Lame
Culture & Societyâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
Lame describes the physical condition of being unable or imperfectly able to walk. In biblical law, this condition disqualified descendants of Aaron from serving as priests and rendered animals unsuitable for sacrifice. The term also functions metaphorically to describe individuals suffering from physical or spiritual disabilities.
What is the meaning of Lame in the Bible?
Lame describes the physical condition of being unable or imperfectly able to walk. In biblical law, this condition disqualified descendants of Aaron from serving as priests and rendered animals unsuitable for sacrifice. The term also functions metaphorically to describe individuals suffering from physical or spiritual disabilities.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the term 'lame' illuminates the ancient Israelite connection between ritual purity and physical wholeness. It reveals how bodily integrity was viewed as a prerequisite for spiritual fitness in biblical law and narrative, providing deeper context for understanding the requirements of worship and the symbolic language used in scripture.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Lame in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Lame clarify?
Source Attribution & Provenance
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.