Definition of Weary in the Bible – The word “weary” can be defined as “to cause to become tired or exhausted; to drain of strength or energy.” When we are physically weary, we need rest. When we are spiritually weary, we need refreshment. The good news is that we have a God who can provide both.
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Definition of Weary in the Bible – Weary Hebrew Definition
The Hebrew word for “weary” is עָיֵף (ʿāyēp), which can be translated as “tired,” “exhausted,” or “fatigued.” This word is often used to describe someone who is physically drained, either from work or from illness. It can also be used to describe someone who is emotionally exhausted, such as a parent who has been caring for a crying baby all night. In the Bible, the word ʿāyēp is used to describe both physical and emotional fatigue.
For example, in Genesis 31:40, Jacob says he is “weary” from working so hard for his father-in-law Laban. And in Psalm 6:6, the psalmist cries out to God, “I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim.” Whether we are physically or emotionally exhausted, the word ʿāyēp reminds us that we all need rest. And thankfully, we can find rest in God. Our Everlasting God will give the children of God good things.
What Does Our Weariness Look Like?
Weariness can look different for all of us. Maybe you’re physically exhausted from working long hours or taking care of your family. Maybe you’re emotionally drained from the heartache of a difficult relationship or the stress of a big life transition.It is described in several ways:
- Weary Land
- Weary Men
- Weary Heart
- Dry Place
- Wear Way
- Trials of Life
- Weary World
- Spiritual Battle
- Cold Waters
- Nail of the Tent
- Weary Soul
- Weary Way
- Own Strength
- Fallen World
- Trials of Various Kinds
- Full Effect
- Testing of your faith
- Compassion Fatigue
Maybe you’re mentally exhausted from school or caring for a loved one with special needs. Or maybe you’re spiritually exhausted from trying to live up to other people’s expectations or feeling like you can’t measure up to God’s standards.
Wherever you find yourself on the spectrum of weariness, know that you are not alone. We all get tired, and that’s okay. In fact, it’s normal! But when our weariness starts to take over our lives and prevents us from living the joyful, abundant life that God has called us to live, that’s when we need to turn to Him for help.
Examples of Weary in the Bible
One of the most well-known examples of weary in the Bible comes from Matthew 11:28-30. In this passage, Jesus invites us to come to Him if we are feeling heavy-laden and burdened. He promises us that He will give us rest for our souls. What a beautiful picture of our Savior’s love for us!
1. Acknowledge Your Need for Rest
The first step to finding rest in Jesus is acknowledging that you need it. You can’t find something if you’re not even looking for it. And the truth is, we all need rest. We all need a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. We all need someone to lean on when things get tough. When you realize that you need rest, Jesus is there waiting with open arms.
2. Make Time for God
One of the best ways to find rest in Jesus is to make time for Him every day. This can look different for different people, but some basic things you can do are pray, read your Bible, and go to church. When you make time for God, you’re opening yourself up to His love and grace. And when you do that, you’ll find the peace and rest that you so desperately need.
3. Lean on God’s Promises
When you’re feeling weary, one of the best things you can do is lean on God’s promises. Remember that He is always with you and that He will never leave or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). Remember that He has a plan for your life (Jeremiah 29:11). Remember that His love for you is never-ending (Jeremiah 31:3). These truths will help carry you through when times are tough and will remind you that Jesus is always there waiting with open arms.
4. Read His Word
Another way to find rest in Jesus is to read His Word. When we read the Bible, we are reminded of who God is and what He has done for us. We see His faithfulness throughout history, and we are encouraged that He will be faithful to us as well. As we read His Word, we can also apply it to our lives and find practical help for whatever situation we may be facing.
5. Serve Others
Finally, one of the best ways to find rest in Jesus is to serve others. When we take our focus off of ourselves and our own problems and instead focus on helping someone else, it gives us a fresh perspective. It helps us to see that our problems are not as big as we thought they were, and it reminds us of all the blessings that God has given us. Serving others is also a great way to build relationships with other people and grow in our faith together
6. Jesus Gives Us Rest from the Burden of Sin
When we sin, it creates a weight or burden on our shoulders. This burden can be incredibly heavy and difficult to bear. It can make us feel isolated, ashamed, and unworthy. However, when we come to Jesus and confess our sins, he forgives us and takes away that burden. We are no longer weighed down by our past mistakes; instead, we are given the opportunity to start fresh with a clean slate.
7. Jesus Gives Us Rest from the Burden of Performance
In this world, there is always someone who is doing better than us. There is always someone who is thinner, wealthier, smarter, etc. This can lead us to constantly compare ourselves to others and feel like we are falling short. We may try to overcompensate by working harder and harder in an effort to measure up—but it’s never enough. The truth is that we will never be good enough on our own; we will always fall short of God’s perfect standards. However, when we put our faith in Jesus Christ, he gives us the gift of righteousness. This means that because of what Christ has done for us, we are seen as righteous in God’s eyes—not because of anything we have done or could ever do.
8. Jesus Gives Us Rest from the Burden of Worrying about the Future
It is human nature to worry about the future. We worry about what will happen tomorrow, next week, next year—even 20 years down the road! Will I have enough money? Will I be healthy? What if something bad happens? These worries can consume us and prevent us from living in the present moment.
Matthew 6:25-34
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life
Another example of weary in the Bible can be found in Psalm 23:1-3. In this passage, David describes how God restores his soul and leads him in paths of righteousness. Even when we are feeling lost and exhausted, God is there to guide us back to Him.
How Can We Combat Weariness?
If you’re feeling weary today, know that you are not alone. The good news is that there is hope! Here are a few things you can do to combat weariness:
- Pray: Talk to God about what’s going on in your life and ask for His help. He promises to be with us always (Deuteronomy 31:6).
- Read His Word: Spend time reading the Bible and allow God’s truth to speak into your life (Joshua 1:8).
- Rest: Get some rest! Our bodies were not meant to go nonstop all the time (Exodus 23:12).
9 Examples of Who got Weary in the Bible | Bible Stories about Weariness
1. Abraham got weary in his old age (Genesis 18:11).
2. Moses got weary leading the Israelites through the wilderness (Exodus 17:3).
3. Aaron and Hur got weary holding up Moses’ arms during battle (Exodus 17:12).
4. David got weary running from King Saul (1 Samuel 26:20).
5. Elijah got weary fleeing from Queen Jezebel (1 Kings 19:3).
6. Jonah got weary sitting in the hot sun (Jonah 4:8).
7. Jesus got weary from traveling and teaching (Mark 6:31).
8. Paul got weary from his many trials and hardships (2 Corinthians 11:27).
9. The disciples got weary from fishing all night with no results (Luke 5:5).
How do we Define Burden in the Bible?
In the Bible, the word burden generally refers to a heavy load or responsibility that someone is carrying. This can be physical, such as a yoke of oxen or a bag of grain, or spiritual, such as the burden of sin or guilt. The term can also be used more broadly to describe any challenging situation or responsibility that someone is struggling to bear.
For example, in Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus says “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavily laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” In this passage, Jesus is inviting people to come to him for help with their burdens, promising that he will ease their burdens and give them rest.
Whether it is a physical burden or a spiritual one, the Bible makes it clear that we are not meant to carry our burdens alone. Jesus promises to help us with whatever we are struggling with, and he invites us to come to him for help.
What is the Meaning of Faint in the Bible
The word faint appears several times in the Bible, most often in reference to fear or exhaustion. In many cases, it is used to describe someone who is so overwhelmed by emotion or physical exertion that they can no longer stand. For example, in the book of Isaiah, the prophet describes the Israelites as being “faint and weary” after a long journey (Isaiah 40:30).
The word can also be used to describe someone who is struggling to keep going in the face of adversity. In the book of Psalms, for instance, David writes that he has “fainted, and am ready to die” after being persecuted by his enemies (Psalm 31:10). Ultimately, then, the word faint refers to any situation in which someone is struggling to maintain their composure or strength.
Examples of overcoming Weariness Bible
The bible is full of examples of people who have overcome weariness. One such example is Jesus, who persevered through his trials and temptations despite the fact that he was weary from a long journey. Another example is Paul, who overcame prolonged imprisonment and beatings to continue preaching the gospel.
In both cases, it was their faith that helped them to overcome their weariness and continue on despite the odds. The bible is full of other examples of people who have overcome weariness through faith, and these examples can be a source of encouragement for us when we are feeling weary.
As we read about how others have overcome, we can be reminded that God is with us and that He will help us to overcome whatever challenges we face.
Weary Synonyms used in the Bible
The Bible is full of beautiful and poetic language. But did you know that it also contains a wealth of synonyms for the word “weary”? In fact, there are over 50 different words that are used to describe fatigue, exhaustion, and even boredom. Here are just a few of the most interesting ones:
–Weary: This word is used to describe both physical and mental fatigue. It’s often used to describe the tiredness that comes from working hard or from carrying a heavy burden.
–Exhausted: This word suggests complete physical or mental exhaustion. It’s often used to describe the exhaustion that comes from fighting a long battle or from engaging in strenuous activity.
–Burdened: This word describes the feeling of being weighed down by a heavy load. It’s often used to describe the way we feel when we’re carrying too many responsibilities or when we’re facing difficult circumstances.
–Drained: This word describes the feeling of being completely drained of energy. It’s often used to describe the way we feel after a long day at work or after an emotionally draining experience.
–Tired: This word describes the feeling of being weary or exhausted. It’s often used to describe the way we feel when we’ve been working hard or when we’ve been through a lot of stress.
–Faint: This word describes the feeling of being so overwhelmed that you can’t maintain your composure or strength. It’s often used to describe the way we feel when we’re facing difficult challenges or when we’re under a lot of pressure.
–Worn Out: This phrase is used to describe the feeling of being completely worn out, both physically and mentally. It’s often used to describe the way we feel after a long day of work or after a difficult ordeal.
Final Thoughts – Definition of Weary in the Bible
Jesus said in Matthew 11:28 “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavily laden, and I will give you rest.” It is only through Christ that we receive complete rest from the burdens of this life. In John 14:6 Jesus tells us “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” We must go through Christ to find true life and satisfaction.
Rest in the Bible is described as:
- Times of rest
- Presence of God
- Crown of Life
- Great Victory
- The glory of the Lord
- Greatness of God
- Best Way
- Hiding Place
- Eternal Life
- God’s Hands
- Proper Time
- High Place
This world can offer us nothing but emptiness and heartache. When we turn our lives over to Jesus, he gives us rest and peace. In Matthew 28:20 Jesus says “…I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” He is always there for us when we need him.
Healing comes from turning our lives over to Jesus Christ and letting him be in charge. When we do that, we can receive strength for every situation and have hope for eternity.
God Bless Greg
