Warts are small, benign growths on the skin caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). While the Bible does not specifically mention warts, skin conditions and diseases are referenced in various contexts, often associated with ritual purity and divine intervention.

Biblical Context of Skin Conditions

In the Bible, skin conditions are frequently discussed in the context of ritual cleanliness and divine judgment. Leviticus 13 provides detailed instructions for the Israelites on how to handle various skin diseases, commonly translated as "leprosy" in many versions, though the term likely encompassed a range of skin ailments. The priests were responsible for examining individuals and determining their cleanliness:

"When a man has a swelling or a rash or a bright spot on his skin that could become an infectious skin disease, he must be brought to Aaron the priest or to one of his sons who is a priest" (Leviticus 13:2).

While warts are not explicitly mentioned, they could have been included in the broader category of skin conditions that required examination and potential isolation.

Symbolism and Spiritual Implications

Skin conditions in the Bible often symbolize spiritual impurity or sin. The physical manifestation of disease was sometimes seen as a reflection of spiritual or moral failings. For instance, Miriam, the sister of Moses, was struck with leprosy as a punishment for speaking against Moses (Numbers 12:10). This incident underscores the belief that physical ailments could be a direct result of divine displeasure.

Healing and Divine Intervention

The Bible also records instances of miraculous healing from skin diseases, emphasizing God's power and mercy. In 2 Kings 5, Naaman, a commander of the army of the king of Aram, was healed of leprosy after following the prophet Elisha's instructions to wash in the Jordan River seven times. This account highlights the importance of faith and obedience in receiving God's healing:

"So Naaman went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, according to the word of the man of God. And his flesh was restored and became like that of a little child, and he was clean" (2 Kings 5:14).

Practical and Spiritual Care

While the Bible provides spiritual insights into the nature of disease and healing, it also emphasizes practical care and community responsibility. The instructions in Leviticus for dealing with skin conditions reflect a concern for public health and the well-being of the community. The role of the priest in diagnosing and managing these conditions underscores the integration of spiritual and physical care.

Modern Considerations

In contemporary times, warts are understood to be caused by a virus and are generally treated with medical interventions. However, the biblical principles of seeking God's guidance, maintaining community health, and understanding the spiritual dimensions of physical ailments continue to resonate with believers today. The Bible encourages individuals to seek both divine and practical solutions to health issues, trusting in God's ultimate sovereignty and care.

Luther --A Stone on the Cairn
... The faults are there, and nobody who is not a fool would think of painting that
homely Saxon peasant-monk's face without the warts and the wrinkles. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/luthera stone on the cairn.htm

Christian Morals. Part ii.
... Quotation mistakes, inadvertency, expedition, and human lapses, may make not only
moles but warts in learned authors; who, notwithstanding, being judged by the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/browne/christian morals/christian morals part ii.htm

The Presentation of the Blessed virgin in the Temple
... two small lumps, brownish and wrinkled. He already had them as a child, but
then they were little warts. This gave him a very strange ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/iii the presentation of the.htm

Nevertheless one who Regards Only the Dissolution of the Body is ...
... They who use the knife or cautery to remove certain unnatural excrescences in the
body, such as wens or warts, do not bring to the person they are serving a ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/chapter viii nevertheless one who.htm

The Best Beloved
... Cromwell, you know, said, "Paint me as I am, or not at all." We have, however, often
felt that it was kind to leave out the warts when we were talking of those ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 24 1878/the best beloved.htm

Under King John
... The facts must be given, and the reader can decide whether they are beauty spots
or warts upon the strong, patient, brave face upon which they appear. ...
/.../marson/hugh bishop of lincoln/chapter ix under king john.htm

The Inner and the Outer Revelation.
... not. It is, therefore, entirely unreasonable for me to doubt. Why should
you not say"I know the Gospel is suited to my warts. I ...
/.../finney/sermons on gospel themes/xiv the inner and the.htm

On the Soul and the Resurrection.
... All these conditions, I say, have some relation to the soul, and yet they are not
the soul [1795] , but only like warts growing out of the soul's thinking part ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/on the soul and the 2.htm

Naparima and Montserrat
... itself, botanists tell us, is neither more nor less than a gigantic Spurge, the
cousin-german of the milky garden weeds with which boys burn away their warts. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter x naparima and montserrat.htm

Answer to Eunomius' Second Book .
Gregory of Nyssa: Dogmatic Treatises, Etc. <. ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/answer to eunomius second book.htm

Warts (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Warts (1 Occurrence). Leviticus 22:22 Blind, injured,
maimed, having a wart, festering, or having a running ...
/w/warts.htm - 6k

Wart (1 Occurrence)

/w/wart.htm - 7k

Was (46399 Occurrences)

/w/was.htm - 6k

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