5743 widows

God’s tender concern for bereaved wives is declared throughout the whole of Scripture. He defends their rights and expects his people to do the same.

God is the protector of widows

Ps 68:5 See also Dt 10:18; Ps 146:9; Pr 15:25; Jer 49:11

Jesus Christ’s concern for widows

Mk 12:41-44 pp Lk 21:1-4; Lk 7:11-15; Lk 18:1-5

Widows are to be treated justly

Dt 27:19 See also Ex 22:22-24; Job 24:21-22; Ps 94:6; Isa 10:1-4; Jer 22:3-5; Eze 22:25

Widows are not to be exploited

Ex 22:22 See also Isa 10:1-2; Eze 22:7; Mal 3:5; Mk 12:38-40 pp Lk 20:45-47

The law requires God’s people to provide for widows

Dt 24:19 See also Dt 14:28-29; Dt 16:11; Dt 24:17,20-21; Dt 26:12; Isa 1:17 The prophet encourages God’s people to return to the law.

The Christian community are to care for widows

1Ti 5:3 See also 1Ti 5:4-16; 1Co 7:8-9; Jas 1:27

Examples of widows and their treatment

Dt 16:14; Ru 1:16-17; 1Ki 17:13-14; Job 24:3; Job 29:13; Lk 2:36-38 Anna; Lk 4:25-26; Lk 7:11-17 the widow of Nain; Ac 6:1; Ac 9:36-41 Dorcas

Women widowed because of God’s judgment

Ex 22:22-24 See also Ps 109:9; Isa 9:17; Jer 15:8; La 5:3

Laws governing the remarriage of widows

The people generally Dt 25:5-10 The OT emphasises continuity of the family line. See also Ge 38:8; Ru 3:12 Boaz refers to the law which gave the nearest male relative the duty of marrying the widow; Ru 4:10; Mk 12:19 pp Lk 20:28

The priests Lev 21:13-14 See also Eze 44:22

Widowhood as the personification of a city

La 1:1 A lament for desolate Jerusalem. See also Isa 54:4-5 a prophecy of the restoration of Jerusalem; Rev 18:7 the boasts of Babylon

See also