Examining Divine Healing Through Nature and Human Agents in Exodus 15:22-27
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69668/juita.v2i2.76Keywords:
Sickness, Divine Healing, Nature, Human Agents, ScienceAbstract
The Hebrew participial expression kȋ ՚ănȋ ʾădōnāi rōphĕ’kā (for I am the Lord who heals you), introduces God as a healer, in Exodus 15:22-27. This paper historically, rhetorically examines this narrative and theologically addresses the questions: What is Healing and who heals in this story and by what means? Does God’s healing of Israel from Egyptian bondage, and desert experiences exclude other healers and agents: Moses, water and the piece of the wood (v.25)? It concludes that although God is the ultimate healer, he heals human beings, Africans and non-Africans, through varied scientific means, skills and talents he has given to human agents.
Downloads
References
Adamo, D. T. (2021). ‘I Am the LORD your Healer’ Exodus 15:26 (אנייהוהרפאך): Healing in the Old Testament and the African (Yoruba) context. In Die Skriflig / In Luce Verbi, 55(1), a2689. https://doi.org/10.4102/ids.v55i1.2689
Akpanonu, D. P. (2023). “Jesus and the Healing Ministry of Nigerian Priests Today.” Ministerium – A Journal of Contextual Theology, 9(1), 1–12.
Brueggemann, W. (2000). 1 & 2 Kings. Smyth & Helwys Publishers.
Brueggemann, W. (2025). “The Book of Exodus: Introduction, Commentary, and Reflections.” In L. E. Keck (Ed.), The
New Interpreter’s Bible Commentary, vol I (pp. 277–294). Abingdon.
Bujo, B. (2009). “Ecology and Ethical Responsibility from an African Perspective.” In M. F. Murove (Ed.), African Ethics: An Anthology of Comparative and Applied Ethics. University of Kwazulu-Natal Press.
CBCN. (1997). Guidelines for the Healing Ministry in the Catholic Church in Nigeria. Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria.
Ela, J.-M. (2009). My Faith as an African. Wipf & Stock.
Gaiser, F. J. (2010). Healing in the Bible: Theological Insight for Christian Ministry. Baker Academic.
Gotom, M. (2006). “1 and 2 Kings.” In T. Adeyemo (Ed.), Africa Bible Commentary (pp. 406–466). Wordalive Publishers.
Hampsch, J. H. (1999). The Healing Power of the Eucharist. Servant Books.
Hasel, G. F. (1983). “Health and Healing in the Old Testament.” Andrews University Seminary Studies, 21(3), 191–202.
Hill, A. E., & Walton, J. H. (2009). A Survey of the Old Testament. Zondervan.
Kamalu, C. (1998). Person, Divinity & Nature: A Modern View of the Person and the Cosmos in African Thought.
Karnak House.
Kasher, R. (2001). The Sitz im Buch of the Story of Hezekiah’s Illness and Cure (II Reg 20,1–11; Isa 38,1–22). Zeitschrift
Für Die Alttestamentliche Wissenschaft, 113(1), 41–55. https://doi.org/10.1515/zatw.113.1.41
Koehler, L., & Baumgartner, W. (1995). The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament (HALOT), Vol. 2. E. J.
Brill.
Longmann III, T. (2009). How to Read Exodus. InterVarsity Press.
Magesa, L. (2013). What Is Not Sacred? African Spirituality. Orbis Books.
Mbiti, J. S. (1975). Introduction to African Religion (2nd ed.). Heinemann.
McKenzie, J. L. (1995). Dictionary of the Bible. Touchstone Books.
Mounce, W. D. (2006). Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old & New Testament Words. Zondervan.
Musana, P. (2018). The African concept of personhood and its relevance to respect for human life and dignity in
African the global context. African Study Monographs, 56(1), 21–32.
Mveng, E. (1979). “Black African Art as Cosmic Liturgy and Religious Languages.” In K. Appiah-Kubi & S. Torres (Eds.),
African Theology En Route. Orbis Books.
Ndjerareou, A. (2006). “Exodus.” In T. Adeyemo (Ed.), Africa Bible Commentary (pp. 85–128). Wordalive Publishers.
Ngolele, C. (2019). “African Wisdom in Dialogue with Laudato si’: An Environmental Ethics Based on the Paradigm of
Recognition and Sacred Care”. Journal of Catholic Social Thought, 16(1), 5–19.
Organization, W. H. (2024). Accountability Governanc Constitution. https://www.who.int/about/accountability/governance/constitution
Sanford, A. (1966). The Healing Gifts of the Spirit. A Holman Book.
Sanford, A. (1970). The Healing Power of the Bible. A Holman Book.
Secretariate, C. (2022). “Human Fraternity; Path to Building Sustainable Peace in Nigeria– A Communique issued at
the end of the First Plenary Meeting of the Catholic Bishops’’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) at the Catholic
Secretariate of Nigeria Resource Center”.”
Sillis, D. C. (1972). International Encyclopedia of Social Sciences: Vols. 5 & 6. Macmillan Press.
Tutu, A. D. (1999). No Future Without Forgiveness. New Perspectives Quarterly, 16(5), 29–30.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-5842.1999.tb00012.x
Udoekpo, M. U. (1994). Corruption in Nigerian Culture: The Liberating Mission of the Church. Snaap Press.
Udoekpo, M. U. (2017). Rethinking the Prophetic Critique of Worship in Amos 5 For Contemporary Nigeria and USA.
Pickwick Publications.
Udoekpo, M. U. (2020). The Limits of a Divided Nation with Perspective from the Bible. Resource Publications.
Udoekpo, M. U. (2023). “Hearing and Reading the ‘Rebuilding’ Voice of the Prophet Haggai (1:1–11) in the Context of
African Christianity.” In F. Okorie & M. Enamali (Eds.), Bible, Interpretation, and Context: Reading Meaning From An
African Perspective. Lexington Books/Fortress Academic.
Udoekpo, M. U. (2024). Sickness and the Power of Healing Prayer in 2 Kings 20:1–11 and Isaiah 38:1–22. Religions,
(5), 526. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15050526
Von Balthasar, H. U. (1986). Prayer (G. Harrison (trans.)). Ignatius Press.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Jurnal Ilmiah Tafsir Alkitab
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
