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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadInternational Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Desolate
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des´ō̇-lā̇t (very frequently in the Old Testament for ש×מ×, shaÌ„meÌ„m, and its derivatives; less frequently, חרב, hÌ£aÌ„reÌ„bh, and its derivatives, and other words. In the New Testament it stands for ἐÌÏημος, eÌreÌ„mos (; ; ) ereÌ„moÌoÌ„ (), and monoÌoÌ„ ()): From Latin de, intens., solus, alone. Several shades of meaning can be distinguished: (1) Its primary sense is “left lonely,†“forlorn,†e.g. , “Have mercy upon me; for I am desolate†(Hebrew yaÌ„ḥı̄dh, “aloneâ€); , “she that is a widow indeed, and desolate†(Greek memonoÌ„meÌneÌ„, “left aloneâ€). (2) In the sense of “laid waste,†“destitute of inhabitants,†e.g. , “to make thy land desolate, that thy cities be laid waste, without inhabitant.†(3) With the meaning “comfortless,†“afflicted,†e.g. , “My heart within me is desolate.†(4) In the sense of “barren,†“childless,†“unfruitful,†e.g. ; (Hebrew galmuÌ„dh).