Topical Encyclopedia In biblical times, stoning was a method of capital punishment used primarily in ancient Israel. It was a communal form of execution, often carried out by the community or witnesses to the crime, and was prescribed for various offenses under the Mosaic Law. The act of stoning is mentioned numerous times throughout the Bible, serving as both a literal and symbolic act of judgment.Old Testament Context Stoning is first introduced in the Mosaic Law as a means of enforcing the covenant between God and the Israelites. It was reserved for severe transgressions, reflecting the gravity of sin and the need for communal purity. Key offenses that warranted stoning included idolatry, blasphemy, and certain sexual sins. 1. Idolatry: In Deuteronomy 13:10, the Israelites are commanded to stone anyone who entices them to worship other gods: "Stone him to death, because he has tried to turn you away from the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery." 2. Blasphemy: Leviticus 24:16 prescribes stoning for blasphemy: "Whoever blasphemes the name of the LORD must surely be put to death. The whole congregation must stone him." 3. Sexual Sins: Adultery and certain other sexual sins were also punishable by stoning. For example, Deuteronomy 22:24 states that a betrothed virgin who is found guilty of adultery should be stoned: "You shall bring them both out to the gate of that city and stone them to death." New Testament Context In the New Testament, stoning is mentioned in the context of Jewish law and its application during the time of Jesus and the early church. The most notable account is the attempted stoning of the woman caught in adultery, where Jesus challenges the accusers, saying, "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to cast a stone at her" (John 8:7). This incident highlights the themes of mercy and forgiveness, contrasting the strict application of the law with the grace offered through Christ. Another significant New Testament account is the stoning of Stephen, the first Christian martyr. In Acts 7:58-60, Stephen is stoned for his testimony about Jesus, illustrating the early church's persecution and the cost of discipleship: "They dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul." Symbolic and Theological Implications Stoning in the Bible serves as a powerful symbol of divine judgment and communal responsibility. It underscores the seriousness of sin and the need for holiness among God's people. However, the New Testament introduces a shift from the law's punitive measures to the redemptive work of Christ, who fulfills the law and offers forgiveness and new life. The transition from the Old to the New Covenant reflects a movement from judgment to grace, emphasizing the transformative power of Christ's sacrifice. While the physical act of stoning is no longer practiced, its theological implications continue to resonate, reminding believers of the gravity of sin and the profound mercy available through Jesus Christ. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (imp. & p. p.) of Stone.Greek 3036. lithoboleo -- to pelt with stones, to stone ... Word Origin from lithos and ballo Definition to pelt with stones, to stone NASB Word Usage stone (1), stoned (2), stones (2), stoning (1), went on stoning (1). ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3036.htm - 7k 3034. lithazo -- to throw stones, to stone Strong's Hebrew 5619. saqal -- to stone, put to death by stoning... root Definition to stone, put to death by stoning NASB Word Usage cast (1), remove (1), removed stones (1), stone (7), stoned (6), stoning (1), surely be ... /hebrew/5619.htm - 6k 7275. ragam -- to stone, kill by stoning Library Deified and Stoned Wesley's Congregation Stoned John Chapter vii. 40-53; viii. 11-Jan Death of Jesus. Royal Murderers Ahab the Thief Whether Christ Should have Been Born of an Espoused virgin? Jeremiah, a Lesson for the Disappointed. Receiving and Rejecting. Epistle iii. --To Fabius, Bishop of Antioch. Thesaurus Stoned (38 Occurrences)... & pp) of Stone. Multi-Version Concordance Stoned (38 Occurrences). Matthew 21:35 The farmers took his servants, beat one, killed another, and stoned another. ... /s/stoned.htm - 18k Tent-circle (45 Occurrences) Gore (9 Occurrences) Bull (114 Occurrences) Adoniram (4 Occurrences) Hadoram (5 Occurrences) Owner (56 Occurrences) Naboth (18 Occurrences) Cursing (53 Occurrences) Ox (197 Occurrences) Resources Does the Bible really say that parents should have their rebellious children stoned? | GotQuestions.orgWhy would God's law command a woman who is not a virgin on her wedding night to be stoned to death? | GotQuestions.org What did Jesus mean when He said, "He who is without sin can cast the first stone"? | GotQuestions.org Stoned: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Stoned (38 Occurrences)Matthew 21:35 Luke 20:6 John 8:5 John 11:8 Acts 5:26 Acts 7:58 Acts 7:59 Acts 14:5 Acts 14:19 2 Corinthians 11:25 Hebrews 11:37 Hebrews 12:20 Exodus 8:26 Exodus 17:4 Exodus 19:13 Exodus 21:28 Exodus 21:29 Exodus 21:32 Leviticus 20:2 Leviticus 20:27 Leviticus 24:14 Leviticus 24:16 Leviticus 24:23 Numbers 14:10 Numbers 15:35 Numbers 15:36 Deuteronomy 13:10 Deuteronomy 17:5 Deuteronomy 21:21 Joshua 7:25 1 Kings 12:18 1 Kings 21:10 1 Kings 21:13 1 Kings 21:14 1 Kings 21:15 2 Chronicles 10:18 2 Chronicles 24:21 Ezekiel 16:40 Subtopics Related Terms |
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