### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun νόσημα (nósēma, `{{G3553}}`) directly signifies an "ailment," "sickness," or "disease." It is derived from the verb νοσέω (noseō, `{{G3552}}`), meaning "to be sick" or "to suffer from disease." The core meaning is therefore firmly rooted in the concept of physical illness or a bodily affliction that causes discomfort, weakness, or dysfunction. Its semantic range is quite narrow, focusing almost exclusively on the physical dimension of human suffering. While sickness can have spiritual or psychological dimensions, νόσημα itself does not inherently carry these broader connotations, instead pointing to the tangible, physical manifestation of unwellness.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term νόσημα (`{{G3553}}`) appears only once in the New Testament, specifically in [[John 5:4]]. This verse describes the belief surrounding the Pool of Bethesda: "For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever *disease* he had."
In this context, νόσημα is used generically to encompass the wide array of physical afflictions from which the multitude of sick people at the pool suffered. It highlights the pervasive nature of human illness and the desperate hope for miraculous healing. While [[John 5:4]] is often bracketed in modern translations due to its absence from some of the earliest and most reliable manuscripts, its inclusion in other manuscript traditions reflects an early understanding of the scene at Bethesda, where diverse physical *diseases* were present. Regardless of its textual status, the usage here clearly denotes a physical malady requiring divine intervention for restoration. The presence of νοσήματα serves as a backdrop against which Jesus' subsequent healing of the paralytic in the same chapter demonstrates His superior power and authority over all forms of human suffering.
### Related Words & Concepts
Νόσημα (`{{G3553}}`) is directly related to its root verb, νοσέω (noseō, `{{G3552}}`), which means "to be sick." Other Greek words in the New Testament that convey similar concepts of illness or affliction include:
* ἀσθένεια (astheneia, `{{G769}}`): A broader term meaning "weakness," "infirmity," or "sickness," often encompassing physical, moral, or spiritual frailty.
* ἀρρωστία (arrōstia, `{{G732}}`): Another term specifically for "sickness" or "illness," used in a similar vein to νόσημα.
* μάστιξ (mastix, `{{G3148}}`): Literally "scourge," but often used metaphorically for a severe "affliction" or "disease," particularly one that causes great suffering.
* πάθος (pathos, `{{G3804}}`): "Suffering" or "affliction," which can include physical suffering, though it has a wider semantic range.
The concept of νόσημα is intrinsically linked to the biblical themes of:
* **Healing:** The divine counterpoint to disease, prominently displayed in Jesus' ministry.
* **Human Frailty:** The reality of νοσήματα underscores the vulnerability and mortality of humanity in a fallen world.
* **Compassion:** God's response to νοσήματα is often one of deep compassion, leading to acts of healing and restoration.
### Theological Significance
The presence of νόσημα (`{{G3553}}`) and the broader concept of disease in the biblical narrative hold profound theological significance.
1. **Consequence of the Fall:** Disease, like death, is a stark reminder of the brokenness introduced into creation by the Fall. It signifies a departure from the perfect, harmonious state God originally intended. The suffering caused by νοσήματα points to the pervasive impact of sin on the physical world and human bodies.
2. **Demonstration of Christ's Authority:** While νόσημα itself is rare, the *fact* of physical disease is central to the Gospels' portrayal of Jesus' ministry. His power to heal all manner of νοσήματα (using related terms like ἀσθένεια and ἀρρωστία) was a tangible demonstration of His divine authority over the effects of sin and the forces of decay. These healings were not merely acts of compassion but also signs pointing to the inauguration of God's kingdom, where sickness will ultimately be abolished.
3. **Foreshadowing of Eschatological Hope:** The existence of νοσήματα highlights the longing for a future state of perfect health and wholeness. The New Testament looks forward to a time in the new heavens and new earth where "there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain" ([[Revelation 21:4]]), implying the complete eradication of all νοσήματα. The physical healings performed by Jesus serve as an earnest of this ultimate, cosmic restoration.
4. **Holistic Salvation:** The biblical emphasis on healing νοσήματα alongside spiritual deliverance underscores God's concern for the whole person – body, soul, and spirit. Jesus' ministry often connected physical healing with the forgiveness of sins, demonstrating that salvation is comprehensive, addressing human brokenness in all its dimensions.
### Summary
Νόσημα (`{{G3553}}`) is a Greek term signifying a "disease" or "ailment," rooted in the concept of physical sickness. Its singular occurrence in [[John 5:4]] highlights the pervasive reality of physical suffering in the ancient world and the desperate human quest for healing. Theologically, νόσημα serves as a powerful symbol of the Fall's impact on creation, manifesting as physical brokenness. Conversely, the biblical accounts of Jesus' miraculous power over νοσήματα underscore His divine authority and compassion, serving as tangible signs of the dawning of God's kingdom. Ultimately, the presence of νοσήmata in the present age points towards the eschatological hope of a renewed creation where all sickness and suffering will be definitively vanquished.
TRV