man of sorrows
C2Formal, literary, religious
Definition
Meaning
A title for Jesus Christ, referring specifically to his suffering and crucifixion as described in biblical prophecy (Isaiah 53).
By extension, a person who bears great suffering, grief, or misfortune; a deeply afflicted or melancholic individual.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a proper noun referring to Jesus. Its extended use is metaphorical and highly literary, evoking a profound, often tragic, sense of suffering.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Slightly more common in American religious discourse.
Connotations
Strong biblical/religious connotation in both varieties. The metaphorical use carries a poetic, somewhat archaic tone.
Frequency
Low frequency in general language. Higher frequency in theological, hymnological, and literary contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Definite Article] + Man of Sorrows (as proper noun)[Indefinite Article] + man of sorrows (as metaphorical description)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in theology, religious studies, literature, and art history to refer to the specific Christological concept.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would be recognised primarily by those with biblical knowledge.
Technical
A specific iconographic type in Christian art depicting Christ crowned with thorns, often with the wounds of the Passion.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The sermon focused on how the Man of Sorrows *redeemed* humanity.
American English
- The painting seems to *show* the Man of Sorrows contemplating his fate.
adverb
British English
- He gazed *sorrowfully*, like a man of sorrows.
American English
- She spoke *mournfully* of the Man of Sorrows.
adjective
British English
- The *sorrowful* aspect of the Man of Sorrows is central to the poem.
American English
- He had a *man-of-sorrows* demeanor about him after the loss.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We learned about the 'Man of Sorrows' in our religious education class.
- The old song calls Jesus the Man of Sorrows.
- In Christian art, the Man of Sorrows is often shown with the crown of thorns.
- After the tragedy, he walked among us like a man of sorrows, quiet and withdrawn.
- The prophet Isaiah's depiction of the suffering servant is the archetype for the title 'Man of Sorrows'.
- The director used the actor's gaunt features to portray him as a modern man of sorrows, bearing the world's indifference.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the famous hymn 'Man of Sorrows' by Philip Bliss. The title itself encapsulates the core meaning.
Conceptual Metaphor
SUFFERING IS A BURDEN (borne by a person); A LIFE IS A JOURNEY (of suffering).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'человек печалей'. The established Russian equivalent is 'Муж скорбей' (biblical) or 'страдалец' (metaphorical).
- Do not confuse with 'sad man' ('грустный человек'). The phrase implies profound, existential sorrow, not transient sadness.
Common Mistakes
- Using it without the capital 'M' when referring specifically to Jesus.
- Using it in casual contexts where its weight is inappropriate.
- Misspelling 'sorrows' (e.g., 'sorows').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'Man of Sorrows' MOST likely to be used correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily, yes. It is a direct title from Isaiah 53:3. Its use for any other person is a deliberate, literary metaphor drawing on that biblical image.
It would sound very formal, literary, or intentionally dramatic. In most casual conversations, simpler terms like 'someone who's suffered a lot' are more natural.
A 'tragic hero' (e.g., from Greek drama) often has a fatal flaw leading to their downfall. A 'man of sorrows' implies innocent suffering borne with patience, more often associated with piety or victimhood than a personal flaw.
When used as the specific title for Jesus (the Man of Sorrows), it is capitalised. When used metaphorically for another person (a man of sorrows), it is not.