In the context of the Bible, the term "seizure" is often associated with physical and spiritual afflictions that manifest in sudden and uncontrollable bodily movements or loss of consciousness. The Bible provides several accounts that describe symptoms resembling what modern medicine identifies as seizures, often attributing them to spiritual causes.

Biblical Accounts:

1. Matthew 17:14-18 : One of the most notable accounts of a seizure-like condition is found in the Gospel of Matthew. A man approaches Jesus, pleading for his son who suffers from severe seizures. The passage states: "When they came to the crowd, a man came up to Jesus and knelt before Him. 'Lord, have mercy on my son,' he said. 'He has seizures and is suffering terribly. He often falls into the fire or into the water.' Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed from that moment." This account highlights the belief in the spiritual origin of such afflictions, as Jesus attributes the boy's condition to demonic possession and heals him through exorcism.

2. Mark 9:17-27 : A parallel account in the Gospel of Mark provides additional details. A father describes his son's condition to Jesus: "Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a spirit that makes him mute. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid." Jesus responds by casting out the unclean spirit, demonstrating His authority over spiritual forces and His compassion for those suffering.

Theological Implications:

In these accounts, seizures are depicted not merely as medical conditions but as manifestations of spiritual warfare. The New Testament frequently associates physical ailments with spiritual oppression, reflecting the worldview of the time that saw a close connection between the physical and spiritual realms. Jesus' healing of those with seizures underscores His divine authority and power over both physical and spiritual afflictions.

Spiritual Warfare:

The Bible teaches that believers are engaged in spiritual warfare against the forces of darkness. Ephesians 6:12 states, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world's darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." This perspective encourages Christians to seek spiritual discernment and rely on prayer and faith in Christ's power to overcome such challenges.

Faith and Healing:

The accounts of Jesus healing those with seizures emphasize the importance of faith. In Mark 9:23-24 , Jesus tells the boy's father, "'If You can?' echoed Jesus. 'All things are possible to him who believes.' Immediately the boy’s father cried out, 'I do believe; help my unbelief!'" This interaction highlights the necessity of faith in receiving healing and the compassionate response of Jesus to human frailty.

Conclusion:

While modern medicine provides explanations and treatments for seizures, the biblical accounts focus on the spiritual dimensions of such afflictions. They serve as a reminder of the comprehensive nature of Jesus' ministry, addressing both physical and spiritual needs, and the call for believers to trust in His power and authority.1. (n.) The act of seizing, or the state of being seized; sudden and violent grasp or gripe; a taking into possession; as, the seizure of a thief, a property, a throne, etc.

2. (n.) Retention within one's grasp or power; hold; possession; ownership.

3. (n.) That which is seized, or taken possession of; a thing laid hold of, or possessed.

724. harpage -- pillage, plundering
... See 726 (). Word Origin from harpazo Definition pillage, plundering NASB
Word Usage robbery (2), seizure (1). extortion, robbery. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/724.htm - 6k

2897. kraipale -- drunken nausea
... Probably from the same as harpazo; properly, a headache (as a seizure of pain) from
drunkenness, ie (by implication) a debauch (by analogy, a glut ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2897.htm - 6k

4916. mishlowach -- outstretching
... Or mishloach {mish-lo'-akh}; also mishlach {mish-lawkh'}; from shalach; a sending
out, ie (abstractly) presentation (favorable), or seizure (unfavorable); also ...
/hebrew/4916.htm - 5k

275. Achuzzam -- "possessor," a man of Judah
... 1). Ahuzam. From 'achaz; seizure; Achuzzam, an Israelite -- Ahuzam. see HEBREW
'achaz. 274, 275. Achuzzam. 276 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/275.htm - 6k

Philippians ii. 11-May
... For this cause, Paul says not, "He seized not," but, "He counted it not a prize";
He possessed not that estate by seizure, but it was natural, not conferred ...
/.../homily vii philippians ii 11-may.htm

To the Rev. A. Brandram
... About ten days since I was visited by various alguacils, headed by the Alcalde del
Barrio, or headborough, who made a small seizure of Testaments and Gypsy ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev a brandram 61.htm

John Draws Down Upon Himself the Displeasure of Many Persons of ...
... refuge in the churches, induced the emperors to make a law [841] excluding delinquents
from the privilege of sanctuary, and authorizing the seizure of those ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of scholasticus/chapter v john draws down upon.htm

The Absurdity and Impiety of the Heathen Mysteries and Fables ...
... Demeter and Proserpine have become the heroines of a mystic drama; and their wanderings,
and seizure, and grief, Eleusis celebrates by torchlight processions. ...
/.../clement/exhortation to the heathen/chapter ii the absurdity and impiety.htm

How Eurycles Falsely Accused Herod's Sons; and How their Father ...
... due to Herod of five hundred talents, and a bond, wherein it was written, that if
the time appointed be lapsed, it should be lawful to make a seizure out of ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 10 how eurycles falsely.htm

2 Timothy iv. 13-Sep
... He who seizes by violence, is ever sober and watchful, he is anxious and
thoughtful, that he may make his seizure at a seasonable time. ...
/.../homily x 2 timothy iv.htm

The Comfort of the Milk
... All shall be attributed to them by the just Judge. The theft of an apple will weigh
perhaps as heavily in the scales as the seizure of a province or a kingdom. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/iii the comfort of the.htm

Kalli's Illness and Death
... understand better than ever before. The last seizure was so sudden and violent,
that he did not articulate at all. He expired, whilst I ...
/.../murray/kalli the esquimaux christian /kallis illness and death.htm

The Captive Christ and the Circle Round Him
... The canvas is narrow and crowded; but we may see unity in the picture, if we regard
as the central fact the sacrilegious seizure of Jesus, and the other ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the captive christ and the.htm

The Man Sent Ahead.
... First is John's wilderness ministry, heading up in his presenting Jesus to the nation.
Then John's violent seizure, and Jesus' withdrawal from the danger zone. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks about jesus/the man sent ahead.htm

Seizure (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (n.) The act of seizing, or the state of being seized; sudden and violent grasp
or gripe; a taking into possession; as, the seizure of a thief, a property ...
/s/seizure.htm - 7k

Grasp (20 Occurrences)
... to struggle; to strive. 4. (n.) A gripe or seizure of the hand; a seizure
by embrace, or enfolding in the arms. 5. (n.) Reach of ...
/g/grasp.htm - 13k

Attachment (1 Occurrence)
... 4. (n.) A seizure or taking into custody by virtue of a legal process. 5. (n.) The
writ or percept commanding such seizure or taking. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/a/attachment.htm - 7k

Seizing (7 Occurrences)

/s/seizing.htm - 8k

Assyria (124 Occurrences)
... soldiery and satisfy their demands with captured booty; and the result, as in the
Northern Kingdom of Israel, was military revolution, with the seizure of the ...
/a/assyria.htm - 101k

Usurp (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (vi) To commit forcible seizure of place, power, functions, or the like, without
right; to commit unjust encroachments; to be, or act as, a usurper. ...
/u/usurp.htm - 7k

Levy (19 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) The taking or seizure of property on executions to satisfy judgments, or
on warrants for the collection of taxes; a collecting by execution. ...
/l/levy.htm - 13k

Grab (2 Occurrences)
... or three masts. 2. (vt & i.) To gripe suddenly; to seize; to snatch; to clutch.
3. (n.) A sudden grasp or seizure. 4. (n.) An instrument ...
/g/grab.htm - 7k

Infectious (19 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Corrupting, or tending to corrupt or contaminate; vitiating; demoralizing.
3. (a.) Contaminating with illegality; exposing to seizure and forfeiture. ...
/i/infectious.htm - 12k

Flux (26 Occurrences)
... There seems to have been an epidemic of the disease at the time of his seizure
(2 Chronicles 21:14, 15), and in the case of the king it left behind it a ...
/f/flux.htm - 16k

Who was King Zimri in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What are Khazar Jews / Khazars? | GotQuestions.org

Seizure: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus