A number of faithful men and women in the Bible record are described as feeling so sad that they wished for death ​ — among them Rebekah, Jacob, Moses, and Job. ​ — Genesis 25: 22; 37: 35; Numbers 11: 13 - 15; Job 14: 13.
Piibel räägib nii mõnestki Jumalale ustavast mehest ja naisest, kes tundsid sedavõrd suurt kurbust, et soovisid surra. Nende seas olid Rebeka, Jaakob, Mooses ja Iiob.