Lexical Summary abel: mourning, mourn, mourners Original Word: אָבֵל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance mourner, From 'abal; lamenting -- mourn(-er, -ing). see HEBREW 'abal NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom abal Definition mourning NASB Translation mourn (2), mourners (2), mourning (3), one who sorrows (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs I. אָבֵל adjective mourning — ׳א Genesis 37:35; Esther 6:12; construct אֲבֶלֿ Psalm 35:14; אֲבֵלִים Job 29:25; Isaiah 61:2 etc.; — for dead Genesis 37:35, calamity Esther 6:12, compare figurative Lamentations 1:4 (predicate, inanimate subject), elsewhere as substantive mourner; singular Psalm 35:14 (construct) for dead ("" קדר); plural Job 29:25 absolute; for calamity Isaiah 57:18; Isaiah 61:2,3(where mourners for Zion, or of Zion, see Di). II. אבל (perhaps Topical Lexicon Sense and Scope אָבֵל denotes the state or person of mourning, whether individual or communal. Across its eight appearances it portrays both the raw reality of grief and the divine pledge to transform that grief into joy. Representative Occurrences • Genesis 37:35 – “I will go down to Sheol in mourning for my son.” The word captures Jacob’s sustained sorrow that shapes the Joseph narrative. Theological Themes 1. Authentic Grief before God Scripture legitimizes sorrow; patriarchs, psalmists, prophets, and even the enemies of God are shown in אָבֵל. Grief is not minimized but voiced, often in prayer or lament. 2. Communal Responsibility to Comfort Job once “sat as chief… and comforted the mourners” (Job 29:25). Comforting the אָבֵל is a covenant duty, later echoed in Paul’s charge, “Comfort one another” (1 Thessalonians 4:18). 3. Mourning as a Sign of Judgment In Lamentations the land itself mourns, underscoring the covenant curses that follow national sin. The word thereby warns against complacency toward unrighteousness. 4. Prophetic Promise of Reversal Isaiah 57:18 and 61:2-3 bind mourning to divine restoration. The Servant’s ministry pledges that sorrow will not have the last word, prefiguring the New Covenant hope where “He will wipe away every tear” (Revelation 21:4). Historical Significance • Patriarchal Period – Jacob’s grief sets the emotional tone for the unfolding salvation of his family in Egypt. Pastoral and Ministry Application • Permit and express lament in personal and corporate worship (e.g., Psalms of lament). Related Concepts • אֲבַל / אָבַל – to mourn (verb) In every text, אָבֵל reminds readers that while grief is real and often profound, God’s redemptive plan moves steadily toward comfort, restoration, and unending joy. Forms and Transliterations אֲבֵל֗וֹת אֲבֵלִ֣ים אֲבֵלִֽים׃ אָבֵ֖ל אבל אבלות אבלים אבלים׃ וְלַאֲבֵלָֽיו׃ ולאבליו׃ כַּאֲבֶל־ כאבל־ לַאֲבֵלֵ֣י לאבלי ’ă·ḇê·lîm ’ă·ḇê·lō·wṯ ’ā·ḇêl ’āḇêl ’ăḇêlîm ’ăḇêlōwṯ aVel aveLim aveLot ka’ăḇel- ka·’ă·ḇel- kaavel la’ăḇêlê la·’ă·ḇê·lê laaveLei velaaveLav wə·la·’ă·ḇê·lāw wəla’ăḇêlāwLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 37:35 HEB: אֶל־ בְּנִ֛י אָבֵ֖ל שְׁאֹ֑לָה וַיֵּ֥בְךְּ NAS: to Sheol in mourning for my son. KJV: unto my son mourning. Thus his father INT: about my son mourning to Sheol wept Esther 6:12 Job 29:25 Psalm 35:14 Isaiah 57:18 Isaiah 61:2 Isaiah 61:3 Lamentations 1:4 8 Occurrences |
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grow green, compare 
grass; LagBN 45 proposes 
withstand, hence אָבֵל as withstanding scorching sun (protected by trees, springs, etc.), hence also (Lag) 
camel). Etymologogical conjectures very dubious; connection (Lag.) of 
withstand, with 
herbage, forage (sometimes dry) improbable, and of latter with 
herd of camels obscure; √ meaning grow green unattested; Syriac 
, 
, Talmud יַבְלָא, Punic ιεβαλ, 'grass,' apparently = a specific kind of fodder, ἄγρωστις, see LöwNo. 141 (GFM, privately).