Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

MOURNING

The expression of grief over death or national calamity. The most frequent mourning practices were tearing one’s garments (Gen. 37:34) and wearing sackcloth (2 Sam. 3:31; cf. Ezek. 27:31). Other observances included fasting (2 Sam. 1:12) and receiving “mourners’ bread” (Hos. 9:4) and the “cup of consolation” (Jer. 16:7). Mourners would sing or chant dirges (qînâ, nĕhî; David’s dirge, 2 Sam. 1:17-27). The mourner might be grief-stricken (ʿāṣaḇ), weep (bāḵâ), and cry out (zāʿaq; 2 Sam. 18:33[MT 19:1]). Also attested are wailing (sāpaḏ, “beat the breast”; Amos 5:16-17), crying “Alas, my brother!” or “sister!” (hôy, Jer. 22:18), putting dust on the head (2 Sam. 1:2), and sitting in ashes/dust (Jonah 3:16).

Mosaic law prohibited shaving the beard and making the head bald (Lev. 21:5; cf. Moabites, Isa. 15:2), although other texts suggest acceptance of these activities (Ezra 9:3). Also prohibited were gashing the body (Deut. 14:1; Jer. 47:5; but cf. 16:6), food/drink offerings to the dead (Deut. 26:14), and seeking oracles from the dead (2 Kgs. 21:6). Because a corpse defiled, priests could mourn only for their next-of-kin (Lev. 21:2-3). High priests and Nazirites were prohibited from mourning (Lev. 21:10-11; Num. 6:6-7).

Initially the period of mourning lasted seven days (Gen. 50:10; cf. 30 days for Moses [Deut. 34:8] and Aaron [Num. 20:29]; cf. the ignominious lack of mourning for Jehoiakim compared to his father, Josiah [Jer. 22:18-19]). Jeremiah refers to professional women “skilled” in mourning (mĕqônĕnôṯ, Jer. 9:17[16]; 2 Chr. 35:25) who sang dirges. Mourning was conducted in the home (Matt. 9:23), at other places of everyday activity, and at the burial site, but not in the sanctuary. Mourners were to refrain from dancing and jubilant music (Isa. 24:8; Job 30:31; cf. Ps. 30:11[12]).

Prophets adapted mourning motifs and dirges (Amos 5:16) for judgment speeches as dire warnings (Isa. 5:18-22) prior to the deadly calamity that were to befall a sinful nation. The author of Lamentations employs the dirge and “lament” prayer genres to render Judah’s suffering.

Bibliography. A. Rothkoff, “Mourning,” in EncJud 12:485-93.

Nancy C. Lee

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

MOURNING

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)