06/12/2021
1. In the Old Testament:
These words, and derivatives from the same
roots are used to express various conditions of
mental derangement. Though usually
translated "mad," or "madness" they are
often used for temporary conditions to which
one would scarcely apply them today except as
common colloquial inaccuracies. The madness
coupled with folly in Ecclesiastes is rather the
excessive frivolity and dissipation on the part
of the idle rich (so in 1:17; 2:2-12; 7:25; 9:03;
10:13). The insensate fury of the wicked
against the good is called by this name in
Psalm 102:8 . In Deuteronomy 28:28-34 it is
used to characterize the state of panic
produced by the oppression of tyrannical
conquerors, or (as in Zechariah 12:4 ) by the
judgment of God on sinners. This condition of
mind is metaphorically called a drunkenness
with the wine of God's wrath ( Jeremiah 25:16 ;
Jeremiah 51:7 ). The same mental condition due
to terror-striking idols is called "madness" in
Jeremiah 50:38 . The madman of Proverbs 26:18
is a malicious person who carries his frivolous
jest to an unreasonable length, for he is
responsible for the mischief he causes. The
ecstatic condition of one under the inspiration
of the Divine or of evil spirits, such as that
described by Balaam ( Numbers 24:3 f ), or
that which Saul experienced ( 1 Samuel 10:10 ),
is compared to madness; and conversely in the
Near East at the present day the insane are
supposed to be Divinely inspired and to be
peculiarly under the Divine protection. This was
the motive which led David, when at the court
of Achish, to feign madness ( 1 Samuel
21:13-15 ). It is only within the last few years
that any provision has been made in Palestine
for the restraint even of dangerous lunatics,
and there are many insane persons wandering
at large there.
