Bleeding, in the biblical context, often refers to the physical loss of blood and carries significant spiritual and cultural implications. In the ancient Near Eastern context, blood was considered the life force of a being, and its loss was associated with impurity and ritual uncleanliness. This understanding is deeply rooted in the Mosaic Law and is reflected in various biblical narratives and teachings.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the laws concerning bleeding are primarily found in the Book of Leviticus. Leviticus 15:19-30 provides detailed instructions regarding a woman's menstrual bleeding and other discharges. According to these laws, a woman experiencing her menstrual cycle was considered ceremonially unclean for seven days, and anything or anyone she touched would also become unclean. This period of separation underscored the sanctity and purity required in the worship of Yahweh.

Leviticus 17:11 emphasizes the sacredness of blood, stating, "For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life." This verse highlights the theological significance of blood as a means of atonement and purification, further explaining the stringent regulations surrounding its handling and loss.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the account of the woman with the issue of blood is a significant narrative that illustrates Jesus' power over physical ailments and ritual impurity. In Mark 5:25-34, a woman who had been suffering from bleeding for twelve years approaches Jesus in faith, believing that touching His garment would heal her. Mark 5:29 records, "Immediately her bleeding stopped, and she sensed in her body that she was healed of her affliction." This miraculous healing not only restored her physically but also reintegrated her into the community, as her condition had rendered her perpetually unclean according to Jewish law.

The New Testament also reinterprets the concept of blood through the lens of Christ's sacrificial death. Hebrews 9:22 states, "According to the Law, in fact, nearly everything must be purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." This verse connects the Old Testament understanding of blood with the atoning work of Jesus, whose blood was shed for the forgiveness of sins, thus fulfilling and transcending the old covenant's requirements.

Cultural and Theological Implications

The biblical treatment of bleeding reflects broader cultural and theological themes. Blood, as a symbol of life and purity, underscores the gravity of sin and the necessity of atonement. The laws concerning bleeding and ritual purity served to maintain the holiness of the community and the sanctity of worship. In the New Testament, Jesus' interactions with those considered unclean, including the bleeding woman, demonstrate His authority over the law and His mission to restore and redeem.

Theologically, the concept of bleeding and blood in the Bible points to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, whose blood establishes a new covenant between God and humanity. This covenant offers cleansing and reconciliation, transcending the limitations of the old law and providing a means for eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Bleed.

2. (a.) Emitting, or appearing to emit, blood or sap, etc.; also, expressing anguish or compassion.

3. (n.) A running or issuing of blood, as from the nose or a wound; a hemorrhage; the operation of letting blood, as in surgery; a drawing or running of sap from a tree or plant.

O Bleeding Heart, Look Up, Behold
... PASSIONTIDE IX O bleeding heart, look up, behold. 8,8,8,8,8,8. O bleeding
heart, look up, behold. He hangs upon a Cross of dread,. ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the russian church/ix o bleeding heart look.htm

"The Dearworthy Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ as Verily as it is ...
... AND after this I saw, beholding, the body plenteously bleeding in seeming of [54]
the Scourging, as thus:"The fair skin was broken full deep into the tender ...
/.../julian/revelations of divine love/chapter xii the dearworthy blood.htm

The Crucifixion
... His visage was marred more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men:"
in hunger and thirst, in tears and sighs, bruised and bleeding, His forehead ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon xvi the crucifixion.htm

part 1
... Do you imagine it would ever have occurred to the human mind itself to
have brought a bleeding animal to the great Creator? And ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/tithing/part 1.htm

On the Taking Down from the Cross.
... did I not embrace Him, dead as He was in my arms; how did I not strain to my heart
my only love elect, and kiss again and again the fresh bleeding wounds of ...
/.../suso/a little book of eternal wisdom/chapter xix on the taking.htm

"The Shewing is not Other than of Faith, nor Less nor More"
... In all the time that He shewed this that I have told now in spiritual sight, I saw
the bodily sight lasting of the plenteous bleeding of the Head. ...
/.../julian/revelations of divine love/chapter vii the shewing is.htm

"The Glad Giver"
... For our Courteous Lord shewed His Passion to me in five manners: of which the first
is the bleeding of the head; the second is, discolouring of His face; the ...
/.../julian/revelations of divine love/chapter xxiii the glad giver.htm

Psalms 51:2. Second Part. LM Original and Actual Sin Confessed.
... 5 No bleeding bird, nor bleeding beast, Nor hyssop branch, nor sprinkling priest,
Nor running brook, nor flood, nor sea, Can wash the dismal stain away. ...
/.../watts/the psalms of david/psalms 51 2 0 second part l.htm

Lenox. HM
... Arise, my soul, arise, Shake off thy guilty fears; The bleeding sacrifice In my
behalf appears; Before the throne my Surety stands, My name is written on his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lorenz/the otterbein hymnal/196 lenox h m.htm

Glorious Fountain. CM
... CM. The All-Sufficient Grace. (488). When wounded sore, the stricken soul Lies bleeding
and unbound: One hand alone, a pierced hand, Can heal the sinner's wound ...
/.../lorenz/the otterbein hymnal/186 glorious fountain c m.htm

Bleeding (9 Occurrences)
... running of sap from a tree or plant. Multi-Version Concordance Bleeding
(9 Occurrences). Matthew 9:20 Behold, a woman who had an ...
/b/bleeding.htm - 9k

Ephesdammim (1 Occurrence)
... It is called Pas-dammim (1 Chronicles 11:13). It has been identified with the modern
Beit Fased, ie, "house of bleeding", near Shochoh (qv). Int. ...
/e/ephesdammim.htm - 8k

Ephes-dammim (1 Occurrence)
... It is called Pas-dammim (1 Chronicles 11:13). It has been identified with the modern
Beit Fased, ie, "house of bleeding", near Shochoh (qv). Int. ...
/e/ephes-dammim.htm - 8k

Bleatings (1 Occurrence)

/b/bleatings.htm - 6k

Scurvy (3 Occurrences)
... n.) A disease characterized by livid spots, especially about the thighs and legs,
due to extravasation of blood, and by spongy gums, and bleeding from almost ...
/s/scurvy.htm - 8k

Haemorrhoids
... Or Emerods, bleeding piles known to the ancient Romans as mariscae, but more
probably malignant boils of an infectious and fatal character. ...
/h/haemorrhoids.htm - 7k

Pontius (4 Occurrences)
... people, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, saying, "Behold the man!"
But the sight of Jesus, now scourged and crowned and bleeding, only stirred ...
/p/pontius.htm - 36k

Pilate (60 Occurrences)
... people, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, saying, "Behold the man!"
But the sight of Jesus, now scourged and crowned and bleeding, only stirred ...
/p/pilate.htm - 53k

Blemish (71 Occurrences)

/b/blemish.htm - 31k

Pharisees (86 Occurrences)
... principle, but from expediency; (2) the "wait-a-little" Pharisee, who begs for time
in order to perform a meritorious action; (3) the "bleeding" Pharisee, who ...
/p/pharisees.htm - 66k

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Bleeding: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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