The term "sad-faced" is not explicitly found in the Bible; however, the concept of sadness and its expression through one's countenance is a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures. The Bible often uses the face as a reflection of one's inner emotional state, and sadness is no exception.

Biblical Instances of Sadness:

1. Nehemiah's Sadness: In Nehemiah 2:1-2 , Nehemiah, the cupbearer to King Artaxerxes, is described as having a sad face. The king notices Nehemiah's sadness and inquires about it, saying, "Why is your face sad, though you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart." Nehemiah's sadness was due to the desolation of Jerusalem, and his expression of this emotion led to a significant opportunity to request the king's help in rebuilding the city.

2. Hannah's Distress: In 1 Samuel 1:10-18, Hannah is deeply distressed because of her barrenness. Her sadness is so profound that Eli the priest initially mistakes her silent prayers for drunkenness. After explaining her situation, Eli blesses her, and her countenance changes, indicating a shift from sadness to hope.

3. The Rich Young Ruler: In Mark 10:21-22 , Jesus tells a wealthy young man to sell all he has and follow Him. The young man's face falls, and he goes away sad because he had great wealth. His sadness reflects the internal struggle between his desire for eternal life and his attachment to material possessions.

4. David's Lament: King David often expressed his sadness and despair in the Psalms. In Psalm 42:11 , 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, my Savior and my God." Here, David acknowledges his sadness but also encourages himself to trust in God.

Theological Implications:

Sadness in the Bible is often linked to a deeper spiritual or emotional struggle. It can be a response to sin, loss, or unfulfilled desires. However, the Scriptures also provide hope and comfort, emphasizing that God is attentive to the cries of the sad-hearted. In Isaiah 61:3 , the prophet speaks of the Messiah's mission to "provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair."

Practical Application:

For believers, the expression of sadness is not a sign of weakness but an opportunity to seek God's presence and comfort. The Bible encourages Christians to bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2) and to find solace in the promises of God. In times of sadness, turning to prayer, Scripture, and the fellowship of the church can provide strength and encouragement.

In summary, while the term "sad-faced" is not directly used in the Bible, the concept is richly illustrated through various narratives and teachings, offering insight into the human condition and the divine response to our emotional needs.

The Murket's Sacrifice
... away. At a landing near the northern limits of Memphis he took a punt,
bade farewell to his sad-faced charioteer and pushed off. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxxvi the murkets sacrifice.htm

A Call to Prayer and Testimony
... He dreams about the sad-faced woman with the uplifted finger, and the cry,
"Hear me, my lord; hear me!" The next morning it is no dream. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/a call to prayer and.htm

The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit as Revealed in his Names.
... At the close of the meeting a sad-faced Christian woman, wearing a widow's garb,
came to me as I stepped out of the hall into the reception room. ...
/.../torrey/the person and work of the holy spirit/chapter v the person and.htm

Sad-faced (1 Occurrence)
Sad-faced. Sadduk, Sad-faced. Sadly . Multi-Version Concordance
Sad-faced (1 Occurrence). Matthew 6:16 And when you ...
/s/sad-faced.htm - 6k

False-hearted (6 Occurrences)
... Truly I say to you, They have their reward. (BBE). Matthew 6:16 And when you
go without food, be not sad-faced as the false-hearted are. ...
/f/false-hearted.htm - 8k

Truly (468 Occurrences)
... Truly I say to you, They have their reward. (BBE NAS RSV). Matthew 6:16 And when
you go without food, be not sad-faced as the false-hearted are. ...
/t/truly.htm - 36k

Changed (177 Occurrences)
... and with fire: (BBE). Matthew 6:16 And when you go without food, be not
sad-faced as the false-hearted are. For they go about with ...
/c/changed.htm - 36k

Sadduk

/s/sadduk.htm - 6k

Sadly (4 Occurrences)

/s/sadly.htm - 7k

Truth (380 Occurrences)
... Truly I say to you, They have their reward. (See NIV). Matthew 6:16 And when
you go without food, be not sad-faced as the false-hearted are. ...
/t/truth.htm - 57k

Why do many of the psalms of David sound so sad? | GotQuestions.org

What are the psalms of lament? | GotQuestions.org

What is truth? | GotQuestions.org

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