Topical Encyclopedia In biblical times, mourning for the dead was a significant cultural and religious practice, often marked by specific customs and rituals. One of the most notable expressions of grief was the change of apparel, which served as an outward sign of inner sorrow and respect for the deceased.The practice of altering one's clothing during periods of mourning is well-documented in the Scriptures. In Genesis 37:34, we see Jacob's profound grief over the presumed death of his son Joseph: "Then Jacob tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourned for his son many days." The tearing of garments and wearing of sackcloth were traditional signs of mourning, symbolizing the mourner's anguish and humility before God. Similarly, in 2 Samuel 3:31, David instructs Joab and all the people with him to mourn for Abner, saying, "Tear your clothes and put on sackcloth, and walk in mourning before Abner." This directive underscores the communal aspect of mourning, where the change of apparel was not only a personal expression of grief but also a public demonstration of respect and solidarity. The book of Esther provides another example of mourning attire. When Mordecai learns of Haman's plot to destroy the Jews, he "tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly" (Esther 4:1). This act of donning sackcloth and ashes was a plea for divine intervention, reflecting the deep distress and urgency of the situation. In the New Testament, while the specific mention of changing apparel is less frequent, the cultural understanding of mourning practices would have been well-known to the early Christian communities. The emphasis on humility and repentance in mourning is echoed in James 4:9-10: "Grieve, mourn, and weep. Turn your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you." The change of apparel during mourning periods served as a tangible expression of the mourner's internal state, a visible sign of their grief, and a reminder of the transient nature of life. It was a practice deeply rooted in the acknowledgment of human mortality and the hope of divine comfort and restoration. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Samuel 14:2And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched there a wise woman, and said to her, I pray you, feign yourself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not yourself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead: Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Acts XX Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount A Few Sighs from Hell; The Greatness of the Soul, The Life and Death of Mr. Badman, The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal Some Gospel Truths Opened, According to the Scriptures; Or, the ... Mr. Bunyan's Last Sermon: Resources What is the importance of the Dead Sea in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat did Jesus mean when He said "Let the dead bury the dead" (Luke 9:60)? | GotQuestions.org What is the Day of the Dead? | GotQuestions.org Dead: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Dead (People): Burnings of Incense Made For Dead (People): Jairus' Daughter Dead (People): Prepared for Burial by Washing Dead (People): Raised to Life, (See Dead (People): The Shunammite Woman's Son Dead (People): The Son of the Widow of Zarephath Dead (People): The Widow's Son Dead (People): The Young Man Laid in Elisha's Grave Dead (People): Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Dead (People): Wrapping in Linen The Dead in a House Rendered It Unclean The Dead were Washed and Laid Out The Dead were Wrapped in Lined With Spices The Dead: A Priest not to Mourn For, Except when Near of Kin The Dead: A State of Deep Affliction The Dead: All offerings To, Forbidden The Dead: Characterised by Absence of all Human Passions The Dead: Characterised by Being Incapable of Motion The Dead: Characterised by Being Without the Spirit The Dead: Characterised by Ignorance of all Human Affairs The Dead: Characterised by Inability to Glorify God The Dead: Even Bones of, Caused Uncleanness The Dead: Eyes of, Closed by Nearest of Kin The Dead: Freedom from the Law The Dead: Freedom from the Power of Sin The Dead: Heathenish Expressions of Grief For, Forbidden The Dead: High Priest in No Case to Mourn For The Dead: Idolaters: Consecrated Part of Their Crops To The Dead: Idolaters: Invoked and Consulted The Dead: Idolaters: Offered Sacrifices For The Dead: Idolaters: Tore Themselves For The Dead: Instances of, Restored by Christ The Dead: Instances of, Restored to Life Before Christ The Dead: Man's State by Nature The Dead: Mourning For, often by Hired Mourners The Dead: Mourning For, often with Plaintive Music The Dead: Mourning For, often: Lasted Many Days The Dead: Mourning For, often: Loud and Clamorous The Dead: Mourning For, often: Testified by Change of Apparel The Dead: Mourning For, often: Testified by Covering the Head The Dead: Mourning For, often: Testified by Taring the Hair The Dead: Mourning For, often: Testified by Tearing the Garments The Dead: Mourning For, often: Very Great The Dead: Nazarites not to Touch or Mourn For The Dead: Regard often Shown to the Memory of The Dead: Return not to This Life The Dead: Terms Used to Express: Carcases The Dead: Terms Used to Express: Corpses The Dead: Terms Used to Express: Deceased The Dead: Terms Used to Express: Those Who are Not The Dead: The Jews Looked for a Resurrection From The Dead: They Who Have Departed This Life The Dead: Those Defiled By, Removed from the Camp The Dead: Touching of, Caused Uncleanness The Dead: Uncleanness Contracted From, Removed by the Water Separation Related Terms The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |
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