The term "smitest" is an archaic form of the verb "smite," which means to strike with a firm blow. In the context of the Bible, "smite" often refers to divine judgment or punishment, as well as physical acts of striking or defeating an enemy. The usage of "smitest" is found in older translations of the Bible, reflecting the language of the time.

Biblical Context and Usage:

1. Divine Judgment and Punishment:
The concept of God smiting individuals or nations is prevalent throughout the Old Testament. It often signifies God's righteous judgment against sin and disobedience. For example, in Exodus 7:17, God declares to Pharaoh, "This is what the LORD says: By this you will know that I am the LORD: With the staff that is in my hand I will strike the water of the Nile, and it will be changed into blood." Here, the act of smiting serves as a demonstration of God's power and authority over creation.

2. Physical Acts of Warfare:
The term is also used in the context of warfare, where God empowers His people to smite their enemies. In 1 Samuel 17:49, David smites Goliath: "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." This act of smiting is seen as a divine intervention where God delivers victory to His chosen people.

3. Moral and Spiritual Lessons:
The act of smiting is not only a physical action but also carries moral and spiritual implications. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin and the importance of obedience to God's commandments. In Deuteronomy 28:22, the consequences of disobedience are outlined: "The LORD will strike you with wasting disease, with fever and inflammation, with scorching heat and drought, with blight and mildew, which will plague you until you perish."

4. Prophetic and Eschatological Significance:
In prophetic literature, smiting often symbolizes the ultimate judgment that will come upon the world. In Zechariah 14:12, a future judgment is described: "This will be the plague with which the LORD will strike all the nations that have fought against Jerusalem: Their flesh will rot while they are still standing on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths." This passage highlights the severity and inevitability of divine judgment.

Theological Implications:

The concept of smiting in the Bible underscores the holiness and justice of God. It reflects the seriousness with which God views sin and the lengths to which He will go to uphold His righteousness. At the same time, it serves as a call to repentance and faithfulness, reminding believers of the mercy and grace available through obedience and trust in God.

Conclusion:

While the term "smitest" may not be commonly used in modern translations, its underlying themes remain relevant. The biblical narrative of smiting serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty, justice, and the call to live in accordance with His will.

But, Before I Make My Answer to Your Letter, I must Expostulate ...
... Did not he make answer to the man who struck him, "If I have spoken evil, bear witness
of the evil, but if well, why smitest thou me?" You threaten me with ...
/.../2 but before i make.htm

The Christ of the Gospels.
... complaint, he instructed the man who thus insulted him by calmly answering, "If
I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me ...
/.../the christ of the gospels 2.htm

As, when we Read in the Gospel, "Thou Hast Received a Blow in The. ...
... smitten on the cheek, said not, Behold here is the other cheek, but He said, "If
I have spoken ill, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why smitest thou Me ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on lying/section 27 as when we.htm

Jesus Before Caiaphas
... high priest so? Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness
of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou Me? Now Annas ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture st john chaps xv to xxi/jesus before caiaphas.htm

On the Words, and in one Holy Catholic Church, and in the ...
... case. Thou hast different sorts of servants: and some are good and some bad;
thou honourest therefore the good, and smitest the bad. ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture xviii on the words.htm

1 Timothy vi. 7-Feb
... things. Again, Christ Himself says, "If I have spoken evil, bear witness of
the evil; but if well, why smitest thou me?" (John 18:23.). ...
/.../homily xvii 1 timothy vi.htm

John xiii. 1
... And, when a certain domestic smote Him on the face, He said, "If I have spoken evil,
bear witness of the evil, but if well, why smitest thou Me?" ( c. xviii.23 ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily lxx john xiii 1.htm

First Stage of Jewish Trial. Examination by Annas.
... priest so? 23 Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness
of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me? [Jesus was ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxxv first stage of jewish.htm

The Trial Before the Jewish Authorities.
... priest so?". Jesus answered him, "If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the
evil; but if well, why smitest thou me?". Annas therefore ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/the trial before the jewish.htm

Epistle Lxiv. To Rogatianus, Concerning the Deacon who Contended ...
... person of the high priest, but rather maintained His own innocence saying, "If I
have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why smitest thou me ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle lxiv to rogatianus concerning.htm

Smitest (5 Occurrences)
...Smitest (5 Occurrences). John 18:23 Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear
witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me? (KJV ASV DBY WBS). ...
/s/smitest.htm - 7k

Smite (230 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT). John 18:23 Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil,
bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me? ...
/s/smite.htm - 39k

Smites (10 Occurrences)

/s/smites.htm - 9k

Deliverest (7 Occurrences)
... Visit me with your salvation, (See RSV). Proverbs 23:14 Thou with a rod smitest
him, And his soul from Sheol thou deliverest. (YLT). ...
/d/deliverest.htm - 8k

Striving (33 Occurrences)
... And he went out the second day, and, behold, two men of the Hebrews were striving
together: and he said to him that did the wrong, Wherefore smitest thou thy ...
/s/striving.htm - 16k

Struggling (3 Occurrences)
... And he went out the second day, and, behold, two men of the Hebrews were striving
together; and he said to him that did the wrong: 'Wherefore smitest thou thy ...
/s/struggling.htm - 7k

Strove (25 Occurrences)
... 2:13 And when he went out the second day, behold, two men of the Hebrews strove
together: and he said to him that did the wrong, Wherefore smitest thou thy ...
/s/strove.htm - 14k

Striking (25 Occurrences)
... And he went out the second day, and, behold, two men of the Hebrews were striving
together; and he said to him that did the wrong: 'Wherefore smitest thou thy ...
/s/striking.htm - 14k

Chastisement (24 Occurrences)
... from him. (YLT). Proverbs 23:13 Withhold not from a youth chastisement, When
thou smitest him with a rod he dieth not. (YLT). Isaiah ...
/c/chastisement.htm - 18k

Testimony (175 Occurrences)
... (WBS). John 18:23 Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear testimony
of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me? (WBS). ...
/t/testimony.htm - 37k

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