Woe

Spilled paint wild flowers

Woe (oὐαὶ root word) from Strong's is an exclamation of grief, woe, alas. Strong (1890)(1986: 70). The Greek word according to Bauer is an interjection denoting pain or displeasure as in woe and alas. Bauer (1979: 591). Bauer mentions that this would often be doubled for emphasize as in alas, alas and even three times as in Revelation 8: 13.

Revelation 8:13 (New American Standard Bible)

13Then I looked, and I heard an eagle flying in (A)midheaven, saying with a loud voice, "(B)Woe, woe, woe to (C)those who dwell on the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the (D)three angels who are about to sound!

Browning calls the 'woe' the very antithesis of 'blessed' and 'happy'. Browning (1997: 397). As examples, the rich are compared to the poor in Luke 6. Browning (1997: 397). The rich are warned with a woe that they are receiving their comfort in full verse 24 for they shall mourn and weep, verse 25.

It would appear that any actions that would be considered worthy of woe should be avoided at all costs.

I am not against persons being rich in principle, and I reason the Bible is discussing those rich persons that abuse the poor. As I consider two careers with my degrees as a professor and in media, I would like to be financially successful myself, but strictly by honourable means.

Today it seems to me in the world with certain internet scams, certain bankers, certain financiers, certain offshore persons within companies abusing cheap labour and many other examples, many persons within entities are risking woe by placing too much emphasis on earthly financial success at the expense of morality and truth while they abuse the poor, even if indirectly.

Those with the potential to be placed in woe position should ponder on the Scripture carefully. It is no good to gain the world and lose one's soul (Mathew 16: 26). Browning also explains that woe is also connected to a lack of repentance comparing two towns that may repent (Tyre and Sidon) in Matthew 11 with two towns that are doomed (Chorazin and Bethsaida). Browning (1997: 397). There are also woes described in terms of disasters for the earth as in the mentioned Revelation 8: 13. Browning (1997: 397).

And so there is also corporate woe. As in the judgment on towns and more.

BAUER, W. (1979) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, Translated by Eric H. Wahlstrom, Chicago, The University of Chicago Press.

BROWNING, W.R.F. (1997) Dictionary of the Bible, Oxford, Oxford University Press.

STRONG, J. (1890)(1986) Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Pickering, Ontario, Welch Publishing Company.


Abbotsford, BC


Surrey, BC (trekearth.com)






HP sent a repair disc and I figured out how to get my scanner with my new three-in-one to work. Here is a scan.