Topical Encyclopedia
The term "kick" in the Bible is often used metaphorically to describe resistance or rebellion against authority, particularly divine authority. The imagery of kicking is associated with stubbornness and opposition, illustrating a futile struggle against a greater power.
One of the most notable uses of this metaphor is found in the New Testament, in the account of Saul's conversion on the road to Damascus. In
Acts 26:14, during Saul's encounter with the risen Christ, Jesus says to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads." . This phrase, "kick against the goads," refers to an agricultural practice where a goad, a pointed stick, was used to prod oxen to move in the desired direction. If an ox kicked against the goad, it would only cause itself more pain. Thus, Jesus was illustrating Saul's resistance to God's will as both futile and self-damaging.
The metaphor of kicking against the goads highlights the futility of resisting God's plans and purposes. It underscores the idea that human rebellion against divine authority is ultimately self-defeating. Saul, who later becomes the Apostle Paul, is a prime example of someone who initially resisted God's call but ultimately submitted to His will, leading to a transformative impact on the early Christian church.
In the Old Testament, the concept of kicking is also present, though not always explicitly stated. The rebellious nature of Israel is often depicted through similar imagery. For instance, in
Deuteronomy 32:15, the term "Jeshurun" (a poetic name for Israel) is described as having "grown fat and kicked," symbolizing Israel's complacency and rebellion after experiencing prosperity and blessing from God. This passage reflects the tendency of God's people to turn away from Him when they become self-sufficient, leading to spiritual decline and judgment.
The use of "kick" in these contexts serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of resisting God's authority. It calls believers to examine their own lives for areas of rebellion and to submit to God's guidance and direction. The imagery of kicking against the goads is a vivid illustration of the struggle between human will and divine purpose, urging a posture of humility and obedience before God.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To strike, thrust, or hit violently with the foot; as, a horse kicks a groom; a man kicks a dog.
2. (v. i.) To thrust out the foot or feet with violence; to strike out with the foot or feet, as in defense or in bad temper; esp., to strike backward, as a horse does, or to have a habit of doing so. Hence, figuratively: To show ugly resistance, opposition, or hostility; to spurn.
3. (v. i.) To recoil; -- said of a musket, cannon, etc.
4. (n.) A blow with the foot or feet; a striking or thrust with the foot.
5. (n.) The projection on the tang of the blade of a pocket knife, which prevents the edge of the blade from striking the spring.
6. (n.) A projection in a mold, to form a depression in the surface of the brick.
7. (n.) The recoil of a musket or other firearm, when discharged.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
KICK(laktizo): In the famous vision on the road to Damascus the unseen voice said to Saul: "Why persecutest thou me? It is hard for thee to kick against the goad" (Acts 9:4;Acts 26:14). The words are omitted from the best manuscripts inActs 9:4. This was a familiar proverb in both Greek and Latin literature, and refers to the severer goading received by an ox which kicks back at the goad used to guide or urge him on. The words seem to mean that Paul's paroxysm of persecution was a painful as well as profitless resistance to the pricks of conscience by which God was leading him into the light.
Greek
2979. laktizo --kick.... laktizo. 2979a .
kick. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: laktizo Phonetic
Spelling: (lak-tid'-zo) Short Definition: I
kick Definition: I
kick.
kick.
...2979b. laktizo -- tokick
... laktizo. 2980 . tokick. Transliteration: laktizo Short Definition:kick. Word
Origin from lax (with the foot) Definition tokick NASB Word Usagekick (1)....
2979a. lakao --kick.
... 2979, 2979a. lakao. 2979b .kick. Transliteration: lakao Short Definition:
kick. Word Origin another form of lasko, qv. 2979, 2979a. lakao. 2979b ....
Strong's Hebrew
1163. baat -- tokick... baat. 1164 . to
kick. Transliteration: baat Phonetic Spelling: (baw-at') Short
Definition:
kick.
... root Definition to
kick NASB Word Usage
kick (1), kicked (1).
...Library
It was Friday Night, and Diamond, Like the Rest of the Household.....
... "Now really if the rest of the horses weren't all asleep, poor things"-they work
till they're tired"-I do believe they would get up andkick you out... "Kick!...
Bit and Bridle: How to Escape Them
... the horse on this side." "Bless you!" said the driver, "if I were to touch that
mare, when I went near her in the stable at night, she wouldkick me like a...
The Conversion of Saul of Tarsus
... Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee tokick against the
pricks.""Acts 26:14. HOW MARVELLOUS the condescension which...
Christ's Remonstrances
... it is hard for thee tokick against the pricks.'"Acts 26:14. 'Can the
Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots?' No....
Acts xxv. 23
... and he brings forward the chief priests as witnesses, and the "strange cities,"
and that he heard Him saying to him, "It is hard for thee tokick against the...
The Figurative Language of Scripture.
... But it may be embodied in a sentence, thus: "It is hard for thee tokick against
the pricks" (Acts 26:14), where Saul's conduct in persecuting Christ's...
Christ's Peace
... the outer world. 'It is hard tokick against the pricks,' but if you do
notkick against them, they will not prick you. We beat...
The Third Beatitude
... upon us, unless we have something more than natural strength bestowed upon us, we
are all but certain, like fractious children when beaten, tokick and plunge...
His Conversion
... What else can be meant by the word with which the Lord saluted him: "It is hard
for thee tokick against the goad!" The figure of speech is borrowed from a...
Hatred Without Cause
... and they submit themselves for the Lord's sake; but the many, especially in these
republican times, seem to have a natural tendency tokick against authority...
Thesaurus
Kick (8 Occurrences)... discharged. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
KICK. (laktizo
... me? It is hard for
thee to
kick against the goad" (Acts 9:4; Acts 26:14). The
...Goad (2 Occurrences)
... The expression (Acts 9:5, omitted in the RV), "It is hard for thee tokick against
the pricks", ie, against the goad, was proverbial for unavailing resistance...
Spurn (13 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To drive back or away, as with the foot; to
kick. 2. (vt... contempt. 3. (vi) Tokick or toss up the heels. 4...
Goads (4 Occurrences)
... persecutest. It is hard for thee tokick against the goads. (WBS).... me? It is hard
for you tokick against the goads.' (WEB DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)....
Fling (5 Occurrences)
... fling a party in litigation. 4. (vi) To throw; to wince; to flounce; as,
the horse began tokick and fling. 5. (vi) To cast in the...
Persecutest (7 Occurrences)
... And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee tokick
against the pricks.... it is hard for thee tokick against the pricks....
Pricks (4 Occurrences)
... And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee tokick
against the pricks. (KJV YLT).... it is hard for thee tokick against the pricks....
Persecute (48 Occurrences)
... And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee tokick
against the pricks.... it is hard for thee tokick against the pricks....
Kicked (9 Occurrences)
Kib'za-im (1 Occurrence)
Kib'za-im. Kibzaim, Kib'za-im.Kick . Multi-Version Concordance Kib'za-im
(1 Occurrence).... (See RSV). Kibzaim, Kib'za-im.Kick . Reference Bible.
Resources
What does it mean to kick against the pricks? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is divine providence? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to backslide? | GotQuestions.orgKick: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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