This medical term appears in the covenant curses of Deuteronomy, denoting a feverish inflammatory condition. Related to the root for 'burning,' it describes illness characterized by abnormal internal heat. Moses lists it among the diseases God would send for disobedience, alongside consumption and fever—suggesting a distinct condition, possibly chronic inflammation or infectious fever. The multilingual consistency in translation (inflamación, inflammation) indicates a clear medical concept. Ancient Israel recognized fever and inflammation as serious, often fatal conditions in an era without antibiotics.