The term "smotest" 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 God's judgment or punishment upon individuals, nations, or even the natural world. The usage of "smotest" is found in older translations of the Bible, reflecting the past tense of "smite."

Biblical Context and Usage:

1. Divine Judgment:
The concept of smiting is frequently associated with God's righteous judgment against sin and disobedience. Throughout the Old Testament, God smites individuals and nations as a demonstration of His power and holiness. For example, in Exodus 7:20, God smites the waters of the Nile, turning them into blood as a sign to Pharaoh and the Egyptians: "Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD had commanded; in the presence of Pharaoh and his officials, he raised the staff and struck the water of the Nile, and all the water was turned to blood."

2. Protection and Deliverance:
Conversely, God also uses smiting as a means of protecting and delivering His people. In 2 Kings 19:35, the angel of the LORD smites the Assyrian camp, delivering Jerusalem from destruction: "That night the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies!"

3. Prophetic Warnings:
The prophets often warned of God's impending smiting as a call to repentance. In Isaiah 11:4, the Messiah is prophesied to smite the earth with the rod of His mouth, symbolizing the power and authority of His word: "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."

4. Human Agency:
At times, God uses human agents to carry out His smiting. In 1 Samuel 17:49, David smites Goliath with a stone, demonstrating God's deliverance through human action: "Then David reached into his bag, took out a stone, and slung it, striking the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground."

Theological Significance:

The act of smiting 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 need for repentance. At the same time, it highlights God's sovereignty and His ability to protect and deliver His people from their enemies. The ultimate smiting occurred at the cross, where Jesus bore the punishment for sin, providing a way for humanity to be reconciled to God.

Related Concepts:

· Judgment: The act of smiting is closely related to the concept of divine judgment, where God executes justice.
· Repentance: The warnings of smiting often serve as calls to repentance, urging individuals and nations to turn back to God.
· Deliverance: God's smiting can also be an act of deliverance, freeing His people from oppression and danger.

Conclusion:

The term "smotest" and its related forms in the Bible reflect the multifaceted nature of God's interactions with humanity, encompassing judgment, protection, and the call to righteousness. Through these acts, the Bible reveals the character of God as just, merciful, and sovereign.

This is He who Took a Bodily Form in the virgin
... Thou smotest thy Lord: thou also hast been smitten upon the earth. ... Thou smotest
thy Lord: thou also hast been smitten upon the earth. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/v this is he who.htm

This Day are Opened, Our Mouths to Give Thanks
... 11. Thou smotest us and we justified Thee, for it befel not by chance; Thou deliveredst
us and we gave thanks, for it was not that we were worthy. ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn ii this day are.htm

The Unmistakable Honesty of the Writers of the Bible Attests to ...
... No: "The Lord said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the
elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in ...
/.../the divine inspiration of the bible/chapter three the unmistakable honesty.htm

Prayer.
... V.15. Thou smotest the heads of the Leviathan in pieces; and gavest him to be meat
for the people in the wilderness. Does this allude to any real tradition? ...
/.../coleridge/confessions of an inquiring spirit etc/prayer.htm

Here Next Followeth the History of Moses
... Then our Lord said to Moses: Go before the people and take with thee the older men
and seniors of Israel, and take the rod that thou smotest with the flood in ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here next followeth the history.htm

Smotest (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Smotest (1 Occurrence). Exodus 17:5 And the LORD
said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with ...
/s/smotest.htm - 6k

Smouldering (1 Occurrence)

/s/smouldering.htm - 6k

Wherewith (182 Occurrences)
... Exodus 17:5 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with
thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river ...
/w/wherewith.htm - 38k

Smote (281 Occurrences)

/s/smote.htm - 39k

River (189 Occurrences)
... Exodus 17:5 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with
thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river ...
/r/river.htm - 52k

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