Sobbing, a deep and often uncontrollable expression of grief or sorrow, is a human response to intense emotional experiences. In the Bible, sobbing is depicted as a natural reaction to loss, repentance, and the overwhelming presence of God. It is an expression that transcends words, revealing the depth of human emotion and the soul's cry for comfort and understanding.

Biblical Instances of Sobbing:

1. Hagar's Distress: In Genesis 21:16, Hagar, the Egyptian maidservant of Sarah, finds herself in the wilderness with her son Ishmael, facing the prospect of death due to lack of water. The text describes her moving away from her child so as not to witness his death, and she "sat down opposite him and lifted up her voice and wept." This sobbing is a poignant expression of a mother's despair and helplessness.

2. David's Mourning: King David, a man after God's own heart, experienced deep sorrow on several occasions. In 2 Samuel 18:33, upon hearing of the death of his son Absalom, David is described as being "deeply moved" and weeping. His sobbing reflects the complex emotions of a father mourning a rebellious son, highlighting the personal cost of familial strife and rebellion.

3. Peter's Repentance: In the New Testament, Peter's denial of Jesus is followed by a moment of profound remorse. After the rooster crows, Peter remembers Jesus' prediction and "went outside and wept bitterly" (Matthew 26:75). His sobbing signifies a heart broken by sin and the beginning of repentance and restoration.

4. Mary's Grief: At the tomb of Lazarus, Mary weeps over the death of her brother. In John 11:33, Jesus sees her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, and He is "deeply moved in spirit and troubled." This scene underscores the shared human experience of grief and the compassionate response of Jesus, who Himself weeps (John 11:35).

5. The Weeping Prophet: Jeremiah, often referred to as the "weeping prophet," is known for his laments over the sins of Israel and the impending judgment. In Jeremiah 9:1, he expresses his sorrow: "Oh, that my head were a spring of water and my eyes a fountain of tears, I would weep day and night for the slain of my people." His sobbing is a reflection of his deep empathy and the burden of his prophetic message.

Theological Significance:

Sobbing in the Bible is not merely an emotional outburst but often carries deep theological significance. It is a response to the brokenness of the world, the weight of sin, and the longing for redemption. In the biblical narrative, sobbing is frequently met with divine compassion and intervention. God's response to human sobbing is one of comfort and promise, as seen in passages like Psalm 56:8, where the psalmist declares, "You have taken account of my wanderings; put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book?"

Spiritual Implications:

For believers, sobbing can be a form of prayer, an unspoken plea for God's presence and healing. It is an acknowledgment of human frailty and a surrender to God's sovereignty. The Bible assures that God is attentive to the cries of His people, as seen in Psalm 34:17, "The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears; He delivers them from all their troubles."

In summary, sobbing in the biblical context is a profound expression of the human condition, reflecting both the depth of human emotion and the hope of divine comfort and restoration.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Sob.

2. (n.) A series of short, convulsive inspirations, the glottis being suddenly closed so that little or no air enters into the lungs.

As the Terrors of Imagined Suffering are Always Worse than Actual ...
... dew. Again" again!"that weary sobbing cry! It went to the Cardinal's heart,
and stirred him to singular pain and pity. "Surely ...
//christianbookshelf.org/corelli/the master-christian/iv as the terrors of.htm

Meanwhile Cardinal Bonpre had once More Reached his Own Apartments ...
... The servants had by this time clustered round, a pale and terrified group, sobbing
and crying loudly,"only the old valet retained sufficient presence of mind ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/xxx meanwhile cardinal bonpre had.htm

Shall we Go?
... The Father had an overwhelming compassion for us. The passion for the Father in
our Lord's heart included the throbbing, sobbing compassion for us. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on following the christ/shall we go.htm

The Arrest
... as if to apprise Him of His danger and condole with Him on so sad a misfortune as
His apprehension, he flung himself on His neck, sobbing, "Master, Master ...
/.../stalker/the trial and death of jesus christ/chapter i the arrest.htm

A Friend for the Sorrowful
... When Jesus saw the poor mother crying and sobbing, He felt very sorry for her, and
He said to her, 'Weep not.' And Jesus came and touched the bier, and the men ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/the good shepherd/chapter vii a friend for.htm

Success.
... nakedness, are forced to resort to finger-raising, card-signing methods for stuffing
and expanding "the big revival." There is no more sobbing, no more ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rees/the heart-cry of jesus/chapter x success.htm

Contrition.
... shame, and when he was ready to shrive him to the Prior of the Abbey of S. Victor,
so great contrition was in his heart, sighing in his breast, sobbing in his ...
/.../rolle/the form of perfect living and other prose treatises/contrition.htm

First Day. Compassion.
... been wasting for dreary nights"or some desolate home which death has entered, where
"Joseph is not, and Simeon is not," and where some sobbing heart, under ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/the mind of jesus/first day compassion.htm

Chapter twelve
... own. It was the face of the girl who had kneeled sobbing, that night with
Virginia kneeling beside her and praying for her. "Stop ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter twelve.htm

Chapter twenty-four
... Rose lay with her arms outstretched upon the bed. Clara, the nurse, sat
with her head covered, sobbing in spasms of terror. And ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter twenty-four.htm

Sobbing (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Sobbing (1 Occurrence). Judges 14:16 Samson's wife wept
before him, and said, "You just hate me, and don't love me. ...
/s/sobbing.htm - 7k

Sob (2 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) The act of sobbing; a convulsive sigh, or inspiration of the breath, as
in sorrow. 4. (n.) Any sorrowful cry or sound. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/s/sob.htm - 7k

Sober (18 Occurrences)

/s/sober.htm - 12k

Cry (431 Occurrences)
... 2. (vi) To utter lamentations; to lament audibly; to express pain, grief, or distress,
by weeping and sobbing; to shed tears; to bawl, as a child. ...
/c/cry.htm - 46k

Burial (25 Occurrences)
... "No matter how gaily they may be chatting they approach, when they reach the house
they rush forward, handkerchiefs to face, sobbing, weeping, with utmost ...
/b/burial.htm - 42k

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