Disease(wounds)
Summary
Physical ailments and sickness mentioned throughout Scripture, often associated with divine judgment or providential testing, with healing attributed to God.
☩Biblical Perspective
Scripture frequently attributes disease to divine judgment or testing, though not all sickness is punishment for sin. The 'diseases of Egypt' were dreaded afflictions from which God promised to protect obedient Israel. Certain diseases are named as threatened judgments: consumption, fever, inflammation, boils, tumors, scurvy, and madness. Yet God also proclaimed Himself Israel's healer: 'I am the Lord that healeth thee.'
☩Common Afflictions
Diseases prevalent in biblical lands included leprosy, ophthalmia (causing widespread blindness), malignant fevers, dysentery, and various skin conditions. The 'plague' or pestilence was the great scourge of the East, surpassing all others in virulence. Nervous diseases such as paralysis and epilepsy, along with mental illness, are frequently mentioned. The sanitary regulations of the Mosaic law would have improved public health had they been consistently observed.
☩Healing
God is presented as the ultimate source of healing, though physicians and remedies are not condemned. Hezekiah was healed through prayer combined with a fig poultice applied to his boil. Jesus' healing ministry fulfilled the prophecy 'Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.' The apostles continued this ministry, with miraculous healing accompanying the proclamation of the gospel.
Related Verses74 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Disease," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. II (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Disease; Diseases," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. II (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).