In the context of the Bible, deformity is often associated with physical imperfections or abnormalities that can affect an individual's appearance or bodily function. The concept of deformity is addressed in various passages, reflecting the cultural and religious attitudes of ancient Israel and the early Christian community.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, physical deformities are often mentioned in the context of the Levitical laws. Leviticus 21:16-23 provides specific instructions regarding the priesthood, stating that no descendant of Aaron who has a defect may approach to offer the food of his God. The passage lists various physical defects, including blindness, lameness, and other deformities, which disqualify a priest from serving at the altar. This reflects the emphasis on physical wholeness and purity in the sacrificial system:

"No man of your descendants in their generations who has a defect may approach to offer the food of his God. No man who has any defect may approach: no man who is blind, lame, disfigured, or deformed." (Leviticus 21:17-18)

Deformity is also mentioned in the context of sacrificial animals. Leviticus 22:20-25 prohibits offering animals with defects as sacrifices, emphasizing the requirement for offerings to be without blemish. This underscores the importance of presenting the best and most perfect offerings to God.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the focus shifts from the physical to the spiritual. Jesus' ministry often involved healing those with physical deformities, demonstrating His compassion and divine authority. In Matthew 15:30-31, large crowds bring the lame, blind, crippled, mute, and many others to Jesus, and He heals them, prompting the people to glorify the God of Israel:

"Great crowds came to Him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute, and many others, and laid them at His feet; and He healed them. The crowd was amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled restored, the lame walking, and the blind seeing. And they glorified the God of Israel." (Matthew 15:30-31)

The healing of deformities by Jesus is a sign of the inbreaking of the Kingdom of God, where physical and spiritual restoration is available to all. It also reflects the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah's role in bringing healing and wholeness.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, deformity in the Bible can be seen as a symbol of the fallen state of humanity and the brokenness of the world due to sin. However, the healing of deformities by Jesus signifies the redemptive work of Christ, who came to restore and renew creation. The emphasis on spiritual wholeness in the New Testament suggests that while physical deformities may exist, they do not hinder one's relationship with God or one's ability to serve in His Kingdom.

The Bible's treatment of deformity ultimately points to the hope of complete restoration in the eschatological future, where all creation will be made new, and physical imperfections will be no more.1. (a.) Lack of proper form or symmetry; distortion; any unnatural form or shape; irregularity of shape or features; ugliness.

2. (a.) Anything that destroys beauty, grace, or propriety; irregularity; absurdity; gross deviation from order or the established laws of propriety; as, deformity in an edifice; deformity of character.

808. aschemosune -- unseemliness
... Cognate: 808 (from 1 "without" and 4976 , "form") -- properly, deformity (improperly
fashioned); (figuratively) improper behavior that fails to fulfill the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/808.htm - 7k

That all Bodily Blemishes which Mar Human Beauty in this Life ...
... Once it is understood that no part of the body shall so perish as to produce deformity
in the body, it is at the same time understood that such things as would ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 19 that all bodily blemishes.htm

Whether a Circumstance Can Make a Venial Sin to be Mortal?
... This happens in sins when a circumstance adds the deformity of another genus; thus
when a man has knowledge of another woman than his wife, the deformity of ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether a circumstance can make.htm

Whether the Bodies of the Damned Will Rise Again with their ...
... But such are their deformities. Therefore, etc. Objection 3: Further, just as deformity
is a defect of the passible body, so is slowness of movement. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the bodies of the 2.htm

Whether Adultery is Determinate Species of Lust, Distinct from the ...
... Objection 3: Further, where there is the same kind of deformity, there
would seem to be the same species of sin. Now, apparently ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether adultery is determinate species.htm

Whether Contrition Should be on Account of Original Sin?
... For we ought to be contrite on account of actual sin; not by reason of the act,
considered as a kind of being, but by reason of its deformity, since the act ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether contrition should be on.htm

Whether Unformed Faith is a Gift of God
... On the second point: as we said in Pt. I, Q.48, Art.1, ad 2, and in 12ae, Q.71,
Art.6, the deformity of an act belongs to its specific nature as a moral act. ...
/.../aquinas/nature and grace/article two whether unformed faith.htm

Whether Seduction Should be Reckoned a Species of Lust?
... lust. I answer that, When the matter of a vice has a special deformity,
we must reckon it to be a determinate species of that vice. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether seduction should be reckoned.htm

Whether Lifeless Faith is a Gift of God?
... Reply to Objection 2: The deformity of an act is essential to the act's species,
considered as a moral act, as stated above ([2350]FP, Q[48], A[1], ad 2; [2351 ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether lifeless faith is a.htm

section ii.
... I hold there is a general beauty in the works of God, and therefore no
deformity in any kind or species of creature whatsoever. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/browne/religio medici/section ii.htm

Whether Sacrilege is a Special Sin?
... I answer that, Wherever we find a special aspect of deformity, there must needs
be a special sin; because the species of a thing is derived chiefly from its ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether sacrilege is a special.htm

Deformity (2 Occurrences)
... that destroys beauty, grace, or propriety; irregularity; absurdity; gross deviation
from order or the established laws of propriety; as, deformity in an edifice ...
/d/deformity.htm - 7k

Deformed (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (imp. & pp) of Deform. 2. (a.) Unnatural or distorted in form; having a deformity;
misshapen; disfigured; as, a deformed person; a deformed head. ...
/d/deformed.htm - 7k

Blemish (71 Occurrences)
... Imperfection or bodily deformity excluding men from the priesthood, and rendering
animals unfit to be offered in sacrifice (Leviticus 21:17-23; 22:19-25). ...
/b/blemish.htm - 31k

Nose (23 Occurrences)
... (charum; Septuagint koloborin): Used only in Leviticus 21:18 as the name of a deformity
which disqualified a member of a priestly family for serving the altar. ...
/n/nose.htm - 19k

Flat (33 Occurrences)
... (charum; Septuagint koloborin): Used only in Leviticus 21:18 as the name of a deformity
which disqualified a member of a priestly family for serving the altar. ...
/f/flat.htm - 21k

Defraud (11 Occurrences)

/d/defraud.htm - 9k

Votive (13 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 22:23 Either a bull or a lamb that has any deformity or lacking in his
parts, that you may offer for a freewill offering; but for a vow it shall not ...
/v/votive.htm - 10k

Overgrown (5 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 22:23 Either a bull or a lamb that has any deformity or lacking in his
parts, that you may offer for a freewill offering; but for a vow it shall not ...
/o/overgrown.htm - 8k

Leprosy (51 Occurrences)
... edges. These are often followed by an eruption of dark or yellowish prominent
nodules, frequently producing great deformity. In ...
/l/leprosy.htm - 37k

Freewill (27 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 22:23 Either a bull or a lamb that has any deformity or lacking in his
parts, that you may offer for a freewill offering; but for a vow it shall not ...
/f/freewill.htm - 16k

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