The term "striketh" is an archaic form of the verb "strike," commonly found in older English translations of the Bible, such as the King James Version. In the Berean Standard Bible , the term is typically rendered as "strikes" or "struck," depending on the context. The concept of striking is significant in the biblical narrative, appearing in various contexts that range from divine judgment to personal conflict.

Old Testament Usage

1. Divine Judgment and Power: In the Old Testament, God often "strikes" as a demonstration of His power and judgment. For example, in Exodus 12:29 , God strikes down the firstborn of Egypt as a final plague to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites: "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, and the firstborn of all the livestock as well."

2. Human Conflict: The act of striking is also depicted in human interactions, often as a result of conflict or punishment. In Exodus 21:18 , the law addresses situations where one person strikes another: "If men quarrel and one strikes the other with a stone or with his fist, and he does not die but is confined to bed..."

3. Symbolic Acts: Striking can also be symbolic, as seen in the actions of prophets. In 2 Kings 13:18-19 , Elisha instructs King Jehoash to strike the ground with arrows as a sign of victory over Aram: "Then Elisha said, 'Take the arrows!' So he took them, and Elisha said to the king of Israel, 'Strike the ground!' So he struck the ground three times and stopped."

New Testament Usage

1. Jesus' Teachings: In the New Testament, Jesus addresses the concept of striking in His teachings on non-retaliation and love for enemies. In Matthew 5:39 , Jesus instructs, "But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also."

2. Persecution and Suffering: The New Testament also records instances where Jesus and His followers are struck as part of their persecution. In John 18:22 , during Jesus' trial, an officer strikes Him: "When Jesus had said this, one of the officers standing nearby slapped Him in the face and said, 'Is this how You answer the high priest?'"

3. Apostolic Experiences: The apostles also experienced being struck as they spread the Gospel. In Acts 23:2 , the high priest Ananias orders Paul to be struck on the mouth: "At this, the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth."

Theological Implications

The act of striking in the Bible often serves as a means of divine intervention, a test of faith, or a demonstration of human sinfulness and the need for redemption. It underscores the themes of justice, mercy, and the transformative power of forgiveness. The biblical narrative encourages believers to respond to being struck with grace and forgiveness, following the example of Christ, who endured suffering and persecution without retaliation.

Psalm CXXIX.
... because "the righteous Lord shall hew the necks of the sinners." I do not imagine,
my brethren, of all sinners; but in the member which He striketh, He marks ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxxix.htm

Of Holy Humility
... Brother Giles said again: "It seems to me that holy humility is like the thunderbolt;
for, even as the thunderbolt striketh a terrible blow, crushing, breaking ...
/.../the little flowers of st francis of assisi/chapter iii of holy humility.htm

Explanation of "Corban. "
... speaketh evil of father or mother, let him die the death," [5412] consider whether
it was taken from the place where it was written, "Whoso striketh his father ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/9 explanation of corban.htm

"Whereby we Cry, Abba, Father. "
... be crying to God. No, this is transacted in the heart more silently to
men, but it striketh up into the ears of God. His ear is ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xl whereby we cry.htm

Whether the Old Law Set Forth Suitable Precepts About the Members ...
... Therefore it is unfittingly commanded (Ex.21:20,21) that "he that striketh his bondman
or bondwoman with a rod, and they die under his hands . . . ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the old law set.htm

Of the Three Woe Trumpets.
... power;" "for they had tails like scorpions, and in them stings with which they hurt;
and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion when it striketh a man ...
/.../mede/a key to the apocalypse/of the three woe trumpets.htm

John I.
... no longer the fisherman the son of Zebedee, but He who knoweth "the deep things
of God" ( 1 Corinthians 2:10 ), the Holy Spirit I mean, that striketh this lyre ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily i john i.htm

Protest and Agony. (I, iv. 10, 19, vi. 11, xi. 18-xii. 6, xv. 10 ...
... IV.10. Then said I, Ah Lord Yahweh, Verily Thou hast deceived this people and Jerusalem,
saying There shall be peace!"whereas the sword striketh to the life! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/1 protest and agony i.htm

The Sixth Commandment
... He who striketh his father or mother, shall be surely put to death.' Exodus 21:15.
Then how many deaths is he worthy of that destroys his father or mother! ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 6 the sixth commandment.htm

Psalm LXIV.
... Behold from a secret place there cometh an arrow, which striketh One unspotted,
who had not even so much of spot as could be pierced with an arrow. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxiv.htm

Striketh (19 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Striketh (19 Occurrences). ... (KJV ASV WBS). Exodus 21:12
He that striketh a man, so that he die, shall certainly be put to death. (DBY). ...
/s/striketh.htm - 11k

Strikes (39 Occurrences)
... chief. (WEB NAS). Job 4:5 But now, it cometh in unto thee, And thou art weary;
It striketh unto thee, and thou art troubled. (See NIV). ...
/s/strikes.htm - 16k

Striking (25 Occurrences)

/s/striking.htm - 14k

Gently (19 Occurrences)
... Judges 4:21 And Jael wife of Heber taketh the pin of the tent, and taketh the hammer
in her hand, and goeth unto him gently, and striketh the pin into his ...
/g/gently.htm - 12k

Fasteneth (2 Occurrences)
... Judges 4:21 And Jael wife of Heber taketh the pin of the tent, and taketh the hammer
in her hand, and goeth unto him gently, and striketh the pin into his ...
/f/fasteneth.htm - 7k

Flourisheth (6 Occurrences)
... thee my loves. (WBS). Hosea 14:5 I am as dew to Israel, he flourisheth as
a lily, And he striketh forth his roots as Lebanon. (YLT). ...
/f/flourisheth.htm - 8k

Tormented (17 Occurrences)
... given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months:
and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man ...
/t/tormented.htm - 11k

Distresses (20 Occurrences)
... ASV YLT NAS RSV NIV). Job 5:19 In six distresses He delivereth thee, And in
seven evil striketh not on thee. (YLT). Psalms 3:1 A Psalm ...
/d/distresses.htm - 12k

Delivereth (49 Occurrences)
... wait by the way; (YLT). Job 5:19 In six distresses He delivereth thee, And
in seven evil striketh not on thee. (YLT). Job 10:7 Since ...
/d/delivereth.htm - 19k

Pierce (30 Occurrences)
... Numbers 24:10 And the anger of Balak burneth against Balaam, and he striketh his
hands; and Balak saith unto Balaam, 'To pierce mine enemies I called thee, and ...
/p/pierce.htm - 15k

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