Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Context:In biblical terms, "beating" refers to the act of striking or hitting someone or something, often as a form of punishment or discipline. This concept appears in various contexts throughout the Bible, including legal, disciplinary, and metaphorical uses. The act of beating is often associated with correction, punishment, or suffering.
Old Testament References:In the Old Testament, beating is sometimes prescribed as a form of punishment under the Mosaic Law. For instance,
Deuteronomy 25:2-3 outlines the procedure for administering corporal punishment: "If the guilty man deserves to be beaten, the judge shall make him lie down and be beaten in his presence with the number of lashes appropriate for his crime. He may receive no more than forty lashes, lest your brother be beaten any more than that and be degraded in your sight." This passage highlights the importance of justice and the prevention of excessive punishment.
Beating is also mentioned in the context of slavery.
Exodus 21:20-21 provides regulations regarding the treatment of slaves: "If a man strikes his male or female servant with a rod and the servant dies by his hand, he shall surely be punished. However, if the servant gets up after a day or two, the owner shall not be punished, since the servant is his property." This reflects the societal norms and legal structures of ancient Israel.
New Testament References:In the New Testament, beating is often associated with persecution and suffering for the sake of the Gospel. Jesus Himself predicted that His followers would face such trials. In
Matthew 10:17, He warns, "Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues."
The Apostle Paul experienced beatings as part of his ministry. In
2 Corinthians 11:24-25, he recounts, "Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea." These experiences underscore the hardships faced by early Christians and their commitment to spreading the Gospel despite severe opposition.
Metaphorical Use:Beating is also used metaphorically in Scripture to describe spiritual discipline and correction.
Proverbs 23:13-14 advises, "Do not withhold discipline from a child; although you strike him with a rod, he will not die. Strike him with a rod, and you will deliver his soul from Sheol." This passage emphasizes the importance of discipline in guiding the moral and spiritual development of children.
Theological Implications:From a theological perspective, the concept of beating in the Bible is often linked to themes of justice, discipline, and suffering. It reflects the seriousness of sin and the necessity of correction, while also highlighting the endurance and faithfulness required of believers in the face of persecution. The biblical narrative presents a balanced view, advocating for justice and mercy, and warning against excessive or unjust punishment.
Cultural and Historical Considerations:Understanding the cultural and historical context of biblical references to beating is crucial. The practices and legal systems of ancient Israel and the Greco-Roman world differed significantly from modern perspectives on justice and human rights. Interpreting these passages requires careful consideration of the historical setting and the overarching biblical principles of love, justice, and redemption.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Beat.
2. (n.) The act of striking or giving blows; punishment or chastisement by blows.
3. (n.) Pulsation; throbbing; as, the beating of the heart.
4. (n.) Pulsative sounds. See Beat, n.
5. (n.) The process of sailing against the wind by tacks in zigzag direction.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BEATINGbet'-ing.
SeePUNISHMENTS.
Greek
2870. kopetos -- abeating of the head and breast... a
beating of the head and breast. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration:
kopetos Phonetic Spelling: (kop-et-os') Short Definition: lamentation
...5178. tumpanizo -- to beat a drum, to torture bybeating
... to beat a drum, to torture bybeating. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: tumpanizo
Phonetic Spelling: (toom-pan-id'-zo) Short Definition: I torture, break...
4298. prokopto -- to cut forward (a way), advance
... From pro and kopto; to drive forward (as if bybeating), ie (figuratively and
intransitively) to advance (in amount, to grow; in time, to be well along...
5180. tupto -- to strike, smite, beat
... Word Origin a prim. verb Definition to strike, smite, beat NASB Word Usage beat
(3),beating (5), hits (1), strike (2), struck (1), wounding (1)....
1194. dero -- to skin, to thrash
... verb Definition to skin, to thrash NASB Word Usage beat (5), beaten (1),beating
(3), flogged (2), hits (1), receive (1), receive...lashes (1), strike (1)....
Strong's Hebrew
3807. kathath -- to beat, crush bybeating... 3806, 3807. kathath. 3808 . to beat, crush by
beating. Transliteration: kathath
Phonetic Spelling: (kaw-thath') Short Definition: crushed. Word Origin a prim
...8608. taphaph -- to sound the timbrel, beat
... 8607, 8608. taphaph. 8609 . to sound the timbrel, beat. Transliteration:
taphaph Phonetic Spelling: (taw-faf') Short Definition:beating....
2251. chabat -- to beat off, beat out
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to beat off, beat out NASB Word Usage beat
(2), beaten (1),beating (1), threshing (1). beat off, out, thresh....
7015. qinah -- an elegy, dirge
... lamentation. From quwn; a dirge (as accompanied bybeating the breasts or on
instruments) -- lamentation. see HEBREW quwn. 7014b, 7015. qinah. 7016 ....
5221. nakah -- to smite
... root Definition to smite NASB Word Usage attack (5), attacked (6), attacks (3),
beat (3), beat down (1), beaten (5),beating (1), blows (1), bothered (1), cast...
5203. natash -- to leave, forsake, permit
... A primitive root; properly, to pound, ie Smite; by implication (as ifbeating out,
and thus expanding) to disperse; also, to thrust off, down, out or upon...
Library
On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xi. 25, "I Thank Thee, O Father...
... and of reminding you, Beloved, of this, because as soon as this word was uttered
by the reader's voice, there followed upon it the sound of thebeating of your...
Third Sunday Before Lent
... Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.26 I therefore
so run, as not uncertainly; so fight I, as notbeating the air: 27 but I...
The Finding of Moses
... All this time Miriam had been watching from her hiding-place close by, and with
anxious,beating heart she came forward now. Could she help the princess?...
A Downward Step.
... At last the time came to start. Withbeating heart Bessie counted the hours that
must pass before she could run in the orchard and eat the luscious fruit....
The Builders
... increased in number. Before dawn each morning we were aroused by thebeating
of a loud gong which called the men to work. This work...
On the Same Lesson of the Gospel, John ix. , on the Giving Sight...
... have we? If God heareth not sinners, why do we pray, and publish the record
of our sin by thebeating of the breast? Where again...
Letter cxxxiii. (AD 412. )
... that the most of them have confessed their share in the violent death which the
presbyter Restitutus suffered at their hands, and in thebeating of Innocentius...
But Besides, if Birds of Augury Converse with one Another...
... The mother last, as round the nest she flew,. Seized by thebeating wing, the monster
slew:... And Jove's portent withbeating hearts behold." [4042]....
Whether Venial Sins are Removed by the Sprinkling of Holy Water...
... If therefore, by means of one of them, some venial sin is remitted, it follows that
in like manner all are remitted, so that bybeating his breast once, or by...
Dishonest Tenants
... stones, and wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully handled.5. And
again he sent another; and him they killed, and many others;beating some, and...
Thesaurus
Beating (31 Occurrences)... 2. (n.) The act of striking or giving blows; punishment or chastisement by blows.
3. (n.) Pulsation; throbbing; as, the
beating of the heart.
...BEATING. bet'-ing.
...Pounding (4 Occurrences)
... & vb. n.) of Pound. 2. (n.) The act ofbeating, bruising, or breaking up; abeating.
3. (n.) A pounded or pulverized substance. Multi-Version Concordance...
Bastinado
... Easton's Bible DictionaryBeating, a mode of punishment common in the East.
It... 2. (n.) A soundbeating with a stick or cudgel. Specifically...
Breasts (39 Occurrences)
... Luke 8:52 The people were all weeping aloud andbeating their breasts for her; but
He said, "Leave off wailing; for she is not dead, but asleep." (WEY)....
Lamenting (8 Occurrences)
... (DBY NAS). Luke 23:27 And there was following him a great multitude of the people,
and of women, who also werebeating themselves and lamenting him, (YLT NAS)....
Wailing (44 Occurrences)
... Luke 8:52 The people were all weeping aloud andbeating their breasts for her; but
He said, "Leave off wailing; for she is not dead, but asleep." (WEY ASV RSV...
Drumming (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) The act ofbeating upon, or as if upon, a drum; also, the noise which the
male of the ruffed grouse makes in spring, bybeating his wings upon his sides...
Mash (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A mesh. 2. (n.) A mass of mixed ingredients reduced to a soft pulpy state
bybeating or pressure; a mass of anything in a soft pulpy state....
Pulverize (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To reduce of fine powder or dust, as bybeating, grinding, or the like;
as, friable substances may be pulverized by grinding orbeating, but to...
Beaten (73 Occurrences)
... (see OLIVE.). Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (pp) of Beat. 2. (a.) Made smooth by
beating or treading; worn by use. 3. (a.) Vanquished; conquered; baffled....
Resources
Why does the Bible allow slave owners to beat their slaves? | GotQuestions.orgWho were the seven sons of Sceva? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did blood and water come out of Jesus' side when He was pierced? | GotQuestions.orgBeating: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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