Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Context:
Flogging, also known as scourging or whipping, is a form of corporal punishment that involves beating with a whip or rod. In biblical times, it was a common method of punishment and discipline, both in Jewish and Roman contexts. Flogging was often used to punish criminals, slaves, and those deemed to have violated religious or civil laws.
Biblical References:
Flogging is mentioned several times in the Bible, often in the context of punishment or persecution. In the Old Testament, the Law of Moses provided guidelines for corporal punishment.
Deuteronomy 25:2-3 states, "If the guilty man deserves to be beaten, the judge shall make him lie down and be flogged in his presence with the number of lashes appropriate to 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."
In the New Testament, flogging is notably associated with the suffering of Jesus Christ. Before His crucifixion, Jesus was scourged by Roman soldiers, a brutal form of flogging that was part of the Roman execution process.
Matthew 27:26 records, "Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified."
The Apostle Paul also experienced flogging as part of his sufferings for the sake of the Gospel. In
2 Corinthians 11:24-25 , Paul 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."
Cultural and Religious Significance:
In Jewish tradition, flogging was regulated to ensure it was not excessively harsh. The maximum number of lashes was set at forty, but to avoid accidentally exceeding this number, the practice was to administer only thirty-nine lashes. This practice is reflected in Paul's account of his own experiences.
Flogging in the Roman context, however, was often more severe and could be a prelude to crucifixion. The Roman scourge, or flagrum, was a whip with multiple thongs, often embedded with metal or bone, designed to inflict maximum pain and damage.
Theological Implications:
Flogging, particularly in the context of Jesus' passion, holds deep theological significance. It is a vivid illustration of the suffering and humiliation that Christ endured for the redemption of humanity. The physical pain of flogging, combined with the spiritual weight of bearing the sins of the world, underscores the depth of Christ's sacrifice.
For early Christians, enduring flogging and other forms of persecution was seen as a testament to their faith and commitment to Christ. The apostles and early believers often faced such punishments with a sense of honor, believing that sharing in Christ's sufferings was a part of their calling.
Moral and Ethical Considerations:
The practice of flogging raises questions about the morality and ethics of corporal punishment. While it was an accepted form of discipline in ancient times, modern perspectives often view such practices as inhumane. The biblical regulation of flogging, particularly the limitation on the number of lashes, reflects an early attempt to balance justice with mercy.
In Christian thought, the emphasis is on the transformative power of grace and forgiveness rather than retribution. The example of Christ, who endured flogging without retaliation, serves as a model for responding to suffering and injustice with love and forgiveness.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
v. t.) To beat or strike with a rod or whip; to whip; to lash; to chastise with repeated blows.
Greek
3146. mastigoo -- to scourge... to scourge. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: mastigoo Phonetic Spelling:
(mas-tig-o'-o) Short Definition: I
flog, scourge Definition: I
flog, scourge, the
...1371. dichotomeo -- to cut in two, cut asunder
... cut,flog. From a compound of a derivative of dis and a derivative of temno (to
cut); to bisect, ie (by extension) toflog severely -- cut asunder (in sunder)....
3147. mastizo -- to whip, scourge
... to whip, scourge. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: mastizo Phonetic Spelling:
(mas-tid'-zo) Short Definition: Iflog, scourge Definition: Iflog, scourge...
1194. dero -- to skin, to thrash
... to skin, to thrash. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: dero Phonetic Spelling:
(der'-o) Short Definition: I flay,flog, scourge, beat Definition: I flay,flog...
5394. phlogizo from NG5395 -- set on fire.
... Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: phlogizo from NG5395 Phonetic Spelling:
(flog-id'-zo) Short Definition: I inflame, fire with passion Definition: I inflame...
Strong's Hebrew
7850. shotet -- a scourge... scourge. Active participle of an otherwise unused root meaning (properly, to pierce;
but only as a denominative from showt) to
flog; a goad -- scourge.
...Library
The Acceptance of the Christian Conception of Life Will Emancipate...
... To begin with, he so terrified the peasants by his loud threats that, reduced to
submission by him, they set to work toflog one another at his command....
The Doctrines of Grace do not Lead to Sin
... The case reminds me of the story of half-a-dozen boys who had severe fathers,
accustomed toflog them within an inch of their lives....
Spiritual Revival, the Want of the Church
... PERSONALLY. In this matter, we should begin at home. We too oftenflog the
church, when the whip should be laid on our own shoulders. We...
Two Safe
... most serious. The father loved him dearly; but he nerved himself toflog
the boy, and twice he was tied up and flogged. But they...
Fishing Song: to JA Froude and Tom Hughes
... Geology and botany A hundred wonders shall diskiver, We'llflog and troll in strid
and hole, And skim the cream of lake and river, Blow Snowdon!...
The Last Buccaneer
... of plate and gold, Which he wrung with cruel tortures from Indian folk of old; Likewise
the merchant captains, with hearts as hard as stone, Whoflog men and...
Moody Asks a Few Questions.
... You've been along with some of those Christians. If I catch you praying again
I'llflog you." But the boy was filled with God and he couldn't help praying....
A Little Boy's Experience.
... At last he said to his father, "I wish you wouldflog me before I go, and then I
won't have to think of it when I am there." The father said, "If you go to...
Paul's Narrow Escape from Death
... When they had tied him up with straps, Paul said to the officer who was standing
by, "Is it lawful for you toflog a Roman citizen without trial?" When the...
Conflicts with Giant Mistake
... He wouldflog me within an inch of my life and throw me down so bruised and
bleeding that I almost wished I was dead [1 Kings 19:9-18]....
Thesaurus
Flog (7 Occurrences)...Flog (7 Occurrences).
... Some of them you will put to death--nay, crucify; some of them
you will
flog in your synagogues and chase from town to town; (WEY NIV).
...Flogged (12 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofFlog. Multi-Version Concordance
Flogged (12 Occurrences). Matthew 20:19 and will hand him...
Nay (92 Occurrences)
... Some of them you will put to death--nay, crucify; some of them you will
flog in your synagogues and chase from town to town; (WEY)....
Lick (8 Occurrences)
... 6. (vt) To strike with repeated blows for punishment; toflog; to whip or conquer,
as in a pugilistic encounter. 7. (n.) A slap; a quick stroke....
Whip (7 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To punish with a whip, scourge, or rod; toflog; to beat; as, to whip a
vagrant; to whip one with thirty nine lashes; to whip a perverse boy....
Flogging (9 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) ofFlog. 2. (a. & n.) from
Flog. Multi-Version Concordance Flogging (9 Occurrences)....
Flock's (1 Occurrence)
Prudence (9 Occurrences)
... (WEB ASV NIV). Proverbs 19:25Flog a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence;
rebuke one who has understanding, and he will gain knowledge....
Permit (36 Occurrences)
... Acts 22:25 But, when they had tied him up with the straps, Paul said to the Captain
who stood by, "Does the Law permit you toflog a Roman citizen--and one too...
Citizen (9 Occurrences)
... Acts 22:25 But, when they had tied him up with the straps, Paul said to the Captain
who stood by, "Does the Law permit you toflog a Roman citizen--and one too...
Resources
Who was Beelzebub? | GotQuestions.orgWho was the prophet Zechariah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgSummary of the Gospel of Luke - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.orgFlog: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
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