CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Wails</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/w/wails.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/isaiah/15-2.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/w/wails.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Wails</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/w/wailings.htm" title="Wailings">◄</a> Wails <a href="/topical/w/wainscoted.htm" title="Wainscoted">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#cnc" title="Multiversion Concordance">Concordance</a> • <a href="#thes" title="Bible Thesaurus">Thesaurus</a> • <a href="#heb" title="Strong's Hebrew Concordance">Hebrew</a> • <a href="#lib" title="Library">Library</a> • <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div><b>Definition and Usage in Scripture:</b> <br>The term "wails" refers to loud cries or lamentations, often associated with mourning, distress, or deep sorrow. In the biblical context, wailing is a common expression of grief and is frequently mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments. It is an outward manifestation of inner turmoil and is often accompanied by other signs of mourning, such as tearing of clothes, wearing sackcloth, and ashes.<br><br><b>Old Testament References:</b> <br>Wailing is prominently featured in the Old Testament, where it is often associated with national calamity, personal loss, or divine judgment. In the book of Jeremiah, the prophet frequently calls for wailing as a response to the impending judgment on Judah. <a href="/jeremiah/9-10.htm">Jeremiah 9:10</a> states, "I will take up a weeping and wailing for the mountains and a lament for the pastures of the wilderness, because they are laid waste so that no one passes through; the lowing of cattle is not heard. Both the birds of the air and the beasts have fled; they are gone."<br><br>In the book of Joel, wailing is a response to the devastation caused by locusts, symbolizing a call to repentance. <a href="/joel/1-5.htm">Joel 1:5</a> exhorts, "Wake up, you drunkards, and weep! Wail, all you drinkers of wine, because of the new wine, for it has been snatched from your lips."<br><br><b>New Testament References:</b> <br>In the New Testament, wailing is often associated with the final judgment and the consequences of rejecting Christ. In <a href="/matthew/13-42.htm">Matthew 13:42</a> , Jesus describes the fate of the wicked: "And they will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." This imagery of wailing underscores the eternal regret and sorrow of those who face divine judgment.<br><br>The book of Revelation also uses the imagery of wailing to describe the reaction of the world to the fall of Babylon. <a href="/revelation/18-19.htm">Revelation 18:19</a> states, "Then they will throw dust on their heads as they weep and mourn and cry out: 'Woe, woe to the great city, where all who had ships on the sea were enriched by her wealth! For in a single hour she has been destroyed.'"<br><br><b>Cultural and Theological Significance:</b> <br>Wailing in the Bible is not merely an expression of personal grief but often serves as a communal response to tragedy or divine judgment. It is a call to recognize the seriousness of sin and the need for repentance. The act of wailing can also be seen as a form of intercession, pleading for God's mercy and intervention.<br><br>In the prophetic literature, wailing is frequently linked with calls to repentance and the hope of restoration. The prophets often use wailing as a rhetorical device to awaken the people to their spiritual condition and to urge them to return to God.<br><br><b>Conclusion:</b> <br>While wailing is a profound expression of sorrow, it also carries with it the potential for hope and redemption. In the biblical narrative, the call to wail is often accompanied by the promise of God's faithfulness and the possibility of renewal for those who turn back to Him.<a name="heb" id="heb"></a><div class="vheading2">Strong's Hebrew</div><a href="/hebrew/3213.htm"><span class="l">3213. yalal -- to howl, make a howling</span></a><br><b>...</b> Word Origin a prim. root Definition to howl, make a howling NASB Word Usage howl<br> (1), turn to wailing (1), wail (25), wailed (1), wailing (2), <b>wails</b> (1). <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/hebrew/3213.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 6k</font><p> <a href="/hebrew/1993.htm"><span class="l">1993. hamah -- to murmur, growl, roar, be boisterous</span></a><br><b>...</b> an uproar (2), making such an uproar (1), mourning (1), murmur (1), noisy (1), pounding<br> (1), roar (5), roar like the roaring (1), roars (2), <b>wails</b> (2), yearns <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/hebrew/1993.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 6k</font><a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><p><a href="/library/cyril/lectures_of_s_cyril_of_jerusalem/oration_xvi_on_his_fathers.htm"><span class="l">On his Father'S Silence, Because of the Plague of Hail.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Wretched indeed is the sight of the ground devastated, cleared, and shorn of its<br> ornaments, over which the blessed Joel <b>wails</b> in his most tragic picture of the <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xvi on his fathers.htm</font><p><a href="/library/boudreaux/the_happiness_of_heaven/preface_to_the_first_edition.htm"><span class="l">Preface to the First Edition.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> of God! Her <b>wails</b> are built of jasper-stone; but the City itself is of pure<br> and shining gold, like to clear crystal glass. And the <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../boudreaux/the happiness of heaven/preface to the first edition.htm</font><p><a href="/library/palmer/a_birds-eye_view_of_the_bible/chart_of_the_sixty-six_books.htm"><span class="l">Chart of the Sixty-Six Books of the Bible</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Lamentations and Jeremiah chronologically belong to the preceding division, but<br> are placed among the books of the Captivity because their <b>wails</b> betoken that <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../palmer/a birds-eye view of the bible/chart of the sixty-six books.htm</font><p><a href="/library/jennings/old_groans_and_new_songs/chapter_vii_but_whilst_the.htm"><span class="l">But Whilst the King Has not that Most Blessed Light...</span></a> <br><b>...</b> reason helps us. Age after age has passed with no variation in the fell<br> discord of its <b>wails</b>, tears, and groans. Generation has <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../jennings/old groans and new songs/chapter vii but whilst the.htm</font><p><a href="/library/smith/the_god_of_all_comfort/chapter_14_the_shout_of.htm"><span class="l">The Shout of Faith</span></a> <br><b>...</b> The shout of a steadfast faith is an experience that is in direct contrast to the<br> moans of a wavering faith, and to the <b>wails</b> of discouraged hearts, both of <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../christianbookshelf.org/smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 14 the shout of.htm</font><p><a href="/library/tertullian/against_the_valentinians/chapter_xv_strange_account_of_the.htm"><span class="l">Strange Account of the Origin of Matter, from the Various <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> The rains of heaven Achamoth whimpered forth, [6785] and we on our part are anxiously<br> employed in saving up in our cisterns the very <b>wails</b> and tears of another <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../tertullian/against the valentinians/chapter xv strange account of the.htm</font><p><a href="/library/maclaren/expositions_of_holy_scripture_j/davids_cry_for_pardon.htm"><span class="l">David's Cry for Pardon</span></a> <br><b>...</b> the penitence, the pardon, the punishment"that he comes to God, who had so freely<br> forgiven, and likewise so sorely smitten him, and <b>wails</b> out these prayers <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/davids cry for pardon.htm</font><p><a href="/library/hippolytus/the_refutation_of_all_heresies/chapter_v_explanation_of_the_system.htm"><span class="l">Explanation of the System of the Naasseni Taken from one of their <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> And now it weeps on misery flung; Now it mourns, now it thrills with joy; Now it<br> <b>wails</b>, now it hears its doom; Now it hears its doom, now it dies,. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter v explanation of the system.htm</font><p><a href="/library/josephus/the_antiquities_of_the_jews/chapter_9_what_befell_the.htm"><span class="l">What Befell the Jews that were in Babylon on Occasion of Asineus <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> It was, besides, not easily to be assaulted by enemies, from the river Euphrates<br> encompassing it all round, and from the <b>wails</b> that were built about it. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 9 what befell the.htm</font><p><a href="/library/josephus/the_antiquities_of_the_jews/chapter_6_how_solomon_fortified.htm"><span class="l">How Solomon Fortified the City of Jerusalem, and Built Great <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> 1. Now when the king saw that the walls of Jerusalem stood in need of being better<br> secured, and made stronger, [for he thought the <b>wails</b> that encompassed <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 how solomon fortified.htm</font><a name="thes" id="thes"></a><div class="vheading2">Thesaurus</div><a href="/topical/w/wails.htm"><span class="l"><b>Wails</b> (3 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Multi-Version Concordance <b>Wails</b> (3 Occurrences). <b>...</b> Moab <b>wails</b> over Nebo and over Medeba.<br> Baldness is on all of their heads. Every beard is cut off. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/w/wails.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/k/keener.htm"><span class="l">Keener (2 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) A professional mourner who <b>wails</b> at a funeral.<br> Multi-Version Concordance Keener (2 Occurrences). Hebrews <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/k/keener.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/w/wailings.htm"><span class="l">Wailings (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/w/wailings.htm - 6k</font><p><a href="/topical/w/wail.htm"><span class="l">Wail (50 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Isaiah 15:3 In their streets, they dress themselves in sackcloth. In their streets<br> and on their housetops, everyone <b>wails</b>, weeping abundantly. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/w/wail.htm - 21k</font><p><a href="/topical/w/wainscoted.htm"><span class="l">Wainscoted (2 Occurrences)</span></a><br><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/w/wainscoted.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/d/dibon.htm"><span class="l">Dibon (12 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Isaiah 15:2 They have gone up to Bayith, and to Dibon, to the high places, to weep.<br> Moab <b>wails</b> over Nebo and over Medeba. Baldness is on all of their heads. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/d/dibon.htm - 12k</font><p><a href="/topical/b/baldness.htm"><span class="l">Baldness (11 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Isaiah 15:2 They have gone up to Bayith, and to Dibon, to the high places, to weep.<br> Moab <b>wails</b> over Nebo and over Medeba. Baldness is on all of their heads. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/b/baldness.htm - 13k</font><p><a href="/topical/b/bayith.htm"><span class="l">Bayith (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Isaiah 15:2 They have gone up to Bayith, and to Dibon, to the high places, to weep.<br> Moab <b>wails</b> over Nebo and over Medeba. Baldness is on all of their heads. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/b/bayith.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/m/medeba.htm"><span class="l">Medeba (5 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Isaiah 15:2 They have gone up to Bayith, and to Dibon, to the high places, to weep.<br> Moab <b>wails</b> over Nebo and over Medeba. Baldness is on all of their heads. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/m/medeba.htm - 12k</font><p><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="/concordance/">Bible Concordance</a> • <a href="/dictionary/">Bible Dictionary</a> • <a href="/encyclopedia/">Bible Encyclopedia</a> • <a href="/topical/">Topical Bible</a> • <a href="/thesaurus/">Bible Thesuarus</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="cnc" id="cnc"></a><div class="vheading2">Concordance</div><span class="encheading">Wails (3 Occurrences)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/isaiah/15-2.htm">Isaiah 15:2</a></span><br />They have gone up to Bayith, and to Dibon, to the high places, to weep. Moab <span class="boldtext">wails</span> over Nebo and over Medeba. Baldness is on all of their heads. Every beard is cut off.<br /><span class="source">(WEB NAS RSV NIV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/isaiah/15-3.htm">Isaiah 15:3</a></span><br />In their streets, they dress themselves in sackcloth. In their streets and on their housetops, everyone <span class="boldtext">wails</span>, weeping abundantly.<br /><span class="source">(WEB RSV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/jeremiah/48-36.htm">Jeremiah 48:36</a></span><br />Therefore my heart sounds for Moab like pipes, and my heart sounds like pipes for the men of Kir Heres: therefore the abundance that he has gotten is perished.<br /><span class="source">(See NAS)</span><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/w/wails.htm">Wails</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/w/waist.htm">Waist (36 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/w/wails.htm">Wails (3 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/u/upper.htm">Upper (99 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/w/wailings.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Wailings"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Wailings" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/w/wainscoted.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Wainscoted"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Wainscoted" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div> <div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></div></td></tr></table></div></div></div> <br /><br /> <div align="center"> <div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>