Issue (of Blood)
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Issue (of Blood) in the Bible?
The phrase 'issue of blood' denotes a persistent hemorrhagic condition recognized in ancient Israelite law as a source of ritual defilement requiring specific purification protocols.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding this medical and legal distinction clarifies the social isolation experienced by individuals with chronic illnesses in biblical narratives and explains the urgency of healing events depicted in the Gospels.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Issue (of Blood). Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Issue (of Blood) in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Issue (of Blood) clarify?
Related Topics
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Issue (of Blood)." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/issue-of-blood/