Lame

LAME.—This word, perhaps originally meaning bruised, signifies a crippled or disabled condition caused by injury to or defect of a limb or limbs; specifically walking with difficulty, inefficient from injury or defect, unsound or impaired in strength. It is applied metaphorically to all kinds of inefficiency, such as inadequate excuses, or verses which offend against the laws of versification. The term embraces all varieties of defect in walking arising from various causes, and includes halting and maimed (see artt.), which are separate and distinct species of lameness.

The Greek word is χωλός, from obsolete χάω or χαλάω (to loosen, slacken), which is translation ‘lame’ in Mat 11:5; Mat 15:30-31; Mat 21:14, Luk 7:22; Luk 14:13; but in other passages for no apparent reason the same word is translated ‘halt’ In Joh 5:3 χωλῶν is rendered ‘halt.’ without any indication that a special species of lameness is intended, where the description is quite general as in the above passages. In Mar 9:43-45 it is used synonymously with κυλλός, where ἀνάτηρος might have been expected in both cases, seeing that the injury referred to is the definite cutting off of the hand or foot. κυλλός is, however, most commonly associated with the hand, while χωλός more specifically has to do with lameness in the foot or feet. In Mat 18:8 we have χωλὸν ἢ κυλλόν—transposed in the authorities followed by Revised Version NT 1881, OT 1885 , making the correspondence between χείρ and κυλλέν, and τοὺς and χωλόν.

Healing of the lame was a characteristic work of Christ. Among the multitudes that gathered round Him seeking restoration for various ailments were probably sufferers from many different kinds of lameness (as Mat 15:30, Luk 7:22). Joh 5:3 gives a comprehensive list of such sick persons, including the feeble, the blind, the lame, and the withered (πλῆθος τῶν ἀσθενούντων, τυφλῶν, χωλῶν, ξηρῶν). Probably these miscellaneous cases would include those suffering from chronic rheumatism and from infirmities having a nervous origin, many of which resulted in a withering of the limbs and of the bodily frame. It is significant that Jesus is never said to have restored the ἀνάπηροι, the badly mutilated—deprived of their limbs (see Maimed).

T. H. Wright.

lām (פּסה, piṣē^aḥ, נכה, nākhēh; χωλός, chōlós):

(1) The condition of being unable or imperfectly able to walk, which unfitted any descendant of Aaron so afflicted for service in the priesthood (Lev 21:18), and rendered an animal unsuitable for sacrifice (Deu 15:21). The offering of animals so blemished was one of the sins with which Malachi charges the negligent Jews of his time (Mal 1:8-13).

(2) Those who suffered from lameness, such as Mephibosheth, whose limbs were injured by a fall in childhood (2Sa 4:4; 2Sa 9:3). In the prophetic description of the completeness of the victory of the returning Israelites, it is predicted that the lame shall be made whole and shall leap like a hart (Jer 3:18; Isa 35:6). The unfitness of the lame for warfare gives point to the promise that the lame shall take the prey (Isa 33:23). Job in his graphic description of his helpfulness to the weak before his calamity says, “And feet was I to the lame” (Job 29:15). The inequality of the legs of the lame is used in Pro 26:7 as a similitude of the ineptness with which a fool uses a parable.

In the enigmatical and probably corrupt passage describing David’s capture of Jerusalem, the lame and blind are mentioned twice. In 2Sa 5:6 it was a taunt on the part of the Jebusites that even a garrison of cripples would suffice to keep out the Israelites. The allusion in 2Sa 5:8 may be read, “Whosoever smiteth the Jebusites let him ... slay both the lame and blind, which hate David’s soul” as it is in Septuagint. The Vulgate (Jerome’s Latin Bible, 390-405 A.D.) says, “David had offered a reward on that day to the man who should smite the Jebusite and reach the water pipes of the houses, and remove the blind and lame who hated David’s soul.” It is possible, however, that Budde’s emendation is more correct and that it is a threat against the indiscriminate slaughter of the Jebusites: “Whoso slayeth a Jebusite shall bring his neck into peril; the lame and blind are not hated of David’s soul.” The proverbial saying quoted in 2Sa 5:8 cannot be correct as rendered in the King James Version, for we read in Mat 21:14 that the lame came to our Lord in the temple and were healed.

The healing of the lame by our Lord is recorded in Mat 11:5; Mat 15:30, Mat 15:31; Mat 21:14; Luk 7:22; Luk 14:13. For the apostolic miracles of healing the lame, see CRIPPLE. In Heb 12:13 the Christians are counseled to courage under chastisement, lest their despair should cause that which is lame to be “turned out of the way.”

Lev 21:18 (c) Undoubtedly the lame man in this passage is a type of the Christian or the professing Christian who does not walk in a straight path and in fellowship with GOD. Such a one would not be suitable as a servant of the Lord, or a leader of the people.

Deu 15:21 (c) The sacrifice that is offered to the Lord must be perfect. Every sacrifice which man offers outside of CHRIST is defective, and cannot stand divine inspection. CHRIST alone is the only perfect sacrifice.

2Sa 9:3 (c) Many evangelists use this figure as a type of all sinners. Everybody is lame on the feet in a spiritual sense. The walk is not what it should be. The ways of men are not perfect and godly as they should be. We therefore receive "the kindness of God," the feet are put under the table out of sight, while we sit at the King’s banquet, and enjoy His fellowship after the King accepts us.

Pro 26:7 (b) Our Lord is describing to us the fact that we naturally go wrong and walk in a crooked path. Very few men, if any, can walk in a straight path where the footprints can be seen, as in the snow. One leg is longer than the other. All of us are lame in the spiritual sense. It is a natural thing with everybody.

Isa 33:23 (c) Here is a very beautiful way of telling us that those who realize their weakness and their insufficiency are usually those who come to GOD for help and receive from Him the blessings He gives.

Heb 12:13 (b) Men are not always strong and vigorous in their spiritual life. Some are weak Christians and stumble along the way instead of being able to stand for the faith, resisting the enemy. We are called upon to so walk, live, act and talk that weak Christians will be strengthened in their faith and made to stand strong for the Lord.