Definition and Concept
Brokenness, in a biblical context, refers to a state of being deeply aware of one's own sinfulness, inadequacy, and need for God's grace and mercy. It is often associated with humility, repentance, and a contrite heart. The concept of brokenness is not merely about being emotionally shattered but is a spiritual condition that leads to a deeper reliance on God.

Biblical References

1. Psalm 34:18 · "The LORD is near to the brokenhearted; He saves the contrite in spirit." This verse highlights God's closeness to those who are broken in spirit, emphasizing His compassion and readiness to save those who acknowledge their need for Him.

2. Psalm 51:17 · "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise." King David, in his psalm of repentance, recognizes that God values a heart that is truly repentant and humble over ritual sacrifices.

3. Isaiah 57:15 · "For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: 'I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.'" This passage reveals God's promise to dwell with and revive those who are humble and contrite.

4. Isaiah 66:2 · "Has not My hand made all these things, and so they came into being? declares the LORD. This is the one I will esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My word." God esteems those who are humble and reverent, recognizing their brokenness before Him.

5. Matthew 5:3 · "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Jesus begins the Beatitudes by blessing those who are spiritually poor, acknowledging their need for God, which is a form of brokenness.

Theological Significance

Brokenness is a crucial aspect of the Christian life, as it leads to genuine repentance and transformation. It is through brokenness that believers come to a fuller understanding of their dependence on God. This state of humility and contrition is often the precursor to spiritual renewal and growth.

Examples in Scripture

· David: After his sin with Bathsheba, David's brokenness is evident in Psalm 51, where he pleads for God's mercy and cleansing. His acknowledgment of sin and desire for a pure heart exemplify true brokenness.

· The Prodigal Son: In Luke 15, the parable of the prodigal son illustrates brokenness through the younger son's realization of his waywardness and his return to the father, symbolizing repentance and restoration.

· Peter: After denying Jesus three times, Peter's brokenness is shown through his weeping and later restoration by Christ (Luke 22:62, John 21:15-19).

Practical Implications

For believers, embracing brokenness means living in a state of humility and constant dependence on God. It involves recognizing one's limitations and the need for divine grace. Brokenness leads to a deeper relationship with God, as it opens the heart to His transformative work. It encourages believers to seek God's presence, rely on His strength, and pursue holiness.

Conclusion

Brokenness is not an end in itself but a pathway to spiritual renewal and intimacy with God. It is a vital component of the Christian journey, fostering a heart that is receptive to God's will and responsive to His love.Psalm 51:17
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Topicalbible.org

Psalm 89:40
You have broken down all his hedges; you have brought his strong holds to ruin.
Topicalbible.org

Psalm 69:20
Reproach has broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none.
Topicalbible.org

1. (n.) The state or quality of being broken; unevenness.

2. (n.) Contrition; as, brokenness of heart.

7667. sheber -- a breaking, fracture, crushing, breach, crash
... shabar Definition a breaking, fracture, crushing, breach, crash NASB Word Usage
2,172* (1), breaches (1), breakdown (1), broken (2), brokenness (3), collapse (1 ...
/hebrew/7667.htm - 6k

Brokenness
... CHAPTER I BROKENNESS. We want to be very simple in this matter of Revival. Revival
is just the life of the Lord Jesus poured into human hearts. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hession/the calvary road/chapter i brokenness.htm

The Highway of Holiness
... In order to break our wills to His, God brings us to the foot of the Cross
and there shows us what real brokenness is. We see those ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hession/the calvary road/chapter 4 the highway of.htm

Cups Running Over
... Brokenness, however, is but the beginning of Revival. ... But Jesus will be
manifested in all His loveliness and grace in that brokenness. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/hession/the calvary road/chapter 2 cups running over.htm

section 4
... have to go lower than we dreamed of at first: and He may have to stop using us for
a time, that He may deepen this work within, and bring us to utter brokenness ...
//christianbookshelf.org/trotter/parables of the christ-life/section 4.htm

Protesting Our Innocence?
... God wants us to recognise that fact as true in our experience, so that in true
brokenness and self-despair we shall allow Jesus Christ to be our righteousness ...
/.../hession/the calvary road/chapter 10 protesting our innocence.htm

Revival in the Home
... This is, so often, the test of our brokenness. Brokenness is the opposite
of hardness. Hardness says, "It's your fault!" Brokenness ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hession/the calvary road/chapter 6 revival in the.htm

Healing for the Wounded
... Toils on toils would we endure to climb a summit, but if we must die ere
we reach it, that were a brokenness of heart indeed. To ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/healing for the wounded.htm

Are You Willing to be a Servant?
... it becomes evident that only those who are prepared to live quite definitely under
the shadow of Calvary, ever contemplating the humility and brokenness of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hession/the calvary road/chapter 8 are you willing.htm

The Power of the Blood of the Lamb
... on the Lamb, bowing His Head for us on Calvary"only by being willing to have the
same disposition that ruled Him and by bending our necks in brokenness as He ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hession/the calvary road/chapter 9 the power of.htm

From Persecutor to Disciple
... In sadness and brokenness of spirit he recounted the many times he had closed his
eyes and ears against the most striking evidences and had relentlessly urged ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 12 from persecutor to.htm

Brokenness (4 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The state or quality of being broken; unevenness. 2. (n.) Contrition; as,
brokenness of heart. Multi-Version Concordance Brokenness (4 Occurrences). ...
/b/brokenness.htm - 7k

Broken-hearted (5 Occurrences)
Broken-hearted. Brokenhearted, Broken-hearted. Brokenness . Noah Webster's
Dictionary ... (BBE). Brokenhearted, Broken-hearted. Brokenness . Reference Bible
/b/broken-hearted.htm - 8k

Broken-testicled (1 Occurrence)
Broken-testicled. Brokenness, Broken-testicled. Broken-up . Multi-Version
Concordance ... (YLT). Brokenness, Broken-testicled. Broken-up . Reference Bible.
/b/broken-testicled.htm - 6k

What is the biblical fix for sexual brokenness? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about brokenness? | GotQuestions.org

Mental Health Basics ' Article Index | GotQuestions.org

Brokenness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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