Lexical Summary ebel: Mourning, lamentation Original Word: אֵבֶל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance mourning From 'abal; lamentation -- mourning. see HEBREW 'abal NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom abal Definition mourning NASB Translation mourn (1), mourning (23). Brown-Driver-Briggs אֵ֫בֶל noun masculineGenesis 50:11 mourning — absolute Genesis 50:10 17t.; construct Genesis 27:41 3t.; אֶבְלֵךְ Isaiah 60:20; אֶבְלָם Jeremiah 31:13 — for dead, construct Genesis 27:41; Deuteronomy 34:8 ("" בּכי) so יָחִיד ׳א simile for grievous mourning Amos 8:10, id. metaphor Jeremiah 6:26 ("" מִסְמַּד תַּמְרוּרִים); Genesis 50:11 (twice in verse); Jeremiah 16:7 compare 2 Samuel 19:3 ׳עשה א Ezekiel 24:17 (see Co) followed by לְ Genesis 50:10 (see also II. אָבֵל near the end); for calamity, Esther 4:3; Esther 9:22 ("" יָגוֺן; contracted יוֺם טוֺב) Job 30:31 ("" קול בכים Isaiah 60:20; Isaiah 61:3 (where apparently = mourning garb, followed by מַעֲטֵה תְהִלָּה, see also Bi Che on text.; "" רוּחַ כֵּהָה; contracted שֶׁמֶן שָׂשׂוֺן); Jeremiah 31:13 ("" שׂשׂון), Lamentations 5:15 ("" מָחוֺל), Amos 5:16 ("" מִסְמֵּד); compare כִּבְנוֺת יַעֲנָה ׳א Micah 1:8; = time, period of mourning 2 Samuel 11:7; ׳בֵּית א Ecclesiastes 7:2 ("" ׳בּ מִשְׁתֶּה, Ecclesiastes 7:4 ("" שִׂמְחָה ׳בּ); ׳בִּגְדֵי א garments of mourning 2 Samuel 14:2. אֵבֶל מִצְרַיִם see ׳אָבֵל מ below II. אבל. Topical Lexicon Summary of Usage אֵבֶל designates the state and season of mourning, whether for personal loss (Genesis 27:41), communal bereavement (Esther 4:3), or national catastrophe (Jeremiah 6:26). The contexts range from structured, time-limited lamentation (Genesis 50:10–11) to prophetic portrayals of eschatological reversal (Isaiah 61:3). The term is never trivial; it signals grief so weighty that it shapes identity, worship, and future hope. Individual Mourning • First mentioned when Esau “mourned” the loss of paternal blessing (Genesis 27:41), showing that אֵבֶל may arise from spiritual as well as physical deprivation. Communal Mourning and National Lament • After Jacob’s death, the entire Egyptian entourage pauses for seven days of lament at Abel-Mizraim (Genesis 50:10–11), revealing that true mourning transcends ethnic boundaries. Duration and Ritual Expressions Scripture links אֵבֶל with outward signs—sackcloth (Esther 4:3), ashes (Jeremiah 6:26), wailing flutes (Jeremiah 48:36), and cessation of song (Lamentations 5:15). Yet regulation prevents despair from hardening into hopelessness; Joseph’s seven-day mourning and Israel’s thirty-day period both conclude with resumed pilgrimage. Prophetic and Eschatological Dimensions • Isaiah 60:20 promises a day when “the days of your mourning will end.” The prophets treat mourning not merely as emotional catharsis but as a signpost toward redemption. Wisdom Literature Insight Ecclesiastes 7:2–4 elevates the house of mourning above the house of feasting because it fosters sober reflection: “The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning.” אֵבֶל is thus a tutor in mortality and prudence. Covenantal and Redemptive Significance Throughout Scripture mourning follows covenant breach and precedes covenant renewal. In Ezekiel 24:17, Ezekiel is commanded to refrain from customary mourning for his wife as a sign of impending judgment: when glory departs, even legitimate grief loses its voice. Conversely, Esther 9:22 marks the shift “from mourning into a holiday,” celebrating covenant deliverance. Pastoral and Ministry Applications 1. Legitimate space for grief: Pastoral care must honor God-given rhythms of sorrow prior to exhorting joy (Romans 12:15). Christological Fulfillment and New Covenant Echoes Jesus pronounces, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Matthew 5:4), echoing Isaiah’s promise of exchanged garments. His own passion embodies the deepest אֵבֶל, yet resurrection inaugurates everlasting comfort. The church therefore grieves, but “not like the rest who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13), living between the cross’s lament and the crown’s joy. Key References Genesis 27:41; Genesis 50:10–11; Deuteronomy 34:8; 2 Samuel 11:27; 2 Samuel 14:2; 2 Samuel 19:2; Esther 4:3; Esther 9:22; Job 30:31; Ecclesiastes 7:2–4; Isaiah 60:20; Isaiah 61:3; Jeremiah 6:26; Jeremiah 31:13; Lamentations 5:15; Ezekiel 24:17; Amos 5:16; Amos 8:10; Micah 1:8. Forms and Transliterations אֵ֔בֶל אֵ֖בֶל אֵ֗בֶל אֵ֣בֶל אֵ֤בֶל אֵ֥בֶל אֵֽבֶל־ אֶבְלֵֽךְ׃ אֶבְלָ֤ם אבל אבל־ אבלך׃ אבלם הָאֵ֗בֶל האבל וְאֵ֖בֶל וּמֵאֵ֖בֶל ואבל ומאבל כְּאֵ֣בֶל כאבל לְ֭אֵבֶל לְאֵ֖בֶל לְאֵ֗בֶל לאבל ’ê·ḇel ’ê·ḇel- ’eḇ·lām ’eḇ·lêḵ ’êḇel ’êḇel- ’eḇlām ’eḇlêḵ Evel evLam evLech hā’êḇel hā·’ê·ḇel haEvel kə’êḇel kə·’ê·ḇel keEvel lə’êḇel lə·’ê·ḇel leEvel ū·mê·’ê·ḇel ūmê’êḇel umeEvel veEvel wə’êḇel wə·’ê·ḇelLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 27:41 HEB: יִקְרְבוּ֙ יְמֵי֙ אֵ֣בֶל אָבִ֔י וְאַֽהַרְגָ֖ה NAS: The days of mourning for my father KJV: The days of mourning for my father INT: are near the days of mourning my father will kill Genesis 50:10 Genesis 50:11 Genesis 50:11 Deuteronomy 34:8 2 Samuel 11:27 2 Samuel 14:2 2 Samuel 19:2 Esther 4:3 Esther 9:22 Job 30:31 Ecclesiastes 7:2 Ecclesiastes 7:4 Isaiah 60:20 Isaiah 61:3 Jeremiah 6:26 Jeremiah 16:7 Jeremiah 31:13 Lamentations 5:15 Ezekiel 24:17 Amos 5:16 Amos 8:10 Amos 8:10 Micah 1:8 24 Occurrences |
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