King Herod have worms and bad stomach pains?

Meepy

Senior Member
Dec 22, 2010
1,026
54
✟16,459.00
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Others
I read that king herod had worms in his privy parts and very bad abdominal pains and gas. In acts it shows he was eaten up by worms. It apparently got so bad that his servants put him in a tub of warm oil to try to allevie his pains. His feet also were very swollen and his legs tender.

Is this medically possible for someone to have worms in their 'down there' area? Do you think stomach pains are a sign of a punishment from God?
 

Michie

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Feb 5, 2002
165,510
55,201
Woods
✟4,584,888.00
Country
United States
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Others
I read that king herod had worms in his privy parts and very bad abdominal pains and gas. In acts it shows he was eaten up by worms. It apparently got so bad that his servants put him in a tub of warm oil to try to allevie his pains. His feet also were very swollen and his legs tender.

Is this medically possible for someone to have worms in their 'down there' area? Do you think stomach pains are a sign of a punishment from God?
There are many different theories on King Herod's mental & physical health. Yes it is possible to have worms anywhere. Especially if they are maggots. As far as disease & pain being punishment from God? It's been an example of either/or in Scripture. I prefer to think in terms of the rain falling on both the good in the bad.

Here is an article from National Geographic you might be interested in reading:

What Disease Killed King Herod?
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/01/0128_020128_KingHerod.html
 
Upvote 0

QuantaCura

Rejoice always.
Aug 17, 2005
9,164
958
42
✟21,762.00
Faith
Catholic
God can permit or send someone suffering for a variety of reasons--to expiate his sins and conform him to Christ (Heb. 12:4-11), to chastise and call him back to the right path, to increase his merit, to allow him to exercise charity (St. Paul rejoices in being able to suffer in a redemptive way, for example in Col. 1:24), to teach some sort of lesson in virtue, to execute justice, etc.

So basically stomach pains in and of themselves don't lead to any particular conclusion.
 
Upvote 0

plmarquette

Veteran
Oct 5, 2004
3,254
192
72
Auburn , IL.
✟4,379.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Politics
US-Republican
  1. Acts 12:23
    Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.
    Acts 12:22-24 (in Context) Acts 12 (Whole Chapter)
whether a "sexually transmitted disease" .... infection.... spider, tick, etc.
 
Upvote 0

Michie

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Feb 5, 2002
165,510
55,201
Woods
✟4,584,888.00
Country
United States
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Others
It was in Eusebuis where I read that Herod had worms in his private parts, swollon limbs and feet, and a horrid smell. Sounds like diabetes maybe too. He must have been a very stinky man.
Whatever it was it was horrendous. :eek:
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

Meepy

Senior Member
Dec 22, 2010
1,026
54
✟16,459.00
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Others
Whatever it was it was horrendous. :eek:


The ancient historian, Josephus, had consulted the writings of Herod's court historian, Nicholas of Damascus and wrote:

"He had a fever, though not a raging fever, an intolerable itching of the whole skin, continuous pains in the intestines, tumors of the feet as in dropsy, inflamation of the abdomen, and gangrene of the privy parts."


(Act 12:21-23) And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and died.


He was affected also with ulceration of the intestines, and with especially severe pains in the colon, while a watery and transparent humor settled about his feet. 7. He suffered also from a similar trouble in his abdomen. Nay more, his privy member was putrefied and produced worms. He found also excessive difficulty in breathing, and it was particularly disagreeable because of the offensive95ness of the odor and the rapidity of respiration.
8. He had convulsions also in every limb, which gave him uncontrollable strength. It was said, indeed, by those who possessed the power of divination and wisdom to explain such events, that God had inflicted this punishment upon the King on account of his great impiety.”
He suffered also from continuous pains in his colon, and there were swellings on his feet like those of a person suffering from dropsy, while his abdomen was inflamed and his privy member so putrefied as to produce worms. Besides this he could breathe only in an upright posture, and then only with difficulty, and he had convulsions in all his limbs, so that the diviners said that his diseases were a punishment -
Chapter VIII.The Cruelty of Herod toward the Infants, and the Manner of his Death. - Eusebuis



Ihad always wondered how someone could be eaten up by worms as it was said in the book of Acts. But reading the Fathers I finally was able to see a connection, especially with Josepheus's writings.

Eat your vegetables, don't do bad things to newborn babies, and maybe you'll escape Herod's fate.
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0