The term "doleful" is often used to describe a state of sorrow, lamentation, or deep sadness. In the context of the Bible, it is associated with expressions of mourning and desolation, often reflecting the consequences of sin or divine judgment. The word itself may not appear frequently in the Berean Standard Bible , but the concept is prevalent throughout the Scriptures.

Biblical Context and Usage

1. Expressions of Mourning and Lamentation: The Bible frequently depicts scenes of mourning and lamentation, where individuals or communities express their grief and sorrow. This is often in response to personal loss, national calamity, or the recognition of sin. For example, the book of Lamentations is a profound expression of sorrow over the destruction of Jerusalem, capturing the doleful cries of a people experiencing the consequences of their disobedience to God.

2. Prophetic Warnings and Judgments: The prophets often used doleful imagery to convey the seriousness of God's impending judgment on Israel and the nations. Isaiah, for instance, uses vivid language to describe the desolation that will come upon those who turn away from God. In Isaiah 13:21, the prophet speaks of a time when "desert creatures will lie there, and their houses will be full of owls; ostriches will dwell there, and wild goats will leap about." This imagery evokes a sense of abandonment and sorrow, reflecting the doleful state of a land under judgment.

3. Psalms and Personal Lament: The Psalms contain numerous examples of personal lament, where the psalmist pours out their soul in times of distress. Psalm 42:11 captures this sentiment: "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God." Here, the psalmist acknowledges a doleful spirit but also points to the hope found in God.

4. The Consequences of Sin: Doleful expressions are often linked to the recognition of sin and its consequences. The Bible teaches that sin leads to separation from God, resulting in spiritual desolation and sorrow. In Joel 1:12, the prophet describes the land's mourning due to the people's sin: "The vine has dried up, and the fig tree is withered; the pomegranate, palm, and apple—all the trees of the field—are dried up. Surely the joy of mankind is withered away."

5. Hope Amidst Sorrow: While the Bible does not shy away from depicting doleful situations, it consistently points to the hope and restoration found in God. The promise of redemption and the coming of the Messiah offer a future where sorrow and mourning will be no more. Revelation 21:4 provides a vision of this hope: "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away."

In summary, the concept of being doleful in the Bible is intricately tied to the human experience of sorrow, often as a result of sin or divine judgment. Yet, the Scriptures also offer a message of hope and redemption, assuring believers that God will ultimately restore joy and peace.Doleful creatures: (occurring only Isaiah 13:21. Hebrews ochim, i.e., "shrieks;" hence "howling animals"), a general name for screech owls (howlets), which occupy the desolate palaces of Babylon. Some render the word "hyaenas." (a.) Full of grief; melancholy; sorrowful; sad; dismal.DOLEFUL

dol'-fool ('oach, "howling"): The "doleful creatures" referred to in Isaiah 13:21 are probably "jackals," although some have suggested "leopard," or "hyena." The older English Versions of the Bible gives "great owls." The word rendered "doleful lamentation" in Micah 2:4 (niheyah) is simply a form of the word ordinarily translated "wailing" (nehi). Compare the King James Version margin.

5093. nihyah -- a wailing, lamentation
... Word Origin from nahah Definition a wailing, lamentation NASB Word Usage bitter
(1). doleful. Feminine of nhiy; lamentation -- doleful. see HEBREW nhiy. ...
/hebrew/5093.htm - 6k

255. oach -- owl
... doleful creature. Probably from 'ach; a howler or lonesome wild animal -- doleful
creature. see HEBREW 'ach. 254, 255. oach. 256 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/255.htm - 5k

338. i -- a jackal
... Probably identical with 'iy (through the idea of a doleful sound); a howler (used
only in the plural), ie Any solitary wild creature; --wild beast of the ...
/hebrew/338.htm - 6k

The Imagination.
... Hence it is that women endowed with this doleful gift have the sad privilege of
drawing around them persons of volatile minds and inconstant hearts. ...
/.../sainte-foi/serious hours of a young lady/chapter x the imagination.htm

'de Profundis'
... It is a place of utter loneliness, where he sits like a sparrow on the housetop,
or a doleful bird in the desert, while God has put his lovers and friends away ...
/.../kingsley/the good news of god/sermon viii de profundis.htm

Importance of the Time of Youth; Difficulties and Dangers that ...
... Many have received from sin that doleful experience, that premature craftiness,
which, far from enlightening the mind, obscures and blinds it,"which, far ...
/.../sainte-foi/serious hours of a young lady/chapter i importance of the.htm

The Call of Abraham
... "It is so," said Abraham, "but God will help me on the way." "The end of
your journey may be doleful," they say. "No," caith Abraham ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the call of abraham.htm

The Sinner Seriously Urged and Entreated to Accept of Salvation in ...
... be reconciled to God," (2:Cor.5:20) and would not, after these awakenings and these
inquiries, by a madness which it will surely be the doleful business of a ...
/.../chapter x the sinner seriously.htm

The Dayspring from on High
... And what shall I say about the third of the doleful triad of which this pregnant
emblem is the recognised symbol all the world over? ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the dayspring from on high.htm

Of Querulousness.
... Every man contributes his note to this doleful Harmony, and after all that God has
done to oblige and delight mankind, scare any man is satisfied enough, I ...
/.../allestree/the government of the tongue/section x of querulousness.htm

Meditations of the Misery of a Man not Reconciled to God in Christ ...
... Lay then aside for a while thy doting vanities, and take the view with me of thy
doleful miseries; which duly surveyed, I doubt not but that thou wilt conclude ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/meditations of the misery of.htm

The Mysteries of the Brazen Serpent
... And if you are Godless and Christless, ye have all in your veins the venom of that
death unutterable which will make your departure doleful beyond expression! ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the mysteries of the brazen.htm

Humbly Inscribed to his Grace the Duke of Newcastle, one of his ...
... And that in sorrow buried; this, in shame; While howling furies wring the doleful
knell; And Conscience, now so soft thou scarce canst hear 54. ...
/.../young/youngs night thoughts/humbly inscribed to his grace.htm

Doleful (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Doleful creatures: (occurring only Isaiah 13:21. Hebrews
ochim ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. DOLEFUL. dol'-fool ...
/d/doleful.htm - 8k

Jackal (3 Occurrences)
... bark" (of dogs, wolves, or jackals); 'ibn 'awa', colloquially wawi, "jackal." (3)
tsiyim, "wild beasts of the desert." (4) 'ochim, "doleful creatures." "Jackals ...
/j/jackal.htm - 15k

Owls (7 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 13:21 But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses shall
be full of doleful creatures; and owls shall dwell there, and satyrs shall ...
/o/owls.htm - 8k

Wild-cats (2 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 13:21 But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses shall
be full of doleful creatures; and ostriches shall dwell there, and wild ...
/w/wild-cats.htm - 7k

Ferrets (1 Occurrence)
... Isaiah 13:21 But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses shall
be full of doleful creatures; and ostriches shall dwell there, and wild ...
/f/ferrets.htm - 6k

Removes (7 Occurrences)
... Micah 2:4 In that day shall they take up a parable against you, and lament with
a doleful lamentation, and say: 'We are utterly ruined; he changeth the portion ...
/r/removes.htm - 8k

Exchanges (2 Occurrences)
... Micah 2:4 In that day they will take up a parable against you, and lament
with a doleful lamentation, saying,'We are utterly ruined! ...
/e/exchanges.htm - 7k

Dolphin

/d/dolphin.htm - 7k

Divides (9 Occurrences)
... Micah 2:4 In that day shall they take up a parable against you, and lament with
a doleful lamentation, and say: 'We are utterly ruined; he changeth the portion ...
/d/divides.htm - 8k

Dole (2 Occurrences)

/d/dole.htm - 7k

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