Definition:
Dejection refers to a state of being downcast, disheartened, or in low spirits. In the biblical context, it often relates to feelings of discouragement or despair that arise from various life circumstances, including sin, suffering, or perceived abandonment by God.

Biblical Instances and Themes:

1. Cain's Dejection:
The first mention of dejection in the Bible is found in the account of Cain and Abel. After God rejected Cain's offering, Cain became very angry and his face was downcast. The Lord addressed Cain's dejection, saying, "Why are you angry, and why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?" (Genesis 4:6-7). This passage highlights the connection between dejection and sin, as well as the opportunity for redemption through righteous action.

2. Elijah's Despair:
The prophet Elijah experienced profound dejection after his victory over the prophets of Baal. Fleeing from Queen Jezebel, he sat under a broom tree and prayed for death, saying, "I have had enough, LORD. Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers" (1 Kings 19:4). God's response to Elijah's dejection was to provide rest, sustenance, and a renewed sense of purpose, demonstrating His care and provision even in times of deep despair.

3. David's Lament:
King David frequently expressed feelings of dejection in the Psalms. In Psalm 42:5, he writes, "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him for the salvation of His presence" . David's response to his own dejection was to turn to God in hope and worship, illustrating the importance of faith and trust in overcoming feelings of despair.

4. Job's Suffering:
Job's account is a profound exploration of human suffering and dejection. Despite his righteousness, Job experienced immense loss and physical affliction, leading him to lament, "Why did I not perish at birth, and die as I came from the womb?" (Job 3:11). Throughout his trials, Job's dejection is met with dialogues that explore the nature of suffering, divine justice, and ultimately, the sovereignty of God.

5. Jesus' Compassion:
In the New Testament, Jesus often encountered individuals who were dejected due to illness, sin, or societal rejection. His compassion is evident in His interactions, such as with the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11) and the healing of the sick and demon-possessed (Matthew 8:16-17). Jesus' ministry provides a model for addressing dejection with grace, forgiveness, and healing.

Theological Insights:

· Sin and Dejection:
Dejection can be a result of sin, as seen in the account of Cain. However, the Bible consistently offers a path to redemption and restoration through repentance and faith in God.

· God's Presence in Dejection:
Throughout Scripture, God is portrayed as being near to the brokenhearted and those crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18). Believers are encouraged to seek God's presence and comfort in times of dejection.

· Hope and Restoration:
The Bible assures believers that dejection is not the end. Through faith in Christ, there is hope for renewal and restoration. Romans 15:13 states, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Practical Application:

· Prayer and Worship:
In moments of dejection, believers are encouraged to turn to prayer and worship, following the example of David, who found solace and hope in God's presence.

· Community Support:
The Christian community is called to support one another in times of dejection, offering encouragement and practical help, as instructed in Galatians 6:2 : "Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."

· Trust in God's Sovereignty:
Trusting in God's sovereignty and His ultimate plan for good can provide comfort and perspective during times of dejection, as exemplified in the life of Job.1. (imp. & p. p.) of Deject.

2. (a.) Cast down; afflicted; low-spirited; sad; as, a dejected look or countenance.

4659. skuthropos -- with a gloomy look
... 4659 (from , "gloomy" and , "countenance") -- properly, grim-faced, looking sad,
dejected (downcast, ); (figuratively) the that goes with doing God's will in ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4659.htm - 6k954. bosh -- to be ashamed
... feel...shame (1), put me to shame (1), put them to shame (1), put to shame (32),
shame (1), shamed (3), shameful (1), shames (1), utterly dejected (1), utterly ...
/hebrew/954.htm - 6k

5223. nakeh -- smitten, stricken
... contrite, lame. Smitten, ie (literally) maimed, or (figuratively) dejected --
contrite, lame. 5222, 5223. nakeh. 5224 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/5223.htm - 6k

2196. zaaph -- to be vexed, be enraged
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to be vexed, be enraged NASB Word Usage
dejected (1), enraged (2), looking...haggard (1), rages (1). ...
/hebrew/2196.htm - 6k

Eleventh Day. Sympathy.
... Think of the funeral at the gate of Nain, reading its lesson to dejected
myriads""Let thy widows trust in me!" Think of the farewell discourse to His ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/the mind of jesus/eleventh day sympathy.htm

Treatise on the Priesthood. Book V.
... Since if any one be too quick to be dejected by these accidents, he will not
be able at any time to produce anything noble and admirable. ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/treatise on the priesthood book 5.htm

This HomilyWas Delivered in the Old Church of Antioch
... For even as a trumpet sounding a fearful and warlike note, it both dismays the enemy,
and arouses the dejected spirits on its own side, and filling them with ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily i this homily was.htm

Impressive Phrases
... gloomy, dismal, dark, and dejected. glorious, noble, exalted, and resplendent. ... healthy,
hale, sound, and wholesome. heavy, sluggish, dejected, and crushing. ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section iv impressive phrases.htm

A Christlike Judgment of Men
... properly 'lying down,' and it gives the idea of the poor, wearied creature, after
all its struggles and wanderings, utterly beaten and dejected, having lost ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/a christlike judgment of men.htm

The Judgment on the City
... pronounced. It was morning when they made their entrance into Antioch,
and the dejected populace lined their route in thousands. ...
/.../chapter vii the judgment on.htm

Preface. And as to Christ Thy Lord
... inconceivable love to the world, in Christ Jesus the Son of his love, as are able
to enlighten with the light of consolation, the sadliest dejected and casten ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/preface and as to christ.htm

The Siege and Taking of Gamala.
... 6. And now Vespasian comforted his army, which was much dejected by reflecting on
their ill success, and because they had never before fallen into such a ...
/.../chapter 1 the siege and.htm

"For Hereunto were Ye Called; Because Christ Also Suffered for You ...
... There was something in the figure so dejected, homeless and forsaken that
the minister hesitated a moment as he stood looking at it. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter one for hereunto were.htm

'the Angel Adjutant'
... age, are terribly neglected. I have never seen children more dirty, more foully
clothed, more dejected looking.... I saw many children ...
/.../carpenter/the angel adjutant of twice born men/x the angel adjutant.htm

Dejected (3 Occurrences)
... & pp) of Deject. 2. (a.) Cast down; afflicted; low-spirited; sad; as, a dejected
look or countenance. Multi-Version Concordance Dejected (3 Occurrences). ...
/d/dejected.htm - 7k

Low (216 Occurrences)
... 16. (superl.) Numerically small; as, a low number. 17. (superl.) Wanting strength
or animation; depressed; dejected; as, low spirits; low in spirits. 18. ...
/l/low.htm - 39k

Gloomy (10 Occurrences)
... 2. (superl.) Affected with, or expressing, gloom; melancholy; dejected; as, a gloomy
temper or countenance. Multi-Version Concordance Gloomy (10 Occurrences). ...
/g/gloomy.htm - 9k

Faint (76 Occurrences)
... 2. (superl.) Wanting in courage, spirit, or energy; timorous; cowardly;
dejected; depressed; as, Faint heart ne'er won fair lady. ...
/f/faint.htm - 38k

Fainthearted (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Wanting in courage; depressed by fear; easily
discouraged or frightened; cowardly; timorous; dejected. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/f/fainthearted.htm - 8k

Downhearted (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Dejected; low-spirited. Multi-Version
Concordance Downhearted (1 Occurrence). 1 Samuel 1:8 Elkanah ...
/d/downhearted.htm - 6k

Downward (10 Occurrences)
... 4. (a.) Tending to a lower condition or state; depressed; dejected; as, downward
thoughts. Multi-Version Concordance Downward (10 Occurrences). ...
/d/downward.htm - 10k

Damp (1 Occurrence)
... etc. 4. (superl.) Being in a state between dry and wet; moderately wet;
moist; humid. 5. (superl.) Dejected; depressed; sunk. 6. (n ...
/d/damp.htm - 7k

Deity (3 Occurrences)

/d/deity.htm - 7k

Depressed (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (imp. & pp) of Depress. 2. (a.) Pressed or forced
down; lowed; sunk; dejected; dispirited; sad; humbled. ...
/d/depressed.htm - 8k

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