Lexical Summary onesh: Punishment, penalty Original Word: עֹנֶשׁ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance punishment, tribute From anash; a fine -- punishment, tribute. see HEBREW anash NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition an indemnity, fine NASB Translation fine (1), penalty (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs עֹ֫נֶשׁ noun [masculine] indemnity, fine; — ׳וִיִּתֶּןעֿ עַלהָֿאָרֶץ 2 Kings 23:33; of individual ׳נשֵֹׁא ע Proverbs 19:19. Topical Lexicon Occurrences and Immediate Contextעֹנֶשׁ surfaces twice in the Old Testament record. In 2 Kings 23:33 the term denotes the financial burden Pharaoh Necho laid on Judah after arresting King Jehoahaz: “He imposed on the land a tribute of a hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold”. The second appearance, Proverbs 19:19, individualizes the concept: “A man of great anger must endure the penalty; if you rescue him, you will have to do so again”. Together these texts present both national and personal dimensions of imposed consequence. Historical Background 2 Kings 23:33 stands near the end of Judah’s monarchy. Josiah’s reforms had stirred a brief revival, yet his death opened Judah to foreign domination. Pharaoh Necho’s levy was not merely fiscal; it symbolized the forfeiture of covenant blessings promised for obedience (Deuteronomy 28:1–14) and warned of exile soon realized under Babylon. עֹנֶשׁ thus forms part of the historical theology of retribution: when a nation breaks covenant, outside powers exact payment, illustrating Proverbs 13:15, “The way of the unfaithful is hard.” In Proverbs 19:19 the setting is wisdom literature, where fatherly instruction prepares the covenant community to live skillfully under Yahweh’s rule. The sage warns that uncontrolled temper invites recurring sanctions, teaching personal responsibility within the broader national story. Theological Themes 1. Divine Justice Administered through Human Agents Whether Pharaoh or parental authority, God often employs earthly instruments to uphold moral order. Romans 13:1-4 later confirms this principle of delegated governance. 2. Consequence versus Vindictiveness עֹנֶשׁ is corrective, not capricious. Both occurrences display measured response—set amounts of silver and gold in 2 Kings, a repeatable but proportional outcome in Proverbs—reflecting the just character of God who “shows no partiality” (Acts 10:34). 3. The Reciprocity of Conduct Proverbs 19:19 echoes Galatians 6:7, “God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” The Old Testament term anticipates New Testament teaching on sowing and reaping, reinforcing canonical unity. Practical and Pastoral Implications • Civil Governance: Christian engagement with the state must reckon with God-ordained authority to levy fines or other penalties for societal order (1 Peter 2:13-17). • Parenting and Church Discipline: The proverb undergirds measured discipline aimed at restoration, warning that rescuing an offender too quickly postpones rather than prevents future judgment (cf. 1 Corinthians 5:5). • Personal Sanctification: Believers are urged to mortify anger (Ephesians 4:31). Recognizing that repeated rescue without repentance entrenches sin encourages accountability structures within the body of Christ. Christological and Redemptive Significance Though עֹנֶשׁ highlights deserved consequences, Scripture ultimately directs the reader to the substitutionary work of Christ. Isaiah 53:5 declares, “The chastisement of our peace was upon Him.” At Calvary the just penalty for sin fell on the sinless Substitute, satisfying divine justice while granting believers freedom from ultimate condemnation (Romans 8:1). The temporary penalties still experienced in this age now serve the believer’s sanctification (Hebrews 12:5-11), not eternal ruin. Related Concepts and Texts • Mosaic Penalties: Exodus 22:1-15; Leviticus 6:1-7 Conclusion עֹנֶשׁ stands as a concise witness to God’s unwavering commitment to moral order. Whether upon a nation drifting from covenant fidelity or an individual succumbing to uncontrolled anger, the term reminds every generation that actions attract appropriate recompense. Yet by illuminating the principle of consequence, עֹנֶשׁ also magnifies the grace of the gospel, where the ultimate penalty is borne by Christ and transformed into a call for holy living under His lordship. Forms and Transliterations עֹ֑נֶשׁ עֹ֙נֶשׁ֙ ענש ‘ō·neš ‘ōneš oneshLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Kings 23:33 HEB: בִּירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם וַיִּתֶּן־ עֹ֙נֶשׁ֙ עַל־ הָאָ֔רֶץ NAS: on the land a fine of one hundred KJV: the land to a tribute of an hundred INT: Jerusalem imposed A fine on the land Proverbs 19:19 2 Occurrences |
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