Disease

In the bible, disease may refer to sickness, infirmity, illness, plague, and pestilence. However, plague and pestilence usually refer to situations with many victims, like epidemics. Plague and pestilence usually refer to diseases that affect many people at the same time, such as during an epidemic (a widespread outbreak). Pestilence literally means “destruction” and often describes an epidemic that causes many deaths.

Affliction and torment can sometimes include disease, but these words are broader in meaning. They may describe suffering or distress in general, not only physical illness.

During the time the Bible was written, people did not have detailed knowledge of human anatomy or of how the body’s organs worked. They did not understand disease in medical or scientific ways as people do today.

People usually thought of disease as something abnormal that weakened a person. Disease limited a person’s strength and ability to live an active life. The Hebrew word translated “sickness” is related to a verb that means “to be weak.”

This idea appears in the story of the sick man by the pool of Bethesda. He is described as an “invalid” (that is, weak and unable to move on his own) and could not get around by himself (John 5:7).

According to the Bible, disease comes from four sources:

God,

Satan,

sins of ancestors, abd

breaking physical, mental, emotional, or moral laws of nature.

Early people believed events and phenomena were caused by the supernatural, either by various gods or evil spirits. The Hebrews were different because they were strong monotheists. They believed one true God, who had revealed himself to them (Isaiah 45:21), was responsible for everything, including disease and evil (verse 7). This same God could also provide material blessings, health, and heal all diseases (Psalms 103:3). To the Hebrews, God could give health or sickness, and in either case, he had a purpose or reason.

One reason for disease was punishment for wrongdoing (2 Samuel 24:1, 12–16; 1 Corinthians 10:8). In the early Hebrew belief system, the response to disease was first to pray to God for forgiveness, even when the cause of disease and death was clear. For example, if venomous snakes were biting people, the first reaction was to seek God's favor, not to kill the snakes (Numbers 21:4–9). Leprosy, meaning "a smiting," was a severe disease sent by God to punish sinners (Numbers 12; 2 Kings 5:27).

God sent disease to show his power or to protect his people. The ten plagues in Egypt show his power. The destruction of Sennacherib's army shows his protection (2 Kings 19:34–36).

Satan and other evil spirits could also be responsible for disease. In the Bible, God allows Satan to bring disease. However, God limits Satan's power, as shown in the story of Job (Job 1:12). The New Testament also makes it clear that, even though Satan can influence people in certain ways, his time is limited. His complete defeat and destruction are certain.

Diseases in the Bible were also assumed at times to result from the sins of one's ancestors (Exodus 20:5; Leviticus 26:29; 1 Kings 17:18; Job 21:19; Lamentations 5:7). A notable example is the death of David's son due to his sin with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12:15). This idea of disease origins continued into New Testament times and was known to the disciples of Jesus (John 9:2).

This idea distinguishes the Hebrews from other peoples of their time. They believed that breaking physical, mental, emotional, or moral laws could lead to disease. This belief introduced the idea of personal responsibility for following these laws to avoid illness. A person is responsible for their own health and the community's health, rather than being a passive victim of supernatural forces.

Moses created detailed rules for personal and community health. The Mosaic law includes guidelines for many elements of life, including:

diet,

personal hygiene,

observing the Sabbath,

sanitary regulations in the camp,

cleanliness, and

sexual relations.

By following these natural laws from God, the Hebrews could expect to avoid disease (Exodus 15:26) and live long lives (Proverbs 3:1–2). From a public health perspective, these health laws of Moses are still sensible today. Many of the health laws are now demonstrably more logical than those in many other ancient cultures.

Understanding that disease can result from breaking natural laws led to a shift from priests to physicians for cures. When people thought diseases were supernatural, they did not try to learn about them to find cures. The Hebrews knew about physicians in Egypt (Genesis 50:2), where they likely worked as embalmers. Physicians practiced in Israel throughout its history, but their ability to help improved slowly (2 Chronicles 16:12; Jeremiah 8:22; Mark 5:26; Colossians 4:14). While the Scriptures support using physicians for the sick (Matthew 9:12) and medicinal drugs (Proverbs 31:6; 1 Timothy 5:23), they highlight the Christian community and its elders' role in caring for the sick (James 5:14).

Jesus treated people with diseases differently from how they were treated in the Old Testament. He did not judge them. He saw them as valuable individuals, not outcasts. He showed true compassion by touching, comforting, healing, and speaking to them naturally.

Jesus saw disease as something that stopped people from being their true selves. When he met a woman with a severe back problem for 18 years, he healed her, saying she had been "bound by Satan" (Luke 13:16). His healing of incurable diseases showed he was the Messiah (Luke 7:19–23). His work aimed to help people live more fully (John 10:10). He did not fully agree with the idea that disease was a punishment (9:3). When a leper suggested it might not be God's will for him to be well, Jesus healed him immediately (Mark 1:40; Luke 5:12–13).

Jesus was always concerned with the person’s total health or wholeness, rather than merely the symptoms of disease. He often addressed spiritual issues first, even when someone came to him with a physical problem. His talk with the Samaritan woman at the well focused on her inner conflicts (John 4:5–30). And the Sermon on the Mount, which basically deals with right attitudes and motives for human behavior, would greatly reduce personal and social suffering if it were followed. To Jesus, health is more than the absence of physical or mental disease. Health means that people are whole and able to live as God intended them to live.

See also Medicine and Medical Practice; Diseases; Plague.