In the context of the Bible, the term "epileptic" is often associated with individuals who experience seizures, which are sometimes described as being possessed by evil spirits or demons. The understanding of epilepsy in biblical times was limited, and it was often interpreted through a spiritual or supernatural lens.

Biblical References:

1. Matthew 4:24 : "News about Him spread all over Syria, and people brought to Him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering acute pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed—and He healed them." In this passage, individuals suffering from seizures are mentioned alongside those who are demon-possessed, indicating a possible overlap in how these conditions were perceived.

2. Matthew 17:14-18 : "When they came to the crowd, a man came up to Jesus and knelt before Him. 'Lord, have mercy on my son,' he said. 'He has seizures and is suffering terribly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not heal him.' 'O unbelieving and perverse generation,' Jesus replied, 'How long must I remain with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy here to Me.' Then Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed from that moment." This account highlights the belief that seizures were linked to demonic activity, and it underscores Jesus' authority over such afflictions.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient times, medical knowledge was limited, and many physical and mental health conditions were attributed to spiritual causes. Epilepsy, characterized by sudden and uncontrollable seizures, was often misunderstood and feared. The biblical accounts reflect the cultural context of the time, where spiritual explanations were commonly sought for unexplained phenomena.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, the healing of epileptics by Jesus is seen as a demonstration of His divine authority and compassion. It illustrates His power over both physical ailments and spiritual forces. The accounts of healing serve as a testament to the belief in Jesus as the Messiah, who came to restore and redeem all aspects of human life.

Modern Understanding:

Today, epilepsy is recognized as a neurological disorder with various causes, including genetic factors, brain injury, and infections. Medical advancements have provided effective treatments and a better understanding of the condition. However, the biblical accounts continue to be significant for their spiritual insights and the demonstration of Jesus' healing ministry.

Conclusion:

The biblical portrayal of epileptics reflects the historical and cultural context of the time, where spiritual explanations were prevalent. The healing of those with seizures by Jesus is a powerful testament to His authority and compassion, offering hope and restoration to those afflicted.1. (a.) Pertaining to, affected with, or of the nature of, epilepsy.

2. (n.) One affected with epilepsy.

3. (n.) A medicine for the cure of epilepsy.

4583. seleniazomai -- to be moonstruck, spec. be epileptic ...
... be epileptic (supposedly influenced by the moon). Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration:
seleniazomai Phonetic Spelling: (sel-ay-nee-ad'-zom-ahee) Short ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4583.htm - 7k

Concerning the Epileptic.
... Book XIII. 3. Concerning the Epileptic. "And when they were come to the
multitude, there came to Him a man kneeling to Him and saying ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/3 concerning the epileptic.htm

The Epileptic Boy.
... JESUS THE MESSIAH THE EPILEPTIC BOY. And when they came to the disciples, they saw
a great multitude about them, and scribes questioning with them. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/the epileptic boy.htm

Spiritual Epileptics.
... of salvation. On the same principle it will be necessary that the matters
regarding the epileptic should be investigated. Now this ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/4 spiritual epileptics.htm

Third Withdrawal from Herod's Territory.
... c cried, saying, ^b Teacher, ^a 15 Lord, ^bI brought unto thee my son, who hath
a dumb spirit; ^a have mercy on my son: for he is epileptic, and suffereth ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lxx third withdrawal from herods 5.htm

His Life
... THE PASSION AND RESURRECTION FORETOLD. THE TRANSFIGURATION. THE EPILEPTIC BOY. THE
TRAINING OF THE TWELVE. THE PASSION AND RESURRECTION AGAIN FORETOLD. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/

Departure from Ireland. Death and Burial at Clairvaux.
... and making the sign of the cross on his breast said, "Be assured that you will have
no such suffering till I return." Now he was an epileptic, and fell often ...
/.../chapter viii departure from ireland.htm

Thirteenth Lesson. Prayer and Fasting;'
... WHEN the disciples saw Jesus cast the evil spirit out of the epileptic whom they
could not cure,' they asked the Master for the cause of their failure. ...
/.../with christ in the school of prayer/thirteenth lesson prayer and fasting.htm

The Gospel of Matthew
... In connection with these announcements we have the narrative of the transfiguration
and the healing of the epileptic demoniac, and instruction regarding the ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the gospel of matthew.htm

The Deaf and Dumb Spirit.
... Now the father of the epileptic"perhaps the angel to whom he had been allotted,
if we are to say that every human soul is put in subjection to some angel ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/5 the deaf and dumb.htm

A Multitude of Disciples.
... forth into all Syria: and they brought unto him all that were sick, holden with
divers diseases and torments, possessed with demons, and epileptic, and palsied ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/a multitude of disciples.htm

Epileptic (2 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A medicine for the cure of epilepsy. Multi-Version Concordance Epileptic
(2 Occurrences). Matthew 4:24 The report about him went out into all Syria. ...
/e/epileptic.htm - 7k

Sickness (40 Occurrences)
... pin'-ing, sik'-nes: In the account of the epileptic boy in Mark 9:18 it is said
that "he pineth away." The verb used here (xeraino) means "to dry up," and is ...
/s/sickness.htm - 29k

Often (74 Occurrences)
... Matthew 17:15 "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is epileptic, and suffers grievously;
for he often falls into the fire, and often into the water. ...
/o/often.htm - 29k

Off-times (1 Occurrence)
... Matthew 17:15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is epileptic, and suffereth grievously;
for oft-times he falleth into the fire, and off-times into the water. ...
/o/off-times.htm - 6k

Oft-times (3 Occurrences)
... Matthew 17:15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is epileptic, and suffereth grievously;
for oft-times he falleth into the fire, and off-times into the water. ...
/o/oft-times.htm - 7k

Oft (18 Occurrences)
... Matthew 17:15 "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is epileptic, and suffers grievously;
for he often falls into the fire, and often into the water. ...
/o/oft.htm - 11k

Lunatic (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Probably the same as epileptic, the symptoms of which
disease were supposed to be more aggravated as the moon increased. ...
/l/lunatic.htm - 7k

Lunatick (2 Occurrences)
... In the Revised Version (British and American) the word has very properly been displaced
by the strictly accurate term "epileptic." This change is justified not ...
/l/lunatick.htm - 9k

Grievously (17 Occurrences)
... Matthew 17:15 "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is epileptic, and suffers grievously;
for he often falls into the fire, and often into the water. ...
/g/grievously.htm - 14k

Ill (137 Occurrences)
... Matthew 17:15 "Sir," he said, "have pity on my son, for he is an epileptic and is
very ill. Often he falls into the fire and often into the water. (WEY NAS). ...
/i/ill.htm - 35k

Is epilepsy mentioned in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about demon possession / demonic possession? | GotQuestions.org

How do we distinguish a psychological disorder from demon possession? | GotQuestions.org

Epileptic: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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