The act of weeping, or shedding tears, is a profound expression of human emotion found throughout the Bible. It is often associated with sorrow, repentance, compassion, and even joy. The Bible provides numerous instances where weeping plays a significant role in the narrative, reflecting the deep emotional experiences of its characters.

Old Testament Instances

1. Weeping in Mourning and Sorrow: Weeping is frequently associated with mourning and grief. In Genesis 23:2, Abraham weeps for Sarah upon her death: "And Sarah died in Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went to mourn for Sarah and to weep over her." This act of weeping signifies the deep love and loss felt by Abraham.

2. Weeping in Repentance: The Israelites often wept in repentance for their sins. In Judges 2:4, after an angel of the LORD rebukes them for disobedience, "the people lifted up their voices and wept." This weeping is a sign of their contrition and desire to return to God.

3. Weeping in Desperation: Hannah's weeping in 1 Samuel 1:10 is a poignant example of crying out to God in desperation. "In her deep anguish, Hannah prayed to the LORD, weeping bitterly." Her tears accompany her fervent prayer for a child, demonstrating her deep faith and trust in God’s provision.

New Testament Instances

1. Jesus Weeping: One of the most profound moments of weeping in the New Testament is found in John 11:35, the shortest verse in the Bible: "Jesus wept." This occurs at the tomb of Lazarus, reflecting Jesus' compassion and empathy for the suffering of others, as well as His own sorrow over the effects of sin and death in the world.

2. Weeping in Repentance and Forgiveness: In Luke 7:38, a sinful woman weeps at Jesus' feet, washing them with her tears. Her weeping is an act of repentance and love, and Jesus acknowledges her faith and forgives her sins, illustrating the transformative power of genuine repentance.

3. Weeping in Prophecy: In Revelation 5:4, John weeps because no one is found worthy to open the scroll. His weeping is a response to the apparent hopelessness of the situation, which is soon resolved by the revelation of the Lamb who is worthy to open the scroll, symbolizing Christ’s ultimate victory and authority.

Theological Significance

Weeping in the Bible is not merely an expression of emotion but often carries deep theological significance. It can be a response to the brokenness of the world, a sign of repentance, or an expression of compassion and empathy. The Bible assures believers that God is attentive to their tears. Psalm 56:8 states, "You have taken account of my wanderings; put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book?" This verse highlights God's intimate awareness and care for the sorrows of His people.

Furthermore, the promise of the end of weeping is a central hope in Christian eschatology. Revelation 21:4 offers the assurance that in the new creation, "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." This promise underscores the ultimate redemption and restoration that God will bring, where sorrow and weeping will be no more.1811. dalaph -- to drip, drop
... to drip, drop. Transliteration: dalaph Phonetic Spelling: (daw-laf') Short Definition:
weeps. ... root Definition to drip, drop NASB Word Usage leaks (1), weeps (2). ...
/hebrew/1811.htm - 5k

1058. bakah -- to weep, bewail
... Word Usage bewail (1), crying (1), mourn (1), sob (1), weep (27), weep not at all
(1), weep continually (1), weep...longer (1), weeping (12), weeps bitterly (1 ...
/hebrew/1058.htm - 6k

The Death of Lazarus. --Christ's Conversation with Martha (John ...
... JESUS IN BETHANY. Section 232. The Death of Lazarus."Christ's Conversation with
Martha (John, xi., 21-28) and with Mary (v. 33, 34)."Jesus Weeps (v. 35). ...
/.../section 232 the death of.htm

Submission.
... Is this Thy will, good Lord?"the strife is o'er,. Thy servant weeps no more. ... Is this
Thy will, good Lord?"the strife is o'er,. Thy servant weeps no more. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/borthwick/hymns from the land of luther/submission 2.htm

Depth of Mercy.
... Me, the chief of sinners, spare? Cho."God is love; I know, I feel; Jesus
weeps and loves me still; Jesus weeps and loves me still. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lorenz/the otterbein hymnal/194 depth of mercy 7s.htm

Motives to Holy Mourning
... As soon as the child is born, it weeps: And behold the babe wept' (Exodus
2:6). To weep kindly for sin is a good sign we are born of God. ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/8 motives to holy mourning.htm

India's Ills and England's Sorrows
... It is no sign of weakness when a man weeps for sin, it shows that he hath strength
of mind; nay more, that he hath strength imparted by God, which enables him ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/indias ills and englands sorrows.htm

Of the Repose of a Soul Recollected in Her Well-Beloved.
... this happiness is unto her, if one offer to deprive her of it or divert her from
it; for then the poor soul complains, cries out, yea sometimes weeps, as a ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter viii of the repose.htm

But You Perhaps Say Here, "Teach Me, Then, what Righteousness Is.. ...
... in accordance with the statement, "Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you,
do ye even so [177] to them." For to weep with one that weeps, and at the ...
/.../severus/life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter vi but you perhaps.htm

The Note of Pity.
... that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!" Only
he can cry out against Jerusalem who, when he beholds the city, weeps over it ...
/.../jackson/the message and the man/chapter ii the note of.htm

The Resolution of the Difficulty Set Forth for Consideration is ...
... think ourself abandoned by God. As man, therefore, He is distressed, as
man He weeps, as man He is crucified. 57. For so hath the ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter vii the resolution of.htm

Again on the Calamity of the City of Antioch. ...
... which is so marvellous and pregnant with Divine wisdom""Vanity of vanities, all
is vanity." [1622] He who enters the house of mourning, weeps forthwith for ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily xv again on the.htm

Weeps (7 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Weeps (7 Occurrences). 2 Samuel 19:1 It was told Joab,
"Behold, the king weeps and mourns for Absalom." (WEB DBY). ...
/w/weeps.htm - 8k

Weigh (24 Occurrences)

/w/weigh.htm - 14k

Weeping (237 Occurrences)
... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Weep. 2. (n.) The act of one who weeps; lamentation with
tears; shedding of tears. 3. (a.) Grieving; lamenting; shedding tears. ...
/w/weeping.htm - 37k

Jidlaph (1 Occurrence)
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia JIDLAPH. jid'-laf (yidhlaph perhaps "he weeps"): A
"son" of Nahor (Genesis 22:22). Multi-Version Concordance Jidlaph (1 Occurrence). ...
/j/jidlaph.htm - 6k

Mourns (13 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Mourns (13 Occurrences). 2 Samuel 19:1 It was told Joab,
"Behold, the king weeps and mourns for Absalom." (WEB DBY NAS). ...
/m/mourns.htm - 10k

Cheeks (8 Occurrences)
... Lamentations 1:2 She weeps sore in the night, and her tears are on her cheeks; among
all her lovers she has none to comfort her: All her friends have dealt ...
/c/cheeks.htm - 8k

Treacherously (42 Occurrences)
... Lamentations 1:2 She weeps sore in the night, and her tears are on her cheeks; among
all her lovers she has none to comfort her: All her friends have dealt ...
/t/treacherously.htm - 19k

Betrayed (31 Occurrences)
... Lamentations 1:2 She weeps sore in the night, and her tears are on her cheeks; among
all her lovers she has none to comfort her: All her friends have dealt ...
/b/betrayed.htm - 15k

Lovers (57 Occurrences)
... Lamentations 1:2 She weeps sore in the night, and her tears are on her cheeks; among
all her lovers she has none to comfort her: All her friends have dealt ...
/l/lovers.htm - 24k

Elisha (70 Occurrences)
... The man of God weeps, the fierce captain is ashamed, and when told of what he shall
do, represents himself as a dog and not able to do such things. ...
/e/elisha.htm - 61k

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