The term "grieveth" is an archaic form of the verb "grieve," which appears in various contexts throughout the Bible. It generally refers to causing sorrow, distress, or suffering, whether emotionally, spiritually, or physically. In the Berean Standard Bible , the concept of grieving is often associated with the response to sin, loss, or the Holy Spirit's reaction to human actions.

Grieving the Holy Spirit

One of the most significant uses of the term relates to the Holy Spirit. In Ephesians 4:30 , the Apostle Paul admonishes believers: "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." This passage highlights the personal nature of the Holy Spirit, who can experience grief due to the sinful actions and attitudes of believers. Grieving the Holy Spirit involves actions contrary to God's will, such as bitterness, anger, and malice, which disrupt the unity and sanctity of the Christian community.

Grief in Response to Sin

The Bible frequently depicts grief as a response to sin, both personal and communal. In the Old Testament, the prophets often express grief over the sins of Israel. For example, Jeremiah, known as the "weeping prophet," laments the spiritual state of the nation. In Jeremiah 9:1 , he declares, "Oh, that my head were a spring of water and my eyes a fountain of tears, I would weep day and night for the slain of my people." This grief is not only an emotional response but also a call to repentance and a return to covenant faithfulness.

Grief in the Psalms

The Psalms frequently articulate the experience of grief, providing a model for expressing sorrow and seeking God's comfort. Psalm 6:6-7 captures the depth of personal anguish: "I am weary from groaning; all night I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears. My eyes fail from grief; they grow dim because of all my foes." Here, the psalmist's grief is both a personal lament and a plea for divine intervention and deliverance.

Grief and Comfort

While the Bible acknowledges the reality of grief, it also offers comfort and hope. In the New Testament, Jesus addresses grief in the Beatitudes, promising comfort to those who mourn: "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted" (Matthew 5:4). This assurance is rooted in the redemptive work of Christ, who bears the ultimate grief of humanity's sin and offers eternal consolation.

Grief in the Life of Jesus

Jesus Himself experienced grief, most notably at the death of Lazarus. In John 11:35 , the shortest verse in the Bible, "Jesus wept," reveals His deep compassion and empathy for human suffering. This moment underscores the reality that grief is a part of the human experience, yet it is met with divine empathy and the promise of resurrection and life.

Conclusion

The concept of "grieveth" in the Bible encompasses a range of experiences, from the sorrow over sin to the empathetic grief of Christ. It serves as a reminder of the seriousness of sin, the personal nature of the Holy Spirit, and the hope of comfort and redemption through Jesus Christ.

How a Man Shall Know when his Thought is no Sin; and if it be Sin ...
... if it be a thing that pleaseth thee or hath pleased thee before, or else with some
manner of grumbling, if it be a thing that thee think grieveth thee, or hath ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the tenth chapter.htm

Thanksgiving for the Declaration of Peace.
... God to thy keeping giveth Our good and happiness, Who woundeth thee and grieveth,
In his own heart doth press Grief's arrow, and in madness He quencheth in the ...
/.../gerhardt/paul gerhardts spiritual songs/thanksgiving for the declaration of.htm

O Father! Send Thy Spirit Down.
... The chains of hell He rends in twain, Consoles and frees the heart again From
everything that grieveth; And when misfortunes o'er us low'r He shields us better ...
/.../gerhardt/paul gerhardts spiritual songs/o father send thy spirit.htm

For the Love of Christ.
... Be Thou the flame that burns in me, My Balsam, ease that giveth, And relieveth Pain
that here constantly Makes me heave sighs, and grieveth. Ah! ...
/.../gerhardt/paul gerhardts spiritual songs/for the love of christ.htm

For Patience in Great Sorrow.
... Jesus, who did'st stoop so low, Thy blood shed, life that giveth, The bitter cross
full well dost know, And how the spirit grieveth When cross and heavy woe ...
/.../gerhardt/paul gerhardts spiritual songs/for patience in great sorrow.htm

To the Wicked and Unbelieving Rich Man.
... By and by thou givest up thy life; thou shalt be taken where it grieveth thee to
be: there the spiritual punishment, which is eternal, is undergone; there are ...
/.../the instructions of commodianus/xxix to the wicked and unbelieving.htm

Of the Judgment and Punishment of the Wicked
... When suffering injuries he grieveth more for the other's malice than for his own
wrong; when he prayeth heartily for those that despitefully use him, and ...
/.../kempis/imitation of christ/chapter xxiv of the judgment.htm

Of Compunction of Heart
... his neighbour, he knoweth that no man liveth here without tribulation, and the more
thoroughly he considereth himself, the more thoroughly he grieveth. ...
/.../kempis/imitation of christ/chapter xxi of compunction of.htm

Philippians iv. 7-Apr
... This joy is not contrary to that grief, but from that grief it too is born. For
he who grieveth for his own faults, and confesseth them, rejoiceth. ...
/.../homily xiv philippians iv 7-apr.htm

The Power and Works of Christ are Proved from the Scriptures.
... He is made to reprove our thoughts: it grieveth us even to look upon him; for his
life is not like the life of others, his ways are of another fashion. ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xlv the power and works.htm

Grieveth (5 Occurrences)
...Grieveth (5 Occurrences). Genesis 6:6 and Jehovah repenteth that He hath made man
in the earth, and He grieveth Himself -- unto His heart. (YLT). ...
/g/grieveth.htm - 7k

Grieving (12 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 19:2 And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people;
for the people heard say that day: 'The king grieveth for his son.' (See ...
/g/grieving.htm - 10k

Grievest (1 Occurrence)

/g/grievest.htm - 6k

Grief (252 Occurrences)
... of anger; la'ah, "to be weary," "tired," "faint" (Proverbs 26:15), the King James
Version "The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom, it grieveth him to bring ...
/g/grief.htm - 45k

Grieve (29 Occurrences)
... of anger; la'ah, "to be weary," "tired," "faint" (Proverbs 26:15), the King James
Version "The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom, it grieveth him to bring ...
/g/grieve.htm - 23k

Repenteth (13 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS). Genesis 6:6 and Jehovah repenteth that He hath made man in
the earth, and He grieveth Himself -- unto His heart. (YLT). ...
/r/repenteth.htm - 10k

Slothful (22 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS YLT). Proverbs 26:15 The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it
grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth. (KJV WBS YLT). ...
/s/slothful.htm - 12k

Tarry (62 Occurrences)
... would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth
me much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me. ...
/t/tarry.htm - 25k

Logia
... midst of the world, and in flesh was I seen of them, and I found all men drunken,
and none found I athirst among them" (A3a); (4) "My soul grieveth over the ...
/l/logia.htm - 19k

Hideth (28 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). Proverbs 26:15 The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom;
it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth. (KJV WBS). ...
/h/hideth.htm - 14k

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