Topical Encyclopedia
The term "incurable" refers to a condition or ailment that cannot be healed or remedied by human means. In the biblical context, it often symbolizes the depth of human sinfulness and the limitations of human power in contrast to the omnipotence of God. The Bible uses the concept of incurability to illustrate both physical and spiritual maladies, emphasizing the need for divine intervention.
Old Testament ReferencesIn the Old Testament, the concept of incurability is frequently associated with the consequences of sin and disobedience. For instance, in
Jeremiah 30:12-13 , the prophet speaks of the incurable wound of Israel due to their rebellion against God: "For this is what the LORD says: 'Your injury is incurable; your wound is grievous. There is no one to plead your cause, no remedy for your sores, no recovery for you.'" Here, the incurable wound symbolizes the nation's deep spiritual corruption and the resulting judgment.
Similarly, in
Micah 1:9 , the prophet laments over the incurable wound of Samaria, which has spread to Judah: "For her wound is incurable; it has reached even Judah; it has approached the gate of my people, as far as Jerusalem itself." This passage highlights the pervasive nature of sin and its destructive impact on the community.
New Testament InsightsWhile the New Testament does not frequently use the term "incurable," the concept is evident in the portrayal of human sinfulness and the need for salvation through Jesus Christ. The incurable nature of sin is addressed through the redemptive work of Christ, who offers healing and restoration beyond human capability.
In
Mark 2:17 , Jesus states, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." This metaphorical use of sickness and healing underscores the spiritual condition of humanity and the necessity of divine intervention for true healing.
Theological ImplicationsTheologically, the concept of incurability serves as a reminder of human limitations and the necessity of relying on God's power and grace. It underscores the biblical theme that while human efforts are insufficient to cure the deepest ailments of the soul, God's intervention through Christ provides the ultimate remedy.
In the broader biblical narrative, the idea of incurability points to the hope of restoration and healing that comes from God alone. Passages such as
Isaiah 53:5 highlight the redemptive work of the Messiah: "But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed." This prophetic declaration affirms that what is incurable by human means is made whole through the sacrifice of Christ.
Practical ApplicationFor believers, the concept of incurability serves as a call to humility and dependence on God. It encourages individuals to seek divine wisdom and strength in addressing both personal and communal challenges. The recognition of human limitations should lead to a deeper trust in God's sovereignty and a commitment to living in accordance with His will.
In pastoral care, the acknowledgment of incurable conditions can provide comfort by redirecting focus from human inadequacy to God's sufficiency. It reassures believers that, despite the presence of seemingly insurmountable challenges, God's grace is sufficient, and His power is made perfect in weakness (
2 Corinthians 12:9).
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Not capable of being cured; beyond the power of skill or medicine to remedy; as, an incurable disease.
2. (a.) Not admitting or capable of remedy or correction; irremediable; remediless; as, incurable evils.
3. (n.) A person diseased beyond cure.
Strong's Hebrew
605. anash -- to be weak, sick... anash. 606 . to be weak, sick. Transliteration: anash Phonetic Spelling: (aw-nash')
Short Definition:
incurable.
... desperately wicked,
incurable, sick, woeful.
...369. ayin -- nothing, nought
... nothing (1), have (5), have i no (1), have no (24), have none (2), have nothing
(2), having a nor (1), having no (2), helpless* (1),incurable* (1), infinite...
4832. marpe -- a healing, cure, health
... Word Origin from rapha Definition a healing, cure, health NASB Word Usage brings
healing (1), composure (1), healing (8), health (1),incurable* (1), remedy (2...
2470a. chalah -- to be weak or sick
... ill (3), become ill (1), become weak (3), been sick (2), diseased (2), faint (1),
fell sick (1), grief (1), grieved (1), grievous (2),incurable (2), infected...
Library
Curing theIncurable.
... CURING THEINCURABLE. Jesus went into Capernaum, followed by a great crowd
of people, and among them was a woman who for twelve...
Of theIncurable Depravity of Spiritual Wickednesses.
... II. Second Conference of Abbot Moses. Chapter XIV. Of theincurable depravity
of spiritual wickednesses. For a spiritual substance...
Whether Covetousness is the Greatest of Sins?
... Objection 3: Further, the gravity of a sin is indicated by its beingincurable:
wherefore the sin against the Holy Ghost is said to be most grievous, because...
Whether Despair is the Greatest of Sins
... On the other hand: the sin which isincurable would seem to be the gravest, according
to Jer.30:12: "Thy bruise isincurable, and thy wound is grievous." Now...
Whether Despair is the Greatest of Sins?
... On the contrary, Anincurable sin seems to be most grievous, according to
Jer.30:12: "Thy bruise isincurable, thy wound is very grievous." Now the sin of...
Concerning Bernice's Petition to Florus, to Spare the Jews, but in...
... and rent their garments, and fell down before each of them, and besought them to
leave off, and not to provoke Florus to someincurable procedure, besides what...
The Law, Even in Correcting and Punishing, Aims at the Good of Men...
... But when it sees any one in such a condition as to appearincurable, posting to
the last stage of wickedness, then in its solicitude for the rest, that they...
Of the Devastation of the World and Change of the Empires.
... in Egypt, had increased into a great nation, and were oppressed by the heavy and
intolerable yoke of slavery, God smote Egypt with anincurable stroke, and...
Whether a Venial Sin Can Become Mortal?
... Objection 3: Further, venial and mortal sin differ as curable andincurable disease,
as stated above [1926](A[1]). But a curable disease may becomeincurable....
Whether the Incontinent Man Sins More Gravely than the Intemperate...
... Objection 2: Further, apparently, the graver a sin is, the moreincurable it is:
wherefore the sins against the Holy Ghost, being most grave, are declared to...
Thesaurus
Incurable (13 Occurrences)... 1. (a.) Not capable of being cured; beyond the power of skill or medicine to
remedy; as, an
incurable disease.
...Incurable (13 Occurrences).
...Cure (28 Occurrences)
... of deliverance of the city in Jeremiah 33:6; with a negative particle in 2 Chronicles
21:18 it is used to describe the bowel disease of Jehoram asincurable....
Wound (58 Occurrences)
... Job 34:6 Notwithstanding my right I am considered a liar. My wound isincurable,
though I am without disobedience.' (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)....
Liar (18 Occurrences)
... Job 34:6 Notwithstanding my right I am considered a liar. My wound isincurable,
though I am without disobedience.' (WEB JPS ASV RSV NIV)....
Injury (21 Occurrences)
... (See NAS NIV). Jeremiah 30:12 For thus says Yahweh, Your hurt isincurable, and
your wound grievous. (See NAS NIV). Jeremiah 30:15 Why do you cry for your hurt?...
Despair (23 Occurrences)
... In the latter instance, the Hebrew adjective is derived from a verb = "to be sick,"
and the literally, rendering would be "incurable" (compare Job 34:6, "my...
Bruise (19 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV). Jeremiah 30:12 For thus saith the LORD, Thy bruise
isincurable, and thy wound is grievous. (KJV DBY WBS)....
Incurred (9 Occurrences)
Incur (7 Occurrences)
Breach (55 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT). Jeremiah 30:12 For thus said Jehovah:Incurable
is thy breach, grievous thy stroke, (YLT). Jeremiah 30:15 What!...
Resources
What is a mercy killing? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that the heart is desperately wicked in Jeremiah 17:9? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Gehazi in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgIncurable: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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