Definition and Description:
Scurvy is a disease resulting from a deficiency of vitamin C (ascorbic acid), which is essential for the synthesis of collagen in humans. The lack of this vitamin leads to symptoms such as anemia, debility, exhaustion, spontaneous bleeding, pain in the limbs, and especially the legs, swelling in some parts of the body, and ulceration of the gums and loss of teeth. Historically, scurvy was common among sailors and others who were deprived of fresh fruits and vegetables for extended periods.

Biblical Context:
While the Bible does not explicitly mention scurvy by name, the symptoms associated with the disease may be inferred in various passages that describe conditions of suffering and affliction. The Bible often speaks of health and disease in the context of spiritual and physical well-being, emphasizing the importance of obedience to God's commandments as a means of maintaining health.

Relevant Biblical Passages:
1. Deuteronomy 28:22 · "The LORD will strike you with wasting disease, with fever and inflammation, with scorching heat and drought, with blight and mildew, which will plague you until you perish." This passage, part of the curses for disobedience, lists various afflictions that could befall the Israelites, including wasting diseases that could be reminiscent of conditions like scurvy.

2. Proverbs 17:22 · "A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones." While not directly related to scurvy, this verse highlights the connection between emotional and physical health, suggesting that a positive spirit can contribute to overall well-being.

3. Ezekiel 4:16-17 · "Then He told me, 'Son of man, I will cut off the supply of bread in Jerusalem. They will anxiously eat rationed food in anxiety and drink rationed water in dismay, for food and water will be scarce. They will be appalled at the sight of each other, and waste away because of their iniquity.'" This passage describes a situation of scarcity that could lead to nutritional deficiencies, such as scurvy, due to lack of access to fresh produce.

Historical and Theological Insights:
In biblical times, the understanding of diseases and their causes was limited, and many ailments were seen as direct consequences of sin or divine judgment. The Israelites were given dietary laws (Leviticus 11) that, while primarily focused on ceremonial cleanliness, also had health benefits. The consumption of certain foods, including fruits and vegetables, would have naturally provided essential nutrients, including vitamin C, helping to prevent diseases like scurvy.

Theologically, the Bible emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's provision and wisdom for health and sustenance. The Israelites' reliance on manna in the wilderness (Exodus 16) serves as a reminder of God's ability to provide for His people's needs, both physically and spiritually.

Practical Application:
From a biblical perspective, maintaining health involves a holistic approach that includes physical nourishment, spiritual well-being, and obedience to God's commandments. Christians are encouraged to care for their bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), which includes ensuring proper nutrition and health practices. While modern science provides a clear understanding of diseases like scurvy, the biblical principles of stewardship, gratitude, and reliance on God's provision remain relevant in addressing health concerns today.1. (n.) Covered or affected with scurf or scabs; scabby; scurfy; specifically, diseased with the scurvy.

2. (n.) Vile; mean; low; vulgar; contemptible.

3. (n.) A disease characterized by livid spots, especially about the thighs and legs, due to extravasation of blood, and by spongy gums, and bleeding from almost all the mucous membranes. It is accompanied by paleness, languor, depression, and general debility. It is occasioned by confinement, innutritious food, and hard labor, but especially by lack of fresh vegetable food, or confinement for a long time to a limited range of food, which is incapable of repairing the waste of the system. It was formerly prevalent among sailors and soldiers.

SCURVY

The name "Gareb" is used in Jeremiah 31:39 as the placename of a hill at or near the southeastern corner of Jerusalem, probably from the bare roughness of the surface of its slope at the southern end of the Wady er-Rababi. Another hill of this name is mentioned near Shiloh in the Talmud, and the name is given to one of David's warriors (2 Samuel 23:38).

Scurvy etymologically means any condition of scaliness of skin which can be scraped off, such as dandruff.

Alexander Macalister

1618. garab -- an itch, a scab
... scab, scurvy. From an unused root meaning to scratch; scurf (from itching) --
scab, scurvy. 1617, 1618. garab. 1619 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/1618.htm - 5k

The Oration of Moses at the Rehearsal of the Blessing and the ...
... The LORD shall smite thee with the boil of Egypt, and with the emerods, and with
the scurvy, and with the itch, whereof thou canst not be healed. ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/i the oration of moses.htm

Rom. xii. 1
... sacrifices of old were bid to look on every side, and were not permitted to offer
an animal "that hath anything superfluous or lacking, or is scurvy, or scabbed ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xx rom xii 1.htm

The Tenth Commandment
... soul. (1) It is a subtle sin, a sin that many cannot so well discern in
themselves; as some have the scurvy, but do not know it. ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 1 the tenth commandment.htm

What Manner of Man Ought not to Come to Rule.
... The cutaneous diseases specified are denoted, here as in the Vulgate, by jugas scabies
(psora agria, LXX.; scurvy, AV) and impetigo (leichen, LXX.; scabbed AV ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter xi what manner of.htm

The Best of Masters
... In the first place, the world gives scantily. Even the world's best friends
have had cause to complain of its scurvy treatment. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the best of masters.htm

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners Or, a Brief Relation of ...
... confident, that this temptation of the devil is more usual among poor creatures,
than many are aware of, even to over-run the spirits with a scurvy and seared ...
/.../bunyan/grace abounding to the chief of sinners/grace abounding to the chief.htm

Death and Judgement.
... When a smart fit of sickness tells me this scurvy tenement of my body will fall
in a little time I am even as unconcerned as was that honest Hibernian, who ...
/.../sect xi death and judgement.htm

The Planting of the Church in New England --Pilgrim and Puritan.
... Endicott, "arriving there in an uncultivated desert, many of them, for want of
wholesome diet and convenient lodgings, were seized with the scurvy and other ...
/.../bacon/a history of american christianity/chapter viii the planting of.htm

The Dutch Calvinist Colony on the Hudson and the Swedish Lutheran ...
... It need not be denied that government patronage, even when dispensed by the dirty
hands of such scurvy nursing fathers as Fletcher and Lord Cornbury, may give ...
/.../bacon/a history of american christianity/chapter vii the dutch calvinist.htm

1 Cor. xvi. 10
... slave or an ass afflicted with a mortifying sore, thou couldest not have the heart
to neglect it: but seest thou the Body of Christ full of scurvy [354] , and ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xliv 1 cor xvi.htm

Scurvy (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Covered or affected with scurf or scabs; scabby;
scurfy; specifically, diseased with the scurvy. ...SCURVY. ...
/s/scurvy.htm - 8k

Wen (1 Occurrence)
... WEN. Only in Leviticus 22:22, "maimed" or "having a wen (margin "sores"), or scurvy,"
for (yabbal), "running," hence, "a suppurating sore" (compare the Revised ...
/w/wen.htm - 7k

Scabbed (3 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 21:20 Or crookbacked, or a dwarf, or that hath a blemish in his eye, or
be scurvy, or scabbed, or hath his stones broken; (KJV JPS ASV WBS YLT). ...
/s/scabbed.htm - 9k

Scum (4 Occurrences)

/s/scum.htm - 8k

Overspread (2 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 21:20 or crook-backed, or a dwarf, or that hath a blemish in his eye,
or is scurvy, or scabbed, or hath his stones broken; (See JPS). ...
/o/overspread.htm - 7k

Itch (11 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 28:27 Yahweh will strike you with the boil of Egypt, and with the tumors,
and with the scurvy, and with the itch, of which you can not be healed. ...
/i/itch.htm - 11k

Festering (7 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 28:27 Yahweh will strike you with the boil of Egypt, and with the tumors,
and with the scurvy, and with the itch, of which you can not be healed. ...
/f/festering.htm - 8k

Tumors (8 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 28:27 Yahweh will strike you with the boil of Egypt, and with the tumors,
and with the scurvy, and with the itch, of which you can not be healed. ...
/t/tumors.htm - 9k

Dwarfed (3 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 21:20 or crook-backed, or a dwarf, or that hath his eye overspread,
or is scabbed, or scurvy, or hath his stones crushed; (See NIV). ...
/d/dwarfed.htm - 7k

Mixture (16 Occurrences)
... (YLT NAS). Leviticus 21:20 or hump-backed, or a dwarf, or with a mixture in his
eye, or a scurvy person, or scabbed, or broken-testicled. (YLT). ...
/m/mixture.htm - 12k

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