Topical Encyclopedia
Vomiting, the involuntary expulsion of stomach contents through the mouth, is mentioned in the Bible both literally and metaphorically. In the biblical context, it often symbolizes spiritual and moral corruption, divine judgment, or the consequences of sin.
Biblical References:1.
Proverbs 23:20-21 : "Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat. For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe them in rags." While this passage does not explicitly mention vomiting, it warns against overindulgence, which can lead to physical consequences such as vomiting. The imagery of excess leading to physical expulsion serves as a metaphor for the spiritual and moral decay that results from a lack of self-control.
2.
Proverbs 23:31-32 : "Do not gaze at wine while it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. In the end it bites like a snake and stings like a viper." This passage highlights the deceptive allure of indulgence, which can lead to negative outcomes, including physical sickness. The metaphor of wine as a biting snake suggests the harmful consequences of succumbing to temptation.
3.
Proverbs 26:11 : "As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly." This vivid imagery is used to illustrate the foolishness of returning to one's sinful ways after experiencing the negative consequences. The comparison to a dog returning to its vomit underscores the repulsive nature of repeating past mistakes and the lack of wisdom in failing to learn from them.
4.
Isaiah 28:7-8 : "And these also stagger from wine and stumble from strong drink: Priests and prophets reel from strong drink and are befuddled by wine. They stumble because of strong drink, muddled in their visions and stumbling in their judgments. For all the tables are covered with vomit; there is not a place without filth." This passage describes the spiritual and moral decay of Israel's leaders, whose indulgence in alcohol leads to a loss of clarity and judgment. The imagery of tables covered with vomit symbolizes the pervasive corruption and impurity resulting from their actions.
5.
Jonah 2:10 : "And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land." In this narrative, vomiting serves as a means of divine deliverance. Jonah's expulsion from the fish signifies God's mercy and the opportunity for repentance and obedience. The act of vomiting here is not associated with sin but rather with God's intervention and the fulfillment of His purposes.
Theological Implications:Vomiting in the Bible often serves as a metaphor for the consequences of sin and the need for repentance. It illustrates the physical and spiritual repercussions of indulgence, disobedience, and moral corruption. The imagery of vomiting underscores the repulsiveness of sin and the importance of turning away from folly to pursue righteousness. In some instances, it also highlights God's sovereignty and His ability to use even unpleasant circumstances to bring about His divine purposes.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Vomit.
2. (n.) The spasmodic ejection of matter from the stomach through the mouth.
Strong's Hebrew
6893. qaath -- (a bird) perhaps pelican... cormorant. From qow'; probably the pelican (from
vomiting) -- cormorant. see HEBREW
qow'. 6892, 6893. qaath or qaath. 6894 . Strong's Numbers.
Library
Whether Drunkenness is a Mortal Sin?
... Now some drink too much at the advice of the physician, that they may be purged
byvomiting; and from this excessive drink drunkenness ensues....
Incidents of the Voyage.
... persecuted, dispersed, hungry, thirsty, naked, hemmed in; and, again, sometimes
united, congregated, at rest; but also sea-sick, giddy,vomiting, that is...
Whether Six Daughters are Fittingly Assigned to Gluttony?
... Objection 2: Further, the uncleanness which is particularly the result of gluttony
would seem to be connected withvomiting, according to Is.28:8, "All tables...
On Drinking.
... And the feet are carried from beneath the man as by a flood, and hiccuping andvomiting
and maudlin nonsense follow; "for every intoxicated man," according to...
Tobacco.
... to wash him away. Taken into the stomach unaccustomed to its presence, and
it produces violentvomiting. The whole lining membrane...
The Earthquake (Preached October 11, 1863. )
... that an earthquake, to destroy man and his works, must literally turn the earth
upside down; that the ground must open, swallowing up houses,vomiting fire and...
Manifestly Also in the Gospel we Find the Mouth of the Heart...
... of the body, how wilt thou understand, "Those things which proceed out of the mouth,
come forth from the heart;" since spitting also andvomiting proceed out...
Exposition of St. Paul's Words, Gal. I. 8.
... and carrying with them their venal errors, had found their way to Galatia, and when
the Galatians, on hearing them, nauseating the truth, andvomiting up the...
The Notes of a True Catholic. ...
... and may betake themselves again to, and remain stationary within, the most secure
harbour of their placid and good mother, and may begin byvomiting up those...
The World Created by God through the Word.
... the LXX. in a mystical sense.]. [567] Literally, belching orvomiting.
[The reference is to Psalm 45.where the LXX. read exereuxato...
Thesaurus
Vomiting (1 Occurrence)... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Vomit. 2. (n.) The spasmodic ejection of matter from the
stomach through the mouth. Multi-Version Concordance
Vomiting (1 Occurrence).
...Vomiteth (4 Occurrences)
Vomit (12 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) Matter that is vomited; esp., matter ejected from the stomach through
the mouth. 5. (n.) That which excitesvomiting; an emetic....
Vomits (1 Occurrence)
Cormorant (4 Occurrences)
... It is translated "pelican" (qv) in Psalm 102:6. The word literally means the "vomiter,"
and the pelican is so called from itsvomiting the shells and other...
Sympathy (15 Occurrences)
... one organ to another quite remote, or in the influence exerted by a diseased condition
of one part on another part or organ, as in thevomiting produced by a...
Resources
What does the Bible say about eating disorders (e.g., anorexia, bulimia)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a Christian worldview? | GotQuestions.orgVomiting: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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