Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Context:In biblical terms, "consumption" often refers to a wasting disease or severe affliction that leads to the gradual deterioration of the body. It is typically associated with divine judgment or a curse for disobedience to God's commandments. The term is used in various translations of the Bible to describe a condition that causes significant physical decline.
Biblical References:The most direct reference to consumption in the Bible is found in the context of the curses for disobedience outlined in the Mosaic Law. In
Deuteronomy 28:22 , it states: "The LORD will strike you with wasting disease, with fever and inflammation, with scorching heat and drought, with blight and mildew, which will plague you until you perish." Here, "wasting disease" is often understood to include consumption, indicating a severe and debilitating illness.
Theological Significance:Consumption, as mentioned in the Bible, is often seen as a manifestation of God's judgment. It serves as a warning to the Israelites of the consequences of turning away from God's commandments. The affliction is not merely a physical ailment but a spiritual consequence of disobedience. This reflects the broader biblical theme that physical health and spiritual obedience are interconnected.
Historical and Cultural Context:In ancient times, diseases that caused wasting away of the body, such as tuberculosis, were common and often fatal. The biblical references to consumption would have been understood by the original audience as a serious and life-threatening condition. The association of such diseases with divine punishment underscores the importance of covenant faithfulness in the Israelite community.
Symbolic Interpretation:Beyond its literal meaning, consumption can also be interpreted symbolically in the Bible. It represents the destructive power of sin and the spiritual decay that results from turning away from God. Just as consumption eats away at the physical body, sin erodes the spiritual well-being of individuals and communities.
Moral and Ethical Implications:The mention of consumption in the Bible serves as a moral exhortation to remain faithful to God's laws. It highlights the importance of obedience and the dire consequences of straying from the path of righteousness. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative that emphasizes the blessings of obedience and the curses of disobedience.
Application for Believers:For contemporary believers, the concept of consumption as a divine judgment serves as a reminder of the seriousness of sin and the need for repentance. It calls Christians to examine their lives, seek forgiveness, and strive for holiness in accordance with God's will. The spiritual lesson is clear: just as physical health requires care and attention, so too does spiritual health require vigilance and devotion to God.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The act or process of use, waste, decay; destruction; as, consumption of natural resources.
2. (n.) The state or process of being consumed, wasted, or diminished; waste; diminution; loss; decay.
3. (n.) A progressive wasting away of the body; esp., that form of wasting, attendant upon pulmonary phthisis and associated with cough, spitting of blood, hectic fever, etc.; pulmonary phthisis; -- called also pulmonary consumption.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
CONSUMPTIONkon-sump'-shun (shachepheth, "wasting away"): One of the punishments which was to follow neglect or breach of the law. It may mean pulmonary consumption, which occurs frequently in Palestine; but from its association with fever in the texts,Leviticus 26:16Deuteronomy 28:22, it is more likely to be the much more common condition of wasting and emaciation from prolonged or often recurring attacks of malarial fever.
Greek
671. apochresis -- abuse, misuse... using. From a compound of apo and chraomai; the act of using up, ie
Consumption --
using. see GREEK apo. see GREEK chraomai. (apochresei) -- 1 Occurrence.
...Strong's Hebrew
7829. shachepheth -- (a wasting disease)consumption... shachepheth. 7830 . (a wasting disease)
consumption. Transliteration: shachepheth
Phonetic Spelling: (shakh-eh'-feth) Short Definition:
consumption.
...3617. kalah -- completion, complete destruction,consumption...
... kalah. 3618 . completion, complete destruction,consumption, annihilation.
Transliteration: kalah Phonetic Spelling: (kaw-law') Short Definition: destruction....
8399. tablith -- destruction
... Word Origin from balah Definition destruction NASB Word Usage destruction (1).
habitable part, world. From balah;consumption -- destruction. see HEBREW balah....
Library
Given to Abstraction of Thought. Cases in Point. Opinion of...
... Cases in Point. Opinion of Debating Societies. Perseverance.Consumption. Endurance....
Opinion of Debating Societies. Perseverance.Consumption. Endurance....
Of Lot's Deliverance from Sodom, and ItsConsumption by Fire from...
... Book XVI. Chapter 30."Of Lot's Deliverance from Sodom, and ItsConsumption by Fire
from Heaven; And of Abimelech, Whose Lust Could Not Harm Sarah's Chastity....
Whether it is a Sin to Take Usury for Money Lent?
... In order to make this evident, we must observe that there are certain things the
use of which consists in theirconsumption: thus we consume wine when we use...
The Apostasy in Two Days.
... of Protestantism. The third day is the "time of the end," when there shall
be aconsumption of the beast powers. Dan.7:26. Daniel...
"You Know Me, Moody. "
... will be able to understand it. Suppose I am dying withconsumption; which
I inherited from my father or mother. I did not get it...
What Shall I Render unto the Lord, That, Whilst My Memory Recalls...
... rather was less, sick: and for this let him love Thee as much, yea and more; since
by whom he sees me to have been recovered from such deepconsumption of sin...
Of the Life of Mortals, which is Rather to be Called Death than...
... For if he is not in life, what is it which is consumed till all be gone?
And if he is not in death, what is thisconsumption itself?...
Whether in the State of Innocence Man had Need of Food?
... Objection 4: Further, theconsumption of food involves voiding of the surplus,
which seems unsuitable to the state of innocence....
Whether a Man is Bound to Restore Whatever Profits He Has Made Out...
... I answer that, As stated above [2970](A[1]), there are certain things whose use
is theirconsumption, and which do not admit of usufruct, according to law (ibid...
An Exhortation to Love God
... It is sad to see professors declining in their love to God; many are in
a spiritualconsumption, their love is decaying. There are...
Thesaurus
Consumption (20 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act or process of use, waste, decay;
destruction; as,
consumption of natural resources.
...CONSUMPTION.
...Consummation (2 Occurrences)
... interchangeably in the King James Version for another Hebrew word referring to a
physical disease, and best translated "consumption"; compare Leviticus 26:16...
Fever (13 Occurrences)
... than they are now. It is probable that this state is that called shachepheth,
orconsumption, in these passages. Another form of...
Wear (56 Occurrences)
... 9. (vi) To endure or suffer use; to last under employment; to bear the consequences
of use, as waste,consumption, or attrition; as, a coat wears well or ill...
Consume (136 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 26:16 I also will do this to you: I will appoint terror over you, even
consumption and fever, that shall consume the eyes, and make the soul to pine...
Forsaken (110 Occurrences)
... 31:17 and Mine anger hath burned against it in that day, and I have forsaken them,
and hidden My face from them, and it hath been forconsumption, and many...
Smite (230 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 28:22 The LORD shall smite thee with aconsumption, and with a fever,
and with an inflammation, and with an extreme burning, and with the sword...
Jehu'di (3 Occurrences)
... readeth three or four leaves, he cutteth it out with the scribe's knife, and hath
cast unto the fire, that 'is' on the stove, till theconsumption of all the...
Wearing (43 Occurrences)
... n.) of Wear. 2. (n.) The act of one who wears; the manner in which a thing wears;
use; conduct;consumption. 3. (n.) That which is worn; clothes; garments....
Waste (668 Occurrences)
... 10. (n.) The act of wasting, or the state of being wasted; a squandering; needless
destruction; uselessconsumption or expenditure; devastation; loss without...
Resources
Why did God prohibit eating meat with blood in it (Genesis 9:4)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about temperance? | GotQuestions.orgDid Jesus change the water into wine or grape juice? | GotQuestions.orgConsumption: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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