In biblical terminology, the term "rented" is often used in the context of tearing or rending garments, a practice that held significant cultural and religious meaning in ancient Israelite society. This act was a physical expression of deep emotional distress, mourning, repentance, or indignation. The tearing of one's clothes was a visible sign of an inward turmoil or a response to blasphemy, sacrilege, or profound grief.

Old Testament Instances

One of the earliest instances of this practice is found in the account of Jacob. Upon believing that his son Joseph had been killed by a wild animal, Jacob "tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourned for his son many days" (Genesis 37:34). This act of rending garments was a customary expression of mourning and lamentation.

In the book of Joshua, when the Israelites were defeated at Ai, Joshua and the elders of Israel "tore their clothes and fell facedown to the ground before the ark of the LORD until evening" (Joshua 7:6). This act signified their distress and supplication before God, seeking His guidance and forgiveness.

The prophet Joel calls the people to repentance with the words, "Rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and compassionate" (Joel 2:13). Here, the emphasis is on genuine repentance and inner transformation rather than mere outward expressions.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the act of rending garments is seen during the trial of Jesus. When Jesus affirmed His identity as the Son of God, the high priest "tore his clothes and declared, 'He has blasphemed! Why do we need any more witnesses?'" (Matthew 26:65). This was a dramatic expression of perceived blasphemy, according to Jewish law.

Cultural and Religious Significance

The act of rending garments was deeply embedded in the cultural and religious practices of the Israelites. It was a symbolic gesture that communicated a range of emotions and responses to various situations. The tearing of clothes was often accompanied by other signs of mourning, such as wearing sackcloth and ashes, fasting, and lamentation.

In a broader theological context, the act of rending garments can be seen as a precursor to the New Testament emphasis on inner transformation and repentance. The prophets, particularly Joel, highlighted the importance of a contrite heart over mere external displays of piety.

Conclusion

The practice of rending garments in the Bible serves as a powerful symbol of human emotion and spiritual response. It underscores the importance of sincerity in worship and repentance, pointing to the deeper spiritual truths that transcend mere ritualistic expressions.(imp. & p. p.) of Rent.3410. misthoma -- rent, a rented house
... rent, a rented house. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: misthoma Phonetic
Spelling: (mis'-tho-mah) Short Definition: a rented house Definition: a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3410.htm - 6k

1554. ekdidomi -- to give up, give out, let out for hire
... Word Origin from ek and didomi Definition to give up, give out, let out for
hire NASB Word Usage rent (1), rented (3). let forth, let out. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1554.htm - 6k

The Blossoming Desert.
... disciple of Christ. Since her baptism, she has rented a room in Amoy, that
she may live within sound of the Gospel. When she told ...
/.../fagg/forty years in south china/vii the blossoming desert.htm

Mission Work in Chicago
... leading you. As the work was not satisfactory to us, my brother rented
a house for five years as a missionary home. The monthly ...
/.../cole/trials and triumphs of faith/chapter xix mission work in.htm

The Unrighteous Mammon
... One rented an olive garden, and paid for it so many measures of oil; another
rented corn-land, and paid so many measures of meal. ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xxiv the unrighteous mammon.htm

Church Union.
... A great interest was awakened. A small house was rented for a chapel. This ... increase.
We found the premises we had rented entirely too small. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/fagg/forty years in south china/viii church union.htm

1861-1869. Prayer of Hon. And Rev. Baptist Noel --Residence in ...
... the young women who had been blessed were invited to meet for a week-evening
Bible-reading and prayer-meeting, and for this purpose Lady Rowley rented a room ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lowe/gods answers/chapter i 1861-1869 prayer of.htm

From the Introduction of Methodism into the City of New York, in ...
... They accordingly rented a room in the neighborhood of larger dimensions, the
expense of which was defrayed by voluntary contributions. ...
/.../chapter 2 from the introduction.htm

Proving God's Faithfulness (1902-1908)
... To make this possible a native compound would be rented in the center, where we
would stay a month for our first visit, leaving behind an evangelist to carry ...
/.../how i know god answers prayer/vi proving gods faithfulness 1902-1908.htm

Acts XXVIII
... was probably the influence of Julius, the centurion, in his favor, which obtained
for Paul the distinguished privilege of living in his own rented house, with ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xxviii.htm

Trophies of Grace
... of their parents. The Adjutant rented a small hall in Coley Street, and
to it invited the children; they came in swarms. She made ...
/.../carpenter/the angel adjutant of twice born men/xii trophies of grace.htm

Early Missionary Experiences
... After six months' stay with Dr. Lockhart, I rented a native house outside the
Settlement, and commenced a little missionary work amongst my Chinese neighbours ...
/.../taylor/a retrospect/chapter ix early missionary experiences.htm

Rented (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Rented (4 Occurrences). ... "A man planted a vineyard, and
rented it out to some farmers, and went into another country for a long time. ...
/r/rented.htm - 7k

Vineyard (69 Occurrences)
... "A man planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a pit for the winepress, built
a tower, rented it out to a farmer, and went into another country. ...
/v/vineyard.htm - 29k

Farmers (23 Occurrences)
... "A man planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a pit for the winepress, built
a tower, rented it out to a farmer, and went into another country. ...
/f/farmers.htm - 12k

Tenants (18 Occurrences)
... "A man planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a pit for the winepress, built
a tower, rented it out to a farmer, and went into another country. ...
/t/tenants.htm - 10k

Planted (105 Occurrences)
... "A man planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a pit for the winepress, built
a tower, rented it out to a farmer, and went into another country. ...
/p/planted.htm - 37k

Journey (214 Occurrences)
... "A man planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a pit for the winepress, built
a tower, rented it out to a farmer, and went into another country. ...
/j/journey.htm - 42k

Quarters (17 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS). Acts 28:30 Paul stayed two whole years in his own rented house, and
received all who were coming to him, (See NAS). Revelation ...
/q/quarters.htm - 11k

Welcoming (2 Occurrences)
... it. (See NAS). Acts 28:30 Paul stayed two whole years in his own rented
house, and received all who were coming to him, (See NAS). ...
/w/welcoming.htm - 7k

Watchtower (9 Occurrences)
... "A man planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a pit for the winepress, built
a tower, rented it out to a farmer, and went into another country. ...
/w/watchtower.htm - 9k

Welcomed (30 Occurrences)
... (WEY NAS NIV). Acts 28:30 Paul stayed two whole years in his own rented house,
and received all who were coming to him, (See RSV NIV). ...
/w/welcomed.htm - 15k

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