Tears are a universal language of sorrow, joy, grief, and hope. For women, the act of crying can express deep emotions, from mourning a loss to experiencing unspoken joy. Throughout the Bible, we find various references to tears, particularly those of women, whose hearts are often portrayed as being full of emotion, compassion, and deep connection to God.
In the Bible, tears are not simply a sign of weakness but rather a powerful expression of faith, longing, and the hope that God will hear and respond to them. Women in scripture have often been the most vocal in their sorrow, yet they are equally outspoken in their faith and trust in God. The Bible offers many verses that speak to the tears of a woman and the emotional journey she undergoes in times of distress and in moments of spiritual victory.
This article explores 31 Bible verses that reflect the tears of women in various situations. From heartfelt cries of sorrow to tears of joy and worship, these verses reveal the complexity of the female experience in relation to God and His comforting presence. Let us explore the different ways in which tears are depicted in Scripture, how they express vulnerability, and how God’s love and compassion bring healing to women in their moments of need.
1. Psalm 56:8 – “You Keep Track of My Sorrows”
“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.”
This verse is one of the most comforting for anyone experiencing deep sorrow. The psalmist reflects on the notion that God not only notices but also keeps a record of every tear shed. For women facing grief or distress, this verse assures them that their pain is not unnoticed.
2. Luke 7:38 – “Tears of Repentance”
“Then she knelt behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to wash his feet with her tears. She wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil.”
This passage tells the story of a sinful woman who expressed her repentance and devotion to Jesus through her tears. Her tears were not only tears of sorrow but also of deep gratitude and worship.
3. Matthew 15:22-28 – “A Cry for Mercy”
“A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, ‘Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon possession.'”
Here, a mother’s desperate tears cry out for the healing and deliverance of her child. Her persistence in seeking Jesus’ mercy reflects the strength and resilience of a mother’s love, even in the midst of hardship.
4. John 11:35 – “Jesus Wept”
“Jesus wept.”
This is the shortest verse in the Bible but holds profound significance. Jesus’ tears at the tomb of Lazarus show His compassion and empathy. Even though He knew He was about to raise Lazarus from the dead, He still mourned with the grieving family, including Mary, Lazarus’ sister.
5. Jeremiah 31:15 – “Tears of Grief”
“This is what the Lord says: ‘A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.'”
In this verse, Rachel, representing mothers in Israel, weeps over the loss of her children. It illustrates the deep anguish of a mother’s heart, which is also reflected in the experiences of women throughout history.
6. Luke 23:27-28 – “Weeping Women”
“A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. Jesus turned and said to them, ‘Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children.'”
As Jesus carried His cross to Calvary, women mourned for Him. Jesus, however, redirected their grief, teaching them that there are greater sorrows to come. This moment captures the maternal compassion that women often display.
7. Psalm 30:5 – “Joy Comes in the Morning”
“For his anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.”
This verse speaks to the temporary nature of sorrow. While women (and all people) may experience tears of pain, God’s joy and peace come in the morning, bringing hope after a season of weeping.
8. 2 Kings 4:27 – “The Shunammite Woman’s Grief”
“When she reached the man of God at the mountain, she took hold of his feet. Gehazi came over to push her away, but the man of God said, ‘Leave her alone; she is in bitter distress. But the Lord has hidden it from me and has not told me why.'”
The Shunammite woman’s deep sorrow after her son’s death is evident here. Her tears express a mix of anguish and faith, as she seeks out the prophet Elisha in the hopes of restoring her son.
9. Luke 8:52 – “The Wailing of the People”
“Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. ‘Stop wailing,’ Jesus said. ‘She is not dead but asleep.'”
In this passage, Jesus responds to the mourning of a woman’s death by declaring that she is not dead but merely asleep. His words challenge the perception of finality that sorrow often brings, pointing to hope even in the face of death.
10. Genesis 21:16 – “Hagar’s Tears in the Wilderness”
“Then she went off and sat down about a bowshot away, for she thought, ‘I cannot watch the boy die.’ And as she sat there, she began to sob.”
Hagar’s tears in the wilderness, when she was cast out with her son Ishmael, express deep despair. Yet, God saw her and her child and provided for them in their most desperate hour.
11. Exodus 2:6 – “Moses’ Mother’s Tears”
“She opened it and saw the baby. He was crying, and she felt sorry for him. ‘This is one of the Hebrew babies,’ she said.”
The tears of Moses’ mother reflect the deep emotions of a mother who, in faith, placed her child in a basket on the Nile River, trusting God with her son’s life.
12. Ruth 1:9-14 – “Orpah’s Tears of Departure”
“Then they lifted up their voices and wept again. Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.”
Ruth and Orpah weep as they face the difficult decision of whether to stay with their mother-in-law or return to their homeland. Orpah’s tears represent sorrow in parting, while Ruth’s cling to her mother-in-law speaks of unwavering loyalty.
13. 1 Samuel 1:10 – “Hannah’s Prayer of Tears”
“In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the Lord.”
Hannah’s tearful prayer in the temple is a profound moment of devotion. She weeps for a son, vowing to dedicate him to the Lord if He answers her prayers. Her tears are born of faith and longing.
14. 1 Samuel 1:13 – “Hannah’s Silent Tears”
“Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk.”
Hannah’s silent tears while praying for a child demonstrate a deep connection to God that transcends verbal communication. God saw her heartache and answered her prayer.
15. Isaiah 25:8 – “God Will Wipe Away Tears”
“He will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; He will remove the disgrace of His people from all the earth. The Lord has spoken.”
This verse assures us that one day, God will wipe away every tear. For women, this promise provides hope that no sorrow is permanent, and ultimate healing will come in the presence of God.
16. 2 Samuel 12:16 – “David’s Tears for His Son”
“David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and spent the nights lying in sackcloth on the ground.”
King David’s tears for his son demonstrate a father’s love, yet they also reflect the deep sorrow and repentance for his sin. The grief of a parent for a child is a recurring theme in the Bible.
17. Jeremiah 9:1 – “The Prophet’s Grief”
“Oh, that my head were a spring of water and my eyes a fountain of tears! I would weep day and night for the slain of my people.”
Jeremiah expresses his sorrow for the destruction of his people. His tears represent the anguish of a prophet who deeply feels the suffering of those around him, especially the women and children. His lament underscores the power of empathy and the burden of spiritual responsibility.
18. 2 Samuel 13:19 – “Tamar’s Tears of Shame”
“Tamar put ashes on her head and tore the ornamented robe she was wearing. She laid her hand on her head and went away, weeping aloud as she went.”
Tamar, the daughter of King David, weeps after being dishonored by her half-brother Amnon. Her tears speak not only of personal shame but of the broader tragedy of abuse and its devastating impact on a woman’s dignity. The Bible recognizes the pain and sorrow women experience in times of injustice and abuse.
19. Isaiah 38:5 – “Hezekiah’s Prayer and Tears”
“Go and tell Hezekiah, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will add fifteen years to your life.'”
God hears Hezekiah’s prayer and sees his tears. Hezekiah’s tears were a sign of repentance and desperation, and God responded to his faith and sorrow by extending his life. This verse reminds us that God sees our tears and responds with compassion and mercy.
20. Luke 7:44-47 – “The Woman’s Tears of Gratitude”
“Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, ‘Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet.'”
The woman in this passage expresses her gratitude and repentance with tears. Jesus recognizes her tears as an expression of deep love and faith, contrasting them with the lack of hospitality shown by Simon the Pharisee. This story highlights how God values the sincere expressions of love and repentance from women.
21. Psalm 42:3 – “Tears in Times of Spiritual Drought”
“My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, ‘Where is your God?'”
The psalmist speaks of experiencing a spiritual drought where tears seem to be the only nourishment. The anguish expressed here reveals how women (and men) often wrestle with periods of spiritual dryness, where their tears reflect a longing for God’s presence and answers.
22. Ruth 1:16-17 – “Ruth’s Loyalty and Tears”
“But Ruth replied, ‘Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried.'”
Ruth’s words to Naomi are steeped in love and devotion, and though not directly referencing tears, the depth of her loyalty is clear. Her commitment to Naomi, even through hardship, reflects the sacrifice and emotional journey that women often face when they choose to stand by those they love.
23. Nehemiah 8:9 – “Tears of Revival”
“Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, ‘This day is sacred to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.’ For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.”
The people wept as they realized the magnitude of their disobedience to God. Nehemiah encourages them not to mourn, as this moment of weeping marks the beginning of spiritual renewal. This passage highlights how tears can signify the beginning of spiritual revival and a return to God.
24. Luke 18:13 – “The Tax Collector’s Tears”
“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'”
The tax collector’s tearful prayer reflects humility and repentance. While this story features a man, it is a reminder of how God honors sincere repentance. For women, this verse encourages us to come to God with a humble heart, knowing that He hears our tears of repentance.
25. Psalm 39:12 – “David’s Cry of Distress”
“Hear my prayer, Lord, listen to my cry for help; do not be deaf to my weeping. I dwell with you as a foreigner, a stranger, as all my ancestors were.”
David’s prayer for mercy in his distress mirrors the experiences of women who feel like strangers in their own pain, yearning for God’s listening ear. His cries echo a plea for relief and understanding during difficult times.
26. Luke 22:61 – “Peter’s Tears of Regret”
“The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: ‘Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.’ And he went outside and wept bitterly.”
Though Peter is a man, his weeping reflects the deep sorrow of failure and regret. This verse is an invitation to reflect on how we, too, can weep bitterly when we fall short of our promises to God, but through repentance, we can find restoration.
27. John 20:11-13 – “Mary Magdalene’s Tears of Grief”
“But Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, ‘Woman, why are you crying?’ ‘They have taken my Lord away,’ she said, ‘and I don’t know where they have put him.'”
Mary Magdalene’s tears reflect the deep sorrow and confusion of losing Jesus. Her grief was not just over His death, but over the absence of His body. Her tears were met with the miraculous comfort of an encounter with the risen Christ.
28. 2 Kings 4:27-30 – “The Shunammite Woman’s Tears of Faith”
“When she reached the man of God at the mountain, she took hold of his feet. Gehazi came over to push her away, but the man of God said, ‘Leave her alone; she is in bitter distress. But the Lord has hidden it from me and has not told me why.'”
This moment of grief is not only about the woman’s pain but also about her unshakable faith. She believed in God’s ability to restore her son, even in the midst of sorrow.
29. Psalm 126:5 – “Sowing in Tears, Reaping in Joy”
“Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.”
This powerful verse offers hope to women who experience sorrow, reminding them that their tears are not wasted. In God’s time, the seeds of grief will bring forth joy, peace, and healing.
30. Jeremiah 31:16-17 – “The Promise of Hope After Tears”
“This is what the Lord says: ‘Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded,’ declares the Lord. ‘They will return from the land of the enemy. So there is hope for your descendants,’ declares the Lord. ‘Your children will return to their own land.'”
God’s promise here speaks to the hope that lies beyond sorrow. For mothers and women who weep for their children, this passage reassures them that God will restore and bring back what has been lost.
31. Revelation 21:4 – “No More Tears in Heaven”
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
This final verse of comfort shows us that in the new heaven and new earth, tears will be no more. For women who have cried out in sorrow, grief, or despair, God promises an eternal future where pain and tears are wiped away in His perfect peace.
Conclusion
Throughout Scripture, the tears of women express a broad spectrum of emotions, from deep sorrow and mourning to tears of joy, gratitude, and hope. What stands out in these verses is that God not only sees these tears, but He also responds with compassion, mercy, and healing. For every tear shed in pain, there is a promise of restoration and comfort, whether in this life or the next.
For women (and all believers), these 31 Bible verses offer a source of strength and hope, reminding us that God is attentive to our cries and that our tears are never wasted. God is close to the brokenhearted, and He responds to each tear with His steadfast love and care. Whether we are mourning, praying, or rejoicing, God is with us, and His promises ensure that our tears will eventually be turned into joy.
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