Ague
קַדַּחַת (qaddachath)/AY-gyoo/
“Burning, kindling, inflammation”
Summary
A fever characterized by alternating chills and burning, threatened as one of the covenant curses for disobedience to God's law.
☩Biblical Reference
Ague appears in the King James Version as one of the diseases threatened against Israel for disobedience to God's commands. It is described as 'consuming the eyes and causing the soul to pine away,' indicating a wasting fever that weakens the entire body.
Key verses:Leviticus 26:16
☩Medical Identification
The Hebrew word 'qaddachath' means 'burning' or 'inflammation.' Modern scholars identify this with malarial fever, which was common both in the Shephelah (lowlands) and the Jordan Valley. The Septuagint translates it with a word meaning jaundice, which often accompanies malarial fever.
Key verses:Deuteronomy 28:22
Related Verses1 mention
Leviticus· 1 verse
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Ague," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. I (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Ague," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.Chad Brand, Charles Draper, and Archie England (ed.), "Ague," in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (Holman Bible Publishers, 2003).