Topical Encyclopedia Definition and Scope: The term "heal" in the biblical context refers to the restoration of health, wholeness, and well-being, both physically and spiritually. Healing is a significant theme throughout the Bible, demonstrating God's power, compassion, and the fulfillment of His promises. It encompasses physical healing from sickness and disease, spiritual healing from sin, and emotional healing from brokenness and despair. Old Testament Context: In the Old Testament, healing is often associated with God's covenant relationship with His people. God reveals Himself as Jehovah-Rapha, "The LORD who heals you" (Exodus 15:26). Healing is portrayed as a divine act, often contingent upon obedience and faithfulness to God's commandments. For instance, in Deuteronomy 32:39, God declares, "See now that I am He; there is no god besides Me. I bring death and I give life; I wound and I heal, and there is no one who can deliver from My hand." The prophets also spoke of healing, both as a physical restoration and as a metaphor for spiritual renewal. Isaiah 53:5 prophesies the redemptive suffering of the Messiah, stating, "But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed." New Testament Context: The New Testament presents Jesus Christ as the ultimate healer, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies and demonstrating God's kingdom through miraculous healings. Jesus' ministry was marked by numerous healings, which authenticated His divine authority and compassion. Matthew 4:23 records, "Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people." The Gospels recount various instances of Jesus healing the sick, such as the healing of the blind (John 9:1-7), the lepers (Luke 17:11-19), and the paralytic (Mark 2:1-12). These acts of healing were not only physical restorations but also pointed to the deeper spiritual healing available through faith in Christ. The apostles continued this healing ministry in the early church, empowered by the Holy Spirit. Acts 3:6-8 describes Peter healing a lame man, saying, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!" This healing served as a testament to the power of Jesus' name and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit. Spiritual and Emotional Healing: Beyond physical ailments, the Bible addresses the need for spiritual and emotional healing. Sin is depicted as a disease that requires divine intervention. Psalm 147:3 assures, "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." This healing is available through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, who offers forgiveness and reconciliation with God. James 5:14-16 emphasizes the role of prayer and faith in healing, instructing believers, "Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick. The Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven." Eschatological Hope: The Bible also points to a future time of complete healing and restoration in the eschatological hope of the new creation. Revelation 21:4 promises, "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away." This ultimate healing reflects the consummation of God's redemptive plan, where all creation is restored to its intended glory. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (v. t.) To cover, as a roof, with tiles, slate, lead, or the like.2. (v. t.) To make hale, sound, or whole; to cure of a disease, wound, or other derangement; to restore to soundness or health. 3. (v. t.) To remove or subdue; to cause to pass away; to cure; -- said of a disease or a wound. 4. (v. t.) To restore to original purity or integrity. 5. (v. t.) To reconcile, as a breach or difference; to make whole; to free from guilt; as, to heal dissensions. 6. (v. i.) To grow sound; to return to a sound state; as, the limb heals, or the wound heals; -- sometimes with up or over; as, it will heal up, or over. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia HEALhel (rapha'; therapeuo, iaomai, diasozo): The English word is connected with the Anglo-Saxon hoelan, and is used in several senses: Greek 2390. iaomai -- to heal ... to heal. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: iaomai Phonetic Spelling: (ee-ah'-om-ahee) Short Definition: I heal Definition: I heal, generally of the physical ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2390.htm - 8k 2323. therapeuo -- to serve, cure 4982. sozo -- to save 2392. iasis -- a healing 1295. diasozo -- to bring safely through (a danger), to save ... Strong's Hebrew 7495. rapha -- to heal... 7494, 7495. rapha. 7496 . to heal. Transliteration: rapha Phonetic Spelling: (raw-faw') Short Definition: heal. Word Origin a prim. ... /hebrew/7495.htm - 6k 3416. Yirpeel -- "God will heal," a place in Benjamin 1455. gahah -- to depart, be cured or healed 7499. rephuah -- remedy, medicine Library To Heal Heretics is Better than to Destroy Them. Heal Me, O My Savior, Heal "As Verily as Sin is Unclean, So Verily is it Unkind" --A Disease ... Of the Man who Brought Before Him his Son, whom the Disciples were ... Baptism Puts Away all Sins, but it Does not at once Heal all ... Ancient Syriac Documents Relating to the Earliest Establishment of ... The Anger and Grief of Jesus Quotations from the Old Testament in the New. Christ the Great Physician. John Chapter iv. 18-Jan Thesaurus Callous (6 Occurrences)... or else perhaps they might perceive with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and should turn again; and I would heal them.' (WEB NIV ... /c/callous.htm - 8k Converted (11 Occurrences) Accuse (34 Occurrences) Ailing (20 Occurrences) Perceive (53 Occurrences) Cure (28 Occurrences) Lest (282 Occurrences) Sick (117 Occurrences) Na'aman (15 Occurrences) Grown (77 Occurrences) Resources Why doesn't God heal everyone? | GotQuestions.orgWhy won't God heal amputees? | GotQuestions.org What is the meaning of “Physician, heal thyself” in Luke 4:23? | GotQuestions.org Heal: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Heal (62 Occurrences)Matthew 8:7 Matthew 8:16 Matthew 10:1 Matthew 10:8 Matthew 12:10 Matthew 13:15 Matthew 14:14 Matthew 17:16 Mark 3:2 Mark 3:10 Mark 3:15 Mark 6:5 Luke 4:18 Luke 4:23 Luke 4:40 Luke 5:17 Luke 6:7 Luke 7:3 Luke 8:43 Luke 9:1 Luke 9:2 Luke 10:9 Luke 13:32 Luke 14:3 John 4:47 John 12:40 Acts 4:30 Acts 9:34 Acts 28:27 James 5:15 Numbers 12:13 Deuteronomy 32:39 2 Kings 5:3 2 Kings 5:6 2 Kings 5:7 2 Kings 5:11 2 Kings 20:5 2 Kings 20:8 2 Chronicles 7:14 Job 5:18 Psalms 6:2 Psalms 30:2 Psalms 41:4 Psalms 60:2 Ecclesiastes 3:3 Isaiah 19:22 Isaiah 57:18 Isaiah 57:19 Jeremiah 3:22 Jeremiah 6:14 Jeremiah 8:11 Jeremiah 10:19 Jeremiah 17:14 Jeremiah 30:17 Jeremiah 33:6 Lamentations 2:13 Hosea 5:13 Hosea 6:1 Hosea 7:1 Hosea 14:4 Nahum 3:19 Zechariah 11:16 Subtopics Related Terms |