In the context of the Bible, the concept of being "poisoned" can be understood both literally and metaphorically. The term itself may not frequently appear in the text, but the idea of poison and its effects are present in various passages, illustrating both physical and spiritual dangers.

Literal Poisoning:

The Bible contains references to literal poisons, often in the context of danger or death. In the ancient world, poisons were known and feared for their lethal potential. While specific instances of poisoning are not extensively detailed, the Bible acknowledges the existence of deadly substances. For example, in Deuteronomy 32:33, the venom of serpents is described: "Their wine is the venom of serpents, the deadly poison of cobras."

Metaphorical Poisoning:

More frequently, the Bible uses the concept of poison metaphorically to describe the corrupting influence of sin, false teachings, and evil speech. Poison, in this sense, represents anything that can corrupt or destroy the purity and holiness of God's people.

1. Sin and Corruption:
Sin is often depicted as a poison that corrupts the soul and leads to spiritual death. In Romans 3:13, Paul quotes the Psalms to describe the sinful nature of humanity: "Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit. The poison of vipers is on their lips." This imagery highlights the destructive power of sin and the need for redemption through Christ.

2. False Teachings:
False teachings and heresies are likened to poison that can infiltrate and damage the faith of believers. In 2 Timothy 2:17, Paul warns against false doctrines, comparing them to gangrene, a spreading poison: "Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus."

3. Evil Speech:
The Bible also warns against the poisonous nature of the tongue. James 3:8 describes the tongue as "a restless evil, full of deadly poison." This passage underscores the power of words to harm and the importance of controlling one's speech to align with godly principles.

Protection from Poison:

The Bible assures believers of God's protection against both physical and spiritual poisons. In Mark 16:18, Jesus promises that His followers will be safeguarded from harm: "They will pick up snakes with their hands, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not harm them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will be made well." This verse, part of the Great Commission, emphasizes the divine protection granted to those who serve in faith.

Conclusion:

While the Bible acknowledges the reality of poison, both literal and metaphorical, it consistently points to the power of God to protect and purify His people. Through faith in Christ, believers are called to reject the poison of sin and embrace the life-giving truth of the Gospel.(imp. & p. p.) of Poison.7219. rosh -- (bitter and poisonous herb) venom
... Word Origin from rosh Definition (bitter and poisonous herb) venom NASB Word Usage
bitterness (2), gall (1), poison (4), poisoned (2), poisonous (2), poisonous ...
/hebrew/7219.htm - 6k

The Serpent Lifted up in the Wilderness Prefigured Christ ...
... of Infants Chapter 61 [XXXII.]"The Serpent Lifted Up in the Wilderness Prefigured
Christ Suspended on the Cross; Even Infants Themselves Poisoned by the ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 61 xxxii the serpent lifted.htm

Cholera, 1866
... or not, of the offence of dirt; of filthy and careless habits of living; and especially,
as has long been known by well-informed men, of drinking poisoned water ...
/.../kingsley/the water of life and other sermons/sermon xvii cholera 1866.htm

The visit to Media.
... This custom was adopted by these ancient despots to guard against the danger of
being poisoned; for such a danger would of course be very much diminished by ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter iii the visit to.htm

After what Manner Upon the Death of Claudius, Nero Succeeded in ...
... 1. Now Claudius Caesar died when he had reigned thirteen years, eight months, and
twenty days; [17] and a report went about that he was poisoned by his wife ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 after what manner.htm

Book 17 Footnotes
... [4]His wife, her mother, and sister. [5] It seems to me, by this whole story put
together, that Pheroras was not himself poisoned, as is commonly supposed; for ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 17 footnotes.htm

On the Ten Points of Doctrine.
... their good words and smooth tongue, deceive the hearts of the innocent [646] ,
disguising with the name of Christ as it were with honey the poisoned arrows [647 ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture iv on the ten.htm

Curiosity.
... This is but a feeble picture of the frightful condition of a mind starved for want
of solid and wholesome food, and poisoned by the empty frothings of vanity ...
/.../sainte-foi/serious hours of a young lady/chapter xvii curiosity.htm

It is Somewhat the Same Argument which You Use against the Pope ...
... were heretical. But I want to learn what these poisoned missiles are which
you complain that I threw from behind your back. I sent ...
/.../24 it is somewhat the.htm

The Brazen Serpent
... to whom He was speaking, of the brazen serpent lifted up on the pole in the desert,
proclaims Himself as the medium of healing and of life to a poisoned world. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the brazen serpent.htm

The Earth Brings Forth, as if by Suppuration...
... Wherefore that succession of knots in the scorpion, which in the inside is a thin
poisoned veinlet, rising up with a bow-like bound, draws tight a barbed sting ...
/.../scorpiace antidote for the scorpions sting/chapter i the earth brings.htm

Poisoned (7 Occurrences)
...Poisoned (7 Occurrences). ... (See RSV NIV). 2 Timothy 2:17 And their words will be like
poisoned wounds in the flesh: such are Hymenaeus and Philetus; (BBE). ...
/p/poisoned.htm - 8k

Poison (17 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) To injure or kill by poison; to administer poison to. 5. (n.) To taint;
to corrupt; to vitiate; as, vice poisons happiness; slander poisoned his mind. ...
/p/poison.htm - 17k

Wounds (57 Occurrences)
... RSV NIV). 2 Timothy 2:17 And their words will be like poisoned wounds in
the flesh: such are Hymenaeus and Philetus; (BBE). 1 Peter ...
/w/wounds.htm - 22k

Evil-smelling (2 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Psalms 38:5 My wounds are poisoned and evil-smelling, because of my foolish
behaviour. (BBE). Evils, Evil-smelling. Evil-speakers . Reference Bible.
/e/evil-smelling.htm - 6k

Poisoning (2 Occurrences)

/p/poisoning.htm - 7k

Cleopatra
... Share of power. She was herself poisoned (120 BC) by the draught which
she had prepared for their son (Justin 39). She had also ...
/c/cleopatra.htm - 8k

Cockatrice (3 Occurrences)
... from a cock's egg and hatched by a serpent, and "to possess the most deadly powers,
plants withering at its touch, and men and animals being poisoned by its ...
/c/cockatrice.htm - 10k

Aristobulus (1 Occurrence)
... But Quintus Metellus Scipio, who had just received Syria as a province, had Aristobulus
poisoned as he was on his way to Palestine.CR (3) Grandson of the ...
/a/aristobulus.htm - 9k

Swollen (7 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SWOLLEN. swol'-'-n (pimprasthai, only in Acts
28:6): The Melitans expected to see Paul poisoned by the viper's bite. ...
/s/swollen.htm - 9k

Ptolemy
... At last he bestirred himself to recover the lost provinces from Seleucus, the successor
of Antiochus, but was poisoned before his plans materialized, in 182 ...
/p/ptolemy.htm - 17k

Can God save me? | GotQuestions.org

How can I receive the protection of God? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about littering? | GotQuestions.org

Poisoned: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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