In the Bible, sneezing is mentioned in a few contexts, primarily in the Old Testament. The act of sneezing itself is not given significant theological emphasis, but it appears in narratives that highlight God's power and the miraculous.

Biblical References:

1. 2 Kings 4:32-35: The most notable mention of sneezing in the Bible occurs in the account of Elisha and the Shunammite woman's son. After the child had died, Elisha prayed to the LORD and laid upon the child. The Berean Standard Bible recounts, "The child sneezed seven times and opened his eyes" (2 Kings 4:35). This miraculous event signifies the restoration of life, with sneezing serving as a physical manifestation of the child's return to health and vitality. The number seven, often symbolic of completeness and divine perfection in the Bible, underscores the totality of the miracle performed by God through His prophet.

2. Job 41:18: In the description of Leviathan, a creature of immense power and mystery, the text states, "His sneezes flash forth light, and his eyes are like the rays of dawn" (Job 41:18). Here, sneezing is used metaphorically to convey the awe-inspiring and fearsome nature of Leviathan, a creature that symbolizes chaos and the untamable aspects of creation. The imagery of light and dawn associated with sneezing in this passage highlights the creature's formidable presence and the divine power that governs even the most fearsome parts of creation.

Cultural and Theological Context:

In ancient cultures, sneezing was often seen as an omen or a sign of the presence of spirits. However, the biblical references to sneezing do not ascribe any superstitious or spiritual significance to the act itself. Instead, sneezing is portrayed as a natural bodily function that, in the context of Elisha's miracle, becomes a sign of life and divine intervention.

Theologically, the mention of sneezing in the Bible serves to illustrate God's sovereignty over life and death. In the account of the Shunammite woman's son, sneezing is a tangible sign of God's power to restore life through His prophet. This narrative emphasizes the belief in God's ability to intervene in human affairs and perform miracles, reinforcing the faith of believers in His omnipotence and compassion.

In summary, while sneezing is not a major theme in the Bible, its occurrences in the text are associated with significant events that demonstrate God's miraculous power and the restoration of life.5846. atishah -- a sneezing
... 5845, 5846. atishah. 5847 . a sneezing. Transliteration: atishah Phonetic
Spelling: (at-ee-shaw') Short Definition: sneezes. Word ...
/hebrew/5846.htm - 5k

The Heathens Made Gods Like Themselves, Whence Springs all ...
... I straightway in the market sell him off. Each one of us walks, talks,
and sneezes too,. For his own self, not for the citizens: ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter iv the heathens made gods.htm

Preface
... is entirely unforgettable, as in the description of the irreverent family at
prayers,"their creaking chairs, their yawns and coughs and sneezes, their babel ...
//christianbookshelf.org/whyte/lord teach us to pray/preface.htm

On Pentecost.
... S. Bernard has a curious explanation of the seven sneezes of the child (in Cant.
xvi). [4230] Exodus 25:32, 37. [4231] Leviticus 8:33. [4232] Ib. xiv. 8. ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xli on pentecost.htm

Sneezes (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Sneezes (1 Occurrence). Job 41:18 His sneezings flash
forth light, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning. (See NAS). ...
/s/sneezes.htm - 6k

Sneezeth (1 Occurrence)

/s/sneezeth.htm - 6k

Sneezed (1 Occurrence)

/s/sneezed.htm - 6k

Number (2370 Occurrences)
... of Jericho, and the 7-fold march on the 7th day (Joshua 6:8); the 7 ascents of Elijah's
servant to the top of Carmel (1 Kings 18:43 f); the 7 sneezes of the ...
/n/number.htm - 40k

Why do we say, ʺGod bless you,ʺ when someone sneezes? | GotQuestions.org

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