The term "sorely" is an adverb that appears in various translations of the Bible to describe intense suffering, distress, or affliction. In the context of the Scriptures, it often conveys the depth of human emotion and the severity of trials faced by individuals or groups. While the Berean Standard Bible may not use the term "sorely" explicitly, the concept is present in the narratives and teachings throughout the biblical text.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the concept of being "sorely" afflicted or distressed is frequently encountered. The Hebrew Scriptures are replete with accounts of individuals and nations experiencing profound suffering. For instance, the Israelites in Egypt were "sorely" oppressed under Pharaoh's harsh rule, leading to their cries for deliverance (Exodus 3:7-9). The intensity of their suffering is captured in the narrative, highlighting their desperate need for God's intervention.

The Psalms often express the psalmists' deep anguish and distress. David, in particular, frequently speaks of being "sorely" troubled by his enemies and personal trials. In Psalm 6:3 , David laments, "My soul is deeply distressed. How long, O LORD, how long?" This expression of profound emotional turmoil underscores the severity of his plight and his reliance on God for relief.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of being "sorely" afflicted is evident in the experiences of Jesus and His followers. Jesus Himself experienced deep sorrow and distress, particularly in the Garden of Gethsemane. In Matthew 26:38 , Jesus says to His disciples, "My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me." This moment of intense emotional and spiritual agony reflects the weight of the impending crucifixion and the burden of humanity's sin.

The Apostle Paul also speaks of the trials and sufferings faced by early Christians. In 2 Corinthians 1:8 , he writes, "We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the hardships we encountered in Asia. We were under a burden far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life." Paul's description of their afflictions as being beyond their strength illustrates the severe trials they endured for the sake of the Gospel.

Theological Implications

The concept of being "sorely" afflicted in the Bible serves to highlight the reality of human suffering and the need for divine intervention. It underscores the biblical theme of reliance on God amidst trials and the hope of deliverance. The Scriptures consistently point to God's faithfulness in responding to the cries of His people, offering comfort and salvation.

Moreover, the experiences of biblical figures who were "sorely" afflicted often serve as a foreshadowing of Christ's own suffering. Jesus, the Man of Sorrows, fully identifies with human pain and provides the ultimate example of enduring suffering with faith and obedience to God's will. Through His death and resurrection, believers find hope and assurance that their own sufferings are not in vain but are part of God's redemptive plan.

Practical Application

For believers today, the biblical accounts of being "sorely" afflicted offer encouragement and perspective. They remind Christians that suffering is a part of the human experience, yet it is not without purpose. The Bible calls believers to trust in God's sovereignty and to seek His strength in times of distress. As Romans 8:18 states, "I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us." This assurance of future glory provides comfort and motivation to persevere through trials, knowing that God is at work in and through them.(adv.) In a sore manner; grievously; painfully; as, to be sorely afflicted.4360. prosochthizo -- to be angry with
... with. Word Origin from pros and ochtheo (to be sorely angered) Definition
to be angry with NASB Word Usage angry (2). be grieved at. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4360.htm - 6k

994. boao -- to call out
... proclaim. 994 (from 995 , "cry out") -- (cry out"); to make an ; summon , because
sorely needing a response (assistance). 994 ("shouting ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/994.htm - 7k

4843. marar -- to be bitter
... 1), weep bitterly (1). be in, deal, have, make bitterly be moved with choler,
have sorely, it grieved,. A primitive root; properly ...
/hebrew/4843.htm - 6k

3966. meod -- muchness, force, abundance
... 2), might (2), more (2), more* (1), most (1), much* (1), quickly (1), richly (1),
serious* (1), severely (1), so (2), so much (1), sorely (1), strongly (1 ...
/hebrew/3966.htm - 7k

Sorely Distressed by Weeping at the Death of his Friend, He ...
... Book IV. Chapter IV."Sorely Distressed by Weeping at the Death of His
Friend, He Provides Consolation for Himself. 7. In those ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter iv sorely distressed by weeping.htm

Psalm CXVI.
... 7. ..."I believed," saith he, "and therefore did I speak. But I was sorely
brought down" (ver.10). For he suffered many tribulations ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxvi.htm

A Quick Run Round the World.
... The land of the Saviour, with its eastern neighbors, has no Saviour, so far as knowing
about Him is concerned, though it needs His saving very sorely. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks with world winners/a quick run round the.htm

Joseph Attacked by the Archers
... A Sermon (No.17). Delivered on Sunday Morning, April 1, 1855, by the. REV. CH SPURGEON.
At Exeter Hall, Strand. "The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/joseph attacked by the archers.htm

Teaching Three Things in one Action.
... The teaching about humility lies on the surface, within easy reach. It was acted,
then spoken; done, then said. It was sorely needed, and is. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/teaching three things in one.htm

Concerning Bernice's Petition to Florus, to Spare the Jews, but in ...
... the government of Egypt from Nero; but as his sister Bernice was come to Jerusalem,
and saw the wicked practices of the soldiers, she was sorely affected at it ...
/.../chapter 15 concerning bernices petition.htm

Christ the Arrester of Incipient Evil and the Nourisher of ...
... but, blessed be God! only 'half dead'; sorely wounded, indeed, but not
so sorely but that he may be restored. And there comes One ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/christ the arrester of incipient.htm

To the Countenance of the Lord Jesus.
... The Lord His voice now clear doth raise Through thirst that paineth sorely; "I thirst,"
the Spring eternal says, The Lord of life and glory. What meaneth He? ...
/.../gerhardt/paul gerhardts spiritual songs/to the countenance of the.htm

Hezekiah, the Praying King
... obtain deliverance. Judah was sorely pressed by the Assyrians, and, humanly
speaking, defeat and captivity seemed imminent. The ...
/.../bounds/prayer and praying men/vi hezekiah the praying king.htm

"Ye Shall be Hated of all Men"
... And at first these things were very grievous to him, and he pitied himself so sorely,
that the hot tears would sometimes run down his cheeks, and mingle with ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bevan/three friends of god/chapter liv ye shall be.htm

Sorely (23 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (adv.) In a sore manner; grievously; painfully; as, to
be sorely afflicted. Multi-Version Concordance Sorely (23 Occurrences). ...
/s/sorely.htm - 12k

Sorek (1 Occurrence)

/s/sorek.htm - 9k

Kir-har'eseth (2 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Isaiah 16:7 Therefore shall Moab wail for Moab, every one shall wail;
for the sweet cakes of Kir-hareseth shall ye mourn, sorely stricken. (See RSV). ...
/k/kir-har'eseth.htm - 7k

Joab (128 Occurrences)
... Asahel, Joab's brother, is killed in his pursuit of Abner, but the latter's army
is sorely pressed, and he appeals to Joab for a cessation of hostilities. ...
/j/joab.htm - 53k

Josiah (51 Occurrences)
... In the eighteenth year of his reign he proceeded to repair and beautify the temple,
which by time and violence had become sorely dilapidated (2 Kings 22:3, 5, 6 ...
/j/josiah.htm - 42k

Leah (30 Occurrences)
... Before they reached the end of their journey their courage was sorely tried
at the time of the meeting between Jacob and his brother Esau. ...
/l/leah.htm - 19k

Lamentations (6 Occurrences)
... poems. In chapter 1 the prophet dwells on the manifold miseries oppressed
by which the city sits as a solitary widow weeping sorely. ...
/l/lamentations.htm - 20k

Fiercely (8 Occurrences)
... What if a spirit has spoken to him, or an angel----! WEY). Genesis 49:23 The archers
have sorely grieved him, shot at him, and persecute him: (See RSV). ...
/f/fiercely.htm - 8k

Dealeth (22 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). Ezekiel 31:11 I give him into the hand of a god of nations,
He dealeth sorely with him, In his wickedness I have cast him out. (YLT). ...
/d/dealeth.htm - 12k

Moan (13 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 16:7 Therefore shall Moab wail for Moab, every one shall wail; for the sweet
cakes of Kir-hareseth shall ye mourn, sorely stricken. (See NAS). ...
/m/moan.htm - 10k

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