In biblical literature, the concept of being "swollen" is often associated with physical ailments, spiritual pride, or divine judgment. The term can be understood both literally, in the context of physical conditions, and metaphorically, in relation to spiritual or moral states.

Physical Ailments:

The Bible occasionally references physical swelling as a sign of disease or affliction. In Leviticus 13, the laws concerning leprosy include descriptions of various skin conditions, some of which involve swelling. Leviticus 13:2 states, "When a person has a swelling or a rash or a bright spot on his skin that may become an infectious skin disease, he must be brought to Aaron the priest or to one of his sons who is a priest." Here, swelling is a symptom that requires examination by a priest to determine ritual cleanliness or uncleanness.

Spiritual Pride:

Swelling is also used metaphorically in Scripture to describe pride or arrogance. The Apostle Paul warns against being "puffed up" with pride, which can be understood as being swollen with self-importance. In 1 Corinthians 4:6 , Paul writes, "Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us not to go beyond what is written. Then you will not take pride in one man over another." The imagery of being "puffed up" suggests an inflated sense of self, which is contrary to the humility that God desires.

Divine Judgment:

Swelling can also symbolize the consequences of divine judgment. In Acts 28, the Apostle Paul is bitten by a viper on the island of Malta. The local inhabitants expect him to swell up and die as a result of the venom. Acts 28:6 records, "The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead, but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god." Here, the anticipated swelling is associated with the expectation of divine retribution, yet Paul is miraculously unharmed, demonstrating God's protection over him.

Moral and Ethical Implications:

The concept of swelling, particularly in the metaphorical sense, serves as a caution against pride and self-exaltation. Proverbs 16:18 warns, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." This verse underscores the danger of being "swollen" with pride, which can lead to one's downfall. The biblical narrative consistently encourages humility and reliance on God rather than self.

In summary, the theme of swelling in the Bible encompasses physical, spiritual, and moral dimensions. It serves as a reminder of the importance of humility, the reality of divine judgment, and the need for spiritual vigilance.1. (p. p.) of Swell.

2. (p. p) of Swell.

3. (a.) Enlarged by swelling; immoderately increased; as, swollen eyes; swollen streams.

SWOLLEN

swol'-'-n (pimprasthai, only in Acts 28:6): The Melitans expected to see Paul poisoned by the viper's bite. the Revised Version (British and American) and the King James Version translate it "swollen," but the word is used by certain medical writers in the sense of inflammation; see Nicander, Theriaca, 306; Hesiod, Theogonia, 856, expressing thereby the burning up by a thunderbolt. Swelling accompanies the local lesion of snake-bite and often large purpuric exudation of blood, as well as paralysis, especially of the lower limbs.

4092. pimpremi -- to fill full of
... o which occurs only as an alternate in certain tenses); to fire, ie Burn (figuratively
and passively, become inflamed with fever) -- be (X should have) swollen ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4092.htm - 5k6639. tsabeh -- swelling, swollen
... 6638, 6639. tsabeh. 6640 . swelling, swollen. Transliteration: tsabeh
Phonetic Spelling: (tsaw-beh') Short Definition: swell. Word ...
/hebrew/6639.htm - 6k

Let Him Go Now, and with Panting Lungs and Swollen Throat Find ...
... Book III. Chapter 16. " 19. Let him go now, and with panting lungs
and swollen throat find fault? "19. Let him go now, and ...
/.../writings in connection with the donatist controversy /chapter 16 19 let.htm

On the Same Words of the Gospel, John xiv. 6, "I am the Way," Etc.
... Thou hast a Judge by flying; have a Father by returning. 5. But he had been swollen
up by pride, and by this swelling could not return by the strait way. ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xcii on the same.htm

Fragment iii.
... Judas walked about in this world a sad [1743] example of impiety; for his body having
swollen to such an extent that he could not pass where a chariot could ...
//christianbookshelf.org/papias/fragments of papias/fragment iii.htm

The Labours of John Cennick, 1739-1755.
... maniacs. Some foamed at the mouth and tore themselves in hellish agonies.
Some suffered from swollen tongues and swollen necks. Some ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter xi the labours of.htm

A Good Declaring of Certain Doubts that May Fall in this Word ...
... But then is the use evil, when it is swollen with pride and with curiosity of much
clergy and letterly cunning as in clerks; and maketh them press for to be ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the eighth chapter.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, John ii. 2, "And Jesus Also was Bidden ...
... it as believing in Christ, and continually too do we by our ministry impress it
upon you, that the humility of Christ is the medicine of man's swollen pride. ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lxxiii on the words.htm

'The Waters Saw Thee; they were Afraid'
... sexes which followed Joshua. There was the rushing stream, swollen as it
always is in harvest. How were they to get over? And if the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the waters saw thee they.htm

Climbing the Mountain
... Across my path there is a torrent"a swollen torrent; and I cannot wade it through,
fear the deep waters would carry me down and dash me from the rocks. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/climbing the mountain.htm

Resignation
... he shrank from the rupture of tender ties,"he shrank from the parting with
deeply-loved friends,"his soul was overburdened, his spirit was swollen to agony ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapin/the crown of thorns/resignation.htm

How one Even of those who are Without May be Brought to Believe ...
... passed since the event; all due rites had been performed for the departed; the body
was hidden in the tomb: it was probably already swollen and beginning to ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/xxv how one even of.htm

Swollen (7 Occurrences)
... 2. (p. p) of Swell. 3. (a.) Enlarged by swelling; immoderately increased; as, swollen
eyes; swollen streams. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SWOLLEN. ...
/s/swollen.htm - 9k

Look (1874 Occurrences)
... look" is used in the sense of "expect." Compare the King James Version of Sirach
20:14; Acts 28:6, "They looked when he should have swollen" (the Revised ...
/l/look.htm - 12k

Falls (79 Occurrences)
... Matthew 7:25 and the heavy rain falls, the swollen torrents come, and the winds
blow and beat against the house; yet it does not fall, for its foundation is on ...
/f/falls.htm - 28k

Torrents (17 Occurrences)
... Matthew 7:25 and the heavy rain falls, the swollen torrents come, and the winds
blow and beat against the house; yet it does not fall, for its foundation is on ...
/t/torrents.htm - 10k

Blow (124 Occurrences)
... Matthew 7:25 and the heavy rain falls, the swollen torrents come, and the winds
blow and beat against the house; yet it does not fall, for its foundation is on ...
/b/blow.htm - 42k

Heavy (110 Occurrences)
... Matthew 7:25 and the heavy rain falls, the swollen torrents come, and the winds
blow and beat against the house; yet it does not fall, for its foundation is on ...
/h/heavy.htm - 44k

Yet (1244 Occurrences)
... Matthew 7:25 and the heavy rain falls, the swollen torrents come, and the winds
blow and beat against the house; yet it does not fall, for its foundation is on ...
/y/yet.htm - 35k

Unusual (4 Occurrences)
... of the cold. (See RSV NIV). Acts 28:6 But they expected that he would have
swollen or fallen down suddenly dead. But when they had ...
/u/unusual.htm - 7k

Watched (50 Occurrences)
... Acts 28:6 But they expected that he would have swollen or fallen down dead suddenly,
but when they watched for a long time and saw nothing bad happen to him ...
/w/watched.htm - 21k

Flood (70 Occurrences)
... currency. 4. (vi) Menstrual discharge; menses. 5. (vt) To overflow; to inundate;
to deluge; as, the swollen river flooded the valley. 6 ...
/f/flood.htm - 31k

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