Original Word: אַלְמָנָה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: almanah
Pronunciation: al-mah-NAH
Phonetic Spelling: (al-maw-naw')
KJV: desolate house (palace), widow
NASB: widow, widows, widow's, fortified, widowed
Word Origin: [fem of H488 (אַלמָן - forsaken)]

1. a widow
2. (also) a desolate place

desolate house palace, widow

Fem of 'alman; a widow; also a desolate place -- desolate house (palace), widow.

see HEBREW 'alman

Word Origin
fem. of alman
Definition
a widow
NASB Translation
fortified (2), widow (37), widow's (5), widowed (1), widows (11).

אַלְמָנָה₅₄ noun feminine widow (Mishna id., Assyrian almattu Dl in Zim^{BP 114}) — ׳א Genesis 38:11 +; no construct; plural אַלְמָנוֺת Exodus 22:23 +; plural suffix אַלְמְנוֺתָיו Job 27:18, etc. — widow 1 Kings 17:20; ׳אִשָּׁה אַ 2 Samuel 14:5 ("" וַיָּ֫מָת אִישִׁי) 1 Kings 7:14; 1 Kings 11:26; 1 Kings 17:9,10; Genesis 38:11 (J; living in father's house) compare Leviticus 22:13 (H; "" גְּרוּשָׁה); Leviticus 21:14 (H), where widow forbidden as wife of high priest, like גְּרוּשָׁה, חֲלָלָה, זֹנָה compare Ezekiel 44:22 (3 t. in verse) (id. of all priests, except widow of priest); Numbers 30:10 (P; of widow's vow, "" גְּרוּשָׁה); נְשֵׁיכֶם אַלְמָנוֺת = ye shall be slain Exodus 22:23 ("" בְּנֵיכֶם יְתֹמִים) compare Psalm 109:9; Jeremiah 15:8; Jeremiah 18:21; Ezekiel 22:25, also Lamentations 5:3; (simile); of those snatched away by pestilence אַלְמְנוֺתָיו לֹא תִבְכֶּינָה Job 27:15; by sword, id., Psalm 78:64; ᵐ5 We read אַלְמָנוֺת חַיּוֺת 2 Samuel 20:3 (see אַלְמָנוּת below) of imprisoned concubines; figurative of Jerusalem Lamentations 1:1; Babylon Isaiah 47:8; especially widow as helpless, exposed to oppression & harsh treatment (often "" יָתוֺם, & גֵּר); Isaiah 1:23; Isaiah 10:2; Job 22:9; Job 24:3; Job 31:16; Psalm 94:6; Malachi 3:5; harshness forbidden, & care for them enjoined Exodus 22:21 (E) Deuteronomy 14:29; Deuteronomy 16:11,14; Deuteronomy 24:17,19,20,21; Deuteronomy 26:12,13; Deuteronomy 27:19; Isaiah 1:17; Jeremiah 7:6; Jeremiah 22:3; Zechariah 7:10, compare Job 29:13; under especially care of God Deuteronomy 10:18; Jeremiah 49:11; Proverbs 15:25; Psalm 68:6; Psalm 146:9; once of severity of judgment in not sparing widow Isaiah 9:16. (׳אַל Isaiah 13:22 see below אַרְמוֺן; Ezekiel 19:7 see ib. & also below מעון.)

Definition and Cultural Setting

The Hebrew term אַלְמָנָה denotes a woman whose husband has died and who has not yet remarried. In the patriarchal context of ancient Israel, inheritance, legal standing, and economic provision were ordinarily mediated through a male household head. A widow, therefore, belonged to the most vulnerable stratum of society, often grouped with “the fatherless” and “the sojourner” as persons in special need of covenant justice and mercy (Deuteronomy 10:18).

Frequency and Distribution

The word occurs about fifty-five times across the Law, Prophets, Writings, and historical narratives. Usage clusters around four chief literary arenas:

1. Torah legislation that safeguards the widow’s rights and livelihood.
2. Historical narratives that portray God’s care through individual acts.
3. Wisdom and worship texts that extol divine protection of widows.
4. Prophetic oracles that condemn leaders who oppress widows.

Legal and Social Protections in Torah

1. Judicial integrity: “You shall not afflict any widow or orphan” (Exodus 22:22).
2. Economic relief: Gleanings, forgotten sheaves, and tithes of the third year were reserved “for the Levite, the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow” (Deuteronomy 24:19–21; 26:12).
3. Leverite marriage: The deceased husband’s brother was obligated to raise offspring for the widow, preserving family inheritance (Deuteronomy 25:5–10).
4. Covenant curse against injustice: “Cursed is he who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow” (Deuteronomy 27:19).

These statutes communicate that true piety involves tangible compassion toward the vulnerable.

Narrative Illustrations of Divine Care

• The Widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:9–24). The LORD sustains Elijah and the Sidonian widow with oil and flour that “did not run out.” The account demonstrates God’s boundary-breaking mercy, extending beyond Israel.
• Elisha and the Widow’s Oil (2 Kings 4:1–7). The prophet multiplies oil so that a creditor will not enslave her sons, highlighting God’s intervention against economic oppression.
• Naomi and Ruth (Book of Ruth). Both women suffer widowhood; through Boaz the kinsman-redeemer, God restores inheritance and folds a Moabite widow into the lineage of David and the Messiah.

Worship and Wisdom Perspective

Psalms and Job portray God as the ultimate defender of widows:

• “Father of the fatherless and defender of widows is God in His holy habitation” (Psalm 68:5).
• Job pledges, “I did not withhold my hand from the widow” (Job 31:16).
• Psalm 146:9 links divine rule with sustaining the widow, foreshadowing the eschatological kingdom where justice prevails.

Prophetic Denunciations

The prophets indict Israel for failing to reflect God’s heart:

• “Learn to do right; seek justice. Correct the oppressor; defend the fatherless; plead for the widow” (Isaiah 1:17).
• Jeremiah warns against shedding innocent blood and “oppressing the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow” (Jeremiah 7:6).
• Ezekiel lists extortion from widows among the abominations that defile the land (Ezekiel 22:7).
• Malachi 3:5 places oppressors of widows under divine judgment in the coming day of the LORD.

Such texts make widow care a litmus test of covenant fidelity.

Theological Significance

1. Reflection of God’s character: Repeated pairing of “widow” with “fatherless” and “sojourner” portrays the LORD as the impartial Judge who acts on behalf of the powerless.
2. Covenant witness: Proper treatment of widows authenticated Israel’s claim to know God; neglect invalidated it.
3. Eschatological hope: Prophetic visions of a renewed Zion include the removal of tears and economic distress for widows, anticipating messianic fulfillment.

Foreshadowing Christ and New Testament Continuity

Old Testament concern for widows finds fullness in Jesus Christ:

• In Nazareth, Jesus cites Elijah and the widow of Zarephath to announce good news to the poor (Luke 4:25–26).
• He raises the widow’s son at Nain, restoring both life and social security (Luke 7:11–15).
• He commends the widow’s two mites as exemplary faith (Luke 21:1–4).
• The early church institutes practical structures so “no widow is neglected” (Acts 6:1), and apostolic instruction calls the congregation to “honor widows who are truly widows” (1 Timothy 5:3).

These New Testament developments affirm continuity with the Old Testament vision while situating widow care within the gospel community.

Practical and Ministry Implications

1. Local congregations are to ensure material support and relational inclusion of widows, mirroring God’s covenant compassion.
2. Advocacy for fair legal protection accords with biblical justice.
3. Pastoral care must address not only economic but also emotional and spiritual dimensions of widowhood.
4. Widow ministry showcases the church’s countercultural witness in a society prone to neglect the vulnerable.

Representative Old Testament References

Exodus 22:22; Deuteronomy 10:18; 14:29; 24:17–21; 26:12–13; 27:19

1 Kings 17:9–24; 2 Kings 4:1–7

Job 24:3; 31:16; Psalm 68:5; Psalm 146:9

Proverbs 15:25

Isaiah 1:17, 23; 10:2; Jeremiah 7:6; 22:3; Lamentations 1:1; 5:3

Ezekiel 22:7; Zechariah 7:10; Malachi 3:5

Conclusion

The recurrent presence of אַלְמָנָה across the Old Testament canon underscores God’s unwavering concern for widows. The covenant community is commissioned to translate that concern into concrete action, thereby reflecting the character of the LORD who “upholds the widow and the fatherless” (Psalm 146:9).

אַ֭לְמָנָה אַ֭לְמָנוֹת אַלְמְנֹתָו֙ אַלְמְנֹתָיו֙ אַלְמְנוֹתֶ֖יהָ אַלְמְנוֹתָ֔יו אַלְמָנ֑וֹת אַלְמָנ֔וֹת אַלְמָנָ֔ה אַלְמָנָ֖ה אַלְמָנָ֣ה אַלְמָנָ֤ה אַלְמָנָ֥ה אַלְמָנָ֨ה אַלְמָנָֽה׃ אַלְמָנוֹת֙ אלמנה אלמנה׃ אלמנות אלמנותיה אלמנותיו אלמנתו אלמנתיו בְּאַלְמנוֹתָ֔יו באלמנותיו הָאַלְמָנָ֞ה האלמנה וְ֝אַלְמְנֹתָ֗יו וְ֝אַלְמָנָ֗ה וְאַלְמְנֹתֶ֖יךָ וְאַלְמָנ֔וֹת וְאַלְמָנָ֑ה וְאַלְמָנָ֖ה וְאַלְמָנָ֣ה וְאַלְמָנָ֤ה וְאַלְמָנָ֧ה וְאַלְמָנָה֙ וְהָֽאַלְמָנָה֙ וְהָאַלְמָנָ֖ה וְלָֽאַלְמָנָ֔ה וְלָאַלְמָנָ֔ה וְלָאַלְמָנָ֖ה ואלמנה ואלמנות ואלמנתיו ואלמנתיך והאלמנה ולאלמנה כְּאַלְמָנָ֑ה כְּאַלְמָנֽוֹת׃ כאלמנה כאלמנות׃ ’al·mā·nāh ’al·mā·nō·wṯ ’al·mə·nō·ṯāw ’al·mə·nō·w·ṯāw ’al·mə·nō·w·ṯe·hā ’almānāh ’almānōwṯ ’almənōṯāw ’almənōwṯāw ’almənōwṯehā almaNah almaNot almenoTav almenoTeiha bə’almnōwṯāw bə·’al·m·nō·w·ṯāw bealmnoTav hā’almānāh hā·’al·mā·nāh haalmaNah kə’almānāh kə’almānōwṯ kə·’al·mā·nāh kə·’al·mā·nō·wṯ kealmaNah kealmaNot vealmaNah vealmaNot vealmenoTav vealmenoTeicha vehaalmaNah velaalmaNah wə’almānāh wə’almānōwṯ wə’almənōṯāw wə’almənōṯeḵā wə·’al·mā·nāh wə·’al·mā·nō·wṯ wə·’al·mə·nō·ṯāw wə·’al·mə·nō·ṯe·ḵā wə·hā·’al·mā·nāh wə·lā·’al·mā·nāh wəhā’almānāh wəlā’almānāhInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts