Scourging, a form of severe corporal punishment, is a significant practice mentioned in the Bible, often associated with suffering and persecution. It involves the use of a whip or lash, typically made of leather thongs, sometimes embedded with metal or bone, to inflict pain and injury. This brutal method was employed by various ancient cultures, including the Romans, as a means of punishment and coercion.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, scourging is not explicitly detailed as a common practice among the Israelites, but the concept of physical punishment is present. The Law of Moses prescribes corporal punishment for certain offenses, though it emphasizes justice and limits excessive punishment. Deuteronomy 25:2-3 states, "If the guilty man deserves to be beaten, the judge shall have him lie down and be beaten in his presence with the number of lashes appropriate to his crime. He may receive no more than forty lashes, lest your brother be beaten any more than that and be degraded in your sight." This passage highlights the importance of moderation and dignity even in punishment.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, scourging becomes more prominent, particularly in the context of Roman judicial practices. It is most notably associated with the suffering of Jesus Christ. Before His crucifixion, Jesus was scourged by Roman soldiers, a common prelude to crucifixion intended to weaken the condemned. Matthew 27:26 records, "Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified." This act 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 upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed."

The Apostle Paul also references scourging in the context of his own sufferings for the sake of the Gospel. In 2 Corinthians 11:24 , Paul recounts, "Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one." This indicates the severity of the punishment he endured and his steadfastness in faith despite such trials.

Symbolism and Theological Significance

Scourging in the Bible is not merely a historical detail but carries deep theological significance. It symbolizes the suffering and sacrifice of Christ, who bore the punishment for humanity's sins. The physical pain endured by Jesus during His scourging is a poignant reminder of His love and the cost of redemption. The "stripes" mentioned in Isaiah 53:5 are often interpreted by Christians as a metaphor for the healing and salvation brought through Christ's atoning work.

Furthermore, the experience of scourging by early Christians, including the Apostles, underscores the reality of persecution faced by believers. It serves as a testament to their commitment to the faith and their willingness to endure suffering for the sake of the Gospel.

Conclusion

Scourging, as depicted in the Bible, is a powerful representation of both human cruelty and divine love. It highlights the physical and spiritual dimensions of suffering, pointing to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the perseverance of His followers. Through the lens of scourging, believers are called to reflect on the depth of Christ's sacrifice and the call to endure hardships for the sake of righteousness.Scourging

The punishment of scourging was common among the Jews. The instrument of punishment in ancient Egypt, as it is also in modern times generally in the East, was usually the stick, applied to the soles of the feet --bastinado. Under the Roman method the culprit was stripped, stretched with cords or thongs on a frame and beaten with rods. (Another form of the scourge consisted of a handle with three lashes or thongs of leather or cord, sometimes with pieces of metal fastened to them. Roman citizens were exempt by their law from scourging.)

(1 Kings 12:11). Variously administered. In no case were the stripes to exceed forty (Deuteronomy 25:3; Comp. 2 Corinthians 11:24). In the time of the apostles, in consequence of the passing of what was called the Porcian law, no Roman citizen could be scourged in any case (Acts 16:22-37). (see BASTINADO.) In the scourging of our Lord (Matthew 27:26; Mark 15:15) the words of prophecy (Isaiah 53:5) were fulfilled. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Scourge.SCOURGE; SCOURGING

skurj, 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).

The other Old Testament references (Job 5:21; Job 9:23 Isaiah 10:26; Isaiah 28:15, 18 shot; Joshua 23:13 shotet) are figurative for "affliction." Notice the curious mixture of metaphors in the phrase "over-flowing scourge" (Isaiah 28:15-18).

Henry E. Dosker

3148. mastix -- a whip, scourge
... Word Origin of uncertain origin Definition a whip, scourge NASB Word Usage affliction
(2), afflictions (2), scourging (1), scourgings (1). plague, scourging. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3148.htm - 7k

4385. proteino -- to stretch out
... proteino Phonetic Spelling: (prot-i'-no) Short Definition: I stretch out, tie up
Definition: I stretch out, tie up (for scourging), extend before. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4385.htm - 6k

3468. molops -- a bruise
... Masculine Transliteration: molops Phonetic Spelling: (mo'-lopes) Short Definition:
a bruise, stripe Definition: a bruise, stripe, left on the body by scourging ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3468.htm - 6k

3147. mastizo -- to whip, scourge
... flog, scourge, whip. Cognate: 3147 -- to whip (scourge), emphasizing the
(authorization) of a scourging. See 3146 (). Word Origin ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3147.htm - 6k

7848. shittah -- acacia (a tree and a wood)
... a derivative (only in the plural shittiym {shit-teem'}; meaning the sticks of wood)
from the same as shotet; the acacia (from its scourging thorns) -- shittah ...
/hebrew/7848.htm - 6k

2250. chabburah -- a stripe, blow
... Word Origin from chabar Definition a stripe, blow NASB Word Usage bruise (2),
scourging (1), striking (1), stripes (1), welts (1), wounds (1). ...
/hebrew/2250.htm - 6k

The Scourging of Jesus.
... CHAPTER XXII. The Scourging of Jesus. That most weak and undecided of all
judges, Pilate, had several times repeated these dastardly ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter xxii the scourging of.htm

Mary During the Scourging of Our Lord.
... CHAPTER XXIII. Mary during the Scourging of our Lord. I ... grief. It was not
more than nine o'clock am when the scourging terminated. ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter xxiii mary during the.htm

The Shame and Spitting
... be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: and they shall scourge him
and put him to death." Such a remarkable prophecy of scourging and spitting as ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 25 1879/the shame and spitting.htm

The Shipwreck of Pilate
... delivered Jesus over to be scourged, it looked as if he had surrendered Him to the
cross; and so in all probability the Jews thought, because scourging was the ...
/.../stalker/the trial and death of jesus christ/chapter viii the shipwreck of.htm

A Savage Duel.
... acquitted Him. Now, as a concession to them, he will disgrace this man by
a public scourging and let him go as harmless. Instantly ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks about jesus/a savage duel.htm

Jesus Sentenced
... John makes that choice of the robber the reason for the scourging of Jesus.
His ... gods? Had he been scourging one sent from them? ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture st john chaps xv to xxi/jesus sentenced.htm

Christ Crucified.
... 15. Scourging and mockery (Matt.27:26-30; Mark 15:16-19; John 19:1-3).16.
Further ... death. The Roman scourging was terribly cruel. The ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/christ crucified.htm

Forgiveness and Retribution
... we may perhaps see a little more clearly the sequence of the Psalmist's thought
here"God's forgiveness, and co-existing with that, God's scourging of the sin ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/forgiveness and retribution.htm

"Jesus or Barabbas. "
... But Annas said, "That sufficeth not," and Caiaphas said, "The law prescribes for
such a criminal not the punishment of scourging, but the punishment of death.". ...
/.../stead/king of the jews/chapter viii jesus or barabbas.htm

Rome Protects Paul
... The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he
should be examined by scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/rome protects paul.htm

Scourging (5 Occurrences)
... (see BASTINADO.) In the scourging of our Lord (Matthew 27:26; Mark 15:15) the words
of prophecy (Isaiah 53:5) were fulfilled. ... SCOURGE; SCOURGING. ...
/s/scourging.htm - 12k

Crucifixion (4 Occurrences)
... This punishment began by subjecting the sufferer to scourging. In the case
of our Lord, however, his scourging was rather before ...
/c/crucifixion.htm - 11k

Scourge (24 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SCOURGE; SCOURGING. ... Eusebius draws a horribly
realistic picture of the torture of scourging (Historia Ecclesiastica, IV, 15). ...
/s/scourge.htm - 17k

Philippi (8 Occurrences)
... As Roman citizens he and Silas were legally exempt from scourging, which was regarded
as a degradation (1 Thessalonians 2:2), and the wrong was aggravated by ...
/p/philippi.htm - 36k

Officer (70 Occurrences)
... Acts 22:24 the commanding officer commanded him to be brought into the barracks,
ordering him to be examined by scourging, that he might know for what crime ...
/o/officer.htm - 30k

Ordering (31 Occurrences)
... Acts 22:24 the commanding officer commanded him to be brought into the barracks,
ordering him to be examined by scourging, that he might know for what crime ...
/o/ordering.htm - 16k

Jeers (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Jeers (1 Occurrence). Hebrews 11:36 Others were tried
by mocking and scourging, yes, moreover by bonds and imprisonment. (See NIV). ...
/j/jeers.htm - 6k

Lysias (3 Occurrences)
... As the speech of Paul had no pacifying effect, Lysias purposed examining him by
scourging; but on learning that his prisoner was a Roman citizen, he desisted ...
/l/lysias.htm - 12k

Imprisonment (15 Occurrences)
... (WEY NAS RSV). Hebrews 11:36 Others were tried by mocking and scourging, yes, moreover
by bonds and imprisonment. (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). ...
/i/imprisonment.htm - 11k

Flogging (9 Occurrences)
... against him. (WEY). Hebrews 11:36 Others were tried by mocking and scourging,
yes, moreover by bonds and imprisonment. (See NIV). Psalms ...
/f/flogging.htm - 8k

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