Cramp
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In the context of biblical literature and ancient times, the term "cramp" as understood today—a painful, involuntary contraction of a muscle or muscles—does not appear explicitly in the Bible. However, the concept of physical ailments and suffering, which could encompass conditions like cramps, is addressed in various passages. The Bible often speaks to the broader themes of human frailty, illness, and the divine power to heal.

Biblical Context and References

While the specific term "cramp" is not found in the Berean Standard Bible, the Scriptures frequently address physical suffering and the need for divine intervention. For instance, in the Old Testament, the Israelites experienced various physical afflictions as a result of their disobedience to God. Deuteronomy 28:22 mentions, "The LORD will strike you with wasting disease, with fever and inflammation, with scorching heat and drought, with blight and mildew, which will plague you until you perish." Although not directly referring to cramps, this passage highlights the physical consequences of turning away from God.

In the New Testament, Jesus' healing ministry is a testament to His compassion and divine authority over physical ailments. Matthew 4:23 states, "Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people." This verse underscores the belief in Christ's power to heal all forms of physical suffering, which would include conditions like cramps.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, physical ailments, including cramps, can be seen as a reminder of the fallen state of the world and the human condition. Romans 8:22-23 reflects on this, saying, "We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time. Not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies." This passage suggests that physical suffering is part of the broader groaning of creation, awaiting ultimate redemption.

Practical and Spiritual Responses

In dealing with physical ailments, the Bible encourages believers to seek both practical and spiritual remedies. James 5:14-15 advises, "Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick. The Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven." This passage highlights the importance of prayer, community support, and faith in God's healing power.

Additionally, the Bible encourages believers to care for their bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), which can include seeking medical treatment and maintaining a healthy lifestyle to prevent and alleviate conditions like cramps.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not specifically mention cramps, it provides a framework for understanding and responding to physical suffering through faith, prayer, and practical care. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's sovereignty and seek His healing, while also taking responsible steps to care for their physical well-being.
Topical Bible Verses
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Topicalbible.org

Greek
4729. stenochoreo -- to be made narrow, to compress
... to compress. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: stenochoreo Phonetic Spelling:
(sten-okh-o-reh'-o) Short Definition: I press upon, cramp, restrain Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4729.htm - 7k
Strong's Hebrew
7661. shabats -- perhaps cramp
... 7660, 7661. shabats. 7662 . perhaps cramp. Transliteration: shabats Phonetic
Spelling: (shaw-bawts') Short Definition: agony. Word ...
/hebrew/7661.htm - 6k

4226. mechabberah -- a binder, clamp, joint
... coupling, joining. From chabar; a joiner, ie Brace or cramp -- coupling, joining.
see HEBREW chabar. 4225, 4226. mechabberah. 4227 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/4226.htm - 6k

6887. tsarar -- to bind, tie up, be restricted, narrow, scant, or ...
... A primitive root; to cramp, literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive
(as follows) -- adversary, (be in) afflict(-ion), beseige, bind (up), (be in ...
/hebrew/6887.htm - 5k

6696. tsuwr -- to confine, bind, besiege
... A primitive root; to cramp, ie Confine (in many applications, literally and
figuratively, formative or hostile) -- adversary, assault, beset, besiege, bind ( ...
/hebrew/6696.htm - 5k

Library

"The Gentle Steps of Age"
... I counted eleven, twelve, one, and was then obliged to dress, the cramp
growing more and more violent. But in the morning, not only ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/the gentle steps of age.htm

The Light of God
... This is a noble text, a royal text; one of those texts which forbid us to clip and
cramp Scripture to suit any narrow notions of our own; which open before us ...
/.../kingsley/sermons for the times/sermon xii the light of.htm

The Institution of Deacons, and the History of Stephen.
... Instead of acting on grand and liberal principles, he often permits selfishness
to cramp the best affections of his heart, and draws around himself a narrow ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture viii the institution of.htm

Twelve Baskets Full of Fragments Gathered from the Miracle of ...
... "There is a lad here which hath five barley loaves." (John 6:9.). 5."UNBELIEF WOULD
FAIN CRAMP THE LOVE OF JESUS. "What are they among so many." (John 6:9.). ...
//christianbookshelf.org/champness/broken bread/ix twelve baskets full of.htm

Peculiar Effects of Money.
... Sometimes there is a violent cramp, or a sort of pen paralysis that prevents
the signing of the name"to certain sorts of checks. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on service/peculiar effects of money.htm

Christ Crucified and Buried.
... A death by crucifixion seems to include all that pain and death can have of the
horrible and ghastly"dizziness, cramp, thirst, starvation, sleeplessness ...
/.../the new testament commentary vol iii john/christ crucified and buried.htm

The Regular or Calvinistic Baptists.
... Boston (Gould & Lincoln), 1859. JM Cramp: Baptist History, from the Foundation
of the Christian Church to the Close of the Eighteenth Century. ...
/.../creeds of christendom with a history and critical notes/ 105 the regular or.htm

Wesley Writes his Epitaph
... Monday, 19."I retired to Shoreham and gained strength continually; till about eleven
at night, on Wednesday, 21, I was obliged by the cramp to leap out of ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/wesley writes his epitaph.htm

Wesley's Eighty-Sixth Christmas
... father. Thursday, 31."I preached at the new chapel; but, to avoid the
cramp, went to bed at ten o'clock. I was well served. I ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/wesleys eighty-sixth christmas.htm

Death to Lawful Things is the Way Out into a Life of Surrender.
... You will feel by then that to try to keep the withering blossoms would be to cramp
and ruin your soul. It is loss to keep when God says 'give'. ...
/.../trotter/parables of the cross/death to lawful things is.htm

Resources
Cramped: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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