In the biblical context, "despaired" refers to a state of utter loss of hope or confidence, often experienced during times of severe trial or suffering. The Bible provides numerous examples of individuals who faced despair, yet it also offers guidance on overcoming such feelings through faith and reliance on God.

Old Testament Instances

1. Job's Despair: The Book of Job is a profound exploration of human suffering and despair. Job, a righteous man, experiences immense loss and physical affliction. In his despair, he laments, "Why did I not perish at birth, and die as I came from the womb?" (Job 3:11). Despite his deep anguish, Job's account ultimately demonstrates the importance of steadfast faith and trust in God's sovereignty.

2. David's Lament: King David, a man after God's own heart, also experienced moments of despair. 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 psalms often reflect a journey from despair to hope, emphasizing the power of worship and remembrance of God's past faithfulness.

3. Elijah's Despair: The prophet Elijah, after a great victory over the prophets of Baal, flees for his life from Queen Jezebel and falls into despair. In 1 Kings 19:4, he prays, "I have had enough, LORD. Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers" . God responds by providing Elijah with rest, sustenance, and a renewed sense of purpose, illustrating His care and provision even in our lowest moments.

New Testament Insights

1. Paul's Hardships: The Apostle Paul frequently faced despair due to persecution and hardships. In 2 Corinthians 1:8, he writes, "We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the hardships we encountered in Asia. We were under a burden far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life" . Paul’s experiences highlight the reality of despair in the Christian journey but also the comfort found in God's deliverance and the support of fellow believers.

2. Jesus' Agony in Gethsemane: Although not explicitly described as despair, Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane reveals deep anguish. 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" . Jesus' submission to the Father's will, even in profound sorrow, serves as the ultimate example of trust and obedience.

Theological Reflections

Despair in the Bible is often linked to moments of intense trial and suffering. However, Scripture consistently points to God as the source of hope and deliverance. Believers are encouraged to cast their burdens on the Lord, as seen in 1 Peter 5:7, "Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you" . The Bible assures that God is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18).

The biblical narrative teaches that while despair is a natural human response to suffering, it is not the end of the account. Through faith, prayer, and community, believers can find strength and hope in God's promises, trusting that He works all things for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).(imp. & p. p.) of Despair.1820. exaporeo -- to be utterly at a loss, be in despair
... Word Origin from ek and aporeo Definition to be utterly at a loss, be in despair
NASB Word Usage despaired (1), despairing (1). despair. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1820.htm - 8k2976. yaash -- to despair
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to despair NASB Word Usage despair (2), despaired
(1), hopeless (3). cause to despair, one that is desperate, be no hope. ...
/hebrew/2976.htm - 6k

How Herod Slew Hyrcanus and Then Hasted Away to Caesar, and ...
... entire dominions, after Antony had been beaten at the battle of Actium by Caesar
[Octarian]; for at that time both Herod's enemies and friends despaired of his ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 how herod slew.htm

How John Tyrannized Over the Rest; and what Mischiefs the Zealots ...
... Accordingly, they ran away from their own houses to foreigners, and obtained that
preservation from the Romans which they despaired to obtain among their own ...
/.../chapter 7 how john tyrannized.htm

Psalm LI.
... This Psalm then, while it maketh heedful those that have not believed,
so doth not will them that have fallen to be despaired of. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm li.htm

Vespasian, when He had Taken the City Gadaea Marches to Jotapata. ...
... fit for his security, put it into great fear; for the people of Tiberias did not
imagine that he would have run away, unless he had entirely despaired of the ...
/.../chapter 7 vespasian when he.htm

Vision First. Against Filthy and Proud Thoughts, and the ...
... life to come. For many will their regrets be; for they have no hope, but
have despaired of themselves and their life. [32] But do ...
/.../pastor/the pastor books first second third/vision first against filthy and.htm

Book Six Turmoil in the Twenties. ...
... of my heart. I had gone down into the depths of the sea and had lost faith,
and had despaired of ever finding the truth. By this ...
/.../augustine/confessions and enchiridion/book six turmoil in the.htm

Knowledge and Self-Confidence
... If many men who despaired of acquiring the necessary talents for speaking in public,
have engaged in the study of law, with how much more ease will the orator ...
/.../kleiser/the training of a public speaker/knowledge and self-confidence.htm

The Christian Society
... The situation was such that many men despaired of anything better and were
secluding themselves from intercourse with their fellow men. ...
/.../sell/studies in the life of the christian/study xii the christian society.htm

Barzillai
... He no longer despaired of his fortunes, black though at the moment they looked,
but, marshalling his forces under three captains, prepared for war with his ...
/.../milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/barzillai.htm

His Schools and Schoolmasters.
... was heard. It must have been like hearing news that a ship, long overdue
and almost despaired of, has suddenly made harbour. It ...
/.../meyer/john the baptist/iii his schools and schoolmasters.htm

Despaired (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Despair. Multi-Version Concordance
Despaired (3 Occurrences). 2 Corinthians 1:8 For we don ...
/d/despaired.htm - 7k

Despair (23 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To cause to despair. 4. (n.) Loss of hope; utter hopelessness; complete
despondency. 5. (n.) That which is despaired of. Int. ...
/d/despair.htm - 14k

Despairing (7 Occurrences)

/d/despairing.htm - 8k

Unaware (16 Occurrences)
... brothers, concerning our affliction which happened to us in Asia, that we were weighed
down exceedingly, beyond our power, so much that we despaired even of ...
/u/unaware.htm - 11k

Uninformed (4 Occurrences)
... brothers, concerning our affliction which happened to us in Asia, that we were weighed
down exceedingly, beyond our power, so much that we despaired even of ...
/u/uninformed.htm - 7k

Utterly (170 Occurrences)
... brothers, concerning our affliction which happened to us in Asia, that we were weighed
down exceedingly, beyond our power, so much that we despaired even of ...
/u/utterly.htm - 39k

Unbearably (1 Occurrence)
... brothers, concerning our affliction which happened to us in Asia, that we were weighed
down exceedingly, beyond our power, so much that we despaired even of ...
/u/unbearably.htm - 6k

Weighed (44 Occurrences)
... brothers, concerning our affliction which happened to us in Asia, that we were weighed
down exceedingly, beyond our power, so much that we despaired even of ...
/w/weighed.htm - 20k

Insomuch (24 Occurrences)
... brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were
pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of ...
/i/insomuch.htm - 13k

Ignorant (32 Occurrences)
... brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were
pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of ...
/i/ignorant.htm - 16k

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