King James Bible Dictionary

Vows of, binding
Numbers 30:9

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

Priests forbidden to marry
Leviticus 21:14

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

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

Instances of:

Naomi
Ruth 1:3

Ruth
Ruth 8:1

The widow of Zarephath, who sustained Elijah during a famine
Ruth 11:17

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

Anna
Luke 2:36-37

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

The woman of Nain, whose only son Jesus raised from the dead
Luke 7:11-15
Women; Marriage, Consanguineous, Levirate

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, (14:29; 26:12) in leasing, (24:19-21) and in religious feasts. (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. (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. (1 Timothy 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. (1 Timothy 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, noun [Latin See Wide.] A woman who has lost her husband by death. Luke 2:37.

WIDOWs chamber, in London, the apparel and furniture of the bed-chamber of the widow of a freeman, to which she is entitled.

WIDOW, verb transitive

1. To bereave of a husband; but rarely used except in the participle.

2. To endow with a widows right. [Unusual.]

3. To strip of any thing good.

The widowd isle in mourning--

WIDOW-BENCH, noun [widow and bench.] In Sussex, that share which a widow is allowed of her husbands estate, besides her jointure.

WIDOWED, participle passive

1. Bereaved of a husband by death.

2. Deprived of some good; stripped.

Trees of their shriveld fruits are widowd.

WIDOWER, noun A man who has lost his wife by death.

WIDOWHOOD, noun

1. The state of being a widow.

2. Estate settled on a widow. [Not in use.]

WIDOW-HUNTER, noun [widow and hunter.] One who seeks or courts widows for a jointure or fortune.

WIDOWING, participle present tense Bereaving of a husband; depriving; stripping.

WIDOW-MAKER, noun [widow and maker.] One who make widows by destroying lives.

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; 1 Timothy 5:3-16) and exhibited.

WIDOW-WAIL, noun In botany, a plant of the genus Cneorum.