The term "foameth" is an archaic English word that appears in the context of biblical descriptions, particularly in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible. It is derived from the verb "to foam," which means to produce frothy bubbles, often as a result of agitation or distress. In biblical literature, "foameth" is used to describe a physical manifestation of spiritual or emotional turmoil.

Biblical Context

The most notable occurrence of "foameth" is found in the New Testament, specifically in the account of Jesus healing a boy possessed by an unclean spirit. In the Gospel of Mark, the father of the afflicted boy describes his son's condition to Jesus:

"Whenever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. I asked Your disciples to drive it out, but they were unable." (Mark 9:18)

This passage highlights the physical symptoms associated with demonic possession, as understood in the biblical context. The foaming at the mouth is indicative of the violent and uncontrollable nature of the affliction, emphasizing the severity of the boy's condition and the need for divine intervention.

Theological Significance

From a theological perspective, the use of "foameth" in this narrative underscores the power and authority of Jesus over demonic forces. The inability of the disciples to cast out the spirit contrasts with Jesus' successful exorcism, demonstrating His unique divine authority. This event serves as a testament to the belief in Jesus as the Son of God, who has dominion over both the physical and spiritual realms.

The description of the boy's symptoms, including foaming at the mouth, also serves to illustrate the destructive nature of evil and the suffering it can cause. In the broader biblical narrative, such manifestations are often seen as a physical representation of spiritual bondage, from which only God can deliver.

Cultural and Historical Context

In the ancient world, symptoms like foaming at the mouth were often associated with epilepsy or other medical conditions. However, in the biblical context, these symptoms are frequently attributed to spiritual causes, reflecting the worldview of the time. The distinction between physical and spiritual ailments was not as clearly defined as it is in modern medical understanding.

The account of the boy who "foameth" at the mouth is a vivid example of how the biblical authors used physical descriptions to convey deeper spiritual truths. It reflects the belief in the pervasive influence of spiritual forces in the world and the necessity of faith in God for deliverance and healing.

Related Biblical Themes

The theme of spiritual warfare is prevalent throughout the Bible, with numerous accounts of Jesus and His disciples confronting demonic forces. The narrative of the boy who "foameth" is part of a larger biblical motif that emphasizes the reality of spiritual conflict and the ultimate victory of God over evil.

Additionally, the account highlights the importance of faith and prayer in overcoming spiritual challenges. Jesus' response to the disciples' inability to cast out the demon underscores the necessity of reliance on God and the power of prayer:

"This kind can come out only by prayer." (Mark 9:29)

In summary, the term "foameth" in the biblical context serves as a powerful illustration of the intersection between the physical and spiritual realms, highlighting the need for divine intervention in the face of evil and suffering.

Strong Son of God
... and said, "Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; and
wheresoever he taketh him he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with ...
/.../mark/jesus of nazareth a biography/chapter ix strong son of.htm

Jesus Healeth a Lunatic
... And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that
he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him. ...
/.../newton/the life of jesus christ for the young/jesus healeth a lunatic.htm

The Demoniac Boy
... answered Him, Master, I brought unto Thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; and
wheresoever it taketh him, it dasheth him down: and he foameth, and grindeth ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 9 14-29 the demoniac boy.htm

Third Withdrawal from Herod's Territory.
... behold a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; ^b 18 and wheresoever it
taketh him, it dasheth him down: ^c and it teareth him that he foameth, ^b and ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lxx third withdrawal from herods 5.htm

The Epileptic Boy.
... upon my son: for he is mine only child: and behold, he hath a dumb spirit; and
wheresoever it taketh him, it dasheth him down: and he foameth, and grindeth his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/the epileptic boy.htm

And He Said unto Them, Verily I Say unto You...
... [1719] And when it cometh upon him, it beateth him about; [1720] [33] and he foameth,
and gnasheth his teeth, and wasteth; [1721] [1722] and many times it hath ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section xxiv and he said.htm

D. The Fourth Period. Ch. 9:1-50
... thee to look upon my son; for he is mine only child: 39 and behold, a spirit taketh
him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth, and it ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/d the fourth period ch.htm

The Gospel of Luke
... And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that
he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/why four gospels/the gospel of luke.htm

Foameth (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Foameth (3 Occurrences). Mark 9:18 And wheresoever
he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth ...
/f/foameth.htm - 7k

Taketh (398 Occurrences)
... Mark 9:18 And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth
with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they ...
/t/taketh.htm - 35k

Foaming (7 Occurrences)

/f/foaming.htm - 8k

Gnasheth (4 Occurrences)
... Mark 9:18 And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth
with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they ...
/g/gnasheth.htm - 7k

Grindeth (2 Occurrences)
... Mark 9:18 and wheresoever it taketh him, it dasheth him down: and he foameth, and
grindeth his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they ...
/g/grindeth.htm - 7k

Wheresoever (17 Occurrences)
... Mark 9:18 And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth
with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they ...
/w/wheresoever.htm - 11k

Foamed (1 Occurrence)

/f/foamed.htm - 6k

Tear (97 Occurrences)
... Mark 9:18 And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth
with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they ...
/t/tear.htm - 37k

Teareth (6 Occurrences)
... Mark 9:18 And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth
with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they ...
/t/teareth.htm - 8k

Drain (11 Occurrences)
... Psalms 75:8 For in the hand of Jehovah there is a cup, and the wine foameth; It
is full of mixture, and he poureth out of the same: Surely the dregs thereof ...
/d/drain.htm - 10k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus