Topical Encyclopedia In the Bible, the act of sighing is often depicted as an expression of deep emotion, ranging from sorrow and grief to longing and relief. The term "sigh" and its variations appear in several contexts throughout Scripture, reflecting the human experience of suffering, anticipation, and the search for divine intervention.Old Testament References 1. Expression of Sorrow and Grief: Sighing is frequently associated with mourning and lamentation. In the book of Ezekiel, God instructs the prophet to "sigh with a broken heart and bitter grief" (Ezekiel 21:6). This command underscores the depth of sorrow that accompanies the prophetic message of impending judgment on Israel. 2. Longing for Deliverance: The Israelites' sighs are also depicted as cries for deliverance. In Exodus, the Israelites "groaned because of their bondage and cried out, and their cry for help because of their bondage rose up to God" (Exodus 2:23). Here, sighing is intertwined with prayer, reflecting a deep yearning for liberation from oppression. 3. Symbol of Desolation: In Lamentations, sighing is a symbol of desolation and despair. The city of Jerusalem, personified as a woman, is described as sighing amid her affliction: "All her people groan as they search for bread; they have traded their treasures for food to keep themselves alive. 'Look, O LORD, and consider, for I am despised'" (Lamentations 1:11). This imagery captures the profound sense of loss and abandonment experienced by the people. New Testament References 1. Jesus' Compassion and Frustration: In the New Testament, Jesus Himself is depicted as sighing in response to human suffering and unbelief. In Mark 7:34, before healing a deaf and mute man, Jesus "looked up to heaven and sighed" , indicating His deep compassion for the afflicted. Similarly, in Mark 8:12, Jesus "sighed deeply in His spirit" in response to the Pharisees' demand for a sign, reflecting His frustration with their hardened hearts. 2. Anticipation of Redemption: The Apostle Paul uses the concept of sighing to describe the Christian's anticipation of future glory. In Romans 8:23, he writes, "Not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies" . Here, sighing is an expression of the tension between present suffering and the hope of future redemption. Theological Implications Sighing in the biblical narrative often serves as a poignant reminder of the human condition in a fallen world. It reflects the deep emotional responses to sin, suffering, and the longing for God's intervention. The act of sighing, whether in sorrow or anticipation, is a testament to the reality of human frailty and the hope for divine restoration. Through sighs, believers express their dependence on God, trusting in His ultimate plan for redemption and renewal. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (v. i.) To inhale a larger quantity of air than usual, and immediately expel it; to make a deep single audible respiration, especially as the result or involuntary expression of fatigue, exhaustion, grief, sorrow, or the like.2. (v. i.) Hence, to lament; to grieve. 3. (v. i.) To make a sound like sighing. 4. (v. t.) To exhale (the breath) in sighs. 5. (v. t.) To utter sighs over; to lament or mourn over. 6. (v. t.) To express by sighs; to utter in or with sighs. 7. (n.) A deep and prolonged audible inspiration or respiration of air, as when fatigued or grieved; the act of sighing. 8. (v. i.) Figuratively, a manifestation of grief; a lament. Greek 389. anastenazo -- to sigh deeply ... to sigh deeply. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: anastenazo Phonetic Spelling: (an-as-ten-ad'-zo) Short Definition: I groan or sigh deeply Definition: I ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/389.htm - 7k 4727. stenazo -- to groan (within oneself) 4726. stenagmos -- a groaning 1690. embrimaomai -- to be moved with anger, to admonish sternly Strong's Hebrew 584. anach -- to sigh, groan... 583, 584. anach. 585 . to sigh, groan. Transliteration: anach Phonetic Spelling: (aw-nakh') Short Definition: groan. Word Origin a prim. ... groan, mourn, sigh. ... /hebrew/584.htm - 5k 585. anachah -- a sighing, groaning 3306. yaphach -- to breathe, puff 5162. nacham -- to be sorry, console oneself 7878. siach -- to muse, complain, talk (of) 5090. nahag -- to drive, conduct 1899. hegeh -- a rumbling, growling, moaning Library Why do I Sigh to Find With Broken Heart and Contrite Sigh Seven Sanctified Thoughts and Mournful Sighs of a Sick Man Ready ... The Sighs of Christ Psalm 80. The Church's Prayer under Affliction; Or, the vineyard ... Psalm 80 the Church's Prayer under Affliction; Or, the vineyard of ... The Heart of Man and the Heart of God Prayer Incidents in the Life of Our Lord (Continued) Publishers' Preface to the Second Revised Edition. "For Hereunto were Ye Called; Because Christ Also Suffered for You ... Thesaurus Sigh (18 Occurrences)...Sigh (18 Occurrences). ... (WEY). 2 Corinthians 5:2 For in this one we sigh, because we long to put on over it our dwelling which comes from Heaven-- (WEY). ... /s/sigh.htm - 12k Groan (32 Occurrences) Repentance (28 Occurrences) Sob (2 Occurrences) Bitterness (37 Occurrences) Thighs (11 Occurrences) Sighed (7 Occurrences) Grieve (29 Occurrences) Breaking (69 Occurrences) Mourning (85 Occurrences) Resources Did Jesus speak in tongues? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about dealing with regrets? | GotQuestions.org Is Heaven real? | GotQuestions.org Sigh: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Sigh (18 Occurrences)Mark 7:34 Mark 8:12 Romans 8:23 2 Corinthians 5:2 2 Corinthians 5:4 Exodus 2:23 Psalms 77:3 Psalms 90:9 Proverbs 29:2 Isaiah 24:7 Lamentations 1:4 Lamentations 1:11 Lamentations 1:21 Lamentations 3:39 Ezekiel 9:4 Ezekiel 21:6 Ezekiel 21:7 Ezekiel 24:17 Subtopics Related Terms |
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