Bereavement refers to the period of mourning and grief following the death of a loved one. In the Bible, bereavement is a significant theme, reflecting the human experience of loss and the hope found in God's promises. The Scriptures provide numerous examples and teachings that offer comfort and guidance to those who are grieving.

Biblical Examples of Bereavement

1. Abraham and Sarah: The death of Sarah is one of the earliest recorded instances of bereavement in the Bible. Abraham mourned for Sarah and wept over her (Genesis 23:2). This account highlights the deep sorrow experienced by those who lose a spouse.

2. Jacob and Joseph: Jacob experienced profound grief when he believed his son Joseph had been killed by a wild animal. Genesis 37:34-35 describes Jacob tearing his clothes, putting on sackcloth, and mourning for many days, refusing to be comforted.

3. David and Absalom: King David's lament over the death of his son Absalom is a poignant expression of a father's grief. In 2 Samuel 18:33 , David cries out, "O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you—O Absalom, my son, my son!"

4. Mary and Martha: The sisters Mary and Martha mourned the death of their brother Lazarus. In John 11:33-35 , Jesus, deeply moved by their sorrow, wept with them, demonstrating His compassion and empathy.

Teachings on Bereavement

1. God's Comfort: The Bible assures believers of God's comfort in times of mourning. In 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 , Paul writes, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles."

2. Hope in Resurrection: The Christian hope in the resurrection provides solace in bereavement. In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 , Paul encourages believers not to grieve like those without hope, for "we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so also God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus."

3. Eternal Perspective: The Bible encourages an eternal perspective on life and death. In Philippians 1:21 , Paul declares, "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain," emphasizing the believer's ultimate union with Christ.

4. Community Support: Scripture highlights the importance of community support during times of loss. Romans 12:15 instructs believers to "rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep," underscoring the role of the church in providing comfort and solidarity.

Expressions of Grief

The Bible acknowledges the natural expressions of grief, such as weeping, lamentation, and mourning rituals. Ecclesiastes 3:4 states there is "a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance," recognizing the seasons of life and the appropriateness of mourning.

God's Promise of Restoration

In the midst of bereavement, the Bible offers the promise of restoration and joy. Psalm 30:5 assures, "Weeping may stay for the night, but joy comes in the morning." This promise reflects the hope that God will ultimately turn mourning into gladness.

Bereavement, while a painful part of the human experience, is addressed in the Bible with compassion, hope, and the assurance of God's presence. Through the examples of biblical figures and the teachings of Scripture, believers are encouraged to find solace in God's promises and the support of their faith community.(n.) The state of being bereaved; deprivation; esp., the loss of a relative by death.7908. shekol -- bereavement, loss of children
... 7907, 7908. shekol. 7909 . bereavement, loss of children. Transliteration:
shekol Phonetic Spelling: (shek-ole') Short Definition: children. ...
/hebrew/7908.htm - 6k

7923. shikkulim -- bereavement, childlessness
... 7922, 7923. shikkulim. 7924 . bereavement, childlessness. Transliteration:
shikkulim Phonetic Spelling: (shik-koo-leem') Short Definition: bereaved. ...
/hebrew/7923.htm - 6k

489. almon -- widow- hood
... Word Origin from alam Definition widow- hood NASB Word Usage widowhood (1). widowhood.
From 'alam as in 'alman; bereavement -- widowhood. see HEBREW 'alam. ...
/hebrew/489.htm - 6k

488. alman -- widowed
... forsaken. Prolonged from 'alam in the sense of bereavement; discarded (as a divorced
person) -- forsaken. see HEBREW 'alam. 487, 488. alman. 489 . ...
/hebrew/488.htm - 6k

In Bereavement.
... ORIGINAL HYMNS HYMN CLXXVIII. In Bereavement. 8.6.8.6 D James Montgomery.
In Bereavement. Lift up thine eyes, afflicted soul! ...
/.../montgomery/sacred poems and hymns/hymn clxxviii in bereavement.htm

Consolations in Bereavement.
... MOURNING AND CONSOLATION. 603. " Consolations in Bereavement. 603. CM
Wilson. Consolations in Bereavement. 1 The air of death ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/603 consolations in bereavement.htm

Consolations in Bereavement
... The Treasury of Sacred Song. Book First CCCLXXIV CONSOLATIONS IN BEREAVEMENT.
See [173]Note. Death was full urgent with thee, Sister dear,. ...
/.../palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/ccclxxiv consolations in bereavement.htm

Of Patience under Bereavement.
... Chapter IX."Of Patience Under Bereavement. Not even that species of impatience
under the loss of our dear ones is excused, where ...
/.../tertullian/of patience/chapter ix of patience under bereavement.htm

Songs of the Cross under a Heavy Private Cross or Bereavement.
... Songs of the Cross Under a Heavy Private Cross or Bereavement. IV. Under
a Heavy Private Cross or Bereavement. 8,6,8,6,8,8,6. Ach ...
/.../lyra germanica second series the christian life/songs of the cross under.htm

Lights and Shadows.
... It requires no small fortitude in the season of sore bereavement to face an altered
world; and, doubtless, passing all alone now through the little town ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/vii lights and shadows.htm

A Heavenly Pattern for Our Earthly Life
... That "will" may bring us bereavement, sickness, and loss; but let us learn to say,
"It is the Lord: let him do what seemeth him good." We should not only yield ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 30 1884/a heavenly pattern for our.htm

Second Causes.
... Often at a season of sore bereavement some one poignant thought or reflection takes
possession of the mind, and, for the time, overmasters every other. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/xi second causes.htm

The Box of Ointment.
... How often in a time of severe bereavement, when some "light of the dwelling" has
suddenly been extinguished, does the imagination fondly dwell on the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/xvii the box of ointment.htm

Lessons.
... Bethany is a mourning household. The sisters are bowed in the agony of their worst
bereavement"the prop of their existence is laid low""Lazarus is dead!" ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/iii lessons.htm

Bereavement (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Bereavement (4 Occurrences). Psalms 35:12 They reward
me evil for good, to the bereavement of my soul. (DBY JPS NAS). ...
/b/bereavement.htm - 7k

Loss (90 Occurrences)
... Genesis 31:39, where Jacob assures Laban that he (Jacob) suffered the loss of all
animals of the flock torn by beasts); shekhol, "bereavement" (Isaiah 47:8 ...
/l/loss.htm - 37k

Bereaver (1 Occurrence)
... The expression bereavement (the Revised Version (British and American) Isaiah
49:20) in the phrase "the children of thy bereft" means "the children born to ...
/b/bereaver.htm - 8k

Bereaved (20 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 49:20 The children of thy bereavement shall yet say in thine ears: 'The place
is too strait for me; give place to me that I may dwell.' (See NAS). ...
/b/bereaved.htm - 12k

Luxurious (9 Occurrences)
... hear this, O luxurious one, Who is sitting confidently -- Who is saying in her heart,
'I 'am', and none else, I sit not a widow, nor know bereavement.' (YLT). ...
/l/luxurious.htm - 9k

Forlorn (3 Occurrences)
... children hath languished. (See RSV). Psalms 35:12 They repay me evil for good;
bereavement is come to my soul. (See RSV NIV). Isaiah 27 ...
/f/forlorn.htm - 7k

Bereave (10 Occurrences)
... The expression bereavement (the Revised Version (British and American) Isaiah
49:20) in the phrase "the children of thy bereft" means "the children born to ...
/b/bereave.htm - 11k

Bitter (203 Occurrences)
... biting words; intense misery resulting from forsaking God, from a life of sin and
impurity; the misery of servitude; the misfortunes of bereavement; (3) more ...
/b/bitter.htm - 42k

Bereft (9 Occurrences)
... The expression bereavement (the Revised Version (British and American) Isaiah
49:20) in the phrase "the children of thy bereft" means "the children born to ...
/b/bereft.htm - 10k

Bitterness (37 Occurrences)
... biting words; intense misery resulting from forsaking God, from a life of sin and
impurity; the misery of servitude; the misfortunes of bereavement; (3) more ...
/b/bitterness.htm - 21k

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