Topical Encyclopedia
The term "botch" is used in the Bible to describe a severe and painful skin condition, often understood as a form of disease or plague. It is mentioned in the context of divine judgment and curses, particularly in the Old Testament. The Hebrew word often translated as "botch" is "shechin," which can refer to boils, sores, or other skin afflictions.
Biblical References:1.
Deuteronomy 28:27 · In this passage, the "botch of Egypt" is listed among the curses that the Lord will bring upon the Israelites if they disobey His commandments. The verse states: "The LORD will afflict you with the boils of Egypt and with tumors, festering sores, and the itch, from which you cannot be cured." This indicates that the botch is a form of divine retribution, a physical manifestation of God's displeasure with His people's disobedience.
2.
Deuteronomy 28:35 · Further emphasizing the severity of this affliction, the text declares: "The LORD will afflict you with painful and incurable boils on your knees and thighs—from the soles of your feet to the top of your head." This description underscores the comprehensive and debilitating nature of the botch, affecting the entire body and leaving the afflicted in a state of suffering.
Theological Significance:In the biblical context, diseases like the botch are often seen as instruments of divine judgment. They serve as tangible reminders of the consequences of sin and disobedience. The afflictions described in Deuteronomy are part of a broader covenantal framework where blessings are promised for obedience and curses for disobedience. The botch, therefore, is not merely a physical ailment but a spiritual warning, calling the people back to faithfulness and repentance.
Historical and Cultural Context:The reference to the "botch of Egypt" suggests a historical memory of the plagues that afflicted Egypt during the time of the Exodus. These plagues were signs of God's power and judgment against Pharaoh and the Egyptian gods. For the Israelites, the mention of Egyptian diseases would evoke memories of their deliverance from slavery and the mighty acts of God on their behalf. It serves as a reminder of the covenant relationship between God and His people, where obedience leads to protection and blessing, while disobedience results in suffering and curse.
Interpretation and Application:From a conservative Christian perspective, the concept of the botch can be understood as a call to holiness and obedience. It highlights the seriousness with which God views sin and the lengths to which He will go to bring His people back to Himself. While modern readers may not experience the same physical afflictions, the underlying principle remains relevant: God desires a faithful and obedient relationship with His people, and He disciplines those He loves to draw them closer to Him.
In summary, the botch in the Bible serves as a powerful symbol of divine judgment and a call to repentance. It reflects the broader biblical theme of covenant faithfulness and the consequences of turning away from God's commandments.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The name given in
Deuteronomy 28:27, 35 to one of the Egyptian plagues (
Exodus 9:9). The word so translated is usually rendered "boil" (q.v.).
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A swelling on the skin; a large ulcerous affection; a boil; an eruptive disease.
2. (n.) A patch put on, or a part of a garment patched or mended in a clumsy manner.
3. (n.) Work done in a bungling manner; a clumsy performance; a piece of work, or a place in work, marred in the doing, or not properly finished; a bungle.
4. (n.) To mark with, or as with, botches.
5. (n.) To repair; to mend; esp. to patch in a clumsy or imperfect manner, as a garment; -- sometimes with up.
6. (n.) To put together unsuitably or unskillfully; to express or perform in a bungling manner; to spoil or mar, as by unskillful work.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BOTCHSeeBOIL.
DAY, LORD'S
SeeLORD'S DAY.
DAY, THAT (THE)
SeeDAY OF THE LORD.
JUDGMENT, DAY OF
SeeJUDGMENT, LAST.
LAST DAY
SeeDAY, LAST.
SABBATH, DAY BEFORE THE
SeeDAY BEFORE THE SABBATH.
SEVENTH, DAY
sev'-'-nth.
SeeSABBATH.
THAT DAY
SeeDAY OF THE LORD.
THIRD DAY
SeeLORD'S DAY.
Strong's Hebrew
7822. shechin -- a boil, eruption... boil,
botch. From an unused root probably meaning to burn; inflammation, ie An ulcer;
--boil,
botch. 7821b, 7822. shechin. 7823 . Strong's Numbers.
Library
Growth in Christliness of Life.
... MAKING ABOTCH.... Frequently the preacher may come down from the pulpit having made
a horriblebotch of his attempt to serve God in the ministry....
Separation to God.
... Dear child, she wanted to help me; I knew 'twas the best she could do; But oh,
what abotch she had made it" The grey mis-matching the blue!...
Cleansing.
... "Dear child! she wanted to help me, I knew 'twas the best she could do; But oh!
what abotch she had made of it, The gray mismatching the blue!...
Thesaurus
Botch (3 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
BOTCH. See BOIL. DAY, LORD'S.
... See DAY OF THE LORD.
THIRD DAY. See LORD'S DAY. Multi-Version Concordance
Botch (3 Occurrences).
...Boil (29 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary (rendered "botch" in Deuteronomy 28:27, 35), an aggravated
ulcer, as in the case of Hezekiah (2 Kings 20:7; Isaiah 38:21) or of the...
Smite (230 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 28:27 The LORD will smite thee with thebotch of Egypt, and with the
emerods, and with the scab, and with the itch, whereof thou canst not be healed...
Knees (47 Occurrences)
... is made of the "boil of Egypt," and some commentators have explained this as "bubonic
plague." There is, however, no doubt that the "boil orbotch of Egypt" is...
Feeble (147 Occurrences)
... is made of the "boil of Egypt," and some commentators have explained this as "bubonic
plague." There is, however, no doubt that the "boil orbotch of Egypt" is...
Emerods (8 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 28:27 The LORD will smite thee with thebotch of Egypt, and with the
emerods, and with the scab, and with the itch, whereof thou canst not be healed...
Plague (142 Occurrences)
... It is called (Deuteronomy 28:27) "thebotch of Egypt," AV; but in RV, "the boil
of Egypt." "The magicians could not stand before Moses" because of it....
Both (3039 Occurrences)
Blains (2 Occurrences)
... In Deuteronomy 28:27, 35, it is called "thebotch of Egypt." It seems to have been
the fearful disease of black leprosy, a kind of elephantiasis, producing...
Canst (62 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 28:27 The LORD will smite thee with thebotch of Egypt, and with the
emerods, and with the scab, and with the itch, whereof thou canst not be healed...
Resources
What were the emerods God afflicted the Philistines with in 1 Samuel 5? | GotQuestions.orgBotch: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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