Mourn
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Frequent references are found in Scripture to,
Mourning was expressed, (1) by weeping ( Genesis 35:8 , marg.; Luke 7:38 , etc.); (2) by loud lamentation ( Ruth 1:9 ; 1 Samuel 6:19 ; 2 Sam 3:31 ); (3) by the disfigurement of the person, as rending the clothes ( Genesis 37:29 Genesis 37:34 ; Matthew 26:65 ), wearing sackcloth ( Genesis 37:34 ; Psalms 35:13 ), sprinkling dust or ashes on the person ( 2 Samuel 13:19 ; Jeremiah 6:26 ; Job 2:12 ), shaving the head and plucking out the hair of the head or beard ( Leviticus 10:6 ; Job 1:20 ), neglect of the person or the removal of ornaments ( Exodus 33:4 ; Deuteronomy 21:12 Deuteronomy 21:13 ; 2 Sam 14:2 ; 19:24 ; Matthew 6:16 Matthew 6:17 ), fasting ( 2 Samuel 1:12 ), covering the upper lip ( Leviticus 13:45 ; Micah 3:7 ), cutting the flesh ( Jeremiah 16:6 Jeremiah 16:7 ), and sitting in silence ( Judges 20:26 ; 2 Sam 12:16 ; 13:31 ; Job 1:20 ).
In the later times we find a class of mourners who could be hired to give by their loud lamentation the external tokens of sorrow ( 2 Chronicles 35:25 ; Jeremiah 9:17 ; Matthew 9:23 ).
The period of mourning for the dead varied. For Jacob it was seventy days ( Genesis 50:3 ); for Aaron ( Numbers 20:29 ) and Moses ( Deuteronomy 34:8 ) thirty days; and for Saul only seven days ( 1 Samuel 31:13 ). In 2 Samuel 3:31-35 , we have a description of the great mourning for the death of Abner.
M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition,
published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain, copy freely.
Bibliography InformationEaston, Matthew George. "Entry for Mourn". "Easton's Bible Dictionary".