woe

“Woe” is a word that makes a frequent appearance in the Bible. In the twenty-third chapter in the Book of Jeremiah (NABRE), the LORD wishes woe on those misleading his people. In the twenty-third chapter of the Gospel According to Matthew (NABRE), Jesus repeatedly condemns the scribes and Pharisees, each condemnation beginning with the word “woe.” From context, it’s clear that woe is something we’d rather not receive, but beyond that, it’s not so clear what exactly this ill-wishing is.

The Greek word οὐαί (ouai) and the Hebrew הוֹי (howy) are both onomatopoeic—they rely on a sound that is made rather than a root suggesting specific ill fortune. Such usages put into words sentiments of pain, anger, or disgust so fundamental that initially they were uttered as sounds rather than words. It’s a guttural and emotional response that in these cases highlights the extremity of God’s outrage and feeling of horror about the situation.

What do you think God could find particularly offensive about leading others astray? How can we avoid woe in our own lives?

related topics: judgment; vengeance

you also may like our two-part study of the prophets
Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume I: A Kingdom Divided examines the prophets in historical context using the First and Second Books of the Kings and other Old Testament passages written before the Babylonian Exile. Volume II: Restoration & Redemption looks at the post-exilic prophets. This 51-lesson Catholic Bible study builds on The United Kingdom of Israel: Saul, David & Solomon Foreshadow Christ the King. Click on these links to view a lesson from Volume I and another from Volume II.

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