Injuries, both physical and spiritual, are a recurring theme throughout the Bible, reflecting the human condition and the consequences of sin. The Scriptures address injuries in various contexts, including personal harm, legal restitution, and spiritual wounds, offering guidance on how believers should respond to and heal from such afflictions.

Physical Injuries

The Bible acknowledges the reality of physical injuries and provides laws for their redress. In the Old Testament, the Mosaic Law includes specific instructions for dealing with injuries. Exodus 21:18-19 states, "If men quarrel and one strikes the other with a stone or his fist, and he does not die but is confined to bed, then the one who struck him shall go unpunished; provided that he can get up and walk around outside with his staff. Nevertheless, he must pay for the injured man’s lost time and see that he is completely healed."

This passage highlights the principle of restitution, emphasizing the responsibility of the offender to compensate the injured party. The law seeks to ensure justice and fairness, reflecting God's concern for the well-being of His people.

Spiritual Injuries

Beyond physical harm, the Bible also addresses spiritual injuries, which can result from sin, betrayal, or emotional wounds. Proverbs 18:14 observes, "The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit?" This verse underscores the profound impact of spiritual injuries, which can be more debilitating than physical ailments.

The New Testament offers hope and healing for spiritual injuries through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Isaiah 53:5 prophesies about the Messiah, "But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed." This passage reveals that Christ's suffering and sacrifice provide healing for both physical and spiritual wounds.

Response to Injuries

The Bible instructs believers on how to respond to injuries, emphasizing forgiveness and reconciliation. In Matthew 5:38-39 , Jesus teaches, "You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also." This radical call to non-retaliation and forgiveness reflects the transformative power of Christ's love and the call to live in peace with others.

Furthermore, the Apostle Paul encourages believers to bear one another's burdens and to seek restoration. Galatians 6:1-2 advises, "Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."

Legal and Ethical Considerations

The Bible also addresses the legal and ethical dimensions of injuries. In the context of justice, Deuteronomy 19:21 prescribes, "Show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, and foot for foot." This principle of lex talionis, or the law of retaliation, was intended to limit retribution and ensure proportional justice.

However, the New Testament reinterprets this principle through the lens of grace and mercy. Jesus' teachings and the apostolic writings encourage believers to transcend the strictures of the law by embodying love and forgiveness, thus fulfilling the higher law of Christ.

Healing and Restoration

The Bible offers a vision of ultimate healing and restoration, where injuries and suffering will be no more. Revelation 21:4 promises, "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away." This eschatological hope assures believers that God will ultimately heal all injuries and restore creation to its intended glory.4140b. mum -- blemish, defect
... Word Origin from the same as mum Definition blemish, defect NASB Word Usage blemish
(2), defect (14), injured* (1), injures* (1), insults (1). 4140a, 4140b. ...
/hebrew/4140b.htm - 5k

2554. chamas -- to treat violently or wrong
... root Definition to treat violently or wrong NASB Word Usage do violence (1), done
violence (2), drop off (1), exposed (1), injures (1), violently treated (1 ...
/hebrew/2554.htm - 6k

5414. nathan -- to give, put, set
... heap (1), held (1), hung (1), impose (1), imposed (3), indeed deliver (1), indeed
give (1), inflict (2), inflicted (1), injured* (1), injures* (1), inserted (1 ...
/hebrew/5414.htm - 9k

As it Has Been Shown that He who Injures Another for the Sake of ...
... Book III. Chapter IV. As it has been shown that he who injures another for
the sake of his? As it has been shown that he who injures ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter iv as it has.htm

That the Enemies of God are So, not by Nature, but by Will, Which ...
... Chapter 3."That the Enemies of God are So, Not by Nature, But by Will, Which, as
It Injures Them, Injures a Good Nature; For If Vice Does Not Injure, It is ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 3 that the enemies of.htm

Whether Lies are Sufficiently Divided into Officious, Jocose, and ...
... The first is "in religious doctrine"; the second is "a lie that profits no one and
injures someone"; the third "profits one party so as to injure another"; the ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether lies are sufficiently divided.htm

Whether Prodigality is a More Grievous Sin than Covetousness?
... For by covetousness a man injures his neighbor by not communicating his goods to
him, whereas by prodigality a man injures himself, because the Philosopher ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether prodigality is a more.htm

Whether Backbiting is Suitably Defined as the Blackening of ...
... I answer that, Just as one man injures another by deed in two ways"-openly, as by
robbery or by doing him any kind of violence"-and secretly, as by theft ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether backbiting is suitably defined.htm

The Prodigal and his Brother.
... There are some sins by which man crushes, wounds, malevolently injures his brother
man: those sins which speak of a bad, tyrannical, and selfish heart. ...
/.../robertson/sermons preached at brighton/xx the prodigal and his.htm

I Shall Explain to You Also How it is that the Soul is Transfused ...
... [1515] And if a person walks upon the ground here, he injures the earth; and if
he moves his hand, he injures the air; for the air is the soul (life) of men ...
/.../the acts of the disputation with the heresiarch manes/9 i shall explain to.htm

And it was Manifested unto Me, that those Things be Good which yet ...
... For corruption injures, but unless it diminished goodness, it could not
injure. Either then corruption injures not, which cannot ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter xii and it was.htm

Whether an Advocate Sins by Defending an Unjust Cause?
... Reply to Objection 1: The physician injures no man by undertaking to heal a desperate
malady, whereas the advocate who accepts service in an unjust cause ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether an advocate sins by.htm

Whether the Sin of Respect of Persons Takes Place in Judicial ...
... Now it is not a sin to respect persons in pronouncing penalties, since a heavier
punishment is inflicted on one who injures the person of a prince than on one ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the sin of respect.htm

Injures (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Injures (4 Occurrences). ... Leviticus 24:19 If anyone injures
his neighbor; as he has done, so shall it be done to him: (WEB NAS NIV). ...
/i/injures.htm - 7k

Injured (28 Occurrences)

/i/injured.htm - 15k

Wrongdoer (16 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) One who injures another, or who does wrong. 2.
(n.) One who commits a tort or trespass; a trespasser; a tort feasor. ...
/w/wrongdoer.htm - 11k

Injuries (1 Occurrence)

/i/injuries.htm - 6k

Inflicts (7 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Job 5:18 For he wounds, and binds up. He injures, and his hands make whole.
(See NAS). Job 34:6 Notwithstanding my right I am considered a liar. ...
/i/inflicts.htm - 8k

Injury (21 Occurrences)
... (a.) Any damage or violation of, the person, character, feelings, rights, property,
or interests of an individual; that which injures, or occasions wrong, loss ...
/i/injury.htm - 13k

Trespass (101 Occurrences)
... 4. (vi) To commit any offense, or to do any act that injures or annoys another;
to violate any rule of rectitude, to the injury of another; hence, in a moral ...
/t/trespass.htm - 44k

Equally (21 Occurrences)
... Exodus 21:35 "If one man's bull injures another's, so that it dies, then they shall
sell the live bull, and divide its price; and they shall also divide the ...
/e/equally.htm - 12k

Err (41 Occurrences)
... 21, "I have played the fool, and have erred"; Job 19:4, "Mine error remaineth with
myself," ie "is my own concern," or, perhaps, "only injures myself"; Psalm ...
/e/err.htm - 22k

Error (90 Occurrences)
... 21, "I have played the fool, and have erred"; Job 19:4, "Mine error remaineth with
myself," ie "is my own concern," or, perhaps, "only injures myself"; Psalm ...
/e/error.htm - 38k

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