In the context of the Bible, the concept of a "scream" is not frequently mentioned explicitly, but the idea of loud cries, wailing, or shouting is present in various narratives and teachings. Screaming, as an expression of intense emotion, can be associated with both anguish and joy, depending on the circumstances described in the Scriptures.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, the expression of loud cries is often associated with distress or a call for divine intervention. For instance, in the book of Exodus, the Israelites cried out to God under the oppression of Egyptian slavery. Exodus 2:23 states, "After a long time, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned under their slavery and cried out, and their cry for deliverance from slavery ascended to God." Here, the cries of the Israelites are a form of desperate plea for help and liberation.

The prophets also describe scenes of lamentation and wailing as a response to impending judgment or disaster. In the book of Joel, the prophet calls for a communal lament: "Put on sackcloth and lament, O priests; wail, O ministers of the altar. Come, spend the night in sackcloth, O ministers of my God, for the grain offering and drink offering are withheld from the house of your God" (Joel 1:13). This passage illustrates the use of loud cries as a form of mourning and repentance.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the concept of loud cries is often linked to moments of intense spiritual or emotional experience. One of the most poignant examples is found in the Gospels, where Jesus Himself cries out in anguish. In Matthew 27:46 , during the crucifixion, Jesus cries out with a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" which means, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" This cry reflects the depth of Jesus' suffering and the weight of bearing the sins of the world.

The book of Acts also records instances of loud cries in the context of spiritual deliverance. In Acts 16:25-26 , Paul and Silas, imprisoned for their faith, pray and sing hymns to God. Suddenly, a violent earthquake shakes the prison, and the doors fly open. The jailer, witnessing this miraculous event, cries out in fear and ultimately seeks salvation.

Symbolism and Theological Implications

The act of screaming or crying out in the Bible often symbolizes a profound human need for divine intervention, whether in moments of despair or in the pursuit of justice and righteousness. It reflects the raw and honest communication between humanity and God, where individuals express their deepest fears, sorrows, and hopes.

From a theological perspective, these cries underscore the belief in a God who hears and responds to the pleas of His people. The Bible assures believers that God is attentive to their cries, as seen in Psalm 34:17 : "The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears; He delivers them from all their troubles."

In summary, while the specific term "scream" may not be prevalent in biblical texts, the concept of loud cries and their significance is woven throughout the narrative of Scripture, illustrating the human condition and the divine response.1. (v. i.) To cry out with a shrill voice; to utter a sudden, sharp outcry, or shrill, loud cry, as in fright or extreme pain; to shriek; to screech.

2. (n.) A sharp, shrill cry, uttered suddenly, as in terror or in pain; a shriek; a screech.

2896. krazo -- to scream, cry out
... to scream, cry out. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: krazo Phonetic Spelling:
(krad'-zo) Short Definition: I cry aloud, shriek Definition: I cry aloud ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2896.htm - 8k

349. anakrazo -- to cry out
... Word Origin from ana and krazo Definition to cry out NASB Word Usage cried (5).
cry out. From ana and krazo; to scream up (aloud) -- cry out. see GREEK ana. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/349.htm - 7k

2360. throeo -- to be troubled
... from, "clamor, tumult") -- properly, (thrown into confusion, , 953); (figuratively)
troubled (disturbed), wanting to "cry aloud, to scream (passive) " (, 1, 189 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2360.htm - 6k

5860a. it -- to scream, shriek
... it. 5860b . to scream, shriek. Transliteration: it Short Definition: scorned.
Word Origin a prim. root Definition to scream, shriek NASB Word Usage scorned (1 ...
/hebrew/5860a.htm - 5k

5860. iyt -- to scream, shriek
... 5859, 5860. iyt. 5860a . to scream, shriek. Transliteration: iyt Phonetic
Spelling: (eet) Short Definition: fly. fly, rail A primitive ...
/hebrew/5860.htm - 5k

5101. nahaq -- to bray, cry
... root Definition to bray, cry NASB Word Usage bray (1), cry (1). bray. A primitive
root; to bray (as an ass), scream (from hunger -- bray. 5100, 5101. ...
/hebrew/5101.htm - 5k

4797. mirzach -- banquet
... Word Origin the same as marzeach, qv. banquet From an unused root meaning to scream;
a cry, ie (of job), a revel -- banquet. 4796, 4797. mirzach. 4798 . ...
/hebrew/4797.htm - 5k

6463. paah -- to groan
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to groan NASB Word Usage groan (1). cry. A
primitive root; to scream -- cry. 6462, 6463. paah. 6464 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/6463.htm - 5k

The Disciple, -- what is the Meaning and Purpose of the Cross...
... 5. As soon as a child enters the world it is most necessary that it should begin
to cry and scream, so that its breath may have free play and its lungs be ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/singh/at the masters feet/section i the disciple 5.htm

Homer's Obligations to the Sacred Writers.
... Two ravenous vultures, furious for their food,. Scream o'er the fiend, and
riot in his blood,. Incessant gore the liver in his breast,. ...
/.../chapter xxviii homers obligations to the.htm

A Few Nights after This, Diamond Woke up Suddenly...
... It was anything but pleasant to hear, but he could not help hearing it. At length
there came a cry from the woman, and then a scream from the baby. ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 18 a few nights.htm

"He Has Trusted Me," Said the Cardinal, -- "I have Found Him...
... Two men,"aye even brothers,"will fight for a word like mongrels quarrelling over
a bone;"and two women will scream themselves hoarse if one should have a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/corelli/the master-christian/v he has trusted me.htm

Elegiacs
... Sing not, thou sky-lark above! even angels pass hushed by the weeper. Scream
on, ye sea-fowl! my heart echoes your desolate cry. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/andromeda and other poems/elegiacs.htm

The Third Beatitude
... have something more than natural strength bestowed upon us, we are all but certain,
like fractious children when beaten, to kick and plunge and scream, or to ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the third beatitude.htm

Journey to Evora
... He had the most harsh and rapid articulation that has ever come under my observation;
it was the scream of the hyena blended with the bark of the terrier; but ...
//christianbookshelf.org/borrow/letters of george borrow/journey to evora.htm

Never to See Its Mother.
... child will never see again?" "Yes," replied the doctor, "your child has lost its
sight, and will never see again." And that mother just gave a scream, and drew ...
/.../moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/never to see its mother.htm

"Pull for the Shore. "
... pulls with all his strength, but the current is too great, and nearer and nearer
he is drawn on to that abyss, until he gives one unearthly scream, and over he ...
/.../moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/pull for the shore.htm

Affecting Incident at Sea.
... The people, though terribly frightened, did not seem to realize what had happened.
The women didn't scream, but stood around trembling and with blanched faces. ...
/.../moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/affecting incident at sea.htm

Scream (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) A sharp, shrill cry, uttered suddenly, as in terror or in pain; a shriek;
a screech. Multi-Version Concordance Scream (1 Occurrence). ...
/s/scream.htm - 7k

Screaming (2 Occurrences)
... & vb. n.) of Scream. 2. (a.) Uttering screams; shrieking. 3. (a.) Having the nature
of a scream; like a scream; shrill; sharp. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/s/screaming.htm - 7k

Screech (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (v.) To utter a harsh, shrill cry; to make a sharp
outcry, as in terror or acute pain; to scream; to shriek. ...
/s/screech.htm - 8k

Squall (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (vi) To cry out; to scream or cry violently, as a woman frightened,
or a child in anger or distress; as, the infant squalled. ...
/s/squall.htm - 7k

Shriek (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (vi) To utter a loud, sharp, shrill sound or cry, as do some birds and beasts;
to scream, as in a sudden fright, in horror or anguish. ...
/s/shriek.htm - 7k

Yell (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) To cry out, or shriek, with a hideous
noise; to cry or scream as with agony or horror. 2. (vt) To ...
/y/yell.htm - 6k

Screamed (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Scream. Multi-Version Concordance
Screamed (5 Occurrences). Mark 1:23 when all at once, there ...
/s/screamed.htm - 7k

Scrawny (1 Occurrence)

/s/scrawny.htm - 6k

What can we learn from the account of Potiphar's wife? | GotQuestions.org

How should a Christian respond to Hollywood? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to give a sacrifice of praise (Hebrews 13:15)? | GotQuestions.org

Scream: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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