Fever
“Burning heat, from the verb to burn”
Summary
A disease characterized by high body temperature, common throughout the biblical lands and mentioned in connection with divine judgment and miraculous healing.
☩Biblical References
Fever is mentioned in both Old and New Testaments. In Deuteronomy 28:22, fever (Hebrew qaddachath, from 'to burn') is listed among curses for disobedience along with inflammation and extreme burning. Luke describes Peter's mother-in-law as having a 'great fever,' using professional medical terminology that distinguished severe from mild fevers.
☩Prevalence in Palestine
Febrile diseases are among the commonest and severest afflictions in Eastern climates. Malarial fevers are especially prevalent in low-lying districts where mosquitoes breed, particularly around the Sea of Galilee, the Shephelah, and the Jordan valley. The marshes of the north and the Jordan valley remain fever-stricken regions today.
☩Healings in Scripture
Jesus rebuked the fever afflicting Peter's mother-in-law, and it left her immediately. The nobleman's son at Capernaum was healed of fever at the exact hour Jesus spoke the word of healing. Paul healed Publius's father on Malta of fever with dysentery by prayer and laying on of hands. These healings demonstrated Christ's authority over disease.
Related Verses11 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Fever," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. III (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Fever," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. II (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Fever," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).