Widows
Women who lost their husbands, a vulnerable group that receives special attention in Scripture. God is described as 'a father to the fatherless, a defender of widows' (Psalm 68:5). The law commanded Israel not to take advantage of widows (Exodus 22:22-24, Deuteronomy 24:17-21). Notable biblical widows include Ruth, Naomi, the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17), and Anna the prophetess (Luke 2:36-38). Jesus denounced those who 'devour widows' houses' (Mark 12:40) and praised the widow's small offering (Mark 12:41-44). James 1:27 defines pure religion as caring for 'orphans and widows in their distress.'
Verses about Widows
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Genesis 38:11
Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter in law, Remain a widow at thy father’s house, till Shelah my son be grown: for he said, Lest peradventure he d…
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Genesis 38:14
And she put her widow’s garments off from her, and covered her with a vail, and wrapped herself, and sat in an open place, which is by the way to Ti…
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Exodus 22:22
Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.
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Exodus 22:24
And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.
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Leviticus 21:14
A widow, or a divorced woman, or profane, or an harlot, these shall he not take: but he shall take a virgin of his own people to wife.
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Leviticus 22:13
But if the priest’s daughter be a widow, or divorced, and have no child, and is returned unto her father’s house, as in her youth, she shall eat of …
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Numbers 30:9
But every vow of a widow, and of her that is divorced, wherewith they have bound their souls, shall stand against her.
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Deuteronomy 10:18
He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment.
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Deuteronomy 14:29
And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates…
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Deuteronomy 16:11
And thou shalt rejoice before the Lord thy God, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is…
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Deuteronomy 16:14
And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and…
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Deuteronomy 24:17
Thou shalt not pervert the judgment of the stranger, nor of the fatherless; nor take a widow’s raiment to pledge:
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Deuteronomy 24:19
When thou cuttest down thine harvest in thy field, and hast forgot a sheaf in the field, thou shalt not go again to fetch it: it shall be for the st…
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Deuteronomy 24:20
When thou beatest thine olive tree, thou shalt not go over the boughs again: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow.
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Deuteronomy 24:21
When thou gatherest the grapes of thy vineyard, thou shalt not glean it afterward: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the wid…
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Deuteronomy 26:12
When thou hast made an end of tithing all the tithes of thine increase the third year, which is the year of tithing, and hast given it unto the Levi…
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Deuteronomy 26:13
Then thou shalt say before the Lord thy God, I have brought away the hallowed things out of mine house, and also have given them unto the Levite, an…
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Deuteronomy 27:19
Cursed be he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen.
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2 Samuel 14:5
And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, I am indeed a widow woman, and mine husband is dead.
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1 Kings 7:14
He was a widow’s son of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in brass: and he was filled with wisdom, and understanding…