Jump to: Smith's • ATS • ISBE • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia 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, and their treatment is a significant concern in both the Old and New Testaments. The Scriptures emphasize the importance of caring for widows, reflecting God's compassion and justice.Old Testament In the Old Testament, widows are often grouped with orphans and foreigners as vulnerable members of society 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 verse highlights God's concern for widows and His expectation that His people will act justly toward them. The law also provided for the material needs of widows. In Deuteronomy 24:19-21, the Israelites are instructed not to harvest their fields completely, so that widows, along with orphans and foreigners, could glean what was left. This provision ensured that widows had access to food and sustenance. The account of Ruth is a notable 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, which secures her future and integrates her into the lineage of King David and ultimately Jesus Christ. New Testament In the New Testament, the care for widows continues to be a significant theme. Jesus Himself showed compassion towards widows, as seen in Luke 7:12-15, where He raises the son of the widow of Nain, demonstrating His power over death and His deep compassion for her plight. The early church took the responsibility of caring for widows seriously. Acts 6:1-6 describes how the apostles appointed deacons to ensure that the daily distribution of food was not neglected, particularly for the Hellenistic Jewish widows. This passage underscores the importance of organized care within the Christian community. The Apostle 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 enrolling widows in the church's care. Paul emphasizes that widows who have family should be supported by their relatives, allowing the church to focus on those who are truly in need. Theological Significance Widows in the Bible symbolize the vulnerable and marginalized, and their treatment serves as a measure of the community's righteousness and faithfulness to God's commands. The consistent biblical mandate to care for widows reflects God's character as a defender of the helpless and a provider for those in need. The church is called to emulate this divine compassion, ensuring that widows are supported and valued within the community of believers. Smith's Bible Dictionary WidowUnder the Mosaic dispensation no legal provision was made for the maintenance of widows. They were left dependent partly on the affection of relations, more especially of the eldest son, whose birthright, or extra share of the property, imposed such a duty upon him, and partly on the privileges accorded to other distressed classes, such as a participation in the triennial third tithe, (14:29; 26:12) in leasing, (24:19-21) and in religious feasts. (16:11,14) With regard to the remarriage of widows, the only restriction imposed by the Mosaic law had reference to the contingency of one being left childless in which case the brother of the deceased husband had a right to marry the widow. (25:5,6; Matthew 22:23-30) In the apostolic Church the widows were sustained at the public expense, the relief being daily administered in kind, under the superintendence of officers appointed for this special purpose, (Acts 6:1-6) Particular directions are given by St.Paul as to the class of persons entitled to such public maintenance. (1 Timothy 5:3-16) Out of the body of such widows a certain number were to be enrolled, the qualifications for such enrollment being that they were not under sixty years of age; that they had been "the wife of one man," probably meaning but once married ; and that they had led useful and charitable lives. vs. (1 Timothy 5:9,10) We are not disposed to identify the widows of the Bible either with the deaconesses or with the presbutides Of the early Church. The order of widows existed as a separate institution, contemporaneously with these offices, apparently for the same eleemosynary purpose for which it was originally instituted. ATS Bible Dictionary WidowA custom was prevalent in patriarchal times, Genesis 38:1-30, and was afterwards confirmed by the Mosaic law, De 25:5-10, that a widow without children, in order to preserve the family name and inheritance, should marry the brother of her deceased husband; or he failing his nearest kinsman, Ruth 3:12,13 4:1-11 Matthew 22:23-30. The high-priest was forbidden to marry a widow, Le 21:14. The humanity and justice of true religion are shown in the Bible, as might be expected, by numerous indications that God and the friends of God sympathize with the sorrows, supply the wants, and defend the rights of the widow, Exodus 22:22-24 De 16:11 24:17,19 Psalm 68:5 Isaiah 1:17 10:2 Jer 22:3 Mt 23:14. The apostolic church was not negligent in providing for widows, Acts 6:1-3 1 Timothy 5:16; and James makes this duty an essential part of true piety, James 1:27. Heathenism, on the contrary, makes those who have been slaves to a husband's caprices during his life, either victims upon the funeral pile at his death, or forlorn and hopeless sufferers under destitution and contempt. The duties of Christian widows are specified in 1 Timothy 5:3-16. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) A woman who has lost her husband by death, and has not married again; one living bereaved of a husband.2. (a.) Widowed. 3. (v. t.) To reduce to the condition of a widow; to bereave of a husband; -- rarely used except in the past participle. 4. (v. t.) To deprive of one who is loved; to strip of anything beloved or highly esteemed; to make desolate or bare; to bereave. 5. (v. t.) To endow with a widow's right. 6. (v. t.) To become, or survive as, the widow of. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia WIDOWwid'-o ('almanah; chera): In the Old Testament widows are considered to be under the special care of Yahweh (Psalm 68:5; Psalm 146:9 Proverbs 15:25). Sympathetic regard for them comes to be viewed as a mark of true religion (Job 31:16 James 1:27). Deuteronomy is rich in counsel in their behalf (24:17, etc.). Greek 5503. chera -- a widow ... chera. 5504 . a widow. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: chera Phonetic Spelling: (khay'-rah) Short Definition: a widow Definition: a widow. ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5503.htm - 6k Strong's Hebrew 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 489. almon -- widow- hood 491. almanuth -- widowhood 802. ishshah -- woman, wife, female 2992. yabam -- to perform the duty of a husband's brother 1350. gaal -- to redeem, act as kinsman Library The Widow of Nain. The Importunate Widow. Letter to a Young Widow. Letter ccxcvi. To a Widow. Letter clxxiv. To a Widow. Letter x. To a Widow. Letter ccxcvii. To a Widow. Letter cclxxxiii. To a Widow. Introduction to the Letter to a Young Widow. "The Widow Woman was There. " I Kings xvii. 10 Thesaurus Widow (71 Occurrences)... 3. (vt) To reduce to the condition of a widow; to bereave of a husband; -- rarely used except in the past participle. ... 5. (vt) To endow with a widow's right. ... /w/widow.htm - 31k Widow's (7 Occurrences) Widow-hood (1 Occurrence) Orphan (25 Occurrences) Zarephath (4 Occurrences) Divorced (10 Occurrences) Fatherless (44 Occurrences) Widows (33 Occurrences) Widowhood (5 Occurrences) Defend (38 Occurrences) Resources What can we learn from the parable of the persistent widow and unjust judge? | GotQuestions.orgWhat 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 Widow: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Widow (71 Occurrences)Matthew 1:6 Matthew 22:24 Mark 12:19 Mark 12:21 Mark 12:42 Mark 12:43 Luke 2:37 Luke 4:25 Luke 4:26 Luke 7:12 Luke 18:3 Luke 18:5 Luke 20:28 Luke 21:2 Luke 21:3 Acts 9:39 1 Timothy 5:4 1 Timothy 5:5 1 Timothy 5:6 1 Timothy 5:9 Revelation 18:7 Genesis 38:11 Exodus 22:22 Leviticus 21:14 Leviticus 22:13 Numbers 30:9 Deuteronomy 10:18 Deuteronomy 14:29 Deuteronomy 16:11 Deuteronomy 16:14 Deuteronomy 24:17 Deuteronomy 24:19 Deuteronomy 24:20 Deuteronomy 24:21 Deuteronomy 25:5 Deuteronomy 25:9 Deuteronomy 26:12 Deuteronomy 26:13 Deuteronomy 27:19 Ruth 4:5 Ruth 4:10 1 Samuel 27:3 1 Samuel 30:5 2 Samuel 2:2 2 Samuel 3:3 2 Samuel 14:5 1 Kings 7:14 1 Kings 11:26 1 Kings 17:9 1 Kings 17:10 1 Kings 17:20 Job 24:3 Job 24:21 Job 29:13 Job 31:16 Job 31:18 Psalms 94:6 Psalms 109:9 Psalms 146:9 Proverbs 15:25 Proverbs 23:10 Isaiah 1:17 Isaiah 1:23 Isaiah 47:8 Jeremiah 7:6 Jeremiah 22:3 Lamentations 1:1 Ezekiel 22:7 Ezekiel 44:22 Zechariah 7:10 Malachi 3:5 Subtopics Widow: Marriage of, Authorized Widow: Priests Forbidden to Marry Widow: The Widow of Nain, Whose Only Son Jesus Raised from the Dead Widow: The Widow of Zarephath, Who Sustained Elijah During a Famine Widow: The Woman Who Gave Two Mites (Leptas) in the Temple Courtyard Widow: The Woman Whose Sons Elisha Saved from Being Sold for Debt Widow: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Widow: when They are Daughters of Priests, They are to be Supported by Their Fathers Related Terms |
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