»I sat alone«. The Language of Loneliness in the Hebrew Bible

Abstract

Abstract The Hebrew Bible frequently portrays lonely characters and voices, yet a specific study of »loneliness« is not yet available. As a basic semantic and exegetical inquiry, this article surveys the usage of the lexeme בד/בדד and analyses four passages in which the expression »sitting alone« (בדד + ישׁב) appears, namely, Lev 13:46, Jer 15:17, Lam 1:1 and 3:28. Of key interest are the literary environment and discourse structures in which בדד + ישב stands. The characterisation and evaluation of loneliness likewise receive some attention. The study concludes with a synthesis that highlights connections between loneliness, society, God, and death.