Topical Encyclopedia
Rending, in biblical terms, refers to the act of tearing or splitting something apart, often as a symbolic gesture of grief, repentance, or indignation. This practice is frequently mentioned in the Bible, particularly in the Old Testament, where it serves as a physical expression of deep emotional or spiritual states.
Old Testament ContextIn the Hebrew Bible, rending one's garments is a common expression of mourning or distress. For instance, when Jacob believed that his son Joseph had been killed, he "tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourned for his son many days" (
Genesis 37:34). This act of tearing one's clothing was a visible sign of inner turmoil and sorrow.
Rending is also associated with repentance and turning back to God. The prophet Joel calls the people to repentance with the words, "Rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion" (
Joel 2:13). Here, the emphasis is on genuine repentance and heartfelt contrition rather than mere outward displays.
Symbolism and SignificanceThe act of rending is rich in symbolic meaning. It signifies a breaking or tearing away from sin, a separation from past wrongs, and a movement towards spiritual renewal. In the context of mourning, it represents the tearing of the heart, a profound expression of loss and lamentation.
In
2 Kings 22:11, when King Josiah hears the words of the Book of the Law, he tears his clothes as a sign of his distress over the nation's disobedience to God's commands. This act underscores the seriousness with which he regards the covenant and his commitment to reform.
New Testament ReferencesWhile the New Testament does not emphasize the physical act of rending garments as much as the Old Testament, the concept of rending is still present. At the crucifixion of Jesus, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom (
Matthew 27:51). This rending of the veil symbolizes the removal of the barrier between God and humanity, granting believers direct access to the presence of God through the atoning work of Christ.
Cultural and Historical ContextIn ancient Near Eastern cultures, rending garments was a customary response to grief and calamity. It was a public demonstration of one's emotional state and often accompanied by other mourning practices such as wearing sackcloth and ashes. The act of rending was not limited to personal grief but extended to national crises, as seen in the collective mourning of Israel during times of disaster or divine judgment.
Theological ImplicationsTheologically, rending serves as a powerful metaphor for the inner transformation that God desires from His people. It calls for sincerity in worship and repentance, urging believers to move beyond superficial expressions of faith to a deeper, more authentic relationship with God. The call to "rend your hearts" challenges individuals to examine their inner lives and align their actions with God's will.
In summary, rending in the Bible is a multifaceted concept that encompasses expressions of grief, repentance, and spiritual renewal. It serves as a poignant reminder of the need for genuine contrition and the transformative power of God's grace.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Rend.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
CLOTHES, RENDING OFklothz, (keri`ath beghadhim): This term is used to describe an ordinary tear made in a garment. Samuel's skirt was rent when Saul laid hold upon it (1 Samuel 15:27). Jesus spoke about a rent being made in a garment (Matthew 9:16). The term is also used to describe a Hebrew custom which indicated deep sorrow. Upon the death of a relative or important personage, or when there was a great calamity, it was customary for the Hebrews to tear their garments. Reuben rent his clothes when he found that Joseph had been taken from the pit (Genesis 37:29). The sons of Jacob rent their clothes when the cup was found in Benjamin's sack (Genesis 44:13). A messenger came to Eli with his clothes rent to tell of the taking of the ark of God and of the death of his two sons (1 Samuel 4:12). David rent his garments when he heard that Absalom had slain his brothers (2 Samuel 13:31). See also2 Samuel 15:322 Kings 18:37;Isaiah 36:22Jeremiah 41:5. Rending of clothes was also an expression of indignation. The high priest rent his garment when Jesus spoke what he thought was blasphemy (Matthew 26:65).
See alsoMOURNING.
A. W. Fortune
RENDING OF GARMENTS
ren'-ding.
SeeBURIAL, IV;DRESS.
Strong's Hebrew
6561. paraq -- to tear apart or away... root Definition to tear apart or away NASB Word Usage break (1), deliver (1), dragging
me away (1),
rending (1), rescued (1), tear it off (1), tear off (2
...Library
TheRending of the Kingdom
... From Strength to Weakness Chapter 6 TheRending of the Kingdom.... Thus was fulfilled
the prediction of the prophet concerning therending of the kingdom....
Lo, the Clouds of Night areRending,
... HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH Lo, the clouds of night arerending,. 8,7,8,5. Lo, the
clouds of night arerending,. Clad in light, heavenly bright,....
Of theRending of the Veil of the Temple, and of the Question...
... Chapter XIX."Of theRending of the Veil of the Temple, and of the Question Whether
Matthew and Mark Really Harmonize with Luke with Respect to the Order in...
On the Unutterable Heart-Rending Grief of the Pure Queen of Heaven...
... PART THE FIRST. CHAPTER XVII. On The Unutterable Heart-Rending Grief of
The Pure Queen of Heaven. The Servant."Who will give my...
Phenomena Accompanying the Death of Christ: the Earthquake the...
... CHAPTER VII. THE CRUCIFIXION. Section 293. Phenomena accompanying the Death of Christ:
the Earthquake the Darkness; theRending of the Temple-veil....
The Signs
... by them in the world unseen. I. The first sign was therending of the
veil of the temple. This was a heavy curtain covering the...
Twenty-Eighth Day. The Way into the Holiest.
... Him in it. That way led to therending of the veil of the flesh, and so
through the rent veil of the flesh, in to God. And was the...
The Rent Veil
... itself all lesser marvels. Yet therending of the veil of the temple is
not a miracle to be lightly passed over. It was made of...
A Threefold Thought of Sin and Forgiveness
... The word translated 'transgression' seems literally to signify separation, orrending
apart, or departure, and hence comes to express the notion of apostasy...
September the Twelfth the Garments of the Soul
... JOEL ii.12-19. I am so apt to think that therending of an outer garment
is a token of true penitence and amendment of life. But...
Thesaurus
Rending (8 Occurrences)... CLOTHES,
RENDING OF.
... See also 2 Samuel 15:32 2 Kings 18:37; Isaiah 36:22 Jeremiah
41:5.
Rending of clothes was also an expression of indignation.
...Rendeth (23 Occurrences)
... Judges 14:6 and the Spirit of Jehovah prospereth over him, and he rendeth it as
therending of a kid, and there is nothing in his hand, and he hath not...
Garments (232 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible EncyclopediaRENDING OF GARMENTS.... Mark 14:63Rending his garments
the High Priest exclaimed, "What need have we of witnesses after that?...
Clothes (208 Occurrences)
... CLOTHES,RENDING OF.... See also 2 Samuel 15:32 2 Kings 18:37; Isaiah 36:22 Jeremiah
41:5.Rending of clothes was also an expression of indignation....
Thanksgiving (49 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act ofrending thanks, or expressing gratitude
for favors or mercies. 2. (n.) A public acknowledgment...
Rent (76 Occurrences)
... 1. (imp. & pp) of Rend. 2. (vi) To rant. 3. (v.) imp. & pp of Rend. 4. (n.) An opening
made byrending; a break or breach made by force; a tear....
Rendure (1 Occurrence)
Exclaimed (45 Occurrences)
... what wonderful buildings!" (WEY). Mark 14:63Rending his garments the High Priest
exclaimed, "What need have we of witnesses after that? (WEY)....
Ever-living (20 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Hebrews 10:20 by the new and ever-living way which He opened up for us through
therending of the veil--that is to say, of His earthly nature-- (WEY)....
Mourn (87 Occurrences)
... 35:8, marg.; Luke 7:38, etc.); (2) by loud lamentation (Ruth 1:9; 1 Samuel 6:19;
2 Samuel 3:31); (3) by the disfigurement of the person, asrending the clothes...
Resources
What did the Israelites do during a mourning period (Deuteronomy 34:8)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the Levitical priesthood? | GotQuestions.orgDoes the Bible say that abandonment is a valid reason for divorce and remarriage? | GotQuestions.orgRending: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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