Unloved
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In the biblical context, the term "unloved" often refers to individuals who experience a lack of affection or favor, particularly within familial or marital relationships. This concept is explored in various narratives and teachings throughout the Scriptures, highlighting the emotional and spiritual challenges faced by those who feel unloved.

Leah and Rachel

One of the most poignant examples of being unloved is found in the account of Leah and Rachel, the wives of Jacob. Leah, the elder sister, is described as being less favored by Jacob compared to her sister Rachel. Genesis 29:31 states, "When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren." Leah's experience of being unloved by her husband is a central theme in her account, and it underscores the pain and longing for acceptance and love that she endures. Despite her situation, God shows compassion towards Leah by blessing her with children, which in the cultural context of the time, was a significant source of honor and value.

Hagar and Ishmael

Another narrative involving the theme of being unloved is the account of Hagar and her son Ishmael. Hagar, an Egyptian maidservant, becomes pregnant by Abraham, leading to tension with Sarah, Abraham's wife. Eventually, Hagar and Ishmael are sent away, effectively making them feel unloved and abandoned. In Genesis 21:17 , God hears the cries of Ishmael and reassures Hagar, saying, "Do not be afraid, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he lies." This account illustrates God's attentiveness to those who are marginalized and unloved, providing them with hope and a future.

David and Michal

The relationship between David and Michal, Saul's daughter, also reflects the theme of being unloved. Initially, Michal loves David and helps him escape from her father's wrath (1 Samuel 19:11-17). However, as the narrative progresses, their relationship deteriorates. In 2 Samuel 6:16, Michal despises David in her heart as she watches him dance before the LORD. The estrangement between David and Michal serves as a reminder of how love can wane and turn into disdain, leaving individuals feeling unloved and isolated.

Spiritual Implications

The Bible also addresses the spiritual implications of feeling unloved. In the New Testament, the love of God is presented as the ultimate remedy for the human experience of being unloved. Romans 5:8 declares, "But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." This profound expression of divine love offers assurance and comfort to those who feel unloved by others, emphasizing that God's love is steadfast and unconditional.

Christian Response

From a Christian perspective, believers are called to reflect God's love in their relationships with others. Jesus' commandment in John 13:34 states, "A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another." This directive encourages Christians to actively love and care for those who may feel unloved, embodying the love of Christ in their actions and attitudes.

In summary, the theme of being unloved is intricately woven into the biblical narrative, offering both a reflection on human relationships and a revelation of God's enduring love for His people. Through these accounts and teachings, the Bible provides insight into the struggles of feeling unloved and the hope found in God's unwavering love.
Strong's Hebrew
8146. sani -- hated, held in aversion
... 8145, 8146. sani. 8147 . hated, held in aversion. Transliteration: sani
Phonetic Spelling: (saw-nee') Short Definition: unloved. ...
/hebrew/8146.htm - 6k

8130. sane -- to hate
... 3), enmity (1), foes (1), hate (78), hated (28), hated her intensely (1), hates
(19), hating (2), hatred (1), turned against (1), turns against (2), unloved (7 ...
/hebrew/8130.htm - 6k

Library

October 27:
... 27-Oct. October 27th. No worse fate can befall a man in this world than to
live and grow old alone, unloving and unloved. To be lost ...
//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/beautiful thoughts/october 27 0 0.htm

The Defence
... No worse fate can befall a man in this world than to live and grow old
alone, unloving, and unloved. To be lost is to live in an ...
/.../drummond/the greatest thing in the world and other addresses/the defence.htm

The Gods of Egypt
... It was a sorry solution of his problem to feel that he was unloved, and even while
he recognized its efficacy, he prayed that it might not be so. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xv the gods of.htm

Anon.
... I shall not much bewail my woe. But even to be. In heaven unloved of Thee,. Were
hell in heaven for to see. Then hear my cry and help afford: ...
//christianbookshelf.org/palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/lxxvii anon.htm

An Intercession
... Wouldst lead them now! Why in the hard and thorny way they press. Unloved, uncomforted,
with none to bless,. In living death, I know not: but spare Thou,. ...
/.../palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/ccclxxxv an intercession.htm

The Looks of Jesus
... to the assured inward peace and spontaneous goodness for which he longed, and had
not found in all the round of punctilious obedience to unloved commandments. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the looks of jesus.htm

The Trial by Fire
... Wild cries and passionate desires, flung upwards to an unloved god, are not prayer;
and that solace and anchor of the troubled soul is wanting in all the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the trial by fire.htm

The First Preaching at Antioch
... If we are true to our Lord, we shall feel that we cannot but speak up and out for
Him, and that all the more where His name is unloved and unhonoured. ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture the acts/the first preaching at antioch.htm

Again the Council of the Covenant was in Session. ...
... would not let you go.". This unloved and terrible man, still leaning upon
the shoulder of Vergilius, wept feebly. It seemed as if ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 20 again the council.htm

Growth in Christliness of Life.
... They hear the plaintive voices of dying men, and the tearful cries of
despondent women, and the helpless moans of unloved children. ...
/.../rees/the heart-cry of jesus/chapter xii growth in christliness.htm

Thesaurus
Unloved (6 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Unloved (6 Occurrences). ... Proverbs 30:23 for an unloved
woman when she is married; and a handmaid who is heir to her mistress. ...
/u/unloved.htm - 8k

Unloosing (1 Occurrence)

/u/unloosing.htm - 6k

Unloving (2 Occurrences)

/u/unloving.htm - 6k

Mistress (20 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Proverbs 30:23 for an unloved woman
when she is married; and a handmaid who is heir to her mistress. ...
/m/mistress.htm - 14k

Maid (57 Occurrences)
... (Root in WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV). Proverbs 30:23 for an unloved woman
when she is married; and a handmaid who is heir to her mistress. ...
/m/maid.htm - 27k

Heir (20 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Proverbs 30:23 for an unloved woman when she is married; and a handmaid
who is heir to her mistress. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). ...
/h/heir.htm - 23k

Handmaid (77 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). Proverbs 30:23 for an unloved woman when
she is married; and a handmaid who is heir to her mistress. ...
/h/handmaid.htm - 34k

Resources
What are the five love languages? | GotQuestions.org

Why did Elisha request a double portion of Elijah's spirit? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Agur son of Jakeh (Proverbs 30)? | GotQuestions.org

Unloved: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Unloved (6 Occurrences)

Genesis 29:31
Yahweh saw that Leah was hated, and he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren.
(See NAS)

Genesis 29:33
She conceived again, and bore a son, and said, "Because Yahweh has heard that I am hated, he has therefore given me this son also." She named him Simeon.
(See NAS)

Deuteronomy 21:15
If a man have two wives, the one beloved, and the other hated, and they have borne him children, both the beloved and the hated; and if the firstborn son be hers who was hated;
(See NAS)

Deuteronomy 21:16
then it shall be, in the day that he causes his sons to inherit that which he has, that he may not make the son of the beloved the firstborn before the son of the hated, who is the firstborn:
(See NAS)

Deuteronomy 21:17
but he shall acknowledge the firstborn, the son of the hated, by giving him a double portion of all that he has; for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his.
(See NAS NIV)

Proverbs 30:23
for an unloved woman when she is married; and a handmaid who is heir to her mistress.
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Subtopics

Unloved

Related Terms

Unmanageable (3 Occurrences)

Unloved (6 Occurrences)

Reconciliation (11 Occurrences)

Reconcile (10 Occurrences)

Unloosing
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