Madness

A term used in two different senses. The OT suggests that God may occasionally inflict a state of insanity upon individuals as a punishment. The term may also be used of someone whose words or actions are difficult to understand or easy to reject, as with Jesus Christ's preaching and healing.

Madness as a punishment

Jeremiah 25:15–16 See also Deuteronomy 28:28, Deuteronomy 28:32–34; Jeremiah 50:35–38, Jeremiah 51:7; Daniel 4:28–37; Zechariah 12:4

This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, said to me: “Take from My hand this cup of the wine of wrath, and make all the nations to whom I send you drink from it. And they will drink and stagger and go out of their minds, because of the sword that I will send among them.”

Madness linked with folly

Ecclesiastes 7:25 See also Proverbs 26:18; Ecclesiastes 1:17, Ecclesiastes 2:12, Ecclesiastes 9:3, Ecclesiastes 10:13; 2 Peter 2:16

I directed my mind to understand, to explore, to search out wisdom and explanations, and to understand the stupidity of wickedness and the folly of madness.

Accusations of madness against God's servants

John 10:19–21 See also 2 Kings 9:1–11; Jeremiah 29:25–28; Hosea 9:7–8; Matthew 12:24 parallels Mark 3:20–22, Luke 11:15; Acts 26:24–25; 2 Corinthians 5:13

Again there was division among the Jews because of Jesus’ message. Many of them said, “He is demon-possessed and insane. Why would you listen to Him?” But others replied, “These are not the words of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”

David feigned madness to save his life

PSA 34:0 See also 1 Samuel 21:10–15