In the biblical context, sores are often associated with physical afflictions, divine judgment, and spiritual symbolism. They appear in various narratives and teachings throughout the Scriptures, serving as both literal ailments and metaphorical representations of sin and suffering.

Old Testament References

1. Job's Affliction: One of the most notable instances of sores in the Bible is found in the Book of Job. Job, a man described as "blameless and upright" (Job 1:1), is afflicted with painful sores from head to toe as part of his trials. "Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and afflicted Job with terrible boils from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head" (Job 2:7). These sores symbolize the intense suffering and testing of Job's faith, as well as the mysterious nature of divine providence.

2. Plagues of Egypt: In the narrative of the Exodus, sores are part of the plagues that God sends upon Egypt to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites. The sixth plague involves "festering boils" that afflict both humans and animals (Exodus 9:9-11). This plague demonstrates God's power and judgment against the oppressors of His people.

3. Levitical Laws: The Mosaic Law contains detailed instructions regarding skin diseases, including sores, which are often translated as "leprosy" in older versions of the Bible. Leviticus chapters 13 and 14 provide guidelines for diagnosing and cleansing those afflicted, emphasizing the importance of purity and holiness within the community of Israel.

New Testament References

1. Lazarus and the Rich Man: In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, Jesus describes Lazarus as a poor man "covered with sores" who longs for scraps from the rich man's table (Luke 16:20-21). The sores highlight Lazarus's suffering and destitution, contrasting with the rich man's opulence and indifference, and ultimately serve as a moral lesson on compassion and eternal justice.

2. The Seven Bowls of Wrath: In the Book of Revelation, sores are mentioned as part of the apocalyptic judgments. The first bowl of God's wrath results in "painful and loathsome sores" afflicting those who bear the mark of the beast (Revelation 16:2). These sores symbolize the physical and spiritual consequences of rebellion against God.

Symbolism and Themes

Sores in the Bible often symbolize deeper spiritual truths. They can represent the consequences of sin, the reality of human suffering, and the need for divine intervention and healing. The presence of sores in biblical narratives underscores the fallen state of humanity and the hope for redemption through faith and obedience to God.

Throughout Scripture, the healing of sores and other ailments is frequently associated with God's mercy and power. Jesus' ministry, for example, includes numerous healings, demonstrating His authority over physical and spiritual afflictions and pointing to the ultimate restoration found in Him.1669. helkoo -- to wound, to ulcerate, pass. to suffer from sores
... to suffer from sores. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: helkoo Phonetic Spelling:
(hel-ko'-o) Short Definition: I afflict with sores Definition: I afflict ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1669.htm - 6k

1668. helkos -- a wound, a sore, an ulcer
... wound. Word Origin probably from a prim. root Definition a wound, a sore,
an ulcer NASB Word Usage sore (1), sores (2). sore. Probably ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1668.htm - 6k

2990. yabbal -- a running, suppurating
... 1). having running sores. From yabal; having running sores -- wen. see HEBREW
yabal. 2989, 2990. yabbal. 2991 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/2990.htm - 6k

76. ababuah -- blisters, boils
... 75, 76. ababuah. 77 . blisters, boils. Transliteration: ababuah Phonetic
Spelling: (ab-ah-boo-aw') Short Definition: sores. Word ...
/hebrew/76.htm - 5k

Second Great Group of Parables.
... indicative of beggary are derived from it] was laid at his gate [in the East the
gates of the rich are still the resorts of the poor.] full of sores, 21 And ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xcii second great group of 6.htm

Dives and Lazarus
... And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of
sores, 21. ... Perhaps the dogs that had licked his sores tore his flesh. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/dives and lazarus.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Luke x. 16, "He that Rejecteth You ...
... with daily feastings; and the poor man "lying before" the rich man's gate, hungry,
and looking for "the crumbs from his table, full of sores, licked" by "dogs ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lii on the words.htm

The Service to a Female Martyr.
... Neither the laborious yoke, nor womanly weakness, neither famine nor sores could
prevent thee, O all-praised one, from shewing firmness in thy martyrdom, and ...
/.../anonymous/the general menaion/chapter xx the service to.htm

Thou Anointest My Head with Oil; My Cup Runneth Over.
... each member, as one by one they enter into rest; and they that are wounded or
over-weary he holds back with his rod, till their scars and sores are duly cared ...
/.../callan/the shepherd of my soul/x thou anointest my head.htm

The Rich Man and the Beggar.
... There was also a poor beggar, who was ragged and hungry, and covered with sores. ...
And even the dogs had pity on him, for they came and licked his sores. ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the new testament/the rich man and the.htm

Verily I Say unto You, it is Difficult for a Rich Man to Enter The ...
... day in splendour: [2013] and there was a poor man named Lazarus, and [16] he was
cast down at the door of the rich man, [2014] afflicted with sores, and he ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section xxix verily i say.htm

A Parable to the Lovers of Money.
... and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, faring sumptuously every day: and a
certain beggar named Lazarus was laid at his gate, full of sores, and desiring ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/a parable to the lovers.htm

That the Unskilful Venture not to Approach an Office of Authority.
... art of arts! For who can be ignorant that the sores of the thoughts of
men are more occult than the sores of the bowels? And yet ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter i that the unskilful.htm

How the Silent and the Talkative are to be Admonished.
... For closed sores torment the more; since, when the corruption that is hot
within is cast out, the pain is opened out for healing. ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter xiv how the silent.htm

Sores (16 Occurrences)
...Sores (16 Occurrences). Luke 16:20 A certain beggar, named Lazarus, was laid at
his gate, full of sores, (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/s/sores.htm - 10k

Boil (29 Occurrences)
... The Hebrew word is derived from a root probably meaning "to burn," and is used as
a generic term for the sores in the sixth plague of Egypt (Exodus 9:9-11 ...
/b/boil.htm - 23k

Sore (156 Occurrences)
... makkah Teriyah, in the King James Version is rendered "putrifying sores," the English
Revised Version "festering sores," the American Standard Revised Version ...
/s/sore.htm - 40k

Covered (325 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Luke 16:20 A certain beggar, named Lazarus, was laid at his gate, full of
sores, (See NAS NIV). ... Nay, the dogs, too, used to come and lick his sores. (WEY) ...
/c/covered.htm - 37k

Nay (92 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV). Luke 16:21 covered with sores and longing to make a full meal
off the scraps flung on the floor from the rich man's table. ...
/n/nay.htm - 34k

Longing (40 Occurrences)
... Longing (40 Occurrences). Luke 16:21 covered with sores and longing to make a full
meal off the scraps flung on the floor from the rich man's table. ...
/l/longing.htm - 18k

Floor (69 Occurrences)
... Luke 16:21 covered with sores and longing to make a full meal off the scraps
flung on the floor from the rich man's table. Nay, the ...
/f/floor.htm - 32k

Flung (11 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Luke 16:21 covered with sores and longing to make a full meal off
the scraps flung on the floor from the rich man's table. ...
/f/flung.htm - 9k

Meal (288 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Luke 16:21 covered with sores and longing to make a full meal off
the scraps flung on the floor from the rich man's table. ...
/m/meal.htm - 36k

Bruise (19 Occurrences)
... BRUISE; BRUISED. brooz, broozd: The noun occurs in Isaiah 1:6 the King James Version,
"bruises and putrifying sores," as the translation of chabbarah. ...
/b/bruise.htm - 14k

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