In biblical terminology, "smiters" refers to those who strike or inflict blows, often with the intent to harm or punish. The concept of smiting is prevalent throughout the Bible, illustrating both physical and metaphorical acts of striking. The term is derived from the verb "to smite," which means to strike with a firm blow. In the context of the Bible, smiters can be individuals, groups, or even divine agents executing judgment.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, smiting is frequently associated with divine judgment and warfare. God often uses smiting as a means to execute His will, whether in punishing the wicked or delivering His people. For instance, in Exodus 12:29, the Lord smites all the firstborn in the land of Egypt as a final plague: "Now at midnight the LORD struck down every firstborn male in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, as well as all the firstborn of the livestock."

Smiters are also seen in the context of warfare, where God empowers His people to smite their enemies. In 1 Samuel 17:49-50, David smites Goliath with a stone, demonstrating God's deliverance through His chosen servant: "Then David reached into his bag and took out a stone, and he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand, he struck down the Philistine and killed him."

Prophetic and Poetic Usage

The prophets often use the imagery of smiting to convey messages of impending judgment or deliverance. Isaiah 11:4 speaks of the Messiah who will smite the earth with the rod of His mouth: "But with righteousness He will judge the poor, and with equity He will decide for the lowly of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth and slay the wicked with the breath of His lips."

In the poetic books, smiting can also symbolize personal affliction or divine discipline. Job laments his condition, feeling smitten by God: "For the arrows of the Almighty are within me; my spirit drinks their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me" (Job 6:4).

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of smiting takes on a more spiritual dimension. Jesus teaches against retaliation and encourages turning the other cheek when smitten, as seen in Matthew 5:39: "But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also."

The New Testament also records instances where Jesus Himself is smitten, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies and demonstrating His role as the suffering servant. In Matthew 26:67, during His trial, Jesus is smitten by those who mock Him: "Then they spat in His face and struck Him. Others slapped Him."

Theological Implications

The act of smiting in the Bible often serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and justice. It underscores the seriousness of sin and the reality of divine judgment. At the same time, the New Testament teachings of Jesus transform the understanding of smiting, emphasizing forgiveness, non-retaliation, and the power of love over violence. Through His own experience of being smitten, Jesus exemplifies the ultimate act of sacrificial love and redemption.5222. nekeh -- smitten, stricken
... 5221, 5222. nekeh. 5223 . smitten, stricken. Transliteration: nekeh Phonetic
Spelling: (nay-keh') Short Definition: smiters. Word ...
/hebrew/5222.htm - 6k

Voluntary Suffering
... Voluntary Suffering Isaiah 50:6. I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to
them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. ...
/.../newton/messiah vol 1/sermon xviii voluntary suffering.htm

The Servant's Obedience
... 'I gave My back to the smiters, and My cheeks to them that plucked off the hair:
I hid not My face from shame and spitting.'"Isaiah 50:6. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the servants obedience.htm

The Shame and Spitting
... "I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair:
I hid not my face from shame and spitting.""Isaiah 50:6. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 25 1879/the shame and spitting.htm

The Condemnation which Condemns the Judges
... Spitting expresses disgust; blinding and asking for the names of the smiters is
a clumsy attempt at wit and ridicule; buffeting is the last unrestrained form ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture d/the condemnation which condemns the.htm

But Christmas is not only the mile-mark of another year
... Mighty men of their hands, the smiters and the builders and the judges, have lived
long and done sternly and yet preserved this lovely character; and among our ...
//christianbookshelf.org/stevenson/a christmas sermon/ii.htm

Christ is Glorious --Let us Make Him Known
... You have looked on with amazement while he gave his back to the smiters, and his
cheeks to them who plucked off the hair, and hid not his face from shame and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/christ is gloriouslet us make.htm

Seemingly from the Dawn of Man all Nations have had Governments...
... the hangman, the jailors and the torturers, were always regarded not merely with
fear but with contempt; while all kinds of careless smiters, bankrupt knights ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 23 seemingly from the.htm

The Scar-Marks of Surrender.
... I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair;
I hid not my face from shame and spitting.". And the truth is this. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on service/the scar-marks of surrender.htm

Cause to be Heard in Thy Grace, the Tidings of Thy Salvation: for ...
... deliverers. Thou art able in Thy grace, to make me profit by the smiters:
Thou art able in Thy justice to punish me by my helpers. 10. ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn v cause to be.htm

Sundry Features of the Prophetic Style: Principles of Its ...
... all means future. As for instance, in Isaiah: "I gave my back to the smiters,
and my cheeks (I exposed) to their hands. I hid not ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter v sundry features of the.htm

Smiters (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Smiters (3 Occurrences). 1 Timothy 1:9 knowing
this, that law has not its application to a righteous person ...
/s/smiters.htm - 7k

Impious (19 Occurrences)
... not its application to a righteous person, but to the lawless and insubordinate,
to the impious and sinful, to the unholy and profane, to smiters of fathers ...
/i/impious.htm - 11k

Application (2 Occurrences)
... not its application to a righteous person, but to the lawless and insubordinate,
to the impious and sinful, to the unholy and profane, to smiters of fathers ...
/a/application.htm - 8k

Smiter (9 Occurrences)

/s/smiter.htm - 9k

Smites (10 Occurrences)

/s/smites.htm - 9k

Checks (1 Occurrence)
... Checks (1 Occurrence). Isaiah 50:6 I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks
to them that plucked off the hair; I hid not my face from shame and spitting. ...
/c/checks.htm - 6k

Abjects (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary (Psalm 35:15), the translation of a Hebrew word meaning
smiters; probably, in allusion to the tongue, slanderers. (Comp. ...
/a/abjects.htm - 7k

Rent (76 Occurrences)
... Psalms 35:15 And -- in my halting they have rejoiced, And have been gathered together,
Gathered against me were the smiters, And I have not known, They have ...
/r/rent.htm - 32k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus