Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the term "mutilated" often refers to physical alterations or disfigurements, particularly those that are self-inflicted or imposed by others, which are generally viewed negatively within the scriptural narrative. The concept of mutilation is addressed in various passages, reflecting both physical and spiritual dimensions.
Old Testament ContextThe Old Testament law explicitly prohibits certain forms of physical mutilation, especially those associated with pagan practices. In
Leviticus 19:28 , the Israelites are commanded, "You must not make any cuts in your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD." This prohibition underscores the importance of maintaining the sanctity of the body, which is created in the image of God (
Genesis 1:27).
Deuteronomy 23:1 further addresses physical mutilation in the context of religious and communal participation: "No man with crushed or severed genitals may enter the assembly of the LORD." This regulation highlights the importance of wholeness and integrity in those who participate in the worship and community life of Israel.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the concept of mutilation is addressed in a spiritual sense. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, warns against those who promote circumcision as necessary for salvation, referring to them as "mutilators of the flesh" (
Philippians 3:2). Paul emphasizes that true circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, rather than a physical act (
Romans 2:29).
Jesus also speaks metaphorically about self-mutilation in the context of avoiding sin. In
Matthew 5:29-30 , He states, "If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell." This hyperbolic language underscores the seriousness of sin and the lengths to which one should go to avoid it, though it is not an endorsement of literal self-harm.
Theological ImplicationsFrom a theological perspective, the biblical stance against mutilation reflects the belief in the inherent dignity and sanctity of the human body. The body is seen as a temple of the Holy Spirit (
1 Corinthians 6:19-20), and thus, any form of mutilation that defaces or disrespects this temple is contrary to God's design and purpose.
Furthermore, the spiritual application of the concept, as seen in the New Testament, emphasizes the transformation of the heart and mind over physical alterations. The focus is on inner purity and holiness, aligning with the broader biblical theme of redemption and sanctification through Christ.
Cultural and Historical ConsiderationsIn the ancient Near Eastern context, mutilation was sometimes practiced as a form of punishment or as part of religious rituals. The biblical prohibitions against such practices served to distinguish the Israelites from surrounding nations and to uphold a standard of holiness and reverence for God's creation.
Overall, the biblical treatment of mutilation, both physical and spiritual, serves as a reminder of the value God places on the human body and the call to live in a manner that honors Him.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Mutilate.
Strong's Hebrew
1795. dakkah -- a crushing... wounded. From dakah like dakka';
mutilated -- + wounded. see HEBREW dakah. see
HEBREW dakka'. 1794, 1795. dakkah. 1796 . Strong's Numbers.
Library
Our Bodies, HoweverMutilated Before or after Death, Shall Recover...
... Chapter LVII."Our Bodies, HoweverMutilated Before or After Death, Shall
Recover Their Perfect Integrity in the Resurrection....
And Let not Celsus be Angry if we Describe as Lame andMutilated...
... Chapter LII. And let not Celsus be angry if we describe as lame andmutilated
in soul? And let not Celsus be angry if we describe...
Harmony of the Church and the Scriptures Heretics have Tampered...
... Chapter XXXVIII."Harmony of the Church and the Scriptures Heretics Have Tampered
with the Scriptures, andMutilated, and Altered Them....
By the Rule of Antiquity, the Catholic Gospels are Found to be...
... Real St. Luke's. Marcion's Only aMutilated Edition. The Heretic's Weakness
and Inconsistency in Ignoring the Other Gospels. On...
St. Luke's Gospel, Selected by Marcion as his Authority, and...
... Chapter II."St. Luke's Gospel, Selected by Marcion as His Authority, and
Mutilated by Him. The Other Gospels Equally Authoritative....
The Epistle to Philemon this Epistle notMutilated. Marcion's...
... Book V. Wherein Tertullian proves, with respect to St. Paul's epistles... Chapter
XXI."The Epistle to Philemon This Epistle NotMutilated....
Concerning the Abomination of the Sacred Rites of the Great Mother...
... Perhaps we may either compare Saturn to this Magna Mater, or even set him before
her in this kind of abominable cruelty, for hemutilated his father....
Chapter i.
... if the desire to provide an escape from a serious critical difficulty did not actually
occasion that copies of S. Mark's Gospel weremutilated, it certainly...
The Case of the Last Twelve Verses of S. Mark's Gospel, Stated.
... if the desire to provide an escape from a serious critical difficulty did not actually
occasion that copies of S. Mark's Gospel weremutilated, it certainly...
That the Stoics Transfer the Figments of the Poets to a...
... In the next place, he was not even just, but impious not only towards his sons,
whom he devoured, but also towards his father, whom he is said to havemutilated...
Thesaurus
Mutilated (3 Occurrences)...Mutilated (3 Occurrences).
... (See RSV). Deuteronomy 23:1 He that is wounded or
mutilated in his secrets, shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD. (WBS).
...Eunuch (20 Occurrences)
... Literally bed-keeper or chamberlain, and not necessarily in all cases one who was
mutilated, although the practice of employing suchmutilated persons in...
Mutilation (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The act of mutilating, or the state of being
mutilated; deprivation of a limb or of an essential part. Int....
Maimed (10 Occurrences)
... mam'-d (charuts; kullos, anaperos): The condition of beingmutilated or rendered
imperfect as the result of accident, in contrast to congenital malformation....
Lud (10 Occurrences)
... it may stand for "Grecian Phut," has very little bearing upon the position of the
Egyptian Lud, especially as the text in which it occurs is verymutilated....
Ludim (3 Occurrences)
... it may stand for "Grecian Phut," has very little bearing upon the position of the
Egyptian Lud, especially as the text in which it occurs is verymutilated....
Restore (122 Occurrences)
... 7. (vt) To form a picture or model of, as of something lost ormutilated; as, to
restore a ruined building, city, or the like. 8. (n.) Restoration....
Eriaku
... 5. Is Eri-Aku to Be Identified with Eri-Eaku?: These inscriptions are verymutilated,
but from the smaller one it would seem that Eri-(E)aku had a son named...
Eri-aku
... 5. Is Eri-Aku to Be Identified with Eri-Eaku?: These inscriptions are verymutilated,
but from the smaller one it would seem that Eri-(E)aku had a son named...
Mutilate (3 Occurrences)
Resources
Why do some cultures practice female genital mutilation (FGM)? | GotQuestions.orgMutilated: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
