Definition and Cultural Context:
Tearing, in the biblical context, often refers to the act of rending garments, a practice deeply rooted in ancient Near Eastern customs. This act was a physical expression of profound emotion, typically associated with grief, mourning, repentance, or indignation. The tearing of clothes symbolized a heart torn by sorrow or distress, serving as an outward manifestation of inner turmoil.

Biblical Instances and Significance:

1. Grief and Mourning:
Tearing garments was a common response to the death of a loved one or a national tragedy. In Genesis 37:34, Jacob tore his clothes upon believing that his son Joseph had been killed: "Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth around his waist, and mourned for his son many days." This act signified the depth of his sorrow and loss.

2. Repentance and Humility:
The tearing of clothes also symbolized repentance and a contrite heart before God. In Joel 2:13, the prophet calls for genuine repentance: "So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God." Here, the emphasis is on true repentance, urging the people to demonstrate inner change rather than mere outward ritual.

3. Indignation and Anger:
Tearing garments could also express righteous indignation or anger, particularly in response to blasphemy or sacrilege. In 2 Kings 22:11, King Josiah tore his clothes upon hearing the words of the Book of the Law, realizing the extent of the nation's disobedience: "When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes."

4. Divine Judgment and Prophecy:
Prophets sometimes tore their garments as a sign of impending divine judgment. In 1 Kings 11:30-31, the prophet Ahijah tore his new cloak into twelve pieces to symbolize the division of Solomon's kingdom: "And Ahijah took hold of the new cloak he was wearing, tore it into twelve pieces, and said to Jeroboam, 'Take ten pieces for yourself, for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I am about to tear the kingdom out of Solomon’s hand and give you ten tribes.'"

5. New Testament Context:
In the New Testament, the high priest tore his clothes in response to what he perceived as blasphemy during Jesus' trial. Mark 14:63 records, "At this, the high priest tore his clothes and declared, 'Why do we need any more witnesses?'" This act was a dramatic expression of outrage and a formal declaration of Jesus' supposed guilt.

Symbolic Meaning:
The act of tearing garments in the Bible is rich with symbolic meaning, often reflecting a heart in distress, a call to repentance, or a reaction to divine revelation. It underscores the importance of sincerity in one's relationship with God, emphasizing that true repentance and mourning are matters of the heart, not just external displays.

Theological Implications:
From a theological perspective, the practice of tearing garments serves as a reminder of the seriousness of sin, the need for genuine repentance, and the importance of aligning one's heart with God's will. It also highlights the human response to divine encounters, whether in grief, repentance, or righteous indignation.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Tear.2506. kathairesis -- a pulling down
... See 2507 (). Word Origin from kathaireo Definition a pulling down NASB Word Usage
destroying (1), destruction (1), tearing down (1). destruction, pulling down. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2506.htm - 6k

1284. diarresso -- to tear asunder
... rend. Word Origin from dia and rhegnumi Definition to tear asunder NASB
Word Usage break (2), tearing (1), tore (2). break, rend. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1284.htm - 6k

2963. taraph -- to tear, rend, pluck
... root Definition to tear, rend, pluck NASB Word Usage feed (1), ravening (1), ravenous
(1), surely been torn to pieces (2), tear (7), tearing (2), tears (2 ...
/hebrew/2963.htm - 6k

Of the Man Out of whom the Unclean Spirit that was Tormenting Him ...
... went out of the man in such a way as not to hurt him: whereas Mark's statement is
to this effect: "And the unclean spirit cometh out of him, tearing him, and ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter ii of the man out.htm

A Slave Girl who Helped Her Master
... When Elisha the man of God heard that the ruler of Israel was tearing his clothes,
he sent this message to him: "Why are you tearing your clothes? ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/a slave girl who helped.htm

Of the Raising of the Daughter of the Ruler of the Synagogue, and ...
... For it is more usual with us to say, "You are tearing me," [948] than to say, "You
are tearing my clothes;" as, notwithstanding the term, the sense we wish to ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter xxviii of the raising of.htm

The Comer's Conflict with Satan
... And lastly, the casting down and tearing which is mentioned in my text is
a picture of the comer's conflict with the enemy of souls. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the comers conflict with satan.htm

The Demoniac
... And the unclean spirit, tearing him and crying with a loud voice, came out
of him. ... Tearing and screaming, he came out, but we read in St. ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 1 23-28 the demoniac.htm

John Chapter i. 32, 33
... Ravens kiss, but they tear; the nature of doves is innocent of tearing. Where
consequently there is tearing, there is not true peace in the kisses. ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate vi john chapter i.htm

Saving Faith.
... they know no more about it than Agrippa or Felix, as is manifest when they come
to die, for then, these very people are wringing their hands, tearing their hair ...
//christianbookshelf.org/booth/godliness/chapter ii saving faith.htm

Manuscripts of the Septuagint.
... Slighter defects, due to the tearing of leaves, occur in Genesis
1:20"25, 29"ii.3; Leviticus 8:6, 7, 16; Sirach l.21, 22, li.5. ...
/.../chapter v manuscripts of the.htm

Chrysostom -- Excessive Grief at the Death of Friends
... into it with greater glory. Let us not, therefore, regard the tearing down,
but the splendor which is to succeed. If, again, a man ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume i/chrysostom excessive grief at.htm

The Cause and Cure of Earthquakes
... Most of the rivers were stopped for twenty-four hours, by the falling of the mountains;
till, swelling up, they made themselves new channels, tearing up trees ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 129 the cause and.htm

Tearing (11 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Tearing (11 Occurrences). Mark 1:26 And the unclean spirit,
tearing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. (ASV). ...
/t/tearing.htm - 9k

Rip (3 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To divide or separate the parts of, by cutting or tearing; to tear or cut
open or off; to tear off or out by violence; as, to rip a garment by cutting ...
/r/rip.htm - 8k

Eagle (27 Occurrences)
... nesher; properly the griffon vulture or great vulture, so called from its tearing
its prey with its beak), referred to for its swiftness of flight (Deuteronomy ...
/e/eagle.htm - 28k

Teareth (6 Occurrences)

/t/teareth.htm - 8k

James (40 Occurrences)
... he reminds them (1:27) that it consists rather in active love and purity; fanaticism,
which, under the cloak of religious zeal, was tearing Jerusalem in pieces ...
/j/james.htm - 78k

Grate (6 Occurrences)
... 8. (vi) To make a harsh sound by friction. 9. (vi) To produce the effect of rubbing
with a hard rough material; to cause wearing, tearing, or bruising. ...
/g/grate.htm - 10k

Gaining (17 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Ezekiel 22:27 Its princes in its midst 'are' as wolves, Tearing prey, to
shed blood, to destroy souls, For the sake of gaining dishonest gain. (YLT). ...
/g/gaining.htm - 11k

Tear (97 Occurrences)
... 11. (n.) The act of tearing, or the state of being torn; a rent; a fissure. Int.
Standard Bible Encyclopedia. TEAR BOTTLE. See next article. ...
/t/tear.htm - 37k

Roaring (28 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS YLT). Psalms 22:13 They open their mouths wide against me, lions tearing
prey and roaring. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/r/roaring.htm - 15k

River (189 Occurrences)
... In less than two hours a dry desert wady upwards of 300 yards broad was turned into
a foaming torrent from 8 to 10 feet deep, roaring and tearing down and ...
/r/river.htm - 52k

What did it mean to tear one's clothes in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What was the significance of the temple veil being torn in two when Jesus died? | GotQuestions.org

Summary of the Book of 2 Corinthians - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org

Tearing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus