Jump to: ATS • ISBE • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia The term "scourge" in the Bible is often associated with punishment, affliction, or a tool of discipline. It appears in various contexts throughout the Scriptures, both in literal and metaphorical senses. The word is derived from the Latin "corrigia," meaning a thong or strap, and is used to describe a whip or lash, typically employed for corporal punishment.Old Testament Usage In the Old Testament, the concept of a scourge is frequently linked to divine judgment or correction. For instance, in Leviticus 26:18, God warns the Israelites of the consequences of disobedience: "And if after all this you will not obey Me, I will proceed to punish you sevenfold for your sins." Here, the idea of a scourge is implicit in the severe consequences of disobedience. The book of Job also references the scourge in a metaphorical sense. Job 5:21 states, "You will be hidden from the scourge of the tongue, and will not fear the destruction when it comes." This passage highlights the destructive power of words, likening them to a physical scourge. New Testament Usage In the New Testament, the scourge is most notably associated with the suffering of Jesus Christ. Before His crucifixion, Jesus was scourged by Roman soldiers, a brutal form of punishment that fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 53:5, "But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His stripes we are healed." The Gospel of John provides a direct account of this event: "Then Pilate took Jesus and had Him flogged" (John 19:1). The scourging of Jesus is a pivotal moment in the Passion narrative, symbolizing the physical and spiritual suffering He endured for the redemption of humanity. Symbolic and Metaphorical Uses Beyond its literal application, the scourge is used metaphorically in the Bible to describe various forms of suffering or divine discipline. Hebrews 12:6 states, "For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives." The term "chastises" here can be understood as a form of scourging, emphasizing the corrective nature of God's discipline. In Revelation 3:19, Jesus declares, "Those I love, I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be earnest and repent." This passage underscores the idea that divine discipline, though painful, is an expression of God's love and a call to repentance. Cultural and Historical Context Historically, scourging was a common form of punishment in ancient times, used by various cultures, including the Romans and Jews. It involved the use of a whip made of leather thongs, often embedded with metal or bone fragments, designed to inflict severe pain and injury. The practice was not only a means of punishment but also a method of extracting confessions or deterring criminal behavior. In Jewish law, the number of lashes was limited to forty, as prescribed in Deuteronomy 25:3: "He may receive no more than forty lashes, lest your brother be beaten any more than that and be degraded in your sight." This limitation was intended to prevent excessive cruelty. Theological Implications Theologically, the scourge serves as a powerful symbol of both judgment and redemption. It represents the severity of sin and the necessity of atonement, as well as the profound love and sacrifice of Christ. The scourging of Jesus is a central element of the Christian faith, illustrating the depth of His suffering and the extent of His love for humanity. In summary, the scourge in the Bible is a multifaceted symbol, encompassing themes of punishment, discipline, suffering, and redemption. Its presence in both the Old and New Testaments highlights the continuity of God's justice and mercy throughout the biblical narrative. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) A lash; a strap or cord; especially, a lash used to inflict pain or punishment; an instrument of punishment or discipline; a whip.2. (n.) Hence, a means of inflicting punishment, vengeance, or suffering; an infliction of affliction; a punishment. 3. (n.) To whip severely; to lash. 4. (n.) To punish with severity; to chastise; to afflict, as for sins or faults, and with the purpose of correction. 5. (n.) To harass or afflict severely. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia SCOURGE; SCOURGINGskurj, skur'-jing (mastix], mastigoo; in Acts 22:25 mastizo, in Mark 15:15 parallel Matthew 27:26 phragelloo): A Roman implement for severe bodily punishment. Horace calls it horribile flagellum. It consisted of a handle, to which several cords or leather thongs were affixed, which were weighted with jagged pieces of bone or metal, to make the blow more painful and effective. It is comparable, in its horrid effects, only with the Russian knout. The victim was tied to a post (Acts 22:25) and the blows were applied to the back and loins, sometimes even, in the wanton cruelty of the executioner, to the face and the bowels. In the tense position of the body, the effect can easily be imagined. So hideous was the punishment that the victim usually fainted and not rarely died under it. Eusebius draws a horribly realistic picture of the torture of scourging (Historia Ecclesiastica, IV, 15). By its application secrets and confessions were wrung from the victim (Acts 22:24). It usually preceded capital punishment (Livy xxxiii.36). It was illegal to apply the flagallum to a Roman citizen (Acts 22:25), since the Porcian and Sempronian laws, 248 and 123 B.C., although these laws were not rarely broken in the provinces (Tac. Hist. iv0.27; Cic. Verr. v.6, 62; Josephus, BJ, II, xiv, 9). As among the Russians today, the number of blows was not usually fixed, the severity of the punishment depending entirely on the commanding officer. In the punishment of Jesus, we are reminded of the words of Psalm 129:3. Among the Jews the punishment of flagellation was well known since the Egyptian days, as the monuments abundantly testify. The word "scourge" is used in Leviticus 19:20, but the American Standard Revised Version translates "punished," the original word biqqoreth expressing the idea of investigation. Deuteronomy 25:3 fixed the mode of a Jewish flogging and limits the number of blows to 40. Apparently the flogging was administered by a rod. The Syrians reintroduced true scourging into Jewish life, when Antiochus Epiphanes forced them by means of it to eat swine's flesh (2 Maccabees 6:30; 7:1). Later it was legalized by Jewish law and became customary (Matthew 10:17; Matthew 23:34 Acts 22:19; Acts 26:11), but the traditional limitation of the number of blows was still preserved. Says Paul in his "foolish boasting": "in stripes above measure," "of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one," distinguishing it from the "beatings with rods," thrice repeated (2 Corinthians 11:23-25). Greek 3146. mastigoo -- to scourge ... to scourge. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: mastigoo Phonetic Spelling: (mas-tig-o'-o) Short Definition: I flog, scourge Definition: I flog, scourge, the ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3146.htm - 7k 3147. mastizo -- to whip, scourge 3148. mastix -- a whip, scourge 5416. phragellion -- a scourge 5417. phragelloo -- to scourge 1194. dero -- to skin, to thrash 1371. dichotomeo -- to cut in two, cut asunder 4463. rhabdizo -- to beat with a rod 2438. himas -- a thong, strap Strong's Hebrew 7752. shot -- a scourge, whip... 7751c, 7752. shot. 7753 . a scourge, whip. Transliteration: shot Phonetic Spelling: (shote) Short Definition: scourge. Word Origin ... /hebrew/7752.htm - 6k 7850. shotet -- a scourge 5217. naka -- to smite, scourge 7885. shayit -- a rowing 6879. tsara -- to be struck with leprosy, to be leprous 6137. aqrab -- scorpion Library "Sin is the Sharpest Scourge. . . . By Contrition we are Made ... And Lo, There was I Received by the Scourge of Bodily Sickness... Various views of Heracleon on Purging of the Temple. Scriptural Uses of the General Words for Prayer On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. v. 22, "Whosoever Shall Say to ... To Brother Raimondo of Capua of the Order of the Preachers The Story of the Purging of the Temple Spiritualized. Taken ... Ci. Foretelling his Passion. Rebuking Ambition. The Cleansing of the Temple. The Cleansing of the Temple. Thesaurus Scourge (24 Occurrences)... 5. (n.) To harass or afflict severely. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SCOURGE; SCOURGING. ... Henry E. Dosker. Multi-Version Concordance Scourge (24 Occurrences). ... /s/scourge.htm - 17k Scourging (5 Occurrences) Third (192 Occurrences) Mock (43 Occurrences) Kill (310 Occurrences) Overwhelming (5 Occurrences) Lash (2 Occurrences) Crucify (20 Occurrences) Synagogues (27 Occurrences) Scourged (13 Occurrences) Resources What does the Bible say about self-defense? | GotQuestions.orgWhat trials did Jesus face before His crucifixion? | GotQuestions.org What is the story of Rehoboam and Jeroboam? | GotQuestions.org Scourge: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Scourge (24 Occurrences)Matthew 10:17 Matthew 20:19 Matthew 23:34 Mark 5:29 Mark 5:34 Mark 10:34 Luke 12:48 Luke 18:33 John 2:15 John 19:1 Acts 16:22 Acts 22:25 Joshua 23:13 1 Kings 12:11 1 Kings 12:14 2 Chronicles 10:11 2 Chronicles 10:14 Job 5:21 Job 9:23 Psalms 39:10 Psalms 91:10 Isaiah 10:26 Isaiah 28:15 Isaiah 28:18 Subtopics Related Terms |
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