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
5117 Ruth 5359 justice 5419 mourning 5446 poverty 5487 queen 5711 marriage, restrictions 5730 orphans 5744 wife 5797 bereavement, comfort in 5806 compassion 8224 dependence 8452 neighbours, duty to
