Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5200 Human civilisation  »  5405 medicine

The means that God has given for the cure of physical troubles. Medicine often symbolises the application of the gospel of God's grace in Jesus Christ for the healing of moral and spiritual ills.

Preventative medicine

A cheerful disposition

Proverbs 17:22

Disinfection

See also Leviticus 14:41; Leviticus 15:5

Salt

Ezekiel 16:4

Physical exercise

1 Timothy 4:8

Curative medicine

Balm

Jeremiah 51:8 An example of medicine used as a picture of the gospel. The nation had the cure for its ills in the mercy of God if only it would repent and turn to him. See also Jeremiah 8:22; Jeremiah 46:11

Leaves

Ezekiel 47:12 See also Revelation 22:2

Mud

John 9:6 The connection between the medium used and the cure is not always clear. For example, the use of mud, spittle, oil and water appears sometimes to be more symbolic than practical.

Oil

Mark 6:13; Luke 10:34; James 5:14

A poultice

2 Kings 20:7 See also Isaiah 38:21

Spittle

Mark 7:33

Water

Leviticus 15:5; 2 Kings 5:10; John 9:7

Wine

1 Timothy 5:23 See also Luke 10:34

Eye salve

Revelation 3:18

Music

The music was intended to cure moods of depression in Saul's case, and extreme agitation in Elisha:

1 Samuel 16:23; Samuel 18:10; 2 Kings 3:14-15

Spiritual surgery

Matthew 5:27-30; Romans 8:13

Soothing medicine

Myrrh

Mark 15:23

Oil

See also Isaiah 1:6

Wine

Proverbs 31:6; Matthew 27:48; Luke 23:36

Medicine cannot cure everything

Deuteronomy 28:27; Jeremiah 17:9; Jeremiah 30:12-13; Jeremiah 46:11; Mark 5:25-26

Application of the gospel as medicine

Matthew 11:28 See also Luke 5:31-32

Resurrection as the ultimate medicine for all ills

1 Corinthians 15:42-44 See also Philippians 3:20-21

See also

1415  miracles
4408  balm
4488  oil
4490  ointment
4544  wine
5285  cures
5297  disease
5298  doctors
5333  healing
5334  health
7342  cleanliness