The term "unfortunate" is not directly used in the Bible; however, the concept is woven throughout Scripture, often referring to those who are in distress, suffering, or experiencing hardship. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings related to the unfortunate, emphasizing God's compassion and the call for believers to care for those in need.

Biblical Examples

1. Job: Perhaps the most well-known example of an unfortunate individual in the Bible is Job. Despite his righteousness, Job faced immense suffering, losing his wealth, children, and health. His account is a profound exploration of human suffering and divine sovereignty. Job's lament is captured in Job 3:25-26 : "For the thing I feared has overtaken me, and what I dreaded has befallen me. I am not at ease or quiet; I have no rest, for trouble has come."

2. The Widow of Zarephath: In 1 Kings 17, the widow of Zarephath is depicted as an unfortunate figure during a time of severe famine. She was preparing to eat her last meal with her son when the prophet Elijah asked her for food. Her faith and obedience led to God's miraculous provision, as described in 1 Kings 17:16 : "The jar of flour was not exhausted and the jug of oil did not run dry, according to the word of the LORD spoken through Elijah."

3. The Man Born Blind: In John 9, Jesus encounters a man who was born blind, a condition that rendered him unfortunate in the eyes of society. Jesus heals him, demonstrating God's power and compassion. This miracle also serves to reveal spiritual truths, as Jesus declares in John 9:3 : "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God would be displayed in him."

Teachings on the Unfortunate

1. God's Compassion: Scripture consistently reveals God's heart for the unfortunate. Psalm 34:18 states, "The LORD is near to the brokenhearted; He saves the contrite in spirit." God's compassion is a recurring theme, and He is portrayed as a refuge for those in distress.

2. Call to Care for the Needy: Believers are called to emulate God's compassion by caring for the unfortunate. Proverbs 19:17 teaches, "Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender." The New Testament reinforces this call, as seen in James 1:27 : "Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

3. The Beatitudes: In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus pronounces blessings on those who are often considered unfortunate, such as the poor in spirit and those who mourn. Matthew 5:3-4 states, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."

Conclusion

The Bible's treatment of the unfortunate underscores a divine mandate for compassion and justice. Through both Old and New Testament teachings, believers are encouraged to reflect God's love by supporting and uplifting those who face adversity.1. (a.) Not fortunate; unsuccessful; not prosperous; unlucky; attended with misfortune; unhappy; as, an unfortunate adventure; an unfortunate man; an unfortunate commander; unfortunate business.

2. (n.) An unfortunate person.

2489. chelekah -- hapless, unfortunate
... 2488, 2489. chelekah. 2490 . hapless, unfortunate. Transliteration: chelekah
Phonetic Spelling: (khay-lek-aw') Short Definition: unfortunate. ...
/hebrew/2489.htm - 6k

2475. chaloph -- a passing away, vanishing
... 2474, 2475. chaloph. 2476 . a passing away, vanishing. Transliteration: chaloph
Phonetic Spelling: (khal-ofe') Short Definition: unfortunate. ...
/hebrew/2475.htm - 6k

7137. qareh -- chance, accident
... From qarah; an (unfortunate) occurrence, ie Some accidental (ceremonial)
disqualification -- uncleanness that chanceth. see HEBREW qarah. 7136b, 7137. ...
/hebrew/7137.htm - 6k

1121. ben -- son
... sons' (7), sons' sons (2), sparks* (1), those (1), those who (2), those who are
doomed (1), those who were doomed (1), troops* (1), unfortunate* (1), valiant ...
/hebrew/1121.htm - 8k

Be it So; Let it be Conceded that These Most Unfortunate Cattle ...
... Book VII. 24 Be it so; let it be conceded that these most unfortunate
cattle are not sacrificed? Be it so; let it be conceded ...
/.../arnobius/the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/24 be it so let.htm

To the Rev. A. Brandram
... But I confess I am chiefly apprehensive of the reacting at Seville of the Valencian
drama, which I have such unfortunate cause to rue, as I am the victim on ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev a brandram 37.htm

Importance of the Time of Youth; Difficulties and Dangers that ...
... But, through an unfortunate occurrence of circumstances, and very often without
any fault of theirs, the greater part of children attain the age of manhood and ...
/.../sainte-foi/serious hours of a young lady/chapter i importance of the.htm

To Mr. John Hasfeldt
... The translation was corrected by that unfortunate man Nicanoff, who, though he lived
and died a drunkard, was an excellent Russian scholar; therefore I think ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/borrow/letters of george borrow/to mr john hasfeldt.htm

The Providence of God.
... advancing himself at court, advises his reader to associate himself with the fortunate,
and to shun the company of the unfortunate; which, notwithstanding the ...
/.../sect iii the providence of.htm

To the Rev. A. Brandram
... windward side and flooding the ship; the water-casks broke from their lashings,
and one of them struck me down, and crushed the foot of the unfortunate man at ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev a brandram 16.htm

The Channel of Power.
... tremendously stirred up over it." And I recall distinctly his reply, after a moment's
pause, "Well, their condition certainly will be unfortunate." Unfortunate ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on power/the channel of power.htm

"Who is My Neighbor?"
... was a priest. As he went along the highway he heard a cry of distress,
and he looked to see who was the unfortunate man. He could ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/moody/to the work to the work/chapter viii who is my.htm

Lukewarmness.
... If when called upon to go to the assistance of some unfortunate one and you can
not possibly go, if you do not have a deep heart-regret and if you do not ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/how to live a holy life/lukewarmness.htm

Like Gods, Like Worshippers.
... who shall be found of so little sense, yea, of such stolidity, that he does not
perceive that those things are true concerning the unfortunate gods, which ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter xxxvii like gods like worshippers.htm

Unfortunate (4 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Not fortunate; unsuccessful; not prosperous; unlucky; attended with misfortune;
unhappy; as, an unfortunate adventure; an unfortunate man; an ...
/u/unfortunate.htm - 7k

Revised
... the best scholarly opinion even in 1881, while in 1900 it was almost universally
abandoned (Today-in 1914-it is obsolete.) It is very unfortunate that the ...
/r/revised.htm - 12k

American
... the best scholarly opinion even in 1881, while in 1900 it was almost universally
abandoned (Today-in 1914-it is obsolete.) It is very unfortunate that the ...
/a/american.htm - 13k

Version
... the best scholarly opinion even in 1881, while in 1900 it was almost universally
abandoned (Today-in 1914-it is obsolete.) It is very unfortunate that the ...
/v/version.htm - 37k

Battle (282 Occurrences)
... idea that the sun was fixed in the sky, in other words, that the earth ceased for
a time to rotate on its axis, has arisen from the unfortunate rendering of ...
/b/battle.htm - 55k

Unformed (2 Occurrences)

/u/unformed.htm - 7k

Unhappy (17 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Not happy or fortunate; unfortunate; unlucky;
as, affairs have taken an unhappy turn. 2. (a.) In ...
/u/unhappy.htm - 11k

Unfree (1 Occurrence)

/u/unfree.htm - 6k

Untoward (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Awkward; ungraceful; inconvenient; troublesome;
vexatious; unlucky; unfortunate; as, an untoward wind or accident. Int. ...
/u/untoward.htm - 9k

Owe (10 Occurrences)
... in return or compensation for something received; to be indebted in the sum of;
as, the subject owes allegiance; the fortunate owe assistance to the unfortunate...
/o/owe.htm - 10k

Are the teachings of Witness Lee and the Local Church biblical? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Serpent Seed doctrine? | GotQuestions.org

How can we prevent our young people from losing faith? | GotQuestions.org

Unfortunate: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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