Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and ContextSlaying, in the biblical context, refers to the act of killing or putting someone to death. This term is often used in the Scriptures to describe acts of violence, warfare, judgment, or sacrifice. The concept of slaying is deeply intertwined with themes of justice, divine retribution, and the sanctity of life.
Old Testament ReferencesThe Old Testament contains numerous instances of slaying, often in the context of divine judgment or warfare. One of the earliest mentions is found in
Genesis 4:8, where Cain slays his brother Abel, marking the first murder recorded in Scripture: "Cain said to his brother Abel, 'Let us go out to the field.' And while they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him."
In the context of divine judgment, the slaying of the firstborn in Egypt is a significant event.
Exodus 12:29 recounts, "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 every firstborn of the livestock."
The concept of slaying is also present in the laws given to Israel, where capital punishment is prescribed for certain offenses. For example, in
Exodus 21:12, it is stated, "Whoever strikes and kills a man must surely be put to death."
New Testament ReferencesIn the New Testament, the theme of slaying is often associated with the persecution of the righteous and the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. In
Matthew 23:34-35, Jesus speaks of the prophets and righteous people who were slain: "Therefore I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify; and some you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town. And so upon you will come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berekiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar."
The crucifixion of Jesus is the most profound instance of slaying in the New Testament. Jesus, the sinless Son of God, was slain as a sacrificial offering for the sins of humanity.
Revelation 5:9 highlights the significance of His sacrifice: "And they sang a new song, saying: 'Worthy are You to take the scroll and open its seals, because You were slain, and by Your blood You purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.'"
Theological ImplicationsThe act of slaying in the Bible often serves as a reminder of the seriousness of sin and the holiness of God. It underscores the reality of divine justice and the consequences of disobedience. At the same time, the slaying of Jesus Christ reveals the depth of God's love and the provision of redemption for humanity. Through His death and resurrection, believers are offered forgiveness and eternal life.
Moral and Ethical ConsiderationsThe biblical narrative presents slaying within a framework of moral and ethical considerations. The sanctity of life is a fundamental principle, and the taking of life is not to be done lightly or without just cause. The Scriptures call for justice and righteousness, emphasizing that vengeance belongs to the Lord (
Romans 12:19). Believers are encouraged to pursue peace and to leave judgment in the hands of God.
ConclusionThe concept of slaying in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing themes of justice, sacrifice, and redemption. It serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of sin and the profound love of God demonstrated through the sacrifice of His Son.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Slay.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
SLAYINGsla'-ing (by spear, dart, or sword).
SeePUNISHMENTS.
Greek
336. anairesis -- a taking up, a destroying,slaying... a taking up, a destroying,
slaying. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration:
anairesis Phonetic Spelling: (an-ah'-ee-res-is) Short Definition: killing
...337. anaireo -- to take up, take away, make an end
... away, make an end NASB Word Usage do away (1), executed (1), kill (4), killed (2),
put...to death (8), put to death (3), slain (1), slay (3),slaying (1), slew...
Strong's Hebrew
7821b. shechitah -- (act of)slaying... (act of)
slaying. Transliteration: shechitah Short Definition: slaughter. Word Origin
from shachat Definition (act of)
slaying NASB Word Usage slaughter (1).
...5221. nakah -- to smite
... 2), shoot (1), shot (1), slain (11), slapped (1), slaughter (1), slaughtered (1),
slaughtering (2), slay (5), slayer (1), slayers (1),slaying (1), slays (1...
Library
How the Philistines Made Another Expedition against the Hebrews...
... CHAPTER 9. How The Philistines Made Another Expedition Against The Hebrews Under
The Reign Of Saul; And How They Were Overcome By David'sSlaying Goliath In...
Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of theSlaying the Witnesses.
... OF ANTICHRIST, AND HIS RUIN: AND OF THESLAYING THE WITNESSES. BY JOHN BUNYAN.
PREFATORY REMARKS BY THE EDITOR. This important treatise...
To Brother William of England of the Hermit Brothers of St....
... harsh penance; and that the flesh may not rebel against the reason, they have placed
all their desire rather on mortifying their body than onslaying their self...
Whether it is Lawful to Kill the Innocent?
... it is unlawful to kill any man, since in every man though he be sinful, we ought
to love the nature which God has made, and which is destroyed byslaying him....
From Jezreel to Horeb
... With theslaying of the prophets of Baal, the way was opened for carrying forward
a mighty spiritual reformation among the ten tribes of the northern kingdom....
Whether a Suitable Cause Can be Assigned for the Ceremonies which...
... Moreover theslaying of the animals signified the destruction of sins: and also
that man deserved death on account of his sins; as though those animals were...
Spiritual Sacrifices
... mercies of God, that ye present'"which is a technical word for a priest's
action"'your bodies a living sacrifice,' in contrast with theslaying, which was...
Acts xii. 1, 2
... kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the Church unto God for him."
(v.5.) For the contest was now for life and death: both theslaying of the...
A Life Lost and Found [Footnote: Preached after the Funeral of Mr....
... For the true losing of life is theslaying of self, and that has to be done day
by day, and not once for all, in some supreme act of surrender at the end, or...
How Far Christians Ought to be from Boasting, if they have done...
... notwithstanding that his son was victorious, lest there should be more evil in the
example of authority despised, than good in the glory ofslaying an enemy...
Thesaurus
Slaying (21 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
SLAYING. sla'-ing (by spear, dart, or sword).
See PUNISHMENTS. Multi-Version Concordance
Slaying (21 Occurrences).
...Slaughtering (14 Occurrences)
... Joshua 8:24 And it came to pass, when Israel had made an end ofslaying all the
inhabitants of Ai in the field, even in the wilderness wherein they pursued them...
Punishments (31 Occurrences)
... 30:32, 33), making perfume for private use (Exodus 30:38), general neglect of
purification (Numbers 19:13, 20), not bringing offering afterslaying a beast for...
Crimes (22 Occurrences)
... The law distinguished between unpremeditated and premeditatedslaying,
pronouncing a curse upon the latter (Deuteronomy 27:25)....
Crime (45 Occurrences)
... The law distinguished between unpremeditated and premeditatedslaying,
pronouncing a curse upon the latter (Deuteronomy 27:25)....
Slays (7 Occurrences)
Slayeth (28 Occurrences)
Levites (267 Occurrences)
... when they are tested by reference to Ezekiel and Chronicles, Ezekiel 44:9-14 seems
to demand of the Levites some service as gatekeepers, theslaying of burnt...
Priests (451 Occurrences)
... when they are tested by reference to Ezekiel and Chronicles, Ezekiel 44:9-14 seems
to demand of the Levites some service as gatekeepers, theslaying of burnt...
Quench (14 Occurrences)
... 4; Jeremiah 21:12). Quenching the coal or the light of Israel may meanslaying
a dear one or a brilliant leader. In the New Testament...
Resources
Does 2 Chronicles 5:14 teach slaying in the Spirit? | GotQuestions.orgIs being slain in the Spirit biblical? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Moses in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgSlaying: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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