The concept of loneliness is a profound human experience that is addressed in various ways throughout the Bible. Loneliness can be understood as a state of feeling isolated or alone, even when surrounded by others. It is a condition that affects the heart and spirit, often leading individuals to seek solace and companionship.

Biblical Instances of Loneliness

1. Adam in the Garden of Eden: The first instance of loneliness can be seen in the account of Adam. In Genesis 2:18, God observes, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make for him a suitable helper." This highlights the inherent need for companionship and community, as God created Eve to be with Adam, addressing his solitude.

2. David's Lament: King David, a man after God's own heart, often expressed feelings of loneliness and abandonment in the Psalms. In Psalm 25:16, David cries out, "Turn to me and be gracious, for I am lonely and afflicted." This plea reveals the depth of his isolation and his reliance on God for comfort.

3. Elijah's Despair: The prophet Elijah experienced profound loneliness after his victory over the prophets of Baal. In 1 Kings 19:10, Elijah laments, "I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of Hosts... I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life to take it." Despite his faithfulness, Elijah felt isolated and pursued, yet God provided him with reassurance and companionship.

4. Jesus in Gethsemane: The ultimate example of loneliness is found in Jesus Christ. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus experienced deep sorrow and isolation as He prayed alone, while His disciples slept. In Matthew 26:38, He says, "My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me." This moment underscores the weight of His impending sacrifice and the solitude He faced.

God's Presence in Loneliness

The Bible consistently affirms that God is present with those who feel lonely. In Psalm 68:6, it is written, "God sets the lonely in families; He leads out the prisoners with singing." This verse emphasizes God's care and provision for those who are isolated, offering them a place of belonging.

Isaiah 41:10 provides further assurance: "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." This promise of God's presence and support is a source of comfort for the lonely.

Community and Fellowship

The New Testament encourages believers to seek fellowship and community as a remedy for loneliness. Hebrews 10:24-25 urges, "And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching." The early church exemplified this through communal living and mutual support, as seen in Acts 2:42-47.

Prayer and Solitude

While loneliness is often seen as negative, the Bible also presents solitude as an opportunity for spiritual growth and communion with God. Jesus frequently withdrew to solitary places to pray, as noted in Luke 5:16: "But Jesus Himself frequently withdrew to the wilderness and prayed." This practice highlights the importance of seeking God in times of solitude, transforming loneliness into a time of spiritual renewal.

In summary, the Bible acknowledges the reality of loneliness but offers hope and companionship through God's presence, the support of the community, and the practice of prayer.1. (superl.) Sequestered from company or neighbors; solitary; retired; as, a lonely situation; a lonely cell.

2. (superl.) Alone, or in want of company; forsaken.

3. (superl.) Not frequented by human beings; as, a lonely wood.

4. (superl.) Having a feeling of depression or sadness resulting from the consciousness of being alone; lonesome.

3173. yachid -- only, only one, solitary
... Word Origin from yachad Definition only, only one, solitary NASB Word Usage
lonely (2), one and child (1), only (5), only son (4). ...
/hebrew/3173.htm - 6k

909. badad -- to be separate, isolated
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to be separate, isolated NASB Word Usage
alone (1), lonely (1), shoots (2), straggler (1). alone. ...
/hebrew/909.htm - 5k

6505. pered -- a mule
... mule. From parad; a mule (perhaps from his lonely habits) -- mule. see HEBREW
parad. 6504, 6505. pered. 6506 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/6505.htm - 6k

910. badad -- isolation, separation
... Word Origin from badad Definition isolation, separation NASB Word Usage alone (6),
apart (1), isolated (1), itself (1), lonely (1), secluded (1). ...
/hebrew/910.htm - 6k

3490. yathom -- an orphan
... fatherless child, orphan. From an unused root meaning to be lonely; a bereaved person --
fatherless (child), orphan. 3489, 3490. yathom. 3491 . ...
/hebrew/3490.htm - 6k

The Lonely Christ
... LUKE Chaps. XIII to XXIV THE LONELY CHRIST. 'Ye are they which have continued with
Me in My temptations'"Luke 22 28. ... II. See here the lonely Christ. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the lonely christ.htm

Herdsmen Keeping Lonely vigil
... HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH Herdsmen keeping lonely vigil. 8,7,8,7,7,7. Herdsmen
keeping lonely vigil. While the earth in slumber lay; ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the early church/herdsmen keeping lonely vigil.htm

The Lonely Defender of the Bible
... Nicolaj Frederik Severin Grundtvig the Singer of Pentecost Chapter Twelve The Lonely
Defender of the Bible. ... He became the lonely defender of the Bible. ...
/.../aaberg/hymns and hymnwriters of denmark/chapter twelve the lonely defender.htm

M. Anonymous. The Strength of the Lonely.
... VII. THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. 336. 10s. M. Anonymous. The Strength of the Lonely.
1 Though lonely be thy path, fear not, for He Who marks ...
/.../book of hymns for public and private devotion/336 10s m anonymous the.htm

The Burial of Moses
... OF MOSES. By Nebo's lonely mountain, On this side Jordan's wave, In a vale
in the land of Moab There lies a lonely grave. And no ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the burial of moses.htm

A Portrait Gallery
... have sinned, and in Christ all can be forgiven." It was a strange story, and yet
as Fu listened he felt it was true, and as he took the long, lonely walk over ...
/.../the fulfilment of a dream of pastor hsis/chapter vii a portrait gallery.htm

Charity and Loneliness.
... 13. The possession of this Divine Charity often necessitates walking in a
lonely path. ... way. Superior love necessitates a lonely walk. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/booth/godliness/chapter vi charity and loneliness.htm

Grundtvig's Later Years
... The lonely Defender of the Bible became a respected sage and the acknowledged leader
of a fast growing religious and folk movement, both in Denmark and the ...
/.../hymns and hymnwriters of denmark/chapter sixteen grundtvigs later years.htm

Alive unto God.
... Day after day passed over Gordon in his lonely exile far away. ... He knows that he is
permitted to walk the same lonely path as Jesus trod before him. ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon xli alive unto god.htm

A Death in the Desert
... The great law-giver and leader had been all his days a lonely man; and now, surrounded
by a new generation, and all the old familiar faces vanished, he is more ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/a death in the desert.htm

Lonely (14 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (superl.) Sequestered from company or neighbors; solitary;
retired; as, a lonely situation; a lonely cell. ...Lonely (14 Occurrences). ...
/l/lonely.htm - 10k

Lone (1 Occurrence)
... See Loanin. 2. (a.) Being without a companion; being by one's self; also, sad from
lack of companionship; lonely; as, a lone traveler or watcher. ...
/l/lone.htm - 7k

Solitude (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) state of being alone, or withdrawn from society; a lonely life; loneliness. ...
3. (a.) solitary or lonely place; a desert or wilderness. ...
/s/solitude.htm - 7k

Solitary (20 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Living or being by one's self; having no companion
present; being without associates; single; alone; lonely. ...
/s/solitary.htm - 13k

Desolate (189 Occurrences)
... 3. (a.) Left alone; forsaken; lonely; comfortless. 4. (a.) Lost to shame;
dissolute. ... Psalms 68:6 God sets the lonely in families. ...
/d/desolate.htm - 38k

Long (2810 Occurrences)

/l/long.htm - 8k

Vast (54 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (superl.) Waste; desert; desolate; lonely. 2. (superl.)
of the vast ocean; vast mountains; the vast empire of Russia. ...
/v/vast.htm - 22k

Uzziah (27 Occurrences)
... "That lonely grave in the royal necropolis would eloquently testify to coming
generations that all earthly monarchy must bow before the inviolable order of the ...
/u/uzziah.htm - 27k

Inhabited (64 Occurrences)
... Psalms 68:6 God -- causing the lonely to dwell at home, Bringing out bound ones
into prosperity, Only -- the refractory have inhabited a dry place. (YLT). ...
/i/inhabited.htm - 26k

Refractory (7 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Psalms 68:6 God -- causing the lonely to dwell at home, Bringing out bound
ones into prosperity, Only -- the refractory have inhabited a dry place. (YLT) ...
/r/refractory.htm - 9k

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