Reference: MOURNING
American
The Hebrews, at the death of their friends and relations, made striking demonstrations of grief and mourning. They wept, tore their clothes, smote their breasts, threw dust upon their heads, Jos 7:6, and lay upon the ground, went barefooted, pulled their hair and beards, or cut them, Ezr 9:3; Isa 15:2, and made incisions on their breasts, or tore them with their nails, Le 19:28; 21:5; Jer 16:6; 48:37. The time of mourning was commonly seven days, 1Sa 31:11-13; but it was lengthened or shortened according to circumstances, Zec 12:10. That for Moses and Aaron was prolonged to thirty days, Nu 20:29; De 34:8; and that for Jacob to seventy days, Ge 50:3.
During the time of their mourning, the near relations of the deceased continued sitting in their houses, and fasted, 2Sa 12:16, or ate on the ground. The food they took was thought unclean, and even themselves were judged impure. "Their sacrifices shall be unto them as the bread of mourners: all that eat thereof shall be polluted," Ho 9:4. Their faces were covered, and in all that time they could not apply themselves to any occupation, nor read the book of the law, nor offer their usual prayers. They did not dress themselves, nor make their beds, nor uncover their heads, nor shave themselves, nor cut their nails, nor go into the bath, nor salute any body. Nobody spoke to them unless they spoke first, Job 2:11-13. Their friends commonly went to visit and comfort them, Joh 11:19,39, bringing them food, 2Sa 3:35; Jer 16:7. They also went up to the roof, or upon the platform of their houses, to bewail their misfortune: "They shall gird themselves with sackcloth; on the tops of their houses, and in their streets, every one shall howl, weeping abundantly," Isa 15:3; Jer 48:38. The mourning dress among the Hebrews was not fixed either by law or custom. We only find in Scripture that they used to tear their garments, a custom still observed; but now they tear a small part merely, and for form's sake, 2Sa 13:19; 2Ch 34:27; Ezr 9:3; Job 2:12; Joe 2:13. Anciently in times of mourning, they clothed themselves in sackcloth, or haircloth, that is, in clothes of coarse brown or black stuff, 2Sa 3:31; 1Ki 21:27; Es 4:1; Ps 35:13; 69:11.
They hired women to weep and wail, and also persons to play on instruments, at the funerals of the rich or distinguished, Jer 9:17. In Mt 9:23, we observe a company of minstrels or players on the flute, at the funeral of a girl of twelve year of age. All that met a funeral procession were accustomed to join them for a time, to accompany them on their way, sometimes relieving the bearers of the bier, and mingling their tears with those of the mourners, Ro 12:15.
The custom of hiring women to weep and wail has come down to modern times. The following account of such a scene at Nablous, the ancient Shechem, is form Dr. Jowett. The governor of the city had died the very morning of Dr. Jowett's arrival. "On coming within sight of the gate, we perceived a numerous company of females, who were singing in a kind of recitative, far from melancholy, and beating time with their hands. If this be mourning, I thought, it is of a strange kind. It had indeed sometimes more the air of angry defiance. But on our reaching the gate, it was suddenly exchanged for most hideous plaints and shrieks, which, with the feeling that we were entering a city at no time celebrated for its hospitality, struck a very dismal impression upon my mind. They accompanied us a few paces; but it soon appeared that the gate was their station, to which having received nothing from us, they returned. We learned, in the course of the evening, that these were only a small detachment of a very numerous body of 'cunning women' with the design, as of old, to make the eyes of all the inhabitants 'run down with tears, and their eyelids gush out with water,' Jer 9:17-18. For this good service, they would, the next morning wait upon the government and principal persons, to receive some trifling fee."
Some of the Jewish forms of mourning are the appropriate and universal language of grief; others, to our modern and occidental taste, savor of extravagance. None of these were enjoined by their religion, which rather restricted than encouraged them, Le 10:6; 19:27; 21:1-11; Nu 6:7; De 14:1. They were the established customs of the times. Sorrow finds some relief in reversing all the usages of ordinary life. Christianity, however, moderates and assuages our grief; shows us a Father's hand holding the rod, and the dark valley itself penetrated by the heavenly light into which it emerges, 1Co 15:53-55; 1Th 4:14-18; Re 7:13-17; 14:13.
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It took forty days, which is the normal time for embalming. The Egyptians mourned for him seventy days.
Moses said to Aaron and to his sons Eleazar and Ithamar: Do not leave your hair uncombed or tear your clothes to show that you are in mourning. If you do you will die. For Jehovah will be angry with the whole community. But all other Israelites are allowed to mourn this death caused by the fire Jehovah sent.
Do not shave the hair on your foreheads. Do not cut the edges of your beard. Never slash your body to mourn the dead, and never get a tattoo. I am Jehovah.
Jehovah gave Moses these instructions for Aaron's sons, the priests: Touching a dead body will make you unclean. So do not go near a dead relative, except for your mother, father, son, daughter, brother, read more. or an unmarried sister, who has no husband to take care of her. As the head of your people, you should never become unclean. That would make you unholy. You should never mourn by shaving bald spots on your heads, shaving the edges of your beards, or slashing your bodies.
You should never mourn by shaving bald spots on your heads, shaving the edges of your beards, or slashing your bodies. Be God's holy men. Do not dishonor the name of your God. Be holy because you bring sacrifices by fire to Jehovah. It is the food (bread) of your God. read more. Never marry prostitutes, those who have lost their virginity, or divorced women because a priest is God's holy man. Be holy because you offer the food of your God. Be holy because I, Jehovah, am holy. I set you apart as holy. When a priest's daughter dishonors herself by becoming a prostitute, she dishonors her father. She must be burned. The priest who is anointed with oil and wears the chief priest's clothes is chief over his brothers. He must never mourn by leaving his hair uncombed or by tearing his clothes. He must not go near any dead bodies or become unclean, even for his father or mother.
Even if their own father, mother, brother, or sister dies, they must not make themselves unclean by going near them. Nazarites show their vow to God with their long hair.
The entire congregation learned that Aaron had died. They all mourned for him for thirty days.
You are the sons of Jehovah your God. Do not cut yourselves nor shave your forehead for the sake of the dead.
So the sons of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days. Then the days of weeping and mourning for Moses came to an end.
And Joshua ripped his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the Ark of Jehovah until evening. He threw dust on his head. The elders of Israel did the same.
The people living in Jabesh Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul. All the fighting men marched all night and took the dead bodies of Saul and his sons from the wall of Beth Shan. They came back to Jabesh and burned the bodies. read more. They buried the bones under a small tree in Jabesh. Then for seven days, they went without eating to show their sorrow.
David told Joab and everyone with him: Show your sorrow by tearing your clothes and wearing sackcloth! Walk in front of Abner's body and cry! David walked behind the coffin on which Abner's body was being carried.
David refused to eat anything the day of the funeral even though people tried to persuade him to eat. David vowed: May God strike me dead if I taste any food or anything else before the sun goes down.
David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and lay on the ground all night.
Tamar tore the robe she was wearing. She put ashes on her head. Then she covered her face with her hands. She cried loudly as she walked away.
Hearing this, with signs of grief and pulling out the hair of my head and my chin, I took my seat on the earth deeply troubled.
Hearing this, with signs of grief and pulling out the hair of my head and my chin, I took my seat on the earth deeply troubled.
When Mordecai learned what had been done, he tore his clothes in anguish. Then he dressed in sackcloth, covered his head with ashes, and walked through the city, wailing loudly and bitterly,
Job's three friends heard about all the terrible things that happened to him. Each of them came from his home: Eliphaz of Teman, Bildad of Shuah, and Zophar of Naama. They agreed they would go together to sympathize with Job and comfort him. They saw him from a distance and did not even recognize him. They cried out loud and wept. Each of them tore his clothes in grief. They threw dust on their heads.
They saw him from a distance and did not even recognize him. They cried out loud and wept. Each of them tore his clothes in grief. They threw dust on their heads. Then they sat down on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him because they saw that he was in such great pain.
But when they were sick, I wore sackcloth. I humbled myself with fasting. My prayer returned unanswered.
They have gone up to the temple and to Dibon, to the high places to weep. Moab wails over Nebo and Medeba. Everyone's head is bald and every beard is cut off. They have dress themselves with sackcloth in their streets. On their housetops and in their squares everyone is wailing, taken down with tears.
Jehovah of Hosts says: 'Consider the mourning women that they may come. Send for the wailing women that they may come!
Jehovah of Hosts says: 'Consider the mourning women that they may come. Send for the wailing women that they may come! Let them hurry and take up a wailing for us. Let our eyes shed tears and our eyelids flow with water.
Both great and small men will die in this land. They will not be buried, they will not be lamented, nor will anyone gash himself or shave his head for them. Men will not break bread in mourning for them in order to comfort anyone for the dead. Nor will they give them a cup of consolation to drink for anyone's father or mother.
They have all shaved their heads and cut off their beards. They have all made gashes on their hands, and everyone is wearing sackcloth.' People are weeping on every roof in Moab and in every public square. There is only sadness, because I have broken Moab like a jar no one wants,' say Jehovah.
They will not pour wine offerings to Jehovah. Their food will only satisfy their hunger. All who eat it will be defiled. It will not be brought as an offering to Jehovah's Temple.
Rip apart your heart, and not your garments. Turn to Jehovah your God! He is gracious and merciful. He is slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness. He will turn back from doing harm.
I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of kindness and of supplication. They will look to the one whom they pierced; and they will mourn for him, as one mourns for his only son. There will be a bitter lamentation for him, like one who grieves for his first-born.
Jesus went into the official's house and saw flute players and the crowd making a lot of noise.
Many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to console them about their brother.
Jesus said: Take away the stone. Martha, the sister of the dead man said: Lord by now the body has decayed for he has been dead four days.
Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
This corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. When this corruptible shall be clothed with (Greek: enduo: dressed, put on) incorruption, and this mortal shall be clothed with immortality, then the saying will come true: Death is swallowed up in victory. read more. O death, where is your sting (power to hurt)? O grave, where is your victory?
One of the elders asked me: Who are these dressed in white robes? And where are they from? I said to him: Sir, you know. He said to me: These are the ones who came out of the great tribulation. They washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. read more. Because of this they are before the throne of God. They serve him day and night in his temple. He who sits on the throne will spread his tent over (dwell among) them. They will hunger no more, nor thirst any more; neither shall the sunlight beat down on them, nor any heat. The Lamb who is in the middle of the throne will feed them and lead them to living fountains of water. God will wipe away all tears from their eyes.
Then I heard a voice from heaven say: Write: Blessed are the dead who die in union with the Lord from this time forward: Yes, says the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works follow them.
Fausets
Noisy, violent, and demonstrative in the East as it is among the Irish, Highlanders, and Welsh; beating the breast or the thigh (Eze 21:12), cutting the flesh (Jer 16:6), weeping with a loud cry, wearing dark colored garments, hiring women as professional mourners (Ec 12:5; Mt 9:23; Am 5:16),"skillful in lamentation" (Jer 9:17), singing elegies, having funeral feasts and the cup of consolation (Jer 16:7-8). It was an occasion of studied publicity and ceremonial; so Abraham for Sarah (Ge 23:2), Jacob for Joseph (Ge 37:34-35), Joseph and the Egyptians for Jacob 70 days and a further period of seven (Ge 50:3-10), Israel for Aaron 80 days (Nu 20:29), and for Moses (De 34:8). Jabesh Gileadites for Saul fasted seven days (1Sa 31:13); David for Abner with fasting, rent clothes, and sackcloth, and with an elegy (2Sa 3:39).
Job for his calamities, with rent mantle, shaven head, sitting in ashes; so the three friends with dust upon their heads, etc., seven days and nights (Job 1:20-21; 2:8). In the open streets and upon the housetops (Isa 15:2-3); stripping off ornaments (Ex 33:4); stripping the foot and some other part of the body (Isa 20:2). Penitent mourning was often expressed by fasting, so that the words are interchanged as synonymous (Mt 9:15), and the day of atonement, when they "afflicted their souls," is called "the fast" (Ac 27:9; Le 23:27; Israel, 1Sa 7:6; Nineveh, Jon 3:5; the Jews when hereafter turning to Messiah, Zec 12:10-11). Exclusion from share in the sacrificial peace offerings (Le 7:20), Covering the upper lip and the head, in token of silence: Le 13:45, the leper; 2Sa 15:30, David. The high priest and Nazarites were not to go into mourning for even father or mother or children (Le 21:10-11; Nu 6:7).
So Aaron in the case of Nadab and Abihu (Le 10:2-6); Ezekiel for his wife (Eze 24:16-18); "the bread of men" is that usually brought to mourners by friends in sympathy. The lower priests only for nearest relatives (Le 21:1-4). Antitypically, the gospel work is to take precedence of all ties (Lu 9:59-60): "let me first go and bury my father" means, let me wait at home until he die and, I bury him. The food eaten in mourning was considered impure (De 26:14; Ho 9:4). The Jews still wail weekly, each Friday, at Jerusalem, in a spot below the temple wall, where its two courses of masonry (with blocks 30 ft. long) meet. (See JERUSALEM.) On the open flagged place, which they sweep with care as holy ground, taking off their shoes, they bewail the desolation of their holy places (Ps 102:14; 137:5-6; Isa 63:15-19). Mourning shall cease forever to God's people when Christ shall return (Re 7:17; 21:4; Isa 25:8; 35:10).
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Sarah died in Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan. Abraham went to mourn for Sarah and to cry because of her death.
Jacob tore his clothes in sorrow and put on sackcloth. He mourned for his son a long time. All his sons and daughters came to comfort him. However, he refused to be comforted. He said: I will go down to the grave still mourning for my son. So he continued to mourn for his son Joseph.
It took forty days, which is the normal time for embalming. The Egyptians mourned for him seventy days. When the time of mourning was over, Joseph said to the king's officials: Please take this message to the king: read more. When my father was about to die, he made me promise him that I would bury him in the tomb that he had prepared in the land of Canaan. Please, let me go and bury my father. Then I will come back. The king replied: By all means go and bury your father, as you promised you would. So Joseph went to bury his father. All the king's officials, the senior men of his court, and all the leading men of Egypt went with Joseph. His family, including his brothers, and the rest of his father's family all went with him. Only their small children and their sheep, goats, and cattle stayed in the region of Goshen. Men in chariots and men on horseback also went with him. It was a very large group. They mourned loudly for a long time at the threshing place at Atad east of the Jordan. Joseph performed mourning ceremonies for seven days.
The people heard this bad news and acted as if someone had died. No one wore any jewelry.
The person who eats the flesh of the sacrifice of peace offerings that belong to Jehovah, in his uncleanness, that person will be cut off from his people.
A fire flashed from Jehovah and burned them. They died in the presence of Jehovah. Moses said to Aaron: This is what Jehovah was speaking about when he said: 'All who serve me must respect my holiness. I will reveal my glory to my people.' But Aaron remained silent. read more. Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel, Aaron's uncle. He said: Come here and carry your cousins' bodies away from the sacred tent and put them outside the camp. So they came and took hold of the clothing on the corpses. They carried them outside the camp just as Moses had commanded. Moses said to Aaron and to his sons Eleazar and Ithamar: Do not leave your hair uncombed or tear your clothes to show that you are in mourning. If you do you will die. For Jehovah will be angry with the whole community. But all other Israelites are allowed to mourn this death caused by the fire Jehovah sent.
If you have a dreaded skin disease, you must wear torn clothes, leave your hair uncombed, cover the lower part of your face, and call out: Unclean, unclean!
Jehovah gave Moses these instructions for Aaron's sons, the priests: Touching a dead body will make you unclean. So do not go near a dead relative, except for your mother, father, son, daughter, brother, read more. or an unmarried sister, who has no husband to take care of her. As the head of your people, you should never become unclean. That would make you unholy.
The priest who is anointed with oil and wears the chief priest's clothes is chief over his brothers. He must never mourn by leaving his hair uncombed or by tearing his clothes. He must not go near any dead bodies or become unclean, even for his father or mother.
The tenth day of this seventh month is a special day for the payment for sins. There will be a holy assembly. Humble yourselves, and bring Jehovah a sacrifice by fire.
Even if their own father, mother, brother, or sister dies, they must not make themselves unclean by going near them. Nazarites show their vow to God with their long hair.
The entire congregation learned that Aaron had died. They all mourned for him for thirty days.
I have not eaten of it while mourning. I have not removed any of it while I was unclean, nor offered any of it to the dead. I have listened to the voice of Jehovah my God. I have done according to all that you have commanded me.
So the sons of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days. Then the days of weeping and mourning for Moses came to an end.
The Israelites gathered at Mizpah. They drew some water, poured it out in front of Jehovah and fasted that day. They confessed: We have sinned against Jehovah. So Samuel judged Israel in Mizpah.
They buried the bones under a small tree in Jabesh. Then for seven days, they went without eating to show their sorrow.
Today, even though I am the anointed king, these men, Zeruiah's sons, are too strong for me to control. May Jehovah repay these wicked men, as their evil deed deserves.
David went up the slope of the Mount of Olives. He was barefoot and crying. He covered his head to show his sorrow. Everyone with him was crying. They covered their heads too.
Then Job got up and tore his clothes in grief. He shaved his head and threw himself face down on the ground. He said: I was born with nothing (naked), and I will die with nothing. Jehovah gave, and now he has taken away. Blessed be the name of Jehovah!
Job took a piece of broken pottery to scratch his sores as he sat in the ashes.
If I forget you, Jerusalem, let my right hand forget how to play the harp. Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not consider Jerusalem my highest joy.
Also when they will be afraid of what is high, and fears will be in the way, and the almond tree will flourish, and the grasshopper will be a burden, and the caper berry breaks and desire fails, man goes to his long lasting home and the mourners go about the streets.
They have gone up to the temple and to Dibon, to the high places to weep. Moab wails over Nebo and Medeba. Everyone's head is bald and every beard is cut off. They have dress themselves with sackcloth in their streets. On their housetops and in their squares everyone is wailing, taken down with tears.
At that time Jehovah spoke through Isaiah son of Amoz. He said to him: Take off the sackcloth from your body and the sandals from your feet. He did this and went around stripped and barefoot.
He will swallow up death forever! The Sovereign Lord Jehovah will wipe away the tears from all faces. He will take away the disgrace of His people from the earth. Jehovah has spoken!
They will reach Jerusalem with gladness, singing and shouting for joy. They will be happy forever. They will be forever free from sorrow and grief.
Look down and see from heaven, from your holy and beautiful dwelling. Where is your determination (zeal) and might? Where is the longing of your heart and your compassion? Do not hold back. You are our Father. Even though Abraham does not know us and Israel does not pay attention to us, O Jehovah, you are our Father. Your name is our Defender From Everlasting. read more. O Jehovah, why do you let us wander from your ways and become so stubborn that we are unable to respect you? Return for the sake of your servants. They are the tribes that belong to you. Your holy people possessed the land for a little while. Our enemies have trampled on your holy place. We have become like those whom you never ruled, like those who are not called by your name.
Jehovah of Hosts says: 'Consider the mourning women that they may come. Send for the wailing women that they may come!
Both great and small men will die in this land. They will not be buried, they will not be lamented, nor will anyone gash himself or shave his head for them. Men will not break bread in mourning for them in order to comfort anyone for the dead. Nor will they give them a cup of consolation to drink for anyone's father or mother. read more. Moreover you shall not go into a house of feasting to sit with them to eat and drink.
Cry out and wail, son of man, for it is against my people; it is against all the officials of Israel. They are delivered over to the sword with my people. Therefore strike your thigh.
Son of man, behold, I am about to take from you the desire of your eyes with a blow. You will, however, not mourn and you will not weep, and your tears will not come. Groan silently; make no mourning for the dead. Bind on your turban and put your shoes on your feet. Do not cover your mustache and do not eat the bread of men. read more. So I spoke to the people in the morning, and in the evening my wife died. And in the morning I did as I was commanded.
They will not pour wine offerings to Jehovah. Their food will only satisfy their hunger. All who eat it will be defiled. It will not be brought as an offering to Jehovah's Temple.
Listen to Jehovah the God of Hosts, the Almighty: Wailing will be in all the broad ways. They will say in all the streets, Alas! Alas! They will call the farmer to mourning, and the professional mourner to lamentation and crying.
The people of Nineveh believed God and they proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.
I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of kindness and of supplication. They will look to the one whom they pierced; and they will mourn for him, as one mourns for his only son. There will be a bitter lamentation for him, like one who grieves for his first-born. That day will be a great mourning in Jerusalem, like the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the Valley of Megiddon (Megiddo).
Jesus replied: Should the wedding guests mourn and also celebrate with the groom? The days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them. Then they will fast.
Jesus went into the official's house and saw flute players and the crowd making a lot of noise.
He told another: Follow me. But he said: Lord first let me go bury my father. Let the dead bury the dead. You go and publish abroad the kingdom of God. Jesus replied.
Much time had been lost and sailing was now dangerous. Because the fast was over Paul admonished them,
The Lamb who is in the middle of the throne will feed them and lead them to living fountains of water. God will wipe away all tears from their eyes.
God will wipe away all tears from their eyes. There will be no more death. There will be no more sorrow nor crying. There will be no more pain! The former things have passed away.
Morish
It was the habit of the Hebrews, as it still is in the East, to make a great demonstration of their mourning. They would beat their breasts, cover their heads, fast, put dust and ashes on their heads, neglect their hair, wear dull-coloured garments, rend their clothes, wear sackcloth, etc. For Asa and Zedekiah there was 'great burning' of odours at their death, which was most probably copied from the heathen. 2Ch 16:14; Jer 34:5. At a death professional mourners were hired, mostly women. "Call for the mourning women . . . . let them make haste, and take up a wailing for us, that our eyes may run down with tears, and our eyelids gush out with waters." Jer 9:17-18; cf. 2Sa 14:2; Am 5:16. Musicians also attended at deaths, who played mournful strains. Mt 9:23. God does not desire those who are bereaved to be without feeling: the Lord wept at the grave of Lazarus, but He would have reality in all things. He had to say to His people, "Rend your heart, and not your garments." Joe 2:13.
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Joab sent someone to Tekoa to get a wise woman from there. He told her: Please act like a mourner. Dress in mourning clothes. Do not use any cosmetic lotions. Act like a woman who has been mourning for the dead for a long time.
Asa was buried in the rock tomb that he had carved out for himself in David's City. They used spices and perfumed oils to prepare his body for burial. They built a huge bonfire to mourn his death.
Jehovah of Hosts says: 'Consider the mourning women that they may come. Send for the wailing women that they may come! Let them hurry and take up a wailing for us. Let our eyes shed tears and our eyelids flow with water.
You will die peacefully. People will burn funeral fires for you as they did for your ancestors, the kings who lived before you.' They will say: Oh, master, as they mourn for you. I have spoken my word, declares Jehovah.''
Rip apart your heart, and not your garments. Turn to Jehovah your God! He is gracious and merciful. He is slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness. He will turn back from doing harm.
Listen to Jehovah the God of Hosts, the Almighty: Wailing will be in all the broad ways. They will say in all the streets, Alas! Alas! They will call the farmer to mourning, and the professional mourner to lamentation and crying.
Jesus went into the official's house and saw flute players and the crowd making a lot of noise.
Smith
Mourning.
One marked feature of Oriental mourning is what may be called its studies publicity and the careful observance of the prescribed ceremonies.
1. Among the particular forms observed the following may be mentioned: (a) Rending the clothes.
etc. (b) Dressing in sackcloth.
etc. (c) Ashes, dust or earth sprinkled on the person.
etc. (d) Black or sad-colored garments.
etc. (e) Removal of ornaments or neglect of person.
De 21:12-13
etc. (f) Shaving the head, plucking out the hair of the head or beard.
etc. (g) Laying bare some part of the body.
etc. (h) Fasting or abstinence in meat and drink.
etc. (i) In the same direction may be mentioned diminution in offerings to God, and prohibition to partake of sacrificial food.
Le 7:20; De 26:14
(k) Covering the "upper lip," i.e. the lower part of the face, and sometimes the head, in token of silence.
(l) Cutting the flesh,
beating the body.
(m) Employment of persons hired for the purpose of mourning.
Ec 12:5; Jer 9:17; Am 5:16; Mt 9:23
(n) Akin to the foregoing usage the custom for friends or passers-by to join in the lamentations of bereaved or afflicted persons.
Ge 50:3; Jg 11:40; Job 2:11; 30:25
etc. (o) The sitting or lying posture in silence indicative of grief.
etc. (p) Mourning feast and cup of consolation.
2. The period of mourning varied. In the case of Jacob it was seventy days,
of Aaron,
and Moses, Deut 34:8 thirty. A further period of seven days in Jacob's case.
Seven days for Saul, which may have been an abridged period in the time of national danger.
With the practices above mentioned, Oriental and other customs, ancient and modern, in great measure agree. Arab men are silent in grief, but the women scream, tear their hair, hands and face, and throw earth or sand on their heads. Both Mohammedans and Christians in Egypt hire wailing-women, and wail at stated times. Burckhardt says the women of Atbara in Nubia shave their heads on the death of their nearest relatives --a custom prevalent also among several of the peasant tribes of upper Egypt. He also mentions wailing-women, and a man in distress besmearing his face with dirt and dust in token of grief. In the "Arabian Nights" are frequent allusions to similar practices. It also mentions ten days and forty days as periods of mourning. Lane, speaking of the modern Egyptians, says, "After death the women of the family raise cries of lamentation called welweleh or wilwal, uttering the most piercing shrieks, and calling upon the name of the deceased, 'Oh, my master! Oh, my resource! Oh, my misfortune! Oh, my glory!" See
The females of the neighborhood come to join with them in this conclamation: generally, also, the family send for two or more neddabehs or public wailing-women. Each brings a tambourine, and beating them they exclaim, 'Alas for him!' The female relatives, domestics and friends, with their hair dishevelled and sometimes with rent clothes, beating their faces, cry in like manner, 'Alas for him!' These make no alteration in dress, but women, in some cases, dye their shirts, head-veils and handkerchiefs of a dark-blue color. They visit the tombs at stated periods." --Mod. Eg. iii. 152,171,195.
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Sarah died in Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan. Abraham went to mourn for Sarah and to cry because of her death. Abraham left the side of his dead wife and spoke to the Hittites.
Reuben came back to the pit and found that Joseph was not there. He tore his clothes in sorrow.
Jacob tore his clothes in sorrow and put on sackcloth. He mourned for his son a long time.
Jacob tore his clothes in sorrow and put on sackcloth. He mourned for his son a long time.
This upset the brothers so much that they began tearing their clothes in sorrow. Then they loaded their donkeys and returned to the city.
It took forty days, which is the normal time for embalming. The Egyptians mourned for him seventy days.
It took forty days, which is the normal time for embalming. The Egyptians mourned for him seventy days.
They mourned loudly for a long time at the threshing place at Atad east of the Jordan. Joseph performed mourning ceremonies for seven days.
The person who eats the flesh of the sacrifice of peace offerings that belong to Jehovah, in his uncleanness, that person will be cut off from his people.
Moses said to Aaron and to his sons Eleazar and Ithamar: Do not leave your hair uncombed or tear your clothes to show that you are in mourning. If you do you will die. For Jehovah will be angry with the whole community. But all other Israelites are allowed to mourn this death caused by the fire Jehovah sent.
If you have a dreaded skin disease, you must wear torn clothes, leave your hair uncombed, cover the lower part of your face, and call out: Unclean, unclean!
The entire congregation learned that Aaron had died. They all mourned for him for thirty days.
Take her to your home. She should shave her head and cut her nails. She should no longer wear the clothes she was wearing when you captured her. She may live in your house and mourn the loss of her father and mother for one month. After that you may marry her.
I have not eaten of it while mourning. I have not removed any of it while I was unclean, nor offered any of it to the dead. I have listened to the voice of Jehovah my God. I have done according to all that you have commanded me.
The Israelite women would go out for four days every year to grieve for the daughter of Jephthah of Gilead.
The people of Israel went up to Bethel and mourned. They sat there in Jehovah's presence and fasted until evening. They offered fellowship sacrifices and burned some sacrifices whole in the presence of Jehovah.
They buried the bones under a small tree in Jabesh. Then for seven days, they went without eating to show their sorrow.
They grieved and mourned and fasted until evening for Saul and Jonathan and for Israel, the people of Jehovah, because so many had been killed in battle.
David refused to eat anything the day of the funeral even though people tried to persuade him to eat. David vowed: May God strike me dead if I taste any food or anything else before the sun goes down.
David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and lay on the ground all night.
David replied: I fasted and cried while the child lived. I thought Jehovah might be gracious to me and let the child live.
Tamar tore the robe she was wearing. She put ashes on her head. Then she covered her face with her hands. She cried loudly as she walked away.
Joab sent someone to Tekoa to get a wise woman from there. He told her: Please act like a mourner. Dress in mourning clothes. Do not use any cosmetic lotions. Act like a woman who has been mourning for the dead for a long time.
David reached the top of the Mount of Olives. He met Hushai the Archite at a place of worship. Hushai's robe was torn, and dust was on his head.
Then Job got up and tore his clothes in grief. He shaved his head and threw himself face down on the ground.
Job's three friends heard about all the terrible things that happened to him. Each of them came from his home: Eliphaz of Teman, Bildad of Shuah, and Zophar of Naama. They agreed they would go together to sympathize with Job and comfort him. They saw him from a distance and did not even recognize him. They cried out loud and wept. Each of them tore his clothes in grief. They threw dust on their heads.
Have I not wept for the one whose life is hard? Was I not grieved for the needy?
Also when they will be afraid of what is high, and fears will be in the way, and the almond tree will flourish, and the grasshopper will be a burden, and the caper berry breaks and desire fails, man goes to his long lasting home and the mourners go about the streets.
At that time Jehovah spoke through Isaiah son of Amoz. He said to him: Take off the sackcloth from your body and the sandals from your feet. He did this and went around stripped and barefoot.
Take the millstones and grind meal. Remove your veil, strip off the skirt; uncover the leg and cross the rivers.
For the brokenness of the daughter of my people I am broken. I mourn and dismay has taken hold of me.
Jehovah of Hosts says: 'Consider the mourning women that they may come. Send for the wailing women that they may come!
Both great and small men will die in this land. They will not be buried, they will not be lamented, nor will anyone gash himself or shave his head for them. Men will not break bread in mourning for them in order to comfort anyone for the dead. Nor will they give them a cup of consolation to drink for anyone's father or mother.
Men will not break bread in mourning for them in order to comfort anyone for the dead. Nor will they give them a cup of consolation to drink for anyone's father or mother. Moreover you shall not go into a house of feasting to sit with them to eat and drink. read more. This is what Jehovah of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: 'I am going to put a stop to the sounds of joy and happiness and the sounds of brides and grooms in this place. This will happen in your lifetime, even as you watch.' When you tell the people all these things, they will ask you: 'Why does Jehovah threaten us with all these disasters? What have we done wrong? How have we sinned against Jehovah our God?' Tell them: 'It is because your ancestors abandoned me,' says Jehovah. They followed other gods, served them, worshiped them, and abandoned me. They did not obey my law. You have done worse than your ancestors. All of you are following your own stubborn, evil ways that keep you from listening (obeying) to me. Therefore I will throw you out of this land into a land that you and your ancestors have not heard of. There you will serve other gods day and night because I will no longer have pity on you.' That is why the days are coming, declares Jehovah, when people will no longer begin an oath with: 'Jehovah brought the people of Israel out of Egypt' and 'as Jehovah lives.' But they will say: Jehovah brought the people of Israel out of the land of the north and all the lands where he had scattered them. They will say this because I will bring them back to the land that I gave their fathers. I am going to send for many fishermen, says Jehovah, and they will catch the people of Israel. After that, I will send for many hunters, and they will hunt for them on every mountain and hill and even in the cracks in the rocks. I see everything that they do. They cannot hide anything from me. Their wickedness cannot be hidden; I can see it. First, I will have them pay twice as much for their wickedness and their sin, because they have polluted my land. They have filled my property with the lifeless statues of their detestable and disgusting idols. Jehovah is my strength and my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. Nations come to you from the most distant parts of the world and say: Our ancestors have inherited lies, worthless and unprofitable gods. Can people make gods for themselves? They are not really gods! That is what I will teach them. This time I will make my power and my strength known to them. THEN THEY WILL KNOW THAT MY NAME IS JEHOVAH.
Therefore Jehovah tells us about Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah: They will not cry for him: 'Alas, my brother!' And, 'Alas, sister!' They will not mourn him: 'Alas for the master!' And, Alas for his splendor!
We turned away from you. But soon we wanted to return. After you had punished us we hung our heads in grief. We were ashamed and disgraced because we sinned when we were young.'
Eighty men arrived from Shechem, Shiloh, and Samaria. Their beards were shaved off, their clothes were torn, and cuts were on their bodies. They brought grain offerings and incense to Jehovah's Temple.
Cry out and wail, son of man, for it is against my people; it is against all the officials of Israel. They are delivered over to the sword with my people. Therefore strike your thigh.
Listen to Jehovah the God of Hosts, the Almighty: Wailing will be in all the broad ways. They will say in all the streets, Alas! Alas! They will call the farmer to mourning, and the professional mourner to lamentation and crying.
Jesus went into the official's house and saw flute players and the crowd making a lot of noise.
Watsons
MOURNING. See BURIAL and See DEAD.