Where is it mentioned in the Bible to rejoice when someone dies?

Answer 1

This depends on the situation. If the person has suffered greatly in the time heading up to their death, and it is known that they will be with the Lord in heaven, then rejoicing would certainly be appropriate. 'Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.' (Saints here referring to every Christian, which is The Bible definition, since every believer is Holy and perfect through the blood of Jesus)

The Bible also refers to a nation rejoicing when an evil ruler passes away. This is recorded as having happened when wicked Queen Athaliah was killed and probably happened in other cases as well.

Wishing someone dead is another matter, especially if that person is in a bad state in terms of where they stand with the only true and living God, before whom they will have to stand. Since God loves all people and wants all saved, then, difficult as this may be in some cases, this ought to be the sincere desire of His followers, no matter how difficult this may be. In some cases, there would be a definite temptation to rejoice, in a natural human sense, as has been stated, everyone becomes a believer when they die, and it is then known that the particular person is in the hands of a righteous judge who shall reward them appropriately.

There is nothing quite like the joy, although there is the natural human grief process, of knowing a person is with the Lord. Many believers would want their loved ones to be rejoicing at their death, even as they themselves would want to depart and be with their Lord. Paul spoke of this also on more than one occasion in his letters. Such rejoicing is not at all inappropriate if the person has gone to where there is no more tears or pain and certainly no more infirmity but 'we shall see Him as He is.'

Answer 2

It depends. Many people have rejoiced at the deaths of lawless or evil individuals (e.g. Hitler, Idi Amin, etc.) but such individuals are fortunately very rare. With others it becomes a huge moral dilemma to decide where to draw the line. If there is doubt, perhaps having a sense of relief rather than joy would be less problematic, but even that is subject to much debate.

Answer 3

Nowhere. It's not that believers are to rejoice; it's permitted to grieve, but not endlessly and hopelessly. Jesus wept, and when He did, He was on his way to a resurrection. His dead friend was in the grave. "Sorrow not" does not equate to "rejoice."

Ecclesiastes 7:1 A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.

Psalm 116:15

Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

1 Thessalonians 4:13

But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

Answer 4

It doesn't really say to rejoice when someone dies.

(Ecclesiastes 7:1, 2) A good name is better than good oil, and the day of death is better than the day of birth. 2Better to go to the house of mourning than to the house of feasting, for that is the end of every man, and the living should take it to heart.

This means that we don't know what time of name we made with God until the day we die. The reference to good oil, which was very costly in biblical times. Mary once washed Jesus feet with oil that was estimated to be worth a years wages.. so a "good name" is very valuable. When someone is born, they have nothing to represent themselves. So that is why this Scripture notes that the day of death is better than the day of birth.