Bible Word of the Day
Dropsy (Edema or Fluid Build-up)
Meaning
Dropsy was a medical condition caused by the buildup of fluid in the extremities or in the body around the abdomen. Today the term used is “edema.” This usually has been the result of a cardiac disease such as congestive heart failure or because of renal disease such as in the case of renal failure. In addition, it can also be caused by liver disease and results in what is called “ascites.” Ascites along with jaundice is a sign of liver failure.
The term “dropsy” was an ancient term which has been around since the time of Hippocrates. Hippocrates was an ancient Greek doctor who lived from 460-370 BC. It’s the work of Hippocrates from which modern medicine gets its “Hippocratic Oath” of doing no harm. Jesus during His earthly ministry healed people from this disease. This meant that Jesus would not only have removed the excessive fluid, but would have also cured the underlying disease causing the organ failure of the heart, liver or kidneys.
“Now it happened, as He went into the house of one of the rulers of the Pharisees to eat bread on the Sabbath, that they watched Him closely. And behold, there was a certain man before Him who had dropsy. And Jesus, answering, spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, ‘Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?’ But they kept silent. And He took him and healed him, and let him go. Then He answered them, saying, ‘Which of you, having a donkey or an ox that has fallen into a pit, will not immediately pull him out on the Sabbath day?’ And they could not answer Him regarding these things.” (Gospel of Luke 14:1-6)