In the biblical context, "outcries" often refer to the loud expressions of distress, suffering, or injustice that reach the ears of God, prompting divine intervention or judgment. The concept of outcries is significant in understanding God's responsiveness to human suffering and the moral order He upholds.

Old Testament References

One of the most notable instances of outcries is found in the account of Sodom and Gomorrah. In Genesis 18:20-21 , the Lord says, "The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great. Their sin is so grievous that I will go down and see if their actions fully justify the outcry that has reached Me. If not, I will know." Here, the outcry is associated with the grievous sins of the cities, indicating that the collective suffering and injustice had reached a level that demanded divine attention.

Similarly, in Exodus 3:7 , God acknowledges the cries of the Israelites enslaved in Egypt: "The LORD said, 'I have indeed seen the misery of My people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their oppressors, and I am aware of their sufferings.'" This passage highlights God's awareness and compassion, as He responds to the cries of His people by sending Moses to lead them out of bondage.

The book of Judges also contains instances where the Israelites' outcries lead to divine intervention. In Judges 3:9 , it is written, "But when the Israelites cried out to the LORD, He raised up Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother, as a deliverer to save them." This pattern of crying out to God in times of distress and receiving deliverance is a recurring theme throughout the book.

Prophetic Literature

The prophets frequently address the theme of outcries, often in the context of social injustice. In Isaiah 5:7 , the prophet laments, "For the vineyard of the LORD of Hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are the plant of His delight. He looked for justice, but behold, bloodshed; for righteousness, but behold, a cry of distress." Here, the outcry is linked to the lack of justice and righteousness, underscoring the moral failures of the people.

In Habakkuk 1:2 , the prophet himself cries out, "How long, O LORD, must I call for help, but You do not listen, or cry out to You, 'Violence!' but You do not save?" This reflects the tension between human suffering and the perceived silence of God, a theme that resonates throughout the prophetic books.

New Testament Context

While the New Testament does not frequently use the term "outcry," the concept is present in the cries for mercy and justice directed toward Jesus. In Mark 10:47-48 , Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, cries out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Despite being rebuked by the crowd, he continues to cry out, and Jesus responds by healing him. This illustrates the New Testament emphasis on Jesus as the compassionate responder to human suffering.

In Revelation 6:10 , the souls of the martyrs cry out from beneath the altar, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge those who dwell on the earth and avenge our blood?" This apocalyptic vision underscores the ultimate justice of God, who hears the cries of the righteous and will act in His perfect timing.

Theological Implications

The theme of outcries in the Bible underscores the belief in a God who is both just and compassionate, attentive to the sufferings and injustices experienced by humanity. It reflects the biblical worldview that God is not distant or indifferent but is actively involved in the affairs of the world, responding to the cries of His people with deliverance, justice, and mercy.

The Truth About Trances
... The danger was to regard extraordinary circumstances too much, such as outcries,
convulsions, visions, trances; as if these were essential to the inward work ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/the truth about trances.htm

Providential Preparations for the Discovery of America --Spiritual ...
... was a period in which the lingering life of the church was chiefly manifested in
feverish complaints of the widespread corruption and outcries for "reformation ...
/.../a history of american christianity/chapter i providential preparations for.htm

Synopsis. --The Gradual Narrowing of the Miraculous Element in the ...
... occurrences. But this progressive paring down of the miraculous element in
the Bible has caused outcries of unfeigned alarm. Christian ...
/.../miracles and supernatural religion/i synopsis the gradual narrowing of.htm

Concerning the Outward Manifestations by which this Second ...
... not for the stomach's sake, to wit, but the soul's; for the most part, however,
to feed prayers on fastings, to groan, to weep and make outcries [8509] unto ...
/.../tertullian/on repentance/chapter ix concerning the outward manifestations.htm

Of Uncharitable Truth.
... But to make loud outcries of injury, when they tend nothing to the redress of it,
is a liberty rather assumed by rage and impatience, than authorized by Justice ...
/.../allestree/the government of the tongue/section vi of uncharitable truth.htm

The First-Born
... everywhere.". Meanwhile a chorus of screams smote upon her ears and the wild
outcries of men filled the great palace with terrifying clamor. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xl the first-born.htm

St. Justin Martyr (Ad 166)
... Antoninus Pius (AD 138 to 161), who was a mild and gentle old man, ordered that
governors and magistrates should not give way to such outcries, and that the ...
/.../chapter iii st justin martyr.htm

When Archelaus had Finished this Speech, the Crowds of People ...
... this speech, the crowds of people marvelled at the truth of his doctrine, and expressed
their vehement commendations of the man with loud outcries, so that ...
/.../51 when archelaus had finished.htm

Epistle of Adrian in Behalf of the Christians.
... not prohibit them from doing so. But I will not suffer them to make use
of mere entreaties and outcries. For it is far more just ...
/.../justin/the first apology of justin/epistle of adrian in behalf.htm

The Great Distress the Jews were in Upon the Conflagration of the ...
... their mouths almost closed, when they saw the fire of the holy house, they exerted
their utmost strength, and brake out into groans and outcries again: Pera [17 ...
/.../chapter 5 the great distress.htm

Outcries (8 Occurrences)
...Outcries (8 Occurrences). Luke 23:23 But they urgently insisted, demanding with
frantic outcries that He should be crucified; and their clamour prevailed. (WEY) ...
/o/outcries.htm - 8k

Outcome (26 Occurrences)

/o/outcome.htm - 13k

Stop (108 Occurrences)
... Numbers 17:5 And the rod of that man who is marked out by me for myself will have
buds on it; so I will put a stop to the outcries which the children of Israel ...
/s/stop.htm - 38k

Urgently (8 Occurrences)
... Luke 23:23 But they urgently insisted, demanding with frantic outcries that
He should be crucified; and their clamour prevailed. (WEY). ...
/u/urgently.htm - 8k

Insisted (9 Occurrences)
... Luke 23:23 But they urgently insisted, demanding with frantic outcries that
He should be crucified; and their clamour prevailed. (WEY). ...
/i/insisted.htm - 8k

False-hearted (6 Occurrences)
... rod back in front of the ark of witness, to be kept for a sign against this
false-hearted people, so that you may put a stop to their outcries against me, and ...
/f/false-hearted.htm - 8k

Frantic (2 Occurrences)
... Frantic (2 Occurrences). Luke 23:23 But they urgently insisted, demanding with frantic
outcries that He should be crucified; and their clamour prevailed. (WEY). ...
/f/frantic.htm - 7k

Reapers (15 Occurrences)
... I tell you that the pay of the labourers who have gathered in your crops--pay which
you are keeping back--is calling out against you; and the outcries of those ...
/r/reapers.htm - 10k

Revelry (8 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 22:2 You, who are full of loud voices, a town of outcries, given up to joy;
your dead men have not been put to the sword, or come to their death in war. ...
/r/revelry.htm - 8k

Demanding (6 Occurrences)
... Luke 23:23 But they urgently insisted, demanding with frantic outcries that He
should be crucified; and their clamour prevailed. (WEY RSV). ...
/d/demanding.htm - 7k

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