Topical Bible: Diseases: Dumbness

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Topical Encyclopedia

Dumbness, in biblical terms, refers to the inability to speak. This condition is often mentioned in the context of divine intervention, spiritual oppression, or as a sign of God's power and mercy. The Bible provides several accounts where dumbness is both a physical ailment and a spiritual condition, often requiring divine healing or intervention.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, dumbness is not frequently mentioned, but it is implied in certain narratives. For example, the inability to speak is sometimes seen as a consequence of divine judgment or a sign of God's power. In Exodus 4:11, God reminds Moses of His sovereignty over human abilities: "Who gave man his mouth? Or who makes him mute or deaf, sighted or blind? Is it not I, the LORD?" . This passage underscores the belief that God has control over all physical conditions, including dumbness.

New Testament Accounts

The New Testament provides more explicit references to dumbness, particularly in the context of Jesus' healing ministry. One of the most notable accounts is found in the Gospel of Matthew. In Matthew 9:32-33, a demon-possessed man who was mute is brought to Jesus. "As they were leaving, a demon-possessed man who was mute was brought to Jesus. And when the demon had been driven out, the man began to speak. The crowds were amazed and said, 'Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel!'" . This passage highlights the belief that dumbness can be caused by demonic influence and that Jesus has authority over such spiritual afflictions.

Another significant account is in Mark 7:31-37, where Jesus heals a man who is deaf and has a speech impediment. Jesus takes the man aside, puts His fingers into the man's ears, spits, and touches the man's tongue. He then looks up to heaven and says, "Ephphatha," which means "Be opened." Immediately, the man's ears are opened, and his tongue is loosened, and he begins to speak plainly. This miracle demonstrates Jesus' compassion and His divine power to restore speech and hearing.

Spiritual Implications

Dumbness in the Bible is often associated with spiritual realities. It can symbolize a lack of spiritual insight or the inability to proclaim God's truth. In Luke 1:20, Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, is rendered mute as a sign of his disbelief in the angel Gabriel's message. "And now you will be silent and unable to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time" . Zechariah's temporary dumbness serves as both a sign of judgment and a period of reflection and preparation for the fulfillment of God's promise.

Healing and Restoration

The healing of dumbness in the New Testament is a testament to Jesus' messianic mission and His fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. Isaiah 35:5-6 prophesies the coming of the Messiah with the words, "Then the eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then the lame will leap like a deer, and the mute tongue will shout for joy" . Jesus' miracles of healing the mute are seen as a direct fulfillment of these messianic expectations, affirming His identity as the promised Savior.

In summary, dumbness in the Bible is portrayed as both a physical and spiritual condition that can be healed through divine intervention. The accounts of Jesus healing the mute emphasize His authority over physical ailments and spiritual oppression, showcasing His compassion and the fulfillment of prophetic promises.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 31:8
Open your mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 9:32
As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Miracles of Healing
... Dumbness prevents speech, and stands for incapacity of utterance. I. Christ as the
restorer of the powers of knowing. Bodily diseases are taken to symbolise ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/miracles of healing.htm

The Peace-Bringer in the Spiritual World
... He distinguished between forms of disease due to possession and the same diseases
when dissociated from it, as, for example, cases of dumbness. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the peace-bringer in the spiritual.htm

The Compassion of Jesus
... general statement concerning him to the effect that he healed all manner of diseases. ...
dumb man was possessed of a devil in addition to his dumbness; the group ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapman/and judas iscariot/the compassion of jesus.htm

'First to Mary'
... He distinguishes between possession and diseases. ... These were madness, melancholy,
sometimes dumbness, sometimes fits and convulsions; the man was dominated by ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/first to mary.htm

The Deaf and Dumb.
... the most probable physical causes of deafness and dumbness, and a hope that it would
be possible, hereafter, to prevent as well as cure those diseases. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon v the deaf and.htm

The Annunciation of Jesus the Messiah, and the Birth of his ...
... forgiveness; Who redeemeth Israel; Who healeth their (spiritual) diseases; Who blesseth ...
The first evidence of his dumbness had been, that his tongue refused to ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter iv the annunciation of.htm

The Water of Life;
... And as men, in their bills for conviction to readers, do give an account to the
country of the persons cured, and the diseases that have been removed by ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the water of life.htm