Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5200 Human civilisation  »  5401 madness

A term used in two different senses. The OT suggests that God may occasionally inflict a state of insanity upon individuals as a punishment. The term may also be used of someone whose words or actions are difficult to understand or easy to reject, as with Jesus Christ's preaching and healing.

Madness as a punishment

Jeremiah 25:15-16 See also Deuteronomy 28:28,32-34; Jeremiah 50:35-38; Jeremiah 51:7; Daniel 4:28-37; Zechariah 12:4

Madness linked with folly

Ecclesiastes 7:25 See also Proverbs 26:18; Ecclesiastes 1:17; Ecclesiastes 2:12; Ecclesiastes 9:3; Ecclesiastes 10:13; 2 Peter 2:16

Accusations of madness against God's servants

John 10:19-21 See also 2 Kings 9:1-11; Jeremiah 29:25-28; Hosea 9:7-8; Matthew 12:24 pp Mark 3:20-22 pp Luke 11:15; Acts 26:24-25; 2 Corinthians 5:13

David feigned madness to save his life

Psalm 34:1 Title See also 1 Samuel 21:10-15

See also

1025  God, anger of
2351  Christ, miracles
4130  demons
5086  David, rise of
5482  punishment
6230  rejection
8756  folly, examples