Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5200 Human civilisation  »  5419 mourning

The expression of grief at a time of bereavement or repentance, often accompanied by weeping, tearing of clothes and wearing sackcloth.

Regulations for the mourning of priests after bereavement

Leviticus 21:1-4,10-11

Mourning of God's people after bereavement

Israel for Aaron

Numbers 20:29

Israel for Moses

Deuteronomy 34:8

David for Saul and Jonathan

2 Samuel 1:11-12 See also 2 Samuel 1:17-27

David for Absalom

2 Samuel 18:33

Job for his children

Job 1:20-21

Other examples

See also Genesis 37:34-35; Genesis 50:11; 2 Samuel 13:31; Samuel 14:2; 2 Chronicles 35:23-25; Matthew 2:18; John 11:31,33; Acts 8:2

Examples of heathen mourning after bereavement

Isaiah 15:2-3; Jeremiah 47:5; Jeremiah 48:37; Ezekiel 27:30-32

Mourning as an expression of repentance

Exodus 33:4; Ezra 9:3-6

Mourning because of misfortune

2 Samuel 13:9; Job 2:12-13

The employment of professional mourners

Jeremiah 9:17-18; Amos 5:16; Matthew 9:23 pp Mark 5:39 pp Luke 8:52

Mourning spoken of metaphorically

Jeremiah 7:29 See also Isaiah 3:18-24; Ezekiel 7:18; Joel 1:8; Amos 8:10; Micah 1:16

As a sign of repentance for sin

Joel 2:12-13 See also Isaiah 22:12

See also

5198  weeping
5241  burial
5320  funeral
5795  bereavement
5899  lament
5952  sorrow
6732  repentance
6742  sackcloth & ashes
9020  death