WIDOW:
wid'-o ('almanah; chera): In the Old Testament widows are considered to be under the special care of Yahweh (Psalms 68:5; 146:9; Proverbs 15:25). Sympathetic regard for them comes to be viewed as a mark of true religion (Job 31:16; James 1:27). Deuteronomy is rich in counsel in their behalf (24:17, etc.).

The word is first mentioned in the New Testament in Acts 6:1: "There arose a murmuring of the Grecian Jews against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration." Paul charges that they be particularly cared for, especially those that are "widows indeed," i.e. poor, without support and old (1Timothy 5:2-16). Some try to find proof in this passage of that ecclesiastical order of widows mentioned in post-apostolic writings.

See LITERATURE, SUB-APOSTOLIC; WOMAN, IV, 5.

George B. Eager

WIDOW:

A custom was prevalent in patriarchal times, Genesis 38:1-30, and was afterwards confirmed by the Mosaic law, Deuteronomy 25:5-10, that a widow without children, in order to preserve the family name and inheritance, should marry the brother of her deceased husband; or he failing his nearest kinsman, Ruth 3:12,13 4:1-11 Matthew 22:23-30. The high-priest was forbidden to marry a widow, Leviticus 21:14. The humanity and justice of true religion are shown in the Bible, as might be expected, by numerous indications that God and the friends of God sympathize with the sorrows, supply the wants, and defend the rights of the widow, Exodus 22:22-24 Deuteronomy 16:11 24:17,19 Psalms 68:5 Isaiah 1:17 10:2 Jeremiah 22:3 Matthew 23:14.
The apostolic church was not negligent in providing for widows, Acts 6:1-3 1Timothy 5:16; and James makes this duty an essential part of true piety, James 1:27. Heathenism, on the contrary, makes those who have been slaves to a husband’s caprices during his life, either victims upon the funeral pile at his death, or forlorn and hopeless sufferers under destitution and contempt. The duties of Christian widows are specified in 1Timothy 5:3-16.

WIDOWS:
to be treated with kindness (Exodus 22:22; Deuteronomy 14:29; 16:11, 14; 24:17, 19-21; 26:12; 27:19, etc.). In the New Testament the same tender regard for them is inculcated (Acts 6:1-6; 1Timothy 5:3-16) and exhibited.

WIDOW:

-Vows of, binding
    Numbers 30:9

-When they are daughters of priests, they are to be supported by their fathers
    Leviticus 22:13

-Priests forbidden to marry
    Leviticus 21:14

-Marriage of, authorized
    Romans 7:3; 1Corinthians 7:39

-Widows' dower
    See DOWRY

-UNCLASSIFIED SCRIPTURES RELATING TO
    Exodus 22:22-24; Deuteronomy 10:18; 14:28,29; 16:11-14; 24:17,19-21; 25:5-10; 27:19; Job 22:5,9; 24:3,21; 29:13; 31:16,22; Psalms 68:5; 94:6; 146:9; Proverbs 15:25; Isaiah 1:17,23; 10:1,2; Jeremiah 7:6,7; 22:3; 49:11; Ezekiel 22:7; Zechariah 7:10; Malachi 3:5; Matthew 23:14; Mark 12:40; Luke 20:47; 1Corinthians 7:8,9; 1Timothy 5:3-6,9-12,16

-INSTANCES OF
    Naomi
        Ruth 1:3

    Ruth
        Ruth 1; 2; 3; 4

    The widow of Zarephath, who sustained Elijah during a famine
        2Kings 17

    The woman whose sons Elisha saved from being sold for debt
        2Kings 4:1-7

    Anna
        Luke 2:36,37

    The woman who gave two mites (leptas) in the temple courtyard
        Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:2

    The widow of Nain, whose only son Jesus raised from the dead
        Luke 7:11-15

    See WOMEN
    See MARRIAGE, Levirate (brother-in-law)

WIDOW:
Under the Mosaic dispensation no legal provision was made for the maintenance of widows. They were left dependent partly on the affection of relations, more especially of the eldest son, whose birthright, or extra share of the property, imposed such a duty upon him, and partly on the privileges accorded to other distressed classes, such as a participation in the triennial third tithe, (Deuteronomy 14:29; Deuteronomy 26:12) in leasing, (Deuteronomy 24:19-21) and in religious feasts. (Deuteronomy 16:11,14) With regard to the remarriage of widows, the only restriction imposed by the Mosaic law had reference to the contingency of one being left childless in which case the brother of the deceased husband had a right to marry the widow. (Deuteronomy 25:5,6; Matthew 22:23-30) In the apostolic Church the widows were sustained at the public expense, the relief being daily administered in kind, under the superintendence of officers appointed for this special purpose, (Acts 6:1-6) Particular directions are given by St.Paul as to the class of persons entitled to such public maintenance. (1Timothy 5:3-16) Out of the body of such widows a certain number were to be enrolled, the qualifications for such enrollment being that they were not under sixty years of age; that they had been "the wife of one man," probably meaning but once married ; and that they had led useful and charitable lives. vs. (1Timothy 5:9,10) We are not disposed to identify the widows of the Bible either with the deaconesses or with the presbutides Of the early Church. The order of widows existed as a separate institution, contemporaneously with these offices, apparently for the same eleemosynary purpose for which it was originally instituted.

WIDOW AND FATHERLESS:
(1) Admonitions in regard to

Exodus 22:22; Deuteronomy 14:29; 24:17; 26:12; Proverbs 23:10; Isaiah 1:17; Jeremiah 22:3
James 1:27

--SEE Benevolence, LIBERALITY
Poor, POVERTY

(2) God's Care for

Deuteronomy 10:18; Psalms 10:14; 68:5; 146:9; Proverbs 15:25; Jeremiah 49:11; Hosea 14:3

--SEE Poor, POVERTY

WIDOWS:
- Character of true
    Luke 2:37; 1Timothy 5:5,10

- GOD
    Surely hears the cry of
        Exodus 22:23

    Judges for
        Deuteronomy 10:18; Psalms 68:5

    Relieves
        Psalms 146:9

    Establishes the border of
        Proverbs 15:25

    Will witness against oppressors of
        Malachi 3:5

- Exhorted to trust in God
    Jeremiah 49:11

- SHOULD NOT BE
    Afflicted
        Exodus 22:22

    Oppressed
        Jeremiah 7:6; Zechariah 7:10

    Treated with violence
        Jeremiah 22:3

    Deprived of raiment in pledge
        Deuteronomy 24:17

- SHOULD BE
    Pleaded for
        Isaiah 1:17

    Honoured, if widows indeed
        1Timothy 5:3

    Relieved by their friends
        1Timothy 5:4,16

    Relieved by the Church
        Acts 6:1; 1Timothy 5:9

    Visited in affliction
        James 1:27

    Allowed to share in our blessings
        Deuteronomy 14:29; 16:11,14; 24:19-21

- Though poor, may be liberal
    Mark 12:42,43

- When young, exposed to may temptations
    1Timothy 5:11-14

- SAINTS
    Relieve
        Acts 9:39

    Cause joy to
        Job 29:13

    Disappoint not
Job 31:16

- THE WICKED
    Do no good to
        Job 24:21

    Send, away empty
        Job 22:9

    Take pledges from
        Job 24:3

    Reject the cause of
        Isaiah 1:23

    Vex
        Ezekiel 22:7

    Make a prey of
        Isaiah 10:2; Matthew 23:14

    Slay
        Psalms 94:6

- Curse for perverting judgment of
    Deuteronomy 27:19

- Woe to those who oppress
    Isaiah 10:1,2

- Blessings on those who relieve
    Deuteronomy 14:29

- A type of Zion in affliction
    Lamentations 5:3

- Were released from all obligation to former husbands
    Romans 7:3

- Were clothed in mourning after the decease of husbands
    Genesis 38:14,19; 2Samuel 14:2,5

- Reproach connected with
    Isaiah 54:4

- Increase of, threatened as a punishment
    Exodus 22:24; Jeremiah 15:8; 18:21

- LAWS RESPECTING
    Not to be oppressed
        Exodus 22:22; Deuteronomy 27:19

    Raiment of, not to be taken in pledge by creditors
        Deuteronomy 24:17

    Bound to perform their vows
        Numbers 30:9

    Not to intermarry with priests
        Leviticus 21:14

    To be allowed to glean in fields and vineyards
        Deuteronomy 24:19

    To have a share of the triennial tithe
        Deuteronomy 14:28,29; 26:12,13

    To share in public rejoicings
        Deuteronomy 16:11,14

    When daughters of priests and childless to partake of the holy things
        Leviticus 22:13

    When left childless, to be married by their husband's nearest of kin
        Deuteronomy 25:5,6; Ruth 3:10-13; 4:4,5; Matthew 22:24-26

- Allowed to marry again
    Romans 7:3

- Intermarrying with, of kings considered treason
    2Kings 2:21-24

- Not to be deplored by, considered a great calamity
    Job 27:15; Psalms 78:64

- Were under the special protection of God
    Deuteronomy 10:18; Psalms 68:5

- Were frequently oppressed and persecuted
    Job 24:3; Ezekiel 22:7

- Specially taken care of by the Church
    Acts 6:1; 1Timothy 5:9

- Often devoted themselves entirely to God's service
    Luke 2:37; 1Timothy 5:10

- Instances of great liberality in
    2Kings 17:9-15; Mark 12:42,43

- ILLUSTRATIVE OF
    A desolate condition
        Isaiah 47:8,9

    Zion in captivity
        Lamentations 1:1