Dictionaries :: Widow

Widow:

wid'-o ('almanah; chera): In the Old Testament widows are considered to be under the special care of Yahweh (Ps 68:5; 146:9; Pr 15:25). Sympathetic regard for them comes to be viewed as a mark of true religion (Job 31:16; Jas 1:27). Deuteronomy is rich in counsel in their behalf (24:17, etc.).

The word is first mentioned in the New Testament in Ac 6:1: "There arose a murmuring of the Grecian Jews against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration." Paul charges that they be particularly cared for, especially those that are "widows indeed," i.e. poor, without support and old (1Ti 5:2-16). Some try to find proof in this passage of that ecclesiastical order of widows mentioned in post-apostolic writings.

Written by George B. Eager

See LITERATURE, SUB-APOSTOLIC

See WOMAN

Widow: Vows Of

Binding,

Num 30:9.

Widow: When They Are Daughters of Priests

They are to be supported by their fathers,

Lev 22:13.

Widow: Priests Forbidden to Marry

Lev 21:14

Widow: Marriage Of

Authorized,

Rom 7:3; 1Cr 7:39.

Widow: Widows' Dower

See DOWRY

Widow: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To:

Exd 22:22-24; Deu 10:18; 14:28, 29; 16:11-14; 24:17, 19-21; 25:5-10; 27:19; Job 22:5, 9; 24:3, 21; 29:13; 31:16, 22; Psa 68:5; 94:6; 146:9; Pro 15:25; Isa 1:17, 23; 10:1, 2; Jer 7:6, 7; 22:3; 49:11; Eze 22:7; Zec 7:10; Mal 3:5; Mat 23:14; Mar 12:40; Luk 20:47; 1Cr 7:8, 9; 1Ti 5:3-6, 9-12, 16

Widow: Instances Of:

Naomi,

Rth 1:3.

Ruth,

Rth 1; 2; 3; 4.

The widow of Zarephath, who sustained Elijah during a famine,

1Ki 17.

The woman whose sons Elisha saved from being sold for debt,

2Ki 4:1-7.

Anna,

Luk 2:36, 37.

The woman who gave two mites (leptas) in the temple courtyard,

Mar 12:41-44; Luk 21:2.

The widow of Nain, whose only son Jesus raised from the dead,

Luk 7:11-15.

See WOMEN; MARRIAGE, LEVIRATE (brother-in-law)

Widow:

• Exd 22:22-24
• Deu 10:18; Deu 14:28-29; Deu 16:11-14; Deu 24:17; Deu 24:19-21; Deu 25:5-10; Deu 27:19
• Job 22:5; Job 24:3; Job 24:21; Job 29:13; Job 31:16; Job 31:22
• Psa 68:5; Psa 94:6; Psa 146:9
• Pro 15:25
• Isa 1:17; Isa 1:23; Isa 10:1-2
• Jer 7:6-7; Jer 22:3; Jer 49:11
• Zec 7:10
• Mal 3:5
• Mat 23:14
• Act 6:1
• 1Ti 5:3-6; 1Ti 5:9-12; 1Ti 5:16
• Jam 1:27

Widow:

Mat 28:13 (in some texts); Mar 12:40, 42, 43; Luk 2:37; 4:25, 26, lit., "a woman a widow;" Luk 7:12; 18:3, 5; 20:47; 21:2, 3; Act 6:1; 9:39, 41; 1Ti 5:3 (twice), 1Ti 5:4, 5, 11, 16 (twice); Jam 1:27; 1Ti 5:9 refers to elderly "widows" (not an ecclesiastical "order"), recognized, for relief or maintenance by the church (cp. 1Ti 5:3, 16), as those who had fulfilled the conditions mentioned; where relief could be ministered by those who had relatives that were "widows" (a likely circumstance in large families), the church was not to be responsible; there is an intimation of the tendency to shelve individual responsibility at the expense of church funds. In Rev 18:7, it is used figuratively of a city forsaken.

Widow:

Under 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 (Deuteronomy 14:29; 26:12) in leasing (Deuteronomy 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 (Deuteronomy 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 (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 (meaning 'charitable' ‐ BLB Ed.) purpose for which it was originally instituted.