Topical Encyclopedia
The act of beheading, or decapitation, is a form of execution mentioned in the Bible, often associated with martyrdom and persecution. This method of execution is depicted in both the Old and New Testaments, serving as a symbol of ultimate sacrifice and faithfulness to God.
Old Testament ReferencesWhile the Old Testament does not explicitly describe beheading as a common form of execution among the Israelites, it does mention instances of decapitation in the context of warfare and judgment. One notable example is the account of David and Goliath. After David defeats Goliath with a sling and a stone, he uses Goliath's own sword to behead him, signifying the complete victory over the Philistine threat (
1 Samuel 17:51).
New Testament ReferencesIn the New Testament, beheading is most prominently associated with the martyrdom of John the Baptist. Herod Antipas, influenced by Herodias and her daughter, orders John to be beheaded in prison. This event is recorded in the Gospels, highlighting the tension between the prophetic message of repentance preached by John and the moral corruption of Herod's court. The Gospel of Matthew recounts: "He sent and had John beheaded in the prison" (
Matthew 14:10).
The Book of Revelation also alludes to beheading in the context of end-times persecution.
Revelation 20:4 speaks of those who were "beheaded for their testimony of Jesus and for the word of God," indicating that some believers will face this form of execution for their unwavering faith during the tribulation period.
Symbolism and Theological SignificanceBeheading in the biblical narrative often symbolizes the conflict between the kingdom of God and the kingdoms of this world. It represents the ultimate cost of discipleship and the willingness of God's servants to lay down their lives for the sake of truth and righteousness. The martyrdom of John the Baptist, in particular, serves as a precursor to the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who also faced unjust execution.
Theologically, beheading underscores the transient nature of earthly power and the eternal victory of God's kingdom. Those who are beheaded for their faith are depicted as victorious in the spiritual realm, having overcome the world through their testimony and allegiance to Christ.
Historical ContextIn the ancient world, beheading was considered a swift and definitive form of execution, often reserved for criminals and enemies of the state. It was seen as a means to instill fear and maintain control. In the Roman context, beheading was sometimes regarded as a more honorable form of execution, typically reserved for Roman citizens, as opposed to crucifixion, which was deemed more humiliating.
ConclusionThe biblical accounts of beheading, particularly in the New Testament, serve as powerful reminders of the cost of discipleship and the call to remain faithful in the face of persecution. These narratives encourage believers to hold fast to their faith, even unto death, with the assurance of eternal life and vindication in the presence of God.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Behead.
Greek
3990. pelekizo -- to cut off with an ax, esp. to behead... axe). Word Origin from pelekus (a battle-ax) Definition to cut off with
an ax, esp. to behead NASB Word Usage
beheaded (1). behead.
...607. apokephalizo -- to behead
... Word Origin from apo and kephale Definition to behead NASB Word Usagebeheaded
(4). behead. From apo and kephale; to decapitate -- behead. see GREEK apo....
Strong's Hebrew
6202. araph -- to break the neck... neck (1), neck was broken (1). that is
beheaded, break down, break cut off,
strike off neck. A primitive root (identical with araph
...5493. sur -- to turn aside
... root Definition to turn aside NASB Word Usage abolished (1), avoid (1),beheaded*
(1), cut off (1), degenerate (1), depart (45), departed (7), deposed (1...
7218. rosh -- head
... root Definition head NASB Word Usage bands (1), beginning (11),beheaded* (1), best
(1), best things (1), bodyguard* (1), captains (3), census (7), chief (35...
Library
The Story of Perpetua.
... The Story of Perpetua. And as Paul was being led away to bebeheaded at
a place about three miles from the city, he was in irons....
Travel. A Personal Experience.
... cowardice of friends, with all the miseries of fallen greatness and of blighted
fame." We note a few names chiseled here: Sir Thomas More,beheaded 1535; Anne...
Of the Mutual Consistency of the Accounts which are Given by...
... old prophets was risen again. And Herod said, John have I:beheaded: but
who is this of whom I hear such things? And he desired to...
The Martyrdom of John
... And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to
be brought: and he went andbeheaded him in the prison, 28....
The Pupils of Origen that Became Martyrs.
... Both of them werebeheaded.... [1795] These two persons named Serenus, the first of
whom was burned, the secondbeheaded, are known to us only from this chapter....
D. The Fourth Period. Ch. 9:1-50
... from the dead; 8 and by some, that Elijah had appeared; and by others, that one
of the old prophets was risen again.9 And Herod said, John Ibeheaded: but who...
Herod Antipas Supposes Jesus to be John.
... he could not be properly spoken of as risen from the dead, for Elijah had been
translated.] 9 And Herod said, ^a unto his servants, ^c John Ibeheaded [For the...
The Life of St. Paul the Apostle
... heard that he should destroy the figure of the world by fire, he commanded that
all the Christian men should be burned by fire, and Paul to bebeheaded, as he...
Herod --A Startled Conscience
... 'But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I:beheaded: he is risen
from the dead.'"Mark 6:16.... I know! It is John, whom Ibeheaded!...
The First of the Martyrs of Palestine was Procopius...
... But when he was commanded to offer libations to the four emperors, having quoted
a sentence which displeased them, he was immediatelybeheaded....
Thesaurus
Beheaded (12 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Beheaded (12 Occurrences). Matthew 14:10 and he sent and
beheaded John in the prison. (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV).
...Behead (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Behead (2 Occurrences). Mark 6:16 But Herod,
when he heard this, said, "This is John, whom Ibeheaded....
John's (27 Occurrences)
... Mark 6:27 Immediately the king sent out a soldier of his guard, and commanded to
bring John's head, and he went andbeheaded him in the prison, (WEB WEY BBE NIV...
Machaerus
... During the revelry of the banquet held in the border fortress, to please Salome,
who danced before him, he sent an executioner, whobeheaded John, and "brought...
Prison (131 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Matthew 14:10 and he sent andbeheaded
John in the prison. (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
Kept (891 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS YLT). Mark 6:16 But Herod, when he heard this, said, "This is John,
whom Ibeheaded. He has risen from the dead." (See NAS)....
Zeeb (3 Occurrences)
... especially "crow"), and (ze'ebh, "wolf") (Judges 7:25; Judges 8:3 Psalm 83:11, Isaiah
10:26 (Oreb only)): Two Midianite chieftains captured andbeheaded by the...
Zabdiel (2 Occurrences)
... (2) An overseer of the priests (Nehemiah 11:14). (3) An Arabian whobeheaded
Alexander Balas and sent his head to Ptolemy (1 Maccabees 11:17)....
Urijah (29 Occurrences)
... He fled into Egypt from the cruelty of the king, but having been brought back he
wasbeheaded and his body "cast into the graves of the common people.". Int....
Ordered (264 Occurrences)
... (WEB). Mark 6:27 And immediately the king, having sent one of the guard, ordered
his head to be brought. And he went out andbeheaded him in the prison, (DBY)....
Resources
Why was John the Baptist beheaded? | GotQuestions.orgAre there beheadings recorded in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Herodias in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgBeheaded: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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