Weeping

The physical act of shedding tears as the result of sadness or joy or in recognition of sin.

Weeping in personal grief

Genesis 23:2; Psalm 42:3; Revelation 5:4 See also Genesis 27:38, Genesis 37:35; Judges 11:37; Ruth 1:9; 1 Samuel 1:8, 1 Samuel 20:41; 2 Samuel 3:16, 2 Samuel 13:19, 2 Samuel 15:30, 2 Samuel 18:33 David weeps for Absalom; 2 Kings 8:11, 2 Kings 13:14, 2 Kings 20:3; Job 16:16, Job 16:20; Psalm 39:12, Psalm 56:8, Psalm 102:9; John 11:33, John 20:11

She died in Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went out to mourn and to weep for her.

My tears have been my food both day and night, while men ask me all day long, “Where is your God?”

And I began to weep bitterly, because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or look inside it.

Weeping in shared grief

Deuteronomy 34:8; Psalm 137:1 See also Numbers 14:1; 1 Samuel 11:4–5, 1 Samuel 20:41, 1 Samuel 30:4; 2 Samuel 1:12 David and his men mourn for Saul and Jonathan; 2 Samuel 1:24, 2 Samuel 3:34; Job 2:12; Psalm 80:4–5; Isaiah 15:2–3, Isaiah 33:7; Mark 5:38; Acts 21:13

The Israelites grieved for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days, until the time of weeping and mourning for Moses came to an end.

By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion.

Weeping in personal remorse over failure and sin

Matthew 26:75 parallels Mark 14:72, Luke 22:62 See also 1 Samuel 2:33; Luke 7:38; Hebrews 12:17

Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Weeping in group response to sin

Nehemiah 8:9; Jeremiah 3:21; James 5:1 See also Numbers 25:6; Deuteronomy 1:45; Judges 20:26, Judges 21:2; Ezra 3:12–13 the people's response to the rebuilding of the temple; Isaiah 22:12–13; Jeremiah 25:34, Jeremiah 31:9, Jeremiah 50:4; Lamentations 1:2, Lamentations 2:18; Joel 2:12; Amos 5:16–17, Amos 8:10; Zechariah 12:10–11; Matthew 8:12

Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to all of them, “This day is holy to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the Law.

A voice is heard on the barren heights, the children of Israel weeping and begging for mercy, because they have perverted their ways and forgotten the LORD their God.

Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you.

Weeping in response to others' sin and judgment

Psalm 119:136; Jeremiah 13:17; 2 Corinthians 2:4 See also Ezra 10:1; Nehemiah 1:4; Isaiah 16:9; Jeremiah 9:1, Jeremiah 14:17, Jeremiah 22:10; Lamentations 1:16, Lamentations 3:48; Ezekiel 27:31; Micah 1:8; Luke 19:41 Jesus Christ weeps over Jerusalem; Luke 23:28; Acts 20:31; Philippians 3:18; Revelation 18:15–16

My eyes shed streams of tears because Your law is not obeyed.

But if you do not listen, I will weep in secret because of your pride. My eyes will overflow with tears, because the LORD’s flock has been taken captive.

For through many tears I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart, not to grieve you but to let you know how much I love you.

Divine weeping

Isaiah 16:9

Jesus Christ's weeping

John 11:35 See also Hebrews 5:7

Jesus wept.

Weeping for joy

Genesis 29:11, Genesis 42:24, Genesis 45:14–15

False weeping

Malachi 2:13

And this is another thing you do: You cover the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping and groaning, because He no longer regards your offerings or receives them gladly from your hands.

Comfort promised to those who weep

Psalm 126:5–6; Revelation 21:4 See also Psalm 30:5, Psalm 116:8; Isaiah 25:8, Isaiah 30:19, Isaiah 65:19; Jeremiah 31:16; Luke 6:21; John 16:20

Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy. He who goes out weeping, bearing a trail of seed, will surely return with shouts of joy, carrying sheaves of grain.

‘He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,’ and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.”