The term "yearned" in the biblical context often conveys a deep, intense longing or desire, typically associated with compassion, love, or a heartfelt wish for something or someone. This yearning can be seen in various relationships and situations throughout the Scriptures, reflecting both human emotions and divine compassion.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "yearned" is "nicham," which can also mean to be moved with pity or compassion. One notable instance of yearning is found in the account of Joseph and his brothers. After many years of separation and hardship, Joseph's deep emotional response upon seeing his brothers is described in Genesis 43:30: "Joseph hurried out because his compassion for his brother overwhelmed him, and he wanted to weep. So he went to a private room to weep there" . Here, Joseph's yearning is a mix of familial love and the pain of past betrayal, culminating in a powerful moment of reconciliation.

Another example is found in the relationship between God and His people. In Hosea 11:8, God expresses His deep yearning for Israel despite their unfaithfulness: "How could I give you up, O Ephraim? How could I hand you over, O Israel? ... My heart is turned within Me; all My compassion is aroused" . This passage highlights God's enduring love and mercy, showcasing a divine yearning for the restoration of His covenant relationship with Israel.

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, the Greek word "splagchnizomai" is often used to describe a deep, visceral compassion or yearning. This term is frequently associated with Jesus Christ, who exemplified divine compassion during His earthly ministry. In Matthew 9:36, Jesus' response to the crowds is described: "When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd" . Jesus' yearning for the spiritual and physical well-being of the people reflects His role as the Good Shepherd, who seeks to guide and care for His flock.

The Apostle Paul also uses the concept of yearning in his letters to express his deep affection and longing for the early Christian communities. In Philippians 1:8, Paul writes, "God is my witness how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus" . This yearning is rooted in a Christ-like love, emphasizing the spiritual bond and mutual encouragement among believers.

Theological Implications

Yearning in the biblical sense often transcends mere emotional desire, encompassing a profound spiritual dimension. It reflects the nature of God's love for humanity, characterized by compassion, mercy, and a desire for reconciliation. Human yearning, when aligned with God's will, can lead to spiritual growth, deeper relationships, and a greater understanding of divine love.

In summary, the concept of yearning in the Bible serves as a powerful reminder of the depth of God's love and the potential for transformation in human relationships. Whether it is the yearning of a father for his lost son, a Savior for His people, or believers for one another, this deep longing is a testament to the enduring power of love and compassion in the biblical narrative.(imp. & p. p.) of Yearn.1973. epipothetos -- greatly desired
... Greatly loved, desired. From epi and a derivative of the latter part of epipotheo;
yearned upon, ie Greatly loved -- longed foreign. see GREEK epi. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1973.htm - 6k3615. kalah -- to be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished ...
... end (2), ravage (1), settled (1), spend (3), spent (5), terminate (1), use (1),
used (1), vanish (2), vanishes (1), waste away (1), wastes away (1), yearned (1 ...
/hebrew/3615.htm - 7k

Deepening Shadows.
... How much they would need to pray in the coming years when He was gone. Possibly,
too, He yearned for a closer fellowship with them. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on prayer/deepening shadows.htm

The Sermon of Dr. Tauler
... On this day which I have mentioned, in the year 1340, Dr. Tauler watched the crowds
who came into the great church, and his heart yearned over them, and he ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bevan/three friends of god/chapter i the sermon of.htm

Psalm XXXIX.
... things of earth, have soared upwards to the delights of the law of the Lord, I have
been afloat in the dispensation of the Lord, [1048] have yearned for that ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xxxix.htm

Conclusion.
... accents of your beloved pastor; and the weeping sympathy of a dear father and mother"
now, perhaps, gone to their rest"who had long yearned over a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/clark/the faithful steward/conclusion.htm

The Mothering Heart
... The fair, timid child had much of her own appearance and disposition, and the
Adjutant yearned to train her to take her place in the War. ...
/.../carpenter/the angel adjutant of twice born men/vii the mothering heart.htm

Examples of Heathens Urged as Commendatory of Widowhood and ...
... undone! For I believe it to be harder for what is intact to be quite forsaken,
than for what has been lost not to be yearned after. ...
/.../tertullian/to his wife/chapter vi examples of heathens urged.htm

Mercy's Master Motive
... Yet such is the immutability of God in his affection, that he had not long sent
his people into captivity before his bowels yearned towards them again. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/mercys master motive.htm

Of the Reasons Assigned by the Apostle for Bidding Women to be ...
... on account of concupiscence after females"who can presume that it was bodies already
defiled, and relics of human lust, which such angels yearned after, so ...
/.../tertullian/on the veiling of virgins/chapter vii of the reasons assigned.htm

Circumstances and Consequences
... When I was a young man in business I yearned for a position in which I could be
separate from all worldly entanglements, so that I could obtain and enjoy the ...
/.../howard/standards of life and service/viii circumstances and consequences.htm

Chapter five
... ashes to ashes, dust to dust," and still he was moved by the spirit of a deeper
impulse than he could measure as he thought of his people and yearned for the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter five.htm

Yearned (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Yearned (5 Occurrences). Genesis 43:30 Joseph hurried,
for his heart yearned over his brother; and he sought a place to weep. ...
/y/yearned.htm - 8k

Yearn (4 Occurrences)
... (WEY RSV). Genesis 43:30 Joseph hurried, for his heart yearned over his brother;
and he sought a place to weep. He entered into his room, and wept there. ...
/y/yearn.htm - 7k

Deeply (43 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Genesis 43:30 Joseph hurried, for his heart yearned over his brother;
and he sought a place to weep. He entered into his room, and wept there. ...
/d/deeply.htm - 18k

Stirred (64 Occurrences)
... them. (WEB ASV NAS RSV NIV). Genesis 43:30 Joseph hurried, for his heart
yearned over his brother; and he sought a place to weep. He ...
/s/stirred.htm - 26k

Yearneth (2 Occurrences)

/y/yearneth.htm - 7k

Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences)
... came to pass, from the day that the ark abode in Kiriath-jearim, that the time was
long; for it was twenty years; and all the house of Israel yearned after the ...
/k/kir'iath-je'arim.htm - 11k

Naphtali (51 Occurrences)
... victory. She had won the favor and blessing of God as made manifest in the
way yearned for by the oriental heart, the birth of sons. ...
/n/naphtali.htm - 35k

Wept (78 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV). Genesis 43:30 Joseph hurried, for his heart
yearned over his brother; and he sought a place to weep. ...
/w/wept.htm - 31k

Baby (23 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 3:26 Then the woman whose the living child was spoke to the king, for her
heart yearned over her son, and she said, "Oh, my lord, give her the living ...
/b/baby.htm - 13k

Cornelius (10 Occurrences)
... as devout and God-fearing, ie at least, one of those men so numerous in that effete
age of decadent heathenism who, discontented with polytheism, yearned for a ...
/c/cornelius.htm - 16k

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