Yawning is a common physiological action characterized by the involuntary opening of the mouth, accompanied by a deep inhalation of air, followed by a slower exhalation. While yawning is a universal human experience, it is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible. However, the act of yawning can be associated with themes of rest, weariness, and alertness, which are addressed in various biblical passages.

Rest and Weariness

The Bible frequently addresses the need for rest and the human experience of weariness. In Genesis, God Himself sets a precedent for rest: "By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on the seventh day He rested from all His work" (Genesis 2:2). This divine example underscores the importance of rest in the rhythm of life.

Yawning often occurs when one is tired or in need of rest, reflecting the natural human condition of weariness. The Psalms frequently express the human need for God's sustaining power in times of fatigue. Psalm 4:8 states, "In peace I will lie down and sleep, for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety" . This verse highlights the trust in God for rest and rejuvenation.

Alertness and Vigilance

While yawning is typically associated with tiredness, it can also serve as a reminder of the need for spiritual alertness and vigilance. The New Testament frequently exhorts believers to remain watchful and alert. In 1 Peter 5:8, the apostle Peter warns, "Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" . This call to vigilance is a reminder that spiritual drowsiness can lead to vulnerability.

Jesus Himself emphasized the importance of staying awake and alert in the parable of the ten virgins, where He admonished His followers to be prepared for His return (Matthew 25:1-13). The parable serves as a metaphor for spiritual readiness, contrasting the wise virgins who were prepared with the foolish ones who were not.

Symbolism and Metaphor

While yawning is not directly mentioned in Scripture, it can be metaphorically linked to spiritual lethargy or indifference. The book of Revelation addresses the church in Laodicea, warning against lukewarmness: "So because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to vomit you out of My mouth" (Revelation 3:16). This passage serves as a caution against spiritual complacency, urging believers to maintain fervor and commitment.

Conclusion

Though the Bible does not specifically mention yawning, the themes associated with it—rest, weariness, alertness, and spiritual readiness—are woven throughout Scripture. These themes encourage believers to find rest in God, remain vigilant in their faith, and avoid spiritual complacency.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Yawn.6474. Paaray -- one of David's heroes
... Word Origin from paar Definition one of David's heroes NASB Word Usage Paarai (1).
Paarai. From pa'ar; yawning; Paarai, an Israelite -- Paarai. see HEBREW pa'ar ...
/hebrew/6474.htm - 6k

A Rationale of Sleep, of Yawning, and of Dreams .
... III."Philosophical Works. XIII. A Rationale of sleep, of yawning, and of
dreams . 1. This life of our bodies, material and subject ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/xiii a rationale of sleep.htm

Of the Silence and Conciseness with which the Collects are Offered ...
... this the case when the prayer is offered up, [698] for then there is no spitting,
no clearing of the throat, or noise of coughing, no sleepy yawning with open ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter x of the silence.htm

The True Spirit of Missions.
... Effort and means have given place to horror and despair. The prospect before you
is the scaffold, the block, a yawning grave, and a dread eternity. ...
/.../dibble/thoughts on missions/chapter i the true spirit.htm

On Sleep.
... For, besides the reproach of voluptuousness, sleeping on downy feathers is injurious,
when our bodies fall down as into a yawning hollow, on account of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/clement/the instructor paedagogus/chap ix on sleep.htm

Over the Mountains. "My Beloved is Mine, and I am His: He Feedeth ...
... sepulchre to resurrection. O yawning gulfs and frowning steeps of woe, our
Beloved, like hind or hart, has traversed your glooms! O my ...
/.../spurgeon/till he come/over the mountains my beloved is.htm

The Wise Man, Having Found that Wisdom Brought with it but ...
... free and boundless desires"? No, indeed. After all is cast into that hungry
pit, yawning and empty it is still. Look well on this ...
/.../jennings/old groans and new songs/chapter ii the wise man.htm

The Speaking Voice
... From this part of the mouth the voice acquires much of its resonance. An
excellent exercise for throat relaxation is yawning. It ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kleiser/talks on talking/the speaking voice.htm

Lights and Shadows.
... The void in their household is daily more and more felt. All the past bright
memories of Bethany seem to be buried in a yawning grave. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/vii lights and shadows.htm

Death.
... is to go through will be a sore amazement to him, for "fears shall be in the way,"
yea, terrors will take hold on him when he shall see the yawning jaws of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xxiv death.htm

Waer' Gott Nicht Mit Uns Diese Zeit. Had God not Come, May Israel ...
... 2. Their furious wrath, did God permit, Would surely have consumed us, And in the
deep and yawning pit With life and limb entombed us; Like men o'er whom dark ...
/.../bacon/the hymns of martin luther/xxiv waer gott nicht mit.htm

Yawning (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Yawn. Multi-Version Concordance
Yawning (1 Occurrence). Psalms 5:9 For there is no ...
/y/yawning.htm - 6k

Ye (21989 Occurrences)

/y/ye.htm - 7k

Yaudi (1 Occurrence)

/y/yaudi.htm - 6k

Compasses (1 Occurrence)
... In Apocrypha we have "compassed about with yawning darkness" (The Wisdom of Solomon
19:17); "compassed the circuit of heaven" (Ecclesiasticus 24:5); "compassed ...
/c/compasses.htm - 10k

Compass (51 Occurrences)
... In Apocrypha we have "compassed about with yawning darkness" (The Wisdom of Solomon
19:17); "compassed the circuit of heaven" (Ecclesiasticus 24:5); "compassed ...
/c/compass.htm - 26k

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