Anguished
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Definition and Meaning:
Anguish is a profound state of emotional, mental, or spiritual distress. It is often characterized by feelings of deep sorrow, pain, or anxiety. In the biblical context, anguish can be seen as a response to sin, suffering, or the perceived absence of God.

Biblical Instances and Usage:
The Bible frequently addresses the theme of anguish, illustrating it through the experiences of various individuals and communities. Anguish is often depicted as a natural human response to the trials and tribulations of life, as well as a catalyst for seeking God's intervention and comfort.

1. Job's Anguish:
The Book of Job is a profound exploration of human suffering and anguish. Job, a righteous man, experiences immense loss and physical affliction, leading him to express his anguish openly. In Job 7:11 , he declares, "Therefore I will not restrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul." Job's lamentations reflect the depth of his emotional turmoil and his struggle to understand God's purposes.

2. David's Psalms:
King David often expressed his anguish in the Psalms, using them as a means to cry out to God for help and deliverance. In Psalm 6:3 , David writes, "My soul is deeply distressed. How long, O LORD, how long?" This plea reveals his deep emotional pain and his reliance on God for relief. The Psalms frequently serve as a reminder that in times of anguish, believers can turn to God in prayer and supplication.

3. Jesus in Gethsemane:
The New Testament provides a poignant example of anguish in the account of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. As He anticipates His crucifixion, Jesus experiences profound distress. In Matthew 26:38 , He tells His disciples, "My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me." This moment underscores the humanity of Christ and His willingness to bear the weight of the world's sin.

4. Paul's Suffering:
The Apostle Paul also speaks of his own experiences of anguish in his letters. In 2 Corinthians 2:4 , he writes, "For through many tears I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart, not to grieve you, but to let you know the depth of my love." Paul's words highlight the emotional burden he carried for the churches and his deep pastoral concern.

Theological Implications:
Anguish in the Bible is often linked to the broader themes of suffering, redemption, and divine purpose. It serves as a reminder of the fallen state of the world and the human condition. However, it also points to the hope and comfort found in God's presence and promises. Believers are encouraged to bring their anguish before God, trusting in His sovereignty and compassion.

Practical Application:
For Christians, the biblical portrayal of anguish offers both solace and guidance. It acknowledges the reality of suffering while encouraging a response of faith and dependence on God. In times of personal anguish, believers are invited to seek God's comfort through prayer, Scripture, and the support of the Christian community. The Bible assures that God is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18).
Strong's Hebrew
6862b. tsar -- straits, distress
... Word Origin from tsarar Definition straits, distress NASB Word Usage afflicted
(1), affliction (1), anguish (1), anguished (1), distress (17), privation (1 ...
/hebrew/6862b.htm - 5k
Library

Eleventh Day. Sympathy.
... He had just been discoursing on Himself as the Resurrection and the Life"the next
moment He is a Weeping Man by a human grave, melted in anguished sorrow at ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/the mind of jesus/eleventh day sympathy.htm

Lights and Shadows.
... This trial, whatever it be, has this grand motto written upon it in characters of
living light;"we can read it on anguished pillows"aching hearts"ay, on ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/vii lights and shadows.htm

Betrayed by a Kiss.
... Come now, ye faithful souls draw nigh See Jesus suffer, bleed and die, Now
has begun the anguished fight Beyond in dark Gethsemane. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/stead/king of the jews/chapter iv betrayed by a.htm

Useful Phrases
... ancestral creed. ancient garb. angelic softness. angry protestations. anguished
entreaty. angular features. animated eloquence. annoying complications. ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section i useful phrases.htm

The Mourner's Creed.
... this?". Her faith had been but a moment before staggering. Some guilty
misgivings had been mingling with her anguished tears. She ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/ix the mourners creed.htm

First Day. Compassion.
... shower of mercy. He pronounces Jerusalem "desolate," but the doom is uttered
amid a flood of anguished sorrow! Reader! do the compassionate ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/the mind of jesus/first day compassion.htm

Twenty-Fifth Day. Receiving Sinners.
... watchmen," in the Canticles, "smote" the disconsolate one seeking her lost Lord;
they tore off her veil, mocking with chilling unkindness her anguished tears. ...
/.../macduff/the mind of jesus/twenty-fifth day receiving sinners.htm

An Exhortation to virtue -- and Particularly Upon the Passage...
... trouble. Night, again, is not only a medicine for bodily labours, but also
for mental diseases, in giving rest to anguished souls. ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily viii an exhortation to.htm

Fourth Sunday after Epiphany. And He Said unto Them, Why are Ye ...
... Forgive, forgive my sinful doubt,. Thy pitying glance I seek; For torn and anguished
is my heart,. Thou seest it, my God,. Oh soothe my conscience' bitter smart ...
/.../lyra germanica the christian year/fourth sunday after epiphany and.htm

Twenty-Third Sunday after Trinity. For Our Conversation is in ...
... Let who will in thee rejoice,. O thou fair and wondrous earth! Ever anguished sorrow's
voice. Pierces through thy seeming mirth; Let thy vain delights be given. ...
/.../lyra germanica the christian year/twenty-third sunday after trinity for.htm

Thesaurus
Anguished (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Anguished (3 Occurrences). Jeremiah 48:5 For
by the ascent of Luhith with continual weeping shall they ...
/a/anguished.htm - 7k

Aniam (1 Occurrence)

/a/aniam.htm - 6k

Anguish (75 Occurrences)

/a/anguish.htm - 29k

Resources
Summary of the Book of Job - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org

Is Mary the co-redemptrix / mediatrix? | GotQuestions.org

Anguished: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Anguished (3 Occurrences)

Jeremiah 48:5
For by the ascent of Luhith with continual weeping shall they go up; for at the descent of Horonaim they have heard the distress of the cry of destruction.
(See NAS NIV)

Ezekiel 6:9
And those of you that escape shall remember me among the nations whither they shall be carried captive, how that I have been broken with their lewd heart, which hath departed from me, and with they eyes, which play the harlot after their idols: and they shall loathe themselves in their own sight for the evils which they have committed in all their abominations.
(See JPS)

Daniel 6:20
When he came near to the den to Daniel, he cried with a lamentable voice; the king spoke and said to Daniel, Daniel, servant of the living God, is your God, whom you serve continually, able to deliver you from the lions?
(See NIV)

Subtopics

Anguished

Related Terms

Ani'am (1 Occurrence)

Likhi (1 Occurrence)

Anguished (3 Occurrences)

Ahian (1 Occurrence)

Ahi'an (1 Occurrence)

Shemidah (1 Occurrence)

Shemida (3 Occurrences)

Shemi'da (3 Occurrences)

Shechem (61 Occurrences)

Anguish of His Soul
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