In the biblical context, the term "widowed" refers to a woman whose husband has died. The status of widows is addressed extensively in both the Old and New Testaments, highlighting their social, economic, and spiritual significance within the community of Israel and the early Christian church.

Old Testament Context

In ancient Israel, widows were often vulnerable due to the patriarchal structure of society, which placed economic and social security largely in the hands of male family members. The Mosaic Law provided specific instructions to protect and support widows, emphasizing justice and compassion. Deuteronomy 10:18 states, "He executes justice for the fatherless and widow, and loves the foreigner, giving him food and clothing." This reflects God's concern for the marginalized, including widows.

The law also included provisions to ensure that widows were not exploited or neglected. For example, Deuteronomy 24:17 commands, "Do not deny justice to a foreigner or fatherless child, and do not take a widow’s cloak as security." Additionally, the practice of gleaning, as seen in the Book of Ruth, allowed widows to gather leftover crops in the fields, providing them with sustenance (Ruth 2:2-3).

Widows were also included in the triennial tithe, which was intended to support the Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows (Deuteronomy 14:28-29). This ensured that they had access to resources and were not left destitute.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the early Christian church continued the tradition of caring for widows. Acts 6:1-6 describes the appointment of deacons to ensure that the daily distribution of food was fairly administered, particularly to the widows. This highlights the church's commitment to social justice and the well-being of its members.

The Apostle Paul provided specific instructions regarding the care of widows in the church. In 1 Timothy 5:3-16, he outlines criteria for enrolling widows in the church's support system, emphasizing that those who are truly in need should be cared for by the community. Paul writes, "Honor the widows who are truly widows" (1 Timothy 5:3), indicating that the church should prioritize those without family support.

Paul also encourages younger widows to remarry, suggesting that this would prevent them from becoming idle and engaging in gossip (1 Timothy 5:14). This advice reflects a practical approach to ensuring that widows remain productive and integrated into the community.

Spiritual Significance

Widows hold a special place in the biblical narrative, often serving as examples of faith and devotion. The widow of Zarephath, who provided for the prophet Elijah during a famine, is commended for her faith and obedience (1 Kings 17:8-16). Similarly, the widow who gave two small coins at the temple is praised by Jesus for her sacrificial giving, as she "out of her poverty put in all she had to live on" (Mark 12:44).

The Bible consistently portrays God as a defender of widows, underscoring His compassion and justice. Psalm 68:5 describes God as "a father to the fatherless, a defender of widows," affirming His commitment to their welfare.

In summary, the biblical treatment of widows reflects a deep concern for their protection and provision, urging the community to act with justice and compassion. Widows are seen as individuals deserving of honor and care, embodying faith and resilience in the face of adversity.(imp. & p. p.) of Widow.488. alman -- widowed
... widowed. Transliteration: alman Phonetic Spelling: (al-mawn') Short Definition:
forsaken. Word Origin from alam Definition widowed NASB Word Usage forsaken (1). ...
/hebrew/488.htm - 6k

490. almanah -- a widow
... Word Origin fem. of alman Definition a widow NASB Word Usage fortified (2), widow
(37), widow's (5), widowed (1), widows (11). desolate house palace, widow. ...
/hebrew/490.htm - 6k

If, Therefore, You had not as yet Vowed unto God Widowed ...
... Section 23. If, therefore, you had not as yet vowed unto God widowed
continence? 23. If, therefore, you had not as yet vowed unto ...
/.../augustine/on the good of widowhood /section 23 if therefore you.htm

Forasmuch as Certain of the Metropolitans, as we have Heard...
... And if he shall not do this, he shall be liable to ecclesiastical penalties, and
the income of the widowed church shall be kept safe by the steward of the same ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xxv forasmuch as certain.htm

For that Also is no Foolish Question which is Wont to be Proposed. ...
... but also, that she had lived few years with a husband from her virginity, and had
with so great service of piety continued her office of widowed chastity even ...
/.../augustine/on the good of widowhood /section 16 for that also.htm

Christ's Ideal of a Monarch
... Was there some shipwreck or some storm, that widowed humble fisherfolk in their
villages? The Queen's sympathy was the first to reach them. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/christs ideal of a monarch.htm

Of Indulgence and Pure Volition. The Question Illustrated.
... For, withal, when he has laid down the definitive rule with reference to "the widowed
and the unwedded," that they are to "marry if they cannot contain ...
/.../tertullian/on exhortation to chastity/chapter iii of indulgence and pure.htm

Nor, Because I Called Ruth Blessed, Anna More Blessed...
... Nor, because I called Ruth blessed, Anna more blessed, in that the former married
twice, the latter, being soon widowed of her one husband, so lived long, do ...
/.../augustine/on the good of widowhood /section 10 nor because i.htm

These Discussions, Therefore, Concerning the Different Deserts of ...
... For let not such, as condemn the marriage of widowed females, although they exercise
their continence in abstaining from many things, which you make use of, on ...
/.../augustine/on the good of widowhood /section 19 these discussions therefore.htm

The Character and Supports of Widows Indeed.
... A widowed state is naturally desolate, Most widows pass many solitary hours"a lonesome
and melancholy situation;"especially after having known and enjoyed ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxiv the character and.htm

But this is So Great, that Certain Understand it to be the Fruit ...
... let them see to it, who understand these things better than we; whether the virginal
life be in fruit an hundred-fold, in sixty-fold the widowed, in thirty ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/of holy virginity /section 46 but this is.htm

Go on Therefore in Your Course, and Run with Perseverance...
... is less full of care for herself than for you; and that for you rather than for
her I should compose this little work concerning widowed continence; because ...
/.../augustine/on the good of widowhood /section 28 go on therefore.htm

Widowed (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Widow. Multi-Version Concordance
Widowed (5 Occurrences). 1 Timothy 5:16 If any woman of ...
/w/widowed.htm - 8k

Relationships (1 Occurrence)
... Deuteronomy 22:29). A widowed or divorced daughter could return to her
father (Genesis 38:11 Leviticus 22:13 Ruth 1:15). At his ...
/r/relationships.htm - 38k

Widowhood (5 Occurrences)

/w/widowhood.htm - 8k

Widow (71 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A woman who has lost her husband by death, and
has not married again; one living bereaved of a husband. 2. (a.) Widowed. ...
/w/widow.htm - 31k

Naomi (25 Occurrences)
... Naomi longs to return now to her own land, to Bethlehem. One of her widowed
daughters-in-law, Ruth, accompanies her, and is at length married to Boaz (qv). ...
/n/naomi.htm - 17k

One's (59 Occurrences)
... James 1:27 The religious service which is pure and stainless in the sight of our
God and Father is to visit fatherless children and widowed women in their time ...
/o/one's.htm - 22k

Religious (13 Occurrences)
... James 1:27 The religious service which is pure and stainless in the sight of our
God and Father is to visit fatherless children and widowed women in their time ...
/r/religious.htm - 10k

Relations (92 Occurrences)
... relations who are widows, let her give them help, so that the care of them does
not come on the church, and so it may give help to those who are truly widowed. ...
/r/relations.htm - 32k

Disgraced (25 Occurrences)
... will not be put to shame, for the shame of your earlier days will go out of your
memory, and you will no longer keep in mind the sorrows of your widowed years. ...
/d/disgraced.htm - 13k

Bier (3 Occurrences)
... (3) Of Jesus, when He met the procession that went out of the gate of the city of
Nain, bearing to the grave the only son of the widowed mother, Luke says ...
/b/bier.htm - 9k

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