The term "lunatic" appears in the context of biblical discussions on mental health and spiritual afflictions. In the Bible, the word is often associated with conditions that were not well understood in ancient times, and it is used to describe individuals who exhibited erratic or uncontrollable behavior. The term is derived from the Latin "lunaticus," which means "moonstruck," reflecting the ancient belief that the phases of the moon could influence mental health.

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, the term "those having seizures" is often translated from the Greek word "selēniazomai," which is related to the term "lunatic." This reflects the belief that such conditions were influenced by lunar cycles.

2. Matthew 17:15 : "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." Here, the father of the afflicted boy describes his son as suffering from seizures, which in some translations is rendered as "lunatic." The passage highlights the desperation of the father seeking Jesus' healing power for his son, who is tormented by a condition that causes him to lose control of his actions.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In biblical times, mental and neurological disorders were often attributed to spiritual or supernatural causes. The lack of medical knowledge led to interpretations that connected these conditions with demonic possession or divine punishment. The term "lunatic" was used to describe individuals who exhibited symptoms that could not be easily explained or treated by contemporary means.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, the accounts of Jesus healing those described as "lunatics" demonstrate His authority over both physical and spiritual realms. These miracles serve as evidence of His divine power and compassion for those suffering from afflictions that marginalized them in society. The healing of such individuals underscores the biblical theme of restoration and redemption, offering hope to those who are oppressed by conditions beyond their control.

Modern Understanding:

Today, the term "lunatic" is considered outdated and pejorative. Modern medicine recognizes that conditions once labeled as lunacy, such as epilepsy or mental illness, have physiological and psychological causes that can be diagnosed and treated. The biblical accounts, however, continue to offer spiritual insights into the nature of suffering and the hope of healing through faith.

Conclusion:

The biblical use of the term "lunatic" reflects the historical context and understanding of mental and neurological disorders in ancient times. Through the healing ministry of Jesus, the Bible provides a message of hope and restoration for those afflicted by such conditions, emphasizing the power of faith and divine intervention.Lunatic

A word formed from the Latin luna, the moon, and thus corresponding to the original Greek word and to the English "moonstruck;" applied to a class of persons mentally and often corporally diseased, who were believed to suffer most when the moon was full. Inanity, epilepsy, and morbid melancholy were among the frequent effects of demoniac possession, yet this possession existed independently of these effects, and was a more dreadful calamity. Lunatics are expressly mentioned in distinction from men possessed by evil spirits, Matthew 4:24 17:15. See DEVILS.

Probably the same as epileptic, the symptoms of which disease were supposed to be more aggravated as the moon increased. In Matthew 4:24 "lunatics" are distinguished from demoniacs. In 17:15 the name "lunatic" is applied to one who is declared to have been possessed. (see DAEMONIAC.) 1. (n.) An insane person.

2. (a.) of or pertaining to, or suitable for, an insane person; evincing lunacy; as, lunatic gibberish; a lunatic asylum.

3. (n.) A person affected by lunacy; an insane person, esp. one who has lucid intervals; a madman; a person of unsound mind.

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

Jesus Healeth a Lunatic
... ILLUSTRATIONS: JESUS HEALETH A LUNATIC. And it came to pass, that on the next day,
when they were come down from the hill, much people met him. ...
/.../newton/the life of jesus christ for the young/jesus healeth a lunatic.htm

Purpose of Christ's Relatives to Confine Him as a Lunatic. --He ...
... Section 164. Purpose of Christ's Relatives to confine him as a Lunatic."
He declares who are his Relatives in the Spiritual Sense. ...
/.../section 164 purpose of christs.htm

The Sighs of Christ
... the plains of Italy for next year's crop; while even in our favoured land, we find
at every turn prisons and reformatories, lunatic asylums, hospitals for ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xxv the sighs of.htm

For this Deep and Disabling Reason Therefore, Its Cynical and ...
... We meet one hoary old lunatic who says his grandfather told him to stand
by one stile. We meet another hoary old lunatic who says ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 39 for this deep.htm

Influence of the Moon and Stars on Men.
... and first let us inquire, how he who has been cast into darkness and repressed by
an impure and deaf and dumb spirit is said to be a "lunatic," and for what ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/6 influence of the moon.htm

Spiritual Epileptics.
... to make inquiry about every case, but about the passage before us, let us, adopting
a figurative interpretation, consider who we may say the lunatic was, and ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/4 spiritual epileptics.htm

But Celsus, Lingering Over Matters which He Does not Understand...
... Now deceit and falsehood are nothing but evils, and would only be employed as a
medicine, either in the case of sick and lunatic friends, with a view to their ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xviii but celsus lingering.htm

The Maniac
... The men who really believe in themselves are all in lunatic asylums." He said mildly
that there were a good many men after all who believed in themselves and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/orthodoxy/ii the maniac.htm

The Incomparable Bridegroom and his Bride
... A poor creature, in a lunatic asylum, had got it into his head that he was some
great one, and he addressed a person who was visiting the asylum in the ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 42 1896/the incomparable bridegroom and his.htm

Matt. xvii. 10
... And when they were come to the multitude, there came to Him a man, kneeling down
to Him, and saying, Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is lunatic, and sore ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lvii matt xvii 10.htm

Lunatic (2 Occurrences)
... In 17:15 the name "lunatic" is applied to one who is declared to have been possessed.
(see DAEMONIAC.). ... Multi-Version Concordance Lunatic (2 Occurrences). ...
/l/lunatic.htm - 7k

Lunatick (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia LUNATIC(K). lu'-na-tik: I. Epilepsy. 1.
Incorrect Translation: The English word "lunatic," which ...
/l/lunatick.htm - 9k

Madness (13 Occurrences)
... God (1 Samuel 18:10), and when, under the influence of the ecstatic mood which
alternated with his depression, he conducted himself like a lunatic (1 Samuel 19 ...
/m/madness.htm - 17k

Mad (22 Occurrences)
... God (1 Samuel 18:10), and when, under the influence of the ecstatic mood which
alternated with his depression, he conducted himself like a lunatic (1 Samuel 19 ...
/m/mad.htm - 19k

Lump (7 Occurrences)

/l/lump.htm - 8k

Kindly (57 Occurrences)
... Matthew 17:15 and saying, 'Sir, deal kindly with my son, for he is lunatic, and
doth suffer miserably, for often he doth fall into the fire, and often into the ...
/k/kindly.htm - 24k

Nightmonster
... of folklore, it is analogous to those survivals of obsolete ideas still to be found
in current speech, and in the literature of the modern world (see LUNATIC). ...
/n/nightmonster.htm - 17k

Night-monster
... of folklore, it is analogous to those survivals of obsolete ideas still to be found
in current speech, and in the literature of the modern world (see LUNATIC). ...
/n/night-monster.htm - 17k

Terribly (9 Occurrences)
... Matthew 17:15 and saying, 'Sir, deal kindly with my son, for he is lunatic, and
doth suffer miserably, for often he doth fall into the fire, and often into the ...
/t/terribly.htm - 9k

Raving (4 Occurrences)
... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Rave. 2. (a.) Talking irrationally and wildly; as, a raving
lunatic. Multi-Version Concordance Raving (4 Occurrences). ...
/r/raving.htm - 7k

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