In biblical contexts, the term "cutters" can refer to individuals who engage in self-mutilation or the act of cutting one's own body. This practice is often associated with pagan rituals and idolatrous worship, which the Israelites were expressly forbidden to imitate. The Bible provides several references to such practices, highlighting their association with false religions and the spiritual dangers they represent.

Old Testament References

One of the most notable references to cutting in the Bible is found in the account of the prophets of Baal during the contest on Mount Carmel. In 1 Kings 18:28 , it is recorded: "So they shouted louder and cut themselves with knives and lances, as was their custom, until the blood gushed over them." This passage illustrates the extreme measures taken by the prophets of Baal in their attempt to invoke their god, demonstrating the futility and desperation of idolatrous practices.

The Mosaic Law explicitly prohibits self-mutilation as part of its broader rejection of pagan customs. In Leviticus 19:28 , the Israelites are commanded: "You must not make any cuts in your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD." This prohibition underscores the importance of maintaining holiness and distinctiveness from surrounding nations whose religious practices included self-harm as a form of mourning or devotion.

Deuteronomy 14:1 further reinforces this command: "You are the children of the LORD your God; do not cut yourselves or shave your foreheads on behalf of the dead." Here, the emphasis is on the identity of the Israelites as God's chosen people, who are to reflect His holiness and not adopt the practices of other nations.

Cultural and Religious Context

In the ancient Near East, cutting oneself was often linked to mourning rituals or attempts to gain favor with deities. Such practices were believed to demonstrate sincerity or to appease the gods through personal sacrifice. However, the God of Israel required His people to worship Him in spirit and truth, without resorting to physical harm or the adoption of pagan rites.

The biblical injunctions against cutting are part of a broader call to purity and separation from idolatry. The Israelites were to be a people set apart, reflecting the character of God in their worship and daily lives. By forbidding self-mutilation, the Law sought to protect the Israelites from the spiritual and physical harm associated with these practices.

New Testament Considerations

While the New Testament does not directly address the practice of cutting, the principles of honoring the body as the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) and presenting oneself as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1) are consistent with the Old Testament's prohibitions. Believers are called to respect their bodies and to worship God in ways that align with His revealed will, avoiding practices that are rooted in paganism or self-harm.

Theological Implications

The biblical stance against cutting underscores the value of human life and the body as created in the image of God. It reflects a theology that prioritizes spiritual integrity and the rejection of idolatrous practices. By adhering to these commands, the people of God demonstrate their allegiance to Him and their commitment to living according to His statutes.

In summary, the biblical references to cutters and the associated prohibitions serve as a reminder of the call to holiness and the rejection of practices that are contrary to the worship of the one true God.

The Account of the Building of Solomon's Temple Contains Serious ...
... And the number of the burden-bearers and of the stone-cutters and of the officers,
the duration, too, of the period of preparing the stones and marking them ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/24 the account of the.htm

The Temple Spoken of by Christ is the Church. Application to the ...
... chief officers, who were appointed over the works of Solomon, and the seventy thousand
of those who bore burdens, and the eighty thousand stone-cutters in the ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/23 the temple spoken of.htm

That David Made Great Preparations for the House of God; and That ...
... Moreover, thou hast many ten thousand stone-cutters and carpenters; and if thou
shalt want any thing further, do thou add somewhat of thine own. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 14 that david made.htm

Soul-Rest.
... Great, soulless, iron-keeled, worldly institutions and sharp-prowed cutters may
ride over your sensibilities, but the inner placidity is unbroken. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rees/the heart-cry of jesus/chapter viii soul-rest.htm

How Titus Exhibited all Sorts of Shows at Cesarea Philippi. ...
... the walls, and were laying the city waste, he then took the most faithful of his
friends with him, and among them some that were stone-cutters, with those iron ...
/.../chapter 2 how titus exhibited.htm

But those Who, in the Opinion of Celsus, Resemble the Workers in ...
... But those who, in the opinion of Celsus, resemble the workers in wool in private
houses, and the leather-cutters, and fullers, and uneducated rustics, will, he ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lviii but those who.htm

But who are the Teachers whom we Call Triflers and Fools...
... Are these the instructions of workers in wool, and of leather-cutters, and fullers,
and uneducated rustics? But such an assertion he cannot make good. ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lvii but who are.htm

Observe Now How by Such Statements He Depreciates those Amongst us ...
... and "invisible," and a blessed life with God, and the friends of God; comparing
them to "workers in wool in private houses, and to leather-cutters, and to ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lvi observe now how.htm

How Herod Rebuilt the Temple and Raised it Higher and Made it More ...
... most skillful workmen, and bought a thousand sacerdotal garments for as many of
the priests, and had some of them taught the arts of stone-cutters, and others ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 11 how herod rebuilt.htm

The Close of the Theban Empire --(Continued)
... The masons, stone-cutters, and common labourers furnished the most important contingent;
among these ought also to be reckoned the royal servants"of whose ...
/.../chapter ithe close of the.htm

Cutters (14 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Cutters (14 Occurrences). Joshua 9:21 The princes
said to them, "Let them live, so they became wood cutters...
/c/cutters.htm - 10k

Wood-cutters (3 Occurrences)
Wood-cutters. Woodcutters, Wood-cutters. Wood-cutting . Multi-Version
Concordance Wood-cutters (3 Occurrences). 2 Chronicles ...
/w/wood-cutters.htm - 7k

Stone-cutters (4 Occurrences)
Stone-cutters. Stonecutters, Stone-cutters. Stoned . Multi-Version
Concordance Stone-cutters (4 Occurrences). 1 Kings ...
/s/stone-cutters.htm - 7k

Grain-cutters (2 Occurrences)
Grain-cutters. Grain-cutter, Grain-cutters. Grain-cutting .
Multi-Version Concordance Grain-cutters (2 Occurrences). ...
/g/grain-cutters.htm - 7k

Wool-cutters (2 Occurrences)
Wool-cutters. Wool, Wool-cutters. Wool-cutting . Multi-Version
Concordance Wool-cutters (2 Occurrences). 1 Samuel 25 ...
/w/wool-cutters.htm - 7k

Carriers (7 Occurrences)
... Joshua 9:21 The princes said to them, "Let them live, so they became wood cutters
and drawers of water for all the congregation, as the princes had spoken to ...
/c/carriers.htm - 8k

80000 (3 Occurrences)
... 80000 (3 Occurrences). 1 Kings 5:15 Solomon had seventy thousand who bore burdens,
and eighty thousand who were stone cutters in the mountains; (See NAS). ...
/num/80000.htm - 7k

Drawers (4 Occurrences)
... Joshua 9:21 The princes said to them, "Let them live, so they became wood cutters
and drawers of water for all the congregation, as the princes had spoken to ...
/d/drawers.htm - 7k

Burdens (35 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 5:15 Solomon had seventy thousand who bore burdens, and eighty thousand
who were stone cutters in the mountains; (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT). ...
/b/burdens.htm - 17k

Timber (32 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 12:12 and to the masons and the stone cutters, and for buying timber and
cut stone to repair the breaches of the house of Yahweh, and for all that was ...
/t/timber.htm - 18k

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