The term "slayest" is an archaic form of the verb "slay," which means to kill or destroy. It is found in older translations of the Bible, such as the King James Version, and is used to describe acts of killing, often in the context of divine judgment or warfare. In the Berean Standard Bible , the term is updated to more contemporary language, but the concept remains significant throughout the biblical narrative.

Biblical Context

1. Divine Judgment: The act of slaying is often associated with God's judgment against sin and rebellion. In the Old Testament, God commands the Israelites to slay their enemies as a form of divine retribution and to maintain the purity of His people. For example, in 1 Samuel 15:3 , God instructs Saul, "Now go and attack the Amalekites and devote to destruction all that belongs to them. Do not spare them, but put to death men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys."

2. Warfare: The term is frequently used in the context of warfare, where the Israelites are commanded to slay their enemies as they conquer the Promised Land. This is seen as fulfilling God's promise to Abraham and establishing a holy nation. In Joshua 10:28 , it is recorded, "On that day Joshua captured Makkedah and put it to the sword, along with its king. He devoted to destruction everyone in the city, leaving no survivors. And he did to the king of Makkedah as he had done to the king of Jericho."

3. Personal Vengeance and Justice: The concept of slaying is also present in personal acts of vengeance or justice, often reflecting the cultural and legal practices of the time. In Genesis 4:8 , the first murder is recorded when "Cain said to his brother Abel, 'Let us go out to the field.' And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him."

4. Prophetic Imagery: Prophets often use the imagery of slaying to describe God's future judgment on nations and individuals who oppose His will. In Isaiah 66:16 , it is written, "For by fire and by His sword, the LORD will execute judgment on all flesh, and many will be slain by the LORD."

5. Spiritual Warfare: In the New Testament, the concept of slaying takes on a spiritual dimension. Believers are called to "put to death" the deeds of the flesh as part of their sanctification process. In Romans 8:13 , Paul writes, "For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live."

Theological Significance

The act of slaying in the Bible underscores the seriousness of sin and the holiness of God. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the necessity of justice. While the physical act of slaying is more prominent in the Old Testament, the New Testament shifts the focus to spiritual battles, emphasizing the need for believers to combat sin and live righteously.

Moral and Ethical Considerations

The biblical accounts of slaying raise important moral and ethical questions, particularly regarding the nature of divine justice and human responsibility. These narratives challenge readers to consider the balance between justice and mercy, the sovereignty of God, and the call to live in accordance with His will.

Ephesians v. 5, 6
... passion. Yes, but thou slayest no sheep? No, thou slayest men, reasonable
souls, some by famine, others by blasphemies. Nothing ...
/.../homily xviii ephesians v 5.htm

Again on the Calamity of the City of Antioch. ...
... What dost thou, O man? At the sacred table thou exactest an oath, and where
Christ lies slain, there thou slayest thine own brother. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily xv again on the.htm

John Chapter viii. 37-47
... Think not, then, that thou art not a murderer when thou persuadest thy brother to
evil. If thou persuadest thy brother to evil, thou slayest him. ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xlii john chapter viii.htm

Lo! the Evil one Reproached Death
... repentance."10. D., No idol with my Lord have I made, O hater of thy Lord!
lo! thou by dead idols, slayest the living."11. S., That ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn lv lo the evil.htm

An Ecstasy
... Still live in me this longing strife. Of living death and dying life; For while
Thou sweetly slayest me,. Dead to myself, I live in Thee. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/cxl an ecstasy.htm

On the Feast of the Epiphany, iv.
... nations' faith, and directest thy stubborn heart to cruel wiles, though thou art
doomed neither to stay Him whom thou fearest nor to harm them whom thou slayest ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/sermon xxxiv on the feast.htm

The Saint Ceases not to Pray. Prayer the Way to Recover what is ...
... So it is, O Life of all lives, Thou slayest none that put their trust in Thee, and
seek Thy friendship; yea, rather, Thou sustainest their bodily life in ...
/.../teresa/the life of st teresa of jesus/chapter viii the saint ceases.htm

1 Thessalonians iv. 15-17
... For when thou slayest not thy brother according to the flesh, but thy spiritual
brother, dost thou not do the same? For what, though not by the sword? ...
/.../homily viii 1 thessalonians iv.htm

Psalm LIX.
... not, lest sometime they forget Thy law." He is making request for his enemies, he
is fulfilling the commandment....Slay not them of whom the sins Thou slayest. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lix.htm

Book ii.
... result? R. I will do that which I see that thou dost wish, but attend most
diligently. A. Speak now, here I am; why slayest thou me? R ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/two books of soliloquies/book ii.htm

Slayest (1 Occurrence)
...Slayest (1 Occurrence). Numbers 14:15 if thou now slayest this people as one man,
then the nations that have heard thy fame will speak, saying, (DBY). ...
/s/slayest.htm - 6k

Slayeth (28 Occurrences)

/s/slayeth.htm - 15k

Slayers (2 Occurrences)

/s/slayers.htm - 7k

Slay (189 Occurrences)
... (DBY YLT). Numbers 14:15 if thou now slayest this people as one man, then the nations
that have heard thy fame will speak, saying, (Root in DBY NAS). ...
/s/slay.htm - 38k

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