spiritual dimension, as it was sometimes a response to sin and a call for repentance. The prophet Joel calls the people to mourn as a sign of repentance: "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).
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, mourning continues to be a significant expression of sorrow and repentance. Jesus acknowledges the blessedness of those who mourn in the Beatitudes: "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted" (
Matthew 5:4). This statement highlights the promise of divine comfort and the hope of restoration for those who grieve.
The New Testament also emphasizes mourning over sin and the brokenness of the world.
James 4:9-10 urges believers to mourn as part of their repentance: "Grieve, mourn, and weep. Turn your laughter to mourning, and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you" . Mourning, in this sense, is a pathway to humility and spiritual renewal.
Eschatological HopeThe Bible presents an eschatological hope where mourning will ultimately be eradicated.
Revelation 21:4 offers a vision of the new creation where God "will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away" . This promise provides comfort and assurance to believers that mourning is temporary and will be replaced by eternal joy in God's presence.
Cultural and Religious PracticesThroughout biblical history, mourning practices varied but often included specific rituals and periods of lamentation. These practices served as a means of expressing grief, seeking comfort, and finding closure. The communal aspect of mourning allowed individuals to share their sorrow and receive support from their community.
Theological SignificanceMourning in the Bible is not only an expression of human emotion but also a profound theological statement. It acknowledges the reality of suffering and loss in a fallen world while pointing to the hope of redemption and restoration through God's intervention. Mourning becomes a transformative experience, leading individuals to deeper reliance on God and anticipation of His promises.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) One who mourns or is grieved at any misfortune, as the death of a friend.
2. (n.) One who attends a funeral as a hired mourner.
Strong's Hebrew
56. abal -- to mourn... Word Usage caused lamentations (1), grieve (1), grieved (1), lament (1), mourn
(13), mourned (7), mourning (3), mourns (10), pretend to be a
mourner (1), went
...5594. saphad -- to wail, lament
... root Definition to wail, lament NASB Word Usage beat (1), lament (9), lamented
(5), mourn (8), mourned (6), mourners (1), mourns (1). lament,mourner, wail....
205. aven -- trouble, sorrow, wickedness
... 15), wrong (1), wrongdoers (1). affliction, evil, false, idol, iniquity,
mischief,mourner, naught,. From an unused root perhaps...
57. abel -- mourning
... Word Origin from abal Definition mourning NASB Word Usage mourn (2), mourners
(2), mourning (3), one who sorrows (1).mourner,. From...
Library
TheMourner's Comfort.
... VIII. THEMOURNER'S COMFORT. Martha's tearful utterances are now met with
an exalted solace. "Thy brother shall rise again." It...
TheMourner Comforted.
... MOURNING AND CONSOLATION. 602. " TheMourner Comforted. 602. CM Knowles.
TheMourner Comforted. 1 O, weep not for the joys that...
TheMourner's Creed.
... IX. THEMOURNER'S CREED. How stands our faith? These mighty thoughts and words of
consolation"are they really believed, felt, trusted in, rejoiced over?...
TheMourner's Thoughts of Heaven.
... MOURNING AND CONSOLATION. 568. " TheMourner's Thoughts of Heaven. 568.
CM Barbauld. TheMourner's Thoughts of Heaven. 1 Not...
Anonymous. TheMourner.
... VII. THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. 340. 11 & 10s. M. Anonymous. TheMourner. 1 Weep
thou, Omourner! but in lamentation Let thy Redeemer still...
The Third Epistle of the Same to the Same.
... The involuntary murderer for two years shall be amourner, for three years a hearer,
four years a prostrator, one year a co-stander, and then communicate....
Motives to Holy Mourning
... Chrysostom observes that David who was the greatmourner in Israel was the sweet
singer in Israel.... He that weeps here is a blessedmourner....
Psalm XXXVIII.
... "How should he be blessed if he is amourner? How blessed, if he is miserable?"
Nay rather, he would be miserable, if he were not amourner....
The Comforts Belonging to Mourners
... that he might comfort them that mourn (Isaiah 61:3). Christ had the oil of gladness
poured on him (as Chrysostom says) that he might pour it upon themourner....
Blessed are the Poor in Spirit
... chained together. He that has poverty of spirit is amourner. He that is
amourner is meek. He that is meek is merciful, etc. The...
Thesaurus
Mourner (6 Occurrences)... 1. (n.) One who mourns or is grieved at any misfortune, as the death of a friend.
2. (n.) One who attends a funeral as a hired
mourner.
...Mourner (6 Occurrences).
...Feign (11 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 14:5, "feign herself to be another woman," 1ki 14:6; compare Genesis
42:7 Proverbs 26:24); 'abhal, "to mourn," "to act as amourner" (2 Samuel 14:2...
Mourned (54 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 14:2 Joab sent to Tekoa, and fetched there a wise woman, and said to her,
"Please act like amourner, and put on mourning clothing, please, and don't...
Mourners (13 Occurrences)
Keener (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) A professionalmourner who wails at a funeral.
Multi-Version Concordance Keener (2 Occurrences). Hebrews...
Jaanai (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible DictionaryMourner, one of the chief Gadites (1 Chronicles
5:12). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. JAANAI. ja'-a-ni...
Jachan (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible DictionaryMourner, one of the chief Gadite "brothers" in Bashan
(1 Chronicles 5:13). Multi-Version Concordance Jachan (1 Occurrence)....
Fetched (26 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 14:2 Joab sent to Tekoa, and fetched there a wise woman, and said to her,
"Please act like amourner, and put on mourning clothing, please, and don't...
Teko'a (11 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 14:2 And Joab sent to Tekoa, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said
unto her: 'I pray thee, feign thyself to be amourner, and put on mourning...
Tekoah (3 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 14:2 And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said
unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be amourner, and put on now mourning...
Resources
Why is Queen Mary I of England known as Bloody Mary? | GotQuestions.orgWhat did it mean to tear one's clothes in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a garment of praise (Isaiah 61:3)? | GotQuestions.orgMourner: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
