Dictionary of Bible Themes Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5650 Human relationships » 5743 widows God's tender concern for bereaved wives is declared throughout the whole of Scripture. He defends their rights and expects his people to do the same. God is the protector of widows Psalm 68:5 See also Deuteronomy 10:18; Psalm 146:9; Proverbs 15:25; Jeremiah 49:11 Jesus Christ's concern for widows Mark 12:41-44 pp Luke 21:1-4; Luke 7:11-15; Luke 18:1-5 Widows are to be treated justly Deuteronomy 27:19 See also Exodus 22:22-24; Job 24:21-22; Psalm 94:6; Isaiah 10:1-4; Jeremiah 22:3-5; Ezekiel 22:25 Widows are not to be exploited Exodus 22:22 See also Isaiah 10:1-2; Ezekiel 22:7; Malachi 3:5; Mark 12:38-40 pp Luke 20:45-47 The law requires God's people to provide for widows Deuteronomy 24:19 See also Deuteronomy 14:28-29; Deuteronomy 16:11; Deuteronomy 24:17,20-21; Deuteronomy 26:12; Isaiah 1:17 The prophet encourages God's people to return to the law. The Christian community are to care for widows 1 Timothy 5:3 See also 1 Timothy 5:4-16; 1 Corinthians 7:8-9; James 1:27 Examples of widows and their treatment Deuteronomy 16:14; Ruth 1:16-17; 1 Kings 17:13-14; Job 24:3; Job 29:13; Luke 2:36-38 Anna; Luke 4:25-26; Luke 7:11-17 the widow of Nain; Acts 6:1; Acts 9:36-41 Dorcas Women widowed because of God's judgment Exodus 22:22-24 See also Psalm 109:9; Isaiah 9:17; Jeremiah 15:8; Lamentations 5:3 Laws governing the remarriage of widows The people generally Deuteronomy 25:5-10 The OT emphasises continuity of the family line. See also Genesis 38:8; Ruth 3:12 Boaz refers to the law which gave the nearest male relative the duty of marrying the widow; Ruth 4:10; Mark 12:19 pp Luke 20:28 The priests Leviticus 21:13-14 See also Ezekiel 44:22 Widowhood as the personification of a city Lamentations 1:1 A lament for desolate Jerusalem. See also Isaiah 54:4-5 a prophecy of the restoration of Jerusalem; Revelation 18:7 the boasts of Babylon See also
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