In the biblical context, a widow is a woman whose husband has died and who has not remarried. Widows are frequently mentioned in the Bible, often in the context of social justice, care, and compassion. The treatment of widows is a significant theme, reflecting God's concern for the vulnerable and marginalized in society.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, widows are often grouped with orphans and foreigners as individuals who require special protection and care. The Mosaic Law includes specific commandments to ensure their well-being. For instance, Deuteronomy 10:18 states, "He executes justice for the fatherless and widow, and loves the foreigner, giving him food and clothing." This reflects God's character as a defender of the oppressed.

The law also provided for the material needs of widows. Deuteronomy 24:19 instructs, "When you reap your harvest in your field and forget a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands." This command ensured that widows had access to food and sustenance.

The account of Ruth is a poignant example of God's provision for widows. Ruth, a Moabite widow, is cared for by her mother-in-law Naomi and eventually marries Boaz, a kinsman-redeemer, highlighting the importance of family and community support.

Prophetic Warnings

The prophets frequently condemned Israel for neglecting widows. Isaiah 1:17 exhorts, "Learn to do right; seek justice. Correct the oppressor; defend the fatherless; plead the case of the widow." Similarly, Jeremiah 22:3 commands, "This is what the LORD says: Do justice and righteousness. Rescue the victim of robbery from the hand of his oppressor. Do not exploit or mistreat the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow."

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, Jesus and the apostles continue to emphasize the importance of caring for widows. Jesus criticizes the religious leaders for their hypocrisy and exploitation of widows, as seen in Mark 12:40, "They defraud widows of their houses, and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will receive greater condemnation."

The early church took the responsibility of caring for widows seriously. Acts 6:1-6 describes the appointment of deacons to ensure that the daily distribution of food was not neglected, particularly for widows. This reflects the church's commitment to social justice and care for the vulnerable.

Paul provides specific instructions regarding widows in 1 Timothy 5:3-16. He advises the church to "Honor widows who are truly widows" (1 Timothy 5:3) and outlines criteria for their support, emphasizing the role of family in providing for widows first.

Spiritual Significance

Widows in the Bible symbolize vulnerability and dependence on God. Their plight serves as a reminder of the call to live out God's justice and mercy. James 1:27 encapsulates this call: "Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world."

The biblical narrative consistently portrays God as the protector and provider for widows, urging His people to reflect His character through acts of compassion and justice.491. almanuth -- widowhood
... 490, 491. almanuth. 492 . widowhood. Transliteration: almanuth Phonetic Spelling:
(al-maw-nooth') Short Definition: widow's. Word Origin fem. ... widow, widowhood ...
/hebrew/491.htm - 6k

490. almanah -- a widow
... 489, 490. almanah. 491 . a widow. Transliteration: almanah Phonetic Spelling:
(al-maw-naw') Short Definition: widow. Word Origin fem. ...
/hebrew/490.htm - 6k

The Widow's Prayer.
... MORNING AND EVENING HYMNS. 971. " The Widow's Prayer. 971. CM Anonymous.
The Widow's Prayer. 1 Though faint and sick, and worn ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/971 the widows prayer.htm

H. The Widow's Mites. Ch. 21:1-4
... VI. THE CLOSING MINISTRY. CHS. 19:29 TO 21:38 H. The Widow's Mites. Ch.
21:1-4. 1 And he looked up, and saw the rich men that were ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/h the widows mites ch.htm

The Widow's Mite
... St. Mark CHAPTER 12:41-44 THE WIDOW'S MITE. "And ... And there came a poor widow,
and she cast in two mites, which make a farthing. And He ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 12 41-44 the widows mite.htm

The Widow's Mite. (Luke, xxi. , 1-4; Mark, xii. , 41-44. )
... Section 252. The Widow's Mite. (Luke, xxi., 1-4; Mark, xii., 41-44.). ... A poor widow
cast two mites, all her wealth, into the treasury of the Temple. ...
/.../section 252 the widows mite.htm

Elijah and the Widow's Son.
... ELIJAH AND THE WIDOW'S SON. ... Now it happened some time later that this widow's son
fell sick and died, and his mother came to Elijah in great distress. ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/elijah and the widows son.htm

Raising the Widow's Son.
... A TOUR IN GALILEE RAISING THE WIDOW'S SON. And it came to pass soon afterwards,
that he went to a city called Nain; and his disciples ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/raising the widows son.htm

The Widow's Two Mites.
... THREE HOSTILE QUESTIONS ASKED OF JESUS. THE WIDOW'S TWO MITES. ... And there came
a poor widow, and she cast in two mites, which make a farthing. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/the widows two mites.htm

Elijah and the Widow's Son
... THE OLD TESTAMENT ELIJAH AND THE WIDOW'S SON. When ... I have commanded a widow
there to provide for you." So he went to Zarephath. When ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/elijah and the widows son.htm

Giving Life to a Widow's Son
... THE NEW TESTAMENT GIVING LIFE TO A WIDOW'S SON. ... He was the only son of his mother
who was a widow. Many people of the town were with her. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/giving life to a widows.htm

Observing the Offerings and Widow's Mites.
... Part Seventh. Last Week of Our Lord's Ministry, the Fourth Passover, the Crucifixion.
CXI. Observing the Offerings and Widow's Mites. (in the Temple. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxi observing the offerings and.htm

Widow's (7 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Widow's (7 Occurrences). Genesis 38:19 Then she got up
and went away and took off her veil and put on her widow's clothing. ...
/w/widow's.htm - 8k

Nain (1 Occurrence)
... (from Hebrews nain, "green pastures, " "lovely"), the name of a town near the
gate of which Jesus raised to life a widow's son (Luke 7:11-17). ...
/n/nain.htm - 8k

Pledge (55 Occurrences)
... (Apparently, though, the creditor regained custody of it in the daytime until the
debt was paid.) A widow's clothing, however, was entirely exempt (Deuteronomy ...
/p/pledge.htm - 28k

Debt (48 Occurrences)
... a pledge is given and received, certain restrictions are thrown around it, eg the
creditor must not take a mill, nor a necessary garment, nor a widow's ox, etc ...
/d/debt.htm - 28k

Fatherless (44 Occurrences)
... fa'-ther-les (yathom; orphanos): The fatherless are frequently mentioned in the
Old Testament, generally in association with the widow and the stranger, as ...
/f/fatherless.htm - 24k

Elijah (104 Occurrences)
... When the brook dried up God sent him to the widow of Zarephath, a city of Zidon,
from whose scanty store he was supported for the space of two years. ...
/e/elijah.htm - 71k

Intercession (12 Occurrences)
... of the temple (1 Kings 8:12-61); Jeroboam's appeal to the man of God to pray for
the healing of his hand (1 Kings 13:6); Elijah's prayer for the widow's son (1 ...
/i/intercession.htm - 52k

Poor (276 Occurrences)
... made on behalf of the poor: (a) Every third year a tithe was to be given "unto the
Levite, to the sojourner, to the fatherless and to the widow" that Yahweh ...
/p/poor.htm - 60k

Widows (33 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 14:29 And the Levite, because he hath no portion nor inheritance with
thee, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within ...
/w/widows.htm - 17k

Clothes (208 Occurrences)
... Genesis 38:14 She took off her widow's clothing, and covering herself with her veil,
she took her seat near Enaim on the road to Timnah; for she saw that ...
/c/clothes.htm - 37k

What does Jesus want us to learn from what He said about the widow's mite? | GotQuestions.org

What is the story of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about how widows are to be treated? | GotQuestions.org

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