Topical Encyclopedia Anguish, a profound expression of emotional or physical distress, is a recurring theme throughout the Bible. It is often depicted as a deep, soul-wrenching pain that can arise from various circumstances, including sin, suffering, and separation from God. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings on the nature of anguish and the believer's response to it.Old Testament References In the Old Testament, anguish is frequently associated with the consequences of sin and disobedience. For instance, in Genesis 42:21, Joseph's brothers express their remorse and recognize their guilt, saying, "Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw his anguish when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us." Here, anguish is linked to the guilt and regret over past actions. The Psalms often capture the raw emotion of anguish, as seen in Psalm 6:3, where David cries out, "My soul is deeply distressed. How long, O LORD, how long?" This plea reflects the deep emotional turmoil and longing for divine intervention. Similarly, in Psalm 31:9-10, David prays, "Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and body with grief." The prophets also speak of anguish, particularly in the context of judgment and exile. In Isaiah 21:3, the prophet describes his own experience: "At this my body is racked with pain, pangs seize me, like those of a woman in labor; I am staggered by what I hear, I am bewildered by what I see." This imagery conveys the intense suffering and fear associated with impending judgment. New Testament References In the New Testament, anguish is often connected to the suffering of Christ and the trials faced by His followers. Jesus Himself experienced deep anguish in the Garden of Gethsemane, as recorded in Luke 22:44: "And in His anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground." This moment highlights the profound emotional and spiritual struggle Jesus faced as He prepared for His crucifixion. The Apostle Paul also speaks of anguish in his letters, particularly in relation to his concern for the churches. In Romans 9:2, he writes, "I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart." Here, Paul's anguish is tied to his deep love and concern for his fellow Israelites and their salvation. Theological Implications From a theological perspective, anguish serves as a reminder of the fallen state of humanity and the consequences of sin. It underscores the need for redemption and the hope found in Christ. Believers are encouraged to bring their anguish before God, trusting in His comfort and deliverance. As 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 states, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God." Practical Application In practical terms, the Bible encourages believers to respond to anguish with prayer, faith, and reliance on God's promises. Philippians 4:6-7 advises, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." This passage emphasizes the importance of turning to God in times of distress and trusting in His peace. Ultimately, while anguish is a part of the human experience, the Bible offers hope and assurance that God is present in our suffering and provides a path to healing and restoration through faith in Jesus Christ. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) Extreme pain, either of body or mind; excruciating distress.2. (v. t.) To distress with extreme pain or grief. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia ANGUISHan'-gwish: Extreme distress of body, mind or spirit; excruciating pain or suffering of soul, e.g. excessive grief, remorse, despair. Chiefly expressed in Old Testament, by four derivatives of tsuq, "straitened," "pressed," and tsar, and two derivatives signifying "straitness," "narrowness," hence distress; also shabhats, "giddiness," "confusion of mind"; hul "to twist" with pain, "writhe." So in the New Testament, thlipsis, "a pressing together," hence affliction, tribulation, stenochoria, "narrowness of place," hence extreme affliction; sunoche, "a holding together," hence distress. The fundamental idea in these various terms is pressure-being straitened, compressed into a narrow place, or pain through physical or mental torture. Used of the physical agony of child-birth (Jeremiah 4:31; Jeremiah 6:24; Jeremiah 49:24; Jeremiah 50:43 John 16:21); of distress of soul as the result of sin and wickedness (Job 15:24 Proverbs 1:27 Romans 2:9); of anguish of spirit through the cruel bondage of slavery (Exodus 6:9) and Assyrian oppression (Isaiah 8:22); of the anxiety and pain of Christian love because of the sins of fellow-disciples (2 Corinthians 2:4). Greek 4928. sunoche -- a holding together, fig. distress ... distress. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: sunoche Phonetic Spelling: (soon-okh-ay') Short Definition: distress, anguish Definition: distress ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4928.htm - 7k 4730. stenochoria -- narrowness of space, fig. difficulty 2347. thlipsis -- tribulation 4192. ponos -- labor 74. agonia -- a contest, great fear 4663. skolex -- a worm 3601. odune -- pain, distress Strong's Hebrew 2479. chalchalah -- anguish... 2478, 2479. chalchalah. 2480 . anguish. Transliteration: chalchalah Phonetic Spelling: (khal-khaw-law') Short Definition: anguish. ... /hebrew/2479.htm - 6k 2427. chil -- a writhing, anguish 2430b. chilah -- anguish 4164. mutsaq -- constraint, distress 2342a. chul -- to whirl, dance, writhe 4689. matsoq -- straits, stress 4691. metsuqah -- straits, stress 6695. tsowq -- constraint, distress 7115. qotser -- shortness 5892a. ir -- excitement Library Anguish Bowed with Grief and Anguish Low, "Trust Ye in the Lord. " 1 when Grief and Anguish Press Me Down Faith and Works O Wounded Hands and Feet! O Wounded Hands and Feet! Repentance Submission. The Burden of My Sin was Great, Of Patient Endurance Thesaurus Anguish (75 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ANGUISH. ... Multi-Version Concordance Anguish (75 Occurrences). Matthew 26:37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zabdi ... /a/anguish.htm - 29k Agony (20 Occurrences) Convulsion (8 Occurrences) Pain (172 Occurrences) Moaneth (4 Occurrences) Pangs (26 Occurrences) Pained (41 Occurrences) Gloom (29 Occurrences) Travail (54 Occurrences) Wring (4 Occurrences) Resources Why did Jesus sweat blood in the Garden of Gethsemane? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of travail in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org What are the three woes of Revelation? | GotQuestions.org Anguish: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Anguish (75 Occurrences)Matthew 26:37 Matthew 26:38 Mark 14:34 Luke 2:48 Luke 16:24 Luke 16:25 Luke 21:25 John 16:21 Romans 2:9 Romans 8:35 Romans 9:2 2 Corinthians 2:4 Revelation 12:2 Revelation 16:10 Genesis 42:21 Exodus 6:9 Exodus 15:14 Deuteronomy 2:25 1 Samuel 1:16 1 Samuel 31:3 2 Samuel 1:9 1 Chronicles 10:3 Esther 4:4 Job 2:13 Job 6:2 Job 7:11 Job 15:24 Job 26:5 Psalms 6:3 Psalms 25:17 Psalms 31:7 Psalms 31:10 Psalms 38:8 Psalms 39:2 Psalms 48:6 Psalms 55:4 Psalms 77:16 Psalms 116:3 Psalms 119:143 Proverbs 1:27 Proverbs 31:6 Isaiah 8:22 Isaiah 9:1 Isaiah 13:8 Isaiah 21:3 Isaiah 23:5 Isaiah 30:6 Isaiah 38:15 Isaiah 38:17 Isaiah 53:11 Isaiah 65:14 Jeremiah 4:19 Jeremiah 4:31 Jeremiah 5:3 Jeremiah 6:24 Jeremiah 8:21 Jeremiah 15:8 Jeremiah 48:5 Jeremiah 49:24 Jeremiah 50:43 Lamentations 1:4 Lamentations 1:7 Lamentations 3:19 Ezekiel 7:25 Ezekiel 27:31 Ezekiel 30:4 Ezekiel 30:9 Ezekiel 30:16 Daniel 6:20 Daniel 10:16 Joel 2:6 Amos 5:16 Nahum 2:10 Habakkuk 3:7 Zephaniah 1:15 Subtopics Related Terms |
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