Medicine in the Old Testament Essay Sample
There happen to be various accounts of many medicines and medicinal practices that took place during the times of the Old Testament. Some of these medicines are extremely similar to ones seen in current medical practices, and others are extremely different and resourceful. Along with medicine, many illnesses that were spoken of in the Old Testament are illnesses still seen today. The words the authors used to describe these illnesses made them appear to be different, however, they are exceptionally similar. Apart from physical medicines, there appears to be a correlation between the health of the people and their everyday diets. This explains the vast amount of people getting sick and falling ill.
The medicine used during the Old Testament was influenced by Egyptian, Assyrian, Babylonian, and Greek cultures (Blakely, 70). The ancient Hebrews obtained many of their medicines during the sojourn in Egypt, the reign of Solomon, and their captivities (Blakely, 70). Because many scientific discoveries had not yet been found, injury and disease were seen as expressions of wrath by God. Illness was discerned as a punishment for one’s sin.
As a result of little to no scientific discoveries, the ancient Hebrews’ idea of anatomy was exceedingly different from what is known today. All of what knowledge they presented was acquired from injury, war, and the slaughter of animals (Blakely, 70). In the Old Testament, there are references to the heart, liver, bile, kidneys, and the womb. All other knowledge of anatomical features appears to be unknown.
The ancient Hebrews had various types of early medicines. They had therapeutic agents such as leaves of trees, olive oil, balm of Gilead, fig plasters, oil, and wine (Blakely, 70). These were great solutions for pain and were used to treat wounds. Hyssop, a shrub in the mint family, was a substance used as a form of antiseptic (Blakely, 70). This shrub also served a purpose as a cough reliever. Most, if not all, of these medicines were extremely resourceful and all-natural. The ancient Hebrews were able to find use in the simplest things.
Akin to current times, there was a need for surgical operations in the Old Testament as well. Earlobe perforation and circumcision were two common procedures performed in the Old Testament (Bosman, 679). “Knives of flint or metal were used for sacrifice and circumcision, and awls for boring holes in the ears” (Blakely, 71). Along with these procedures, there is a reference to the amputation of limbs in the book of Deuteronomy, but there is no description of how the operation took place.
Illnesses and infectious diseases were tremendously dangerous and harmful. Because many of the cures and treatments were yet to be discovered, many lives were lost due to simple colds and sicknesses. In Leviticus 26: 16-20, there are references to a group of illnesses. The “enemies” stated numerous times in this passage are the germs that take over the body (Bosman, 680). There are also many references to cancer-like diseases in the Old Testament. The scripture speaks many times of wasting diseases. “These may be taken to mean either or all of what we term malaria, tubercle, or cancer” (Bosman, 681). There appears to also be an allusion to dermatology in Leviticus 13. Leviticus 13 deals with many different kinds of skin diseases (Bosman, 681). The chapter mentions lesions of psoriasis, ulcerations, and burns, all of which the priest must examine.
Aside from medicine and illnesses, a closely related correlation between the health and diet of the ancient Hebrews has been recognized (Hasel, 195). There have been many experiments done on animals with artificial diets that have enabled nutritionists to form a list of dietary substances that are essential for normal growth and the ability to maintain good health (Hasel, 195). “A deficiency of certain dietary substances may lead to serious cases of ill health” (Hasel, 195). Unfortunately, there is no evidence from ancient Egypt that the people followed dietary restrictions or regulated diets to maintain good health. Because food for the ancient Hebrews was scarce, there was no opportunity for them to try their best to eat healthily. As a result, they easily fell ill and had a difficult time recovering from various sicknesses.
As a consequence of many people easily falling ill, there needed to be someone to heal them. A key theme in the Old Testament is that “I, the Lord, am your healer” (Exod 15:26). This states that the Lord is our healer and, ultimately, our prevention of diseases (Hasel, 197). “Obedience to the Lord would prevent God from bringing diseases upon the covenant people” (Hasel, 197). Among all of the chaos and loss that these diseases brought to the ancient Hebrews, it was important that they remained faithful to the Lord and always believed that he is the almighty healer that would save them from their troubles.
