Contextualizing »Sadness« and »Grief« in the Hebrew Bible and Ancient Israel

»Sadness« and »grief« are usually considered emotions that are shared by all humans and are thus universal. However, the way »sadness« and »grief« are conceptualized, communicated, and expressed in culture differs greatly. As social emotions, they are strongly shaped by norms. This article analyses »sadness« and »grief« within a field of multiple tensions (Spannungsfeld). By referring to texts from the Hebrew Bible as well as the ancient Near East, »sadness« and »grief« are explored between action and emotion, collective and individual, male and female, spontaneous reaction and professional performance. I show that the public lamenting and crying of kings, the people, or professional mourners played an important role in social and political communication. Furthermore, this article analyzes the crucial role of »sadness« and »grief« in how prophetic texts anticipated the future, and it reflects on the consequences that mourning was regulated and partially prohibited in legislation texts.

Anger · Art · Biblical studies · Grief · Hebrew Bible · Literature · Psychotherapist · Sadness · Biblical Studies and Interpretation · History · Psychology · Social Psychology

• Shared Motifs, Distinct Functions

  Open Access•Dariusz Iwański•The Biblical Annals•2026

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