The term "longed" in the Bible often conveys a deep, earnest desire or yearning for something or someone. This longing can be spiritual, emotional, or physical, and it is frequently directed towards God, His presence, or His promises. The concept of longing is woven throughout Scripture, illustrating the human heart's innate desire for communion with the divine and the fulfillment of God's promises.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, longing is often expressed in the context of a deep desire for God's presence and intervention. The Psalms, in particular, are rich with expressions of longing. For example, Psalm 42:1-2 states, "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, the living God. When shall I come and appear in God’s presence?" Here, the psalmist uses the imagery of a thirsty deer to convey an intense spiritual longing for God.

The prophets also speak of longing, often in the context of Israel's desire for deliverance and restoration. In Isaiah 26:8-9 , the prophet writes, "Yes, we wait for You, O LORD; we walk in the path of Your judgments. Your name and renown are the desire of our souls. My soul longs for You in the night; indeed, my spirit within me seeks You diligently." This passage reflects a yearning for God's righteous rule and presence.

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, longing is frequently associated with the anticipation of Christ's return and the fulfillment of God's kingdom. The Apostle Paul often speaks of longing in his letters, expressing a deep desire for fellowship with other believers and for the ultimate redemption found in Christ. In Philippians 1:8 , Paul writes, "God is my witness how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus." This longing is rooted in Christian love and the shared hope of salvation.

Paul also speaks of a personal longing for heavenly realities. In 2 Corinthians 5:2 , he states, "For in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling." This reflects a desire for the eternal life and glorified state promised to believers.

Theological Implications

The theme of longing in the Bible underscores the human condition of incompleteness and the innate desire for something greater than oneself. It points to the ultimate fulfillment found in a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Longing serves as a reminder of the transient nature of earthly life and the eternal satisfaction that comes from knowing and being known by God.

Longing also highlights the tension between the "already" and the "not yet" of the Christian faith. Believers experience the presence of God and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, yet they still yearn for the complete realization of God's kingdom and the return of Christ. This tension fuels a life of faith, hope, and perseverance.

Practical Application

For believers, the biblical concept of longing encourages a deep, personal relationship with God. It invites Christians to cultivate a heart that yearns for God's presence, His Word, and His will. This longing can be nurtured through prayer, worship, and the study of Scripture, leading to a more profound experience of God's love and grace.

Moreover, understanding and embracing this longing can provide comfort and motivation in times of trial and uncertainty. It reminds believers that their ultimate satisfaction and joy are found in God alone, and it encourages them to live with an eternal perspective, eagerly anticipating the fulfillment of God's promises.(imp. & p. p.) of Long.1973. epipothetos -- greatly desired
... greatly desired. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: epipothetos Phonetic
Spelling: (ep-ee-poth'-ay-tos) Short Definition: longed for, missed Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1973.htm - 6k3700. kasaph -- to long (for)
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to long (for) NASB Word Usage eager
(1), long (1), longed (1), longed greatly (1), shame (1). ...
/hebrew/3700.htm - 6k

2968. yaab -- to long, desire
... to long, desire. Transliteration: yaab Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-ab') Short Definition:
longed. ... root Definition to long, desire NASB Word Usage longed (1). long. ...
/hebrew/2968.htm - 5k

2837. chesheq -- desire
... pleased. Word Origin from chashaq Definition desire NASB Word Usage all (1),
desired* (1), longed (1), pleased* (2). desire, pleasure. ...
/hebrew/2837.htm - 6k

3615. kalah -- to be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished ...
... fail (10), failed (1), fails (2), faints (1), feed (1), finish (6), finished (67),
finishes (1), fulfill (2), languish (1), languishes (1), longed (1), make an ...
/hebrew/3615.htm - 7k

6485. paqad -- to attend to, visit, muster, appoint
... 1), damage (1), deposited (3), deprived (1), empty (3), entrusted (1), examine
(1), foremen (1), gave (1), had the oversight (1), lack (1), longed (1), look (1 ...
/hebrew/6485.htm - 7k

183. avah -- to incline, desire
... greedy (1), crave (1), craved (1), craves (1), craving (1), desire (8), desired
(2), desires (5), desires* (1), had (1), had a craving (2), longed (1), longing ...
/hebrew/183.htm - 6k

God's Scrutiny Longed For
... VOLUME II: PSALMS LI to CXLV GOD'S SCRUTINY LONGED FOR. 'Search me, O God,
and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts; 24. And ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/gods scrutiny longed for.htm

National Privileges
... It tells us that we see things which they longed to see, and could not; that words
are spoken to us for which their ears longed in vain; that they, though they ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon xxii national privileges.htm

"One Thing Thou Lackest"
... He knew him to be sincere in his assertion, "All these things have I kept from my
youth." The Redeemer longed to create in him that discernment which would ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 57 one thing thou.htm

Hymns on the Nativity. Hymn i. This is the Day that Gladdened Them ...
... 368]. Caleb the spy bore the cluster on the staff, and came and longed to
see the Cluster, Whose wine should comfort the world. Him ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymns on the nativity hymn.htm

Letter Lviii. --Second Letter to Orsisius.
... to Orsisius, Abbat, father of monks, and to all with him who practise the solitary
life, and are settled in faith in God, beloved brethren most longed for in ...
/.../letter lviii second letter to orsisius.htm

A Libation to Jehovah
... JEHOVAH. 'And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the
water of the well of Beth-lehem, which is by the gate! 16. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/a libation to jehovah.htm

Tau.
... The words, "Let Thy hand be made," may also be taken to mean Christ the Hand of
God...Certainly where we read the following words, "I have longed for Thy ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/tau.htm

The Text of the Letter.
... And XXVIII.]"The Text of the Letter. "To my most beloved lord, and most
longed-for brother Pelagius, Augustin sends greeting in the Lord. ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 52 xxvii and xxviii the.htm

Victory Found
... One night when still quite young I remember going out under the trees in my parents'
garden and, looking up into the starlit heavens, I longed with intense ...
/.../goforth/how i know god answers prayer/x victory found.htm

Levi-Matthew
... As the convicting Spirit of God revealed his sinfulness, he longed to seek help
from Christ; but he was accustomed to the exclusiveness of the rabbis, and had ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 28 levi-matthew.htm

Longed (24 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Longed (24 Occurrences). ... Luke 15:16 and he longed to make
a hearty meal of the pods the swine were eating, but no one gave him any. ...
/l/longed.htm - 13k

Longingly (2 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 23:15 And David longed, and said: 'Oh that one would give me water to drink
of the well of Beth-lehem, which is by the gate!' (See RSV). ...
/l/longingly.htm - 7k

Craving (19 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). 2 Samuel 23:15 David longed, and said, "Oh that one would give me water
to drink of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!" (See NAS). ...
/c/craving.htm - 11k

Longing (40 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 13:39 And the soul of king David longed to go forth unto Absalom: for he
was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead. (See JPS). ...
/l/longing.htm - 18k

Long (2810 Occurrences)

/l/long.htm - 8k

Beth-lehem (49 Occurrences)
... (ASV BBE JPS WBS YLT). 2 Samuel 23:15 And David longed, and said, Oh that one would
give me water to drink of the well of Beth-lehem, which is by the gate! ...
/b/beth-lehem.htm - 21k

Oh (164 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 23:15 David longed, and said, "Oh that one would give me water to drink
of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!" (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS ...
/o/oh.htm - 34k

Bethlehem (49 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 23:15 David longed, and said, "Oh that one would give me water to drink
of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!" (WEB KJV DBY NAS RSV NIV). ...
/b/bethlehem.htm - 31k

Quicken (16 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV DBY YLT). Psalms 119:40 Behold, I have longed after thy precepts:
quicken me in thy righteousness. (KJV JPS ASV DBY YLT). ...
/q/quicken.htm - 13k

Overwhelms (5 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Isaiah 21:4 My heart is bewildered, terror hath overwhelmed me; the twilight
that I longed for hath been turned for me into trembling. (See NAS). ...
/o/overwhelms.htm - 7k

What does it mean that all creation groans (Romans 8:22)? | GotQuestions.org

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What were the quail mentioned in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Longed: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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