Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5650 Human relationships  »  5689 friendlessness

The bitter experience of the absence of friendship, leading to a sense of isolation and despair. It is often blamed on the faithlessness of others or even on God himself.

The experience of friendlessness

The darkness of being alone

Psalm 88:18 See also Psalm 88:8; Psalm 102:7; Psalm 142:4

Contempt and rejection

Psalm 31:11-12 See also Psalm 38:11

Hatred and loathing

Job 19:13-19 See also Job 30:10

Slander and conspiracy

Psalm 31:13 See also Jeremiah 20:10

Examples of friendlessness

Elijah

1 Kings 19:10

Jesus Christ

Mark 14:50 See also Isaiah 53:3; Matthew 26:56; John 16:32

The prodigal son

Luke 15:16

The lame man at the pool of Bethesda

John 5:7

Paul

2 Timothy 4:16 See also 2 Timothy 4:10-11

The undesirability of friendlessness

Genesis 2:18; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Cultivating true friends is the way to avoid friendlessness

1 Samuel 18:1; Psalm 119:63 See also Luke 16:19

See also

5398  loss
5690  friends
5734  relationships
5770  abandonment
5805  comfort
5901  loneliness
7921  fellowship
8727  enemies