Bible Dictionaries
Lame, Lameness

Holman Bible Dictionary

A physical condition in which walking is difficult or impossible. In the Old Testament, lame animals were not acceptable sacrifices (Deuteronomy 15:21; Malachi 1:8 ,Malachi 1:8,1:13 ). The lame were prohibited from serving as priests though they were allowed to eat from the priests' provisions (Leviticus 21:18 ). The Jebusites boasted that their stronghold of Jerusalem was so impregnable that even the blind and lame would be able to turn back David's troops (2 Samuel 5:6 NRVS, NIV). A proverb excluding the blind and lame from “the house” (that is, the Temple) is traced to the assault on Jerusalem ( 2 Samuel 5:8 ). In the New Testament, the healing of the lame forms an important part of Jesus' messianic work (Matthew 11:2-6; Matthew 15:29-31 ). By healing the lame in the Temple, Jesus restored these excluded ones to full participation in the worshiping community (Matthew 21:14 ). Acts tells of the early church continuing Jesus' healing ministry to the lame: Peter and John (Acts 3:2 ); Philip (Acts 8:7 ); Paul (Acts 14:8-10 ).