Topical Bible: Disease: Physicians Employed For

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In the biblical context, the employment of physicians for the treatment of diseases is mentioned sparingly, yet it provides insight into the ancient understanding of medicine and healing. The Bible acknowledges the role of physicians, though it often emphasizes divine healing as the ultimate source of health and restoration.

One of the earliest references to physicians is found in the account of Joseph. When Jacob, also known as Israel, died in Egypt, Joseph commanded his servants, the physicians, to embalm his father. "So Joseph commanded his servants the physicians to embalm his father. So the physicians embalmed Israel" (Genesis 50:2). This passage indicates that physicians were skilled in certain medical practices, such as embalming, which was an important cultural and religious practice in ancient Egypt.

In the book of 2 Chronicles, King Asa of Judah is noted for seeking the help of physicians. "In the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa became diseased in his feet, and his malady was severe. Yet even in his disease he did not seek the LORD, but only the physicians" (2 Chronicles 16:12). This account is often interpreted as a cautionary tale, highlighting Asa's failure to seek the Lord's guidance and healing, relying solely on human intervention instead.

The New Testament also references physicians, most notably in the Gospel of Mark. The woman with the issue of blood had suffered for many years and had sought the help of numerous physicians without success. "She had borne much agony under the care of many physicians and had spent all she had, but to no avail. Instead, her condition had only grown worse" (Mark 5:26). This account underscores the limitations of human medicine and the miraculous healing power of Jesus Christ, who ultimately healed the woman through her faith.

The Gospel of Luke, written by Luke the physician, provides a unique perspective on the role of medical practitioners. Colossians 4:14 refers to him as "Luke, the beloved physician" , indicating that his profession was respected and valued within the early Christian community. Luke's background as a physician may have influenced his detailed accounts of Jesus' healing miracles, emphasizing both the compassion and divine authority of Christ.

While the Bible acknowledges the presence and role of physicians, it consistently points to God as the ultimate healer. The use of physicians is not condemned, but believers are encouraged to seek God's wisdom and intervention in matters of health. The biblical narrative suggests a harmonious relationship between faith and medicine, where human efforts are complemented by divine providence.

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2 Chronicles 16:12
And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians.
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Jeremiah 8:22
Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?
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Matthew 9:12
But when Jesus heard that, he said to them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
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Mark 5:26
And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,
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Luke 4:23
And he said to them, You will surely say to me this proverb, Physician, heal yourself: whatever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in your country.
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Library

1 Thessalonians v. 12, 13
... [1038] As physicians [1039] are ... the Priest has hindered himself by his occupation;
his life is no other than to be employed about the ... Has disease befallen thee ...
/.../homily x 1 thessalonians v.htm

But as He Afterwards Says that "The Teacher of Christianity Acts ...
... then, he will be shown to have employed to no ... and from such as are considered physicians
after his ... in keeping such away from a dangerous disease caused by the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen against celsus/chapter lxxv but as he.htm

Chap. xxxiii. And Now, when Galerius was in the Eighteenth Year of ...
... away, and everything employed as the means of cure served but to aggravate the disease.
"The masters of the healing art withdrew.". Then famous physicians were ...
/.../of the manner in which the persecutors died/chap xxxiii and now when.htm

Of the Same Argument.
... contract an illness; and upon consulting the physicians, were to ... one that the cause
of the disease was overmuch ... pious toil this wise man had employed the help ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 3 of the same argument.htm

But they with whom we Argue have Undoubtedly a Right to Select ...
... that the nature and degree of the disease had never ... and the report of the French
physicians upon that ... applications to the human frame which can be employed. ...
/.../paley/evidences of christianity/chapter ii but they with.htm

Cambyses.
... will produce also, generally, the best physicians for that ... of his life, was attacked
with this disease, and he ... body of Greek troops who were employed by Amasis ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter i cambyses.htm

Salvation: Grace: Faith
... enter into the Kingdom of God,' are employed as equivalent ... deadly peril; we are all
sick of a fatal disease. ... and brushes them aside and says, 'Physicians of no ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/salvation grace faith.htm

Miracles.
... Such were doubtless the means employed by Jesus. ... Physicians can designate the disease
which made the fortune of Mahomet.[1] Almost in our own day, the men ...
//christianbookshelf.org/renan/the life of jesus/chapter xvi miracles.htm

the Nature of this Oversight
... if we know not their temperament or disease, we are ... not the shepherds, the teachers,
the physicians, the guides ... have are God's, and should be employed to the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/baxter/the reformed pastor/section 1 the nature 2.htm

Saint Augustin
... of Boniface, must have brought in the germs of disease. ... nobody entered his cell save
the physicians, and the ... He had splendidly employed his reason, within the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/iv saint augustin.htm