Rending
“To tear, rend”
Summary
Rending of garments was a customary expression of grief, horror, or repentance in biblical times, dramatically signifying deep emotional distress.
☩Expression of Grief
Rending (tearing) one's garments was the immediate response to devastating news or unbearable sorrow. Jacob rent his clothes when he believed Joseph dead; Job tore his robe upon hearing of his children's deaths. David and his men rent their garments when they heard of Saul and Jonathan's death.
☩Sign of Horror and Repentance
Rending could express horror at blasphemy or sacrilege. The high priest tore his robes when Jesus claimed to be the Christ, the Son of the Blessed. Josiah rent his clothes upon hearing the words of the law and realizing Judah's disobedience. Yet God desired inward change: 'Rend your heart, and not your garments.'
Related Verses48 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Rending of Garments," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VIII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Rend," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Rend," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).