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What the Bible Says About Medicine

Overview

The Bible addresses medicine across 11 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Jeremiah, Isaiah and Proverbs. Closely related themes include Drunkenness, Oil, River and Trees. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Isaiah.

Key Bible verses about medicine

Old Testament

Jeremiah

Jeremiah 8:22

Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered? recovered: Heb. gone up?

Jeremiah 30:13

There is none to plead thy cause, that thou mayest be bound up: thou hast no healing medicines. that: Heb. for binding up, or, pressing

Jeremiah 46:11

Go up into Gilead, and take balm, O virgin, the daughter of Egypt: in vain shalt thou use many medicines; for thou shalt not be cured. thou shalt: Heb. no cure shall be unto thee

Jeremiah 51:8

Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed: howl for her; take balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed.

Jeremiah 51:9

We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed: forsake her, and let us go every one into his own country: for her judgment reacheth unto heaven, and is lifted up even to the skies.

People in the Bible and medicine

Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.

In the Bible dictionary

Studying medicine for yourself

  • Begin with Proverbs 17:22, then read the passages below in canonical order.
  • Compare how Jeremiah, Isaiah and Proverbs each treat the theme.
  • Consider the lives of Isaiah and how their stories intersect with it.
  • Widen the study to related themes: Drunkenness, Oil, River and Trees.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about medicine?

The Bible addresses medicine across 11 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Jeremiah, Isaiah and Proverbs. Closely related themes include Drunkenness, Oil, River and Trees. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Isaiah.

How many Bible verses are about medicine?

The Bible references medicine in 11 verses (King James Version).

Where does the Bible first mention medicine?

In canonical order, the first of these passages is Proverbs 17:22: “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. like: or, to”

Which people in the Bible are associated with medicine?

Isaiah.

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