Chapter 27-30

Symbol shown in the book
Circumpunct

Ezekiel 1:28; 3:23; 43:3; 44:4: These verses describe the prophet falling on his face, being overcome by the Spirit, and experiencing periods where he is unable to speak, all of which are signs of spiritual ecstasies and experiences that can be associated with temporal lobe epilepsy. 

Ezekiel 3:22-26; 33:21 ff.: These passages detail Ezekiel being struck dumb, unable to speak for extended periods, a symptom known as mutism. 

Ezekiel 24:25-27: Here, Ezekiel recounts a prophecy where the Lord will “take from them the strength, the joy, and the glory” and that his “mouth shall be opened to the prophet who escapes”. 

2 Corinthians 12:7-10: are often interpreted by some scholars as descriptions of Paul’s chronic infirmity, possibly a “thorn in the flesh,” that some suggest could be temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). 

Joan of Arc reported visions and hallucinations, which could be interpreted as epileptic seizures. 

St. Birgitta of Sweden was the subject of a neuropathographic study that examined whether she suffered from epilepsy, with evidence suggesting it was a possibility due to a prominent feature on her skull and descriptions of her religious experiences

Raphael Sanzio, The Transfiguration

Leave a comment