Physical illness and its cure. The diseases recorded in the Bible are many and varied, but imprecise description of them often makes their identification in today’s terms difficult. Disease is frequently connected with sin (Deut 28:22; Deut 27-28:22; Deut 28:35; Deut 28:59-61; Num 12; cf. 2Kgs 5:20-27; Num 16:41-50; 2Sam 12:15-18), though such an interpretation is questioned in the book of Job. In later OT writings and in the NT generally, Satan is often the one responsible for disease (Mark 1:35; Mark 3:22-26; Mark 7:25; Luke 13:16; Luke 13:32). At the same time the theme of disease as divine retribution is retained (1Cor 11:29-30; Acts 12:21-23). For cures, diseased persons are seen as having recourse to several means of treatment: folk medicine (balm, Jer 8:22); physicians (2Chr 16:12; Mark 5:25-26; Job 13:4; Jer 8:22; Matt 9:12; Mark 2:17; Luke 4:23; Luke 5:31; Col 4:14), or an appeal to God.
