TEARS (דִּמְעָה, H1965; δάκρυα). The secretions of the lacrimal gland. The gland is about the size and shape of an almond and is located on the upper lateral aspect of each eye socket. The tears are a colorless fluid composed of sodium and calcium salts, principally sodium chloride, and albumen dissolved in a watery fluid derived from blood serum. These secretions are poured out between the globe of the eye and the eyelids to facilitate motion of the parts and to assist in floating away any irritating particles. The secretion of tears may be increased through nerve stimulation of the lacrimal glands in response to irritation in the eyes and/or certain types of emotional stress. After the tears have bathed the eyeball and the inner aspect of the eyelids, they are drained off at the nasal side of the eye through minute orifices into the two (upper and lower) lacrimal canals, which in turn empty the fluid into the lacrimal sac located on and in the bony structure of the nose whence the fluid drains into the nasal passages through the nasal duct. It is when the tears are secreted in overabundance, beyond the immediate capacity of the lacrimal canals to carry off so much fluid, that they overflow from the eye sac and pour down over the cheeks.

In the Scriptures the emotional aspect of the formation of tears is foremost. Thus David, in referring to his stressful situation before Achish (1 Sam 21:10-15) requests God to put his tears in His bottle (Ps 56:8), doubtless as a perpetual memorial or reminder of his zeal and suffering for God’s righteous cause as he continuously refused to lay his hands on God’s anointed. Perhaps with some hyperbole David says that he waters his couch with his tears, making his bed to swim (6:6). Job also refers to his tears as being poured out unto God (Job 16:20). Hezekiah prayed with tears and was rewarded by the addition of fifteen years to his life (Isa 38:5). Jeremiah too made frequent reference to his eyes running down with tears (e.g., Jer 13:17; 14:17). Tears were used by a repentant sinner to wash her Savior’s feet (Luke 7:38). Tears accentuated the earnest plea of the father of the child who had the dumb and deaf spirit (Mark 9:24). Tears accompanied the prayers of Christ (Heb 5:7), and tears were associated with Paul’s service for God (Acts 20:19, 31) and Timothy’s also (2 Tim 1:4).

Bibliography H. Gray, Anatomy of the Human Body, 27th ed. (1959), 1121, 1122.