Topical Encyclopedia In the context of the Bible, the concept of being "infected" is not directly addressed with the modern understanding of infection as a medical condition caused by bacteria, viruses, or other pathogens. However, the Bible does address issues related to disease, impurity, and spiritual corruption, which can be seen as analogous to the idea of infection.Leprosy and Physical Impurity One of the most prominent examples of physical "infection" in the Bible is leprosy, a term used in Scripture to describe a variety of skin diseases. Leviticus chapters 13 and 14 provide detailed laws concerning the diagnosis and treatment of leprosy. The priests were responsible for examining individuals to determine if they were "infected" with leprosy, which rendered them ceremonially unclean. Leviticus 13:3 states, "The priest shall examine the sore on his skin, and if the hair in the sore has turned white and the sore appears to be deeper than the skin of his body, it is a leprous infection. When the priest examines him, he must pronounce him unclean." The laws concerning leprosy highlight the importance of maintaining purity within the community of Israel. Those declared unclean due to leprosy were required to live outside the camp until they were healed and pronounced clean by the priest (Leviticus 13:45-46). This separation served both a practical purpose in preventing the spread of disease and a symbolic purpose in illustrating the separation caused by sin. Spiritual Infection and Sin The Bible frequently uses the metaphor of disease or infection to describe the corrupting influence of sin. Just as a physical infection can spread and cause harm to the body, sin can spread and corrupt the soul and the community. In Isaiah 1:5-6 , the prophet uses the imagery of disease to describe the spiritual condition of Israel: "Why do you want more beatings? Why do you keep rebelling? The whole head is injured, and the whole heart is sick. From the sole of the foot to the top of the head, there is no soundness—only wounds and welts and festering sores, not cleansed or bandaged or soothed with oil." The New Testament also addresses the concept of spiritual infection. In 1 Corinthians 5:6 , Paul warns the church in Corinth about the corrupting influence of sin within the community: "Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough?" Here, yeast is used as a metaphor for sin, illustrating how even a small amount can permeate and affect the entire community. Healing and Cleansing The Bible offers hope for healing and cleansing from both physical and spiritual infection. In the Gospels, Jesus is depicted as the Great Physician who heals those afflicted with diseases, including leprosy. In Matthew 8:2-3 , a leper approaches Jesus and says, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean." Jesus responds, "I am willing. Be clean!" and immediately the man is healed. Spiritually, the cleansing from sin is made possible through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:7 assures believers, "But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin." This cleansing is not only a personal transformation but also a restoration of fellowship with God and the community of believers. In summary, while the Bible does not explicitly discuss infection in modern medical terms, it addresses related themes of physical impurity and spiritual corruption, offering guidance on maintaining purity and the hope of healing through divine intervention. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (imp. & p. p.) of Infect.Strong's Hebrew 2470a. chalah -- to be weak or sick... ill (1), become weak (3), been sick (2), diseased (2), faint (1), fell sick (1), grief (1), grieved (1), grievous (2), incurable (2), infected (1), lovesick* (2 ... /hebrew/2470a.htm - 6k Library Whether the Aforesaid Powers are More Infected than the Others? Whether Christ's Flesh in the Patriarchs was Infected by Sin? Defilers of Themselves with Beasts, Being Also Leprous, who have ... That Man's Transgression did not Annul the Blessing of Fecundity ... Whether the First Sin of Our First Parent is Contracted by his ... "And if Christ be in You, the Body is Dead Because of Sin: but the ... That Divine Love Makes the virtues Immeasurably More Agreeable to ... Of the Equity, Wisdom, and Foolishness of Christians. Of Eusebius Bishop of Samosata. What Then, Ye Donatists, what have Ye to Say to This? if Our... Thesaurus Infected (5 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Infect. Multi-Version Concordance Infected (5 Occurrences). Leviticus 13:4 If the bright ... /i/infected.htm - 8k Infection (24 Occurrences) Quarantine (3 Occurrences) Isolate (9 Occurrences) Isolation (7 Occurrences) Deeper (18 Occurrences) Skin (115 Occurrences) Appearance (126 Occurrences) Isn't (154 Occurrences) Deep (237 Occurrences) Resources How should a Christian view vaccinations/vaccines? | GotQuestions.orgIs belief in God a virus? | GotQuestions.org Is same-sex attraction a sin? | GotQuestions.org Infected: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Infected (5 Occurrences)Leviticus 13:4 Leviticus 13:12 Leviticus 13:17 Leviticus 13:31 Jeremiah 14:17 Subtopics Related Terms |
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