The term "howled" in the Bible is often used to describe a loud, mournful cry, typically associated with intense grief, despair, or desolation. This expression is found in various contexts throughout the Scriptures, illustrating the depth of human emotion in response to divine judgment, personal loss, or national calamity.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "howled" is "yalal," which conveys a sense of wailing or lamentation. This term is frequently used by the prophets to depict the reaction of people to impending judgment or disaster. For instance, in Isaiah 13:6 , the prophet declares, "Wail, for the day of the LORD is near; it will come as destruction from the Almighty." Here, the call to "wail" or "howl" underscores the severity of the coming judgment and the appropriate response of the people to the divine warning.

Similarly, in Joel 1:5 , the prophet urges, "Wake up, you drunkards, and weep! Wail, all you drinkers of wine, because of the new wine, for it has been snatched from your lips." The use of "wail" or "howl" in this context highlights the loss and devastation brought about by a locust plague, symbolizing a broader divine judgment.

Prophetic Imagery

The imagery of howling is also employed to convey the desolation of cities and nations under God's judgment. In Jeremiah 25:34 , the prophet laments, "Wail, you shepherds, and cry out; roll in the dust, you leaders of the flock. For the days of your slaughter have come; you will fall and be shattered like fine pottery." The shepherds and leaders are called to howl as a reflection of the utter ruin and despair that will befall them due to their unfaithfulness and the resulting divine retribution.

Expressions of Grief

Beyond prophetic warnings, howling is also associated with personal expressions of grief and mourning. In Micah 1:8 , the prophet Micah declares, "Because of this I will lament and wail; I will walk barefoot and naked. I will howl like a jackal and mourn like an ostrich." Here, the prophet's personal lamentation and howling serve as a vivid portrayal of his deep sorrow over the sins of Israel and the impending judgment.

Symbol of Desolation

The act of howling is not limited to human expressions but is also used metaphorically to describe the desolation of the land. In Zephaniah 1:10 , the prophet describes a scene of destruction: "On that day, declares the LORD, a cry will go up from the Fish Gate, a wail from the Second Quarter, and a loud crash from the hills." The howling in this passage symbolizes the widespread devastation and the lamentation that will ensue as a result of God's judgment.

Conclusion

The biblical use of "howled" serves as a powerful expression of the human response to divine judgment and calamity. It captures the intensity of grief and the profound sense of loss experienced by individuals and communities facing the consequences of sin and disobedience. Through the imagery of howling, the Scriptures convey the seriousness of God's warnings and the appropriate response of repentance and lamentation.(imp. & p. p.) of Howl.

David's Dying Prayer
... The praise of God is sung by every wind it is howled forth in dread majesty by the
voice of the tempest, the winds resound it, and the waves, with their ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/davids dying prayer.htm

The Lord of Demons
... Insensible to pain, and deriving some dreadful satisfaction from his own wounds,
he has gashed himself with splinters of rock, and howled, in a delirium of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the lord of demons.htm

On the Holy Martyr, S. Babylas.
... he lifted up his hands against the God who created him, and ignored his benefactor,
and looking from the earth beneath to the heavens, howled after the manner ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chrysostom/on the priesthood/on the holy martyr s.htm

The Fruitless Search.
... "But when the day dawned, I shouted aloud, and howled miserably, and looked
around, seeking for the dead bodies of my hapless children. ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter xvii the fruitless search.htm

Appion and Athenodorus Return to Simon.
... When Appion and those who were with him heard this, they howled and lamented, saying:
"Why did you not receive him?" And when at the same time Athenodorus ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter xxii appion and athenodorus return.htm

But we are not Here Concerned with the Nature and Existence of the ...
... But this insolence is not (as you would suppose) howled at by everybody
as outrageous feudalism. It is gently rebuked as Socialism. ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 10 but we are.htm

The Legend of La Brea {331A}
... 'Till one evening roared the earthquake: Monkeys howled, and parrots screamed:
And the Guaraons at morning Gathered here, as men who dreamed. ...
/.../kingsley/andromeda and other poems/the legend of la brea.htm

The First Word from the Cross
... high priests twisted the forms of law to ensnare Him, how Herod disdained Him, how
Pilate played fast and loose with His interests, how the mob howled at Him. ...
/.../stalker/the trial and death of jesus christ/chapter xiv the first word.htm

Imperial Caesar
... His valiant dog with exposed teeth flew straight at the nearest legionary. "Cerberus!"
the soldier howled, dodging. "Your pike, Paulus! Quick! ...
/.../miller/the city of delight/chapter vii imperial caesar.htm

"Am Ia Sea, or a Whale?"
... But the dog of fear howled at their heels, and merriment seemed mockery to them.
On the lone ocean the very stars pierced their hearts with their rays. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/am i a sea or.htm

Howled (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Howled (5 Occurrences). Proverbs 5:11 And thou hast howled
in thy latter end, In the consumption of thy flesh and thy food, (YLT). ...
/h/howled.htm - 8k

Bonnets (7 Occurrences)
... are' on your heads, And your shoes 'are' on your feet, Ye do not mourn nor do ye
weep, And ye have wasted away for your iniquities, And ye have howled one unto ...
/b/bonnets.htm - 8k

Consumption (20 Occurrences)
... me not. (YLT). Proverbs 5:11 And thou hast howled in thy latter end, In
the consumption of thy flesh and thy food, (YLT). Isaiah 5 ...
/c/consumption.htm - 14k

Songstresses (5 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Amos 8:3 And howled have songstresses of a palace in that day, An affirmation
of the Lord Jehovah, Many 'are' the carcases, into any place throw -- hush! ...
/s/songstresses.htm - 8k

Carcases (24 Occurrences)
... Amos 8:3 And howled have songstresses of a palace in that day, An affirmation of
the Lord Jehovah, Many 'are' the carcases, into any place throw -- hush! (YLT). ...
/c/carcases.htm - 14k

Shattered (42 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 48:39 How hath it been broken down! they have howled, How hath Moab
turned the neck ashamed, And Moab hath been for a derision. ...
/s/shattered.htm - 18k

Rebel (35 Occurrences)
... Hosea 7:14 And they have not cried unto me with their heart, when they howled upon
their beds: they assemble themselves for corn and wine, and they rebel ...
/r/rebel.htm - 18k

Howl (29 Occurrences)

/h/howl.htm - 15k

Turns (80 Occurrences)
... (See RSV NIV). Jeremiah 48:39 How hath it been broken down! they have howled, How
hath Moab turned the neck ashamed, And Moab hath been for a derision. ...
/t/turns.htm - 28k

Wasted (106 Occurrences)
... are' on your heads, And your shoes 'are' on your feet, Ye do not mourn nor do ye
weep, And ye have wasted away for your iniquities, And ye have howled one unto ...
/w/wasted.htm - 35k

Howled: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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