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Mutilation, in the context of the Bible, refers to the act of inflicting severe damage or disfigurement to the body. This concept is addressed in various ways throughout the Scriptures, often in relation to religious practices, cultural customs, and moral teachings.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, mutilation is often associated with pagan rituals and practices that were expressly forbidden to the Israelites.Leviticus 19:28 states, "You must not make any cuts in your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD." This commandment was part of a broader set of laws given to the Israelites to distinguish them from surrounding nations and their idolatrous practices. The prohibition against bodily mutilation was a call to holiness and a rejection of pagan customs.

Deuteronomy 14:1 further emphasizes this point: "You are the children of the LORD your God; do not cut yourselves or shave your foreheads on behalf of the dead." Here, the act of cutting oneself is linked to mourning rituals for the dead, which were common among neighboring cultures but were not to be practiced by God's chosen people.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of mutilation is addressed in a spiritual context. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, warns against those who promote circumcision as necessary for salvation.Philippians 3:2 states, "Watch out for those dogs, those workers of evil, those mutilators of the flesh!" Paul uses the term "mutilators of the flesh" to describe those who insisted on circumcision as a requirement for Gentile converts, emphasizing that true circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, and not merely a physical act.

Spiritual and Moral Implications

The Bible's teachings on mutilation extend beyond physical acts to encompass spiritual and moral dimensions. The emphasis is on the integrity and sanctity of the human body as created by God. In1 Corinthians 6:19-20 , Paul writes, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body." This passage underscores the belief that the body should be treated with respect and honor, as it is the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit.

Cultural and Historical Considerations

Throughout history, various cultures have practiced forms of mutilation for religious, cultural, or punitive reasons. The Bible's prohibitions against such practices were countercultural and served to set the Israelites apart as a people dedicated to the worship of the one true God. These laws were part of a broader covenantal framework that emphasized holiness, purity, and the rejection of idolatry.

Conclusion

While the Bible addresses the issue of mutilation in specific historical and cultural contexts, its teachings continue to resonate with contemporary discussions about the sanctity of the human body and the importance of spiritual integrity. The biblical perspective calls believers to honor God with their bodies and to reject practices that distort or desecrate the divine image in which humanity is created.(n.) The act of mutilating, or the state of being mutilated; deprivation of a limb or of an essential part.MUTILATION

mu-ti-la'-shun.

SeePUNISHMENTS.

2699. katatome -- concision,mutilation
... concision,mutilation. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: katatome
Phonetic Spelling: (kat-at-om-ay') Short Definition: amutilation, spoiling...

Self-Mutilation for Self-Preservation
... XVIII to XXVIII SELF-MUTILATION FOR SELF-PRESERVATION.... Christ rests His command of
self-denial and self-mutilation upon the highest ground of self-interest....

The Interpretation of theMutilation of Atys which the Doctrine of...
... Book VII. Chapter 25."The Interpretation of theMutilation of Atys Which
the Doctrine of the Greek Sages Set Forth. Varro has...

General Review of the Question: Summary of the Evidence; and...
... was imperfect from the very first, a thing altogether incredible (p.246):"But that
at some very remote period Copies have sufferedmutilation, a supposition...

Like Gods, Like Worshippers.
... are produced of Saturn devouring his sons, and of the boy hidden by the cymbals
and drums of the Corybantes; and with respect to themutilation of Saturn, what...

General Review of the Question: Summary of the Evidence; and...
... was imperfect from the very first, a thing altogether incredible (p.246):"But that
at some very remote period Copies have sufferedmutilation, a supposition...

Of the Presbyter Anastasius, by whom the Faith of Nestorius was...
... in the First Catholic epistle of John it was written in the ancient copies, [1007]
Every spirit that separates Jesus, is not of God.' Themutilation of this...

Letter xvii. --To Eustathia, Ambrosia, and Basilissa . To the Most...
... congenital to it in the first instance, but are its unnatural accretions, so activity
in the direction of sin is to be thought of as a meremutilation of the...

The Persecution of Diocletian.
... behalf of the truth, but thou appearest to have received no bodily injury, neither
hast thou suffered martyrdom, but thou hast remained alive with nomutilation...

Expositions of Holy Scripture
... CONTENTS. THE LAW OF PRECEDENCE IN THE KINGDOM. SELF-MUTILATION FOR SELF-PRESERVATION.
THE LOST SHEEP AND THE SEEKING SHEPHERD. PERSISTENCE OF THWARTED LOVE....

Preface
... clear and transparent in its smallest details and in its general effect as to seem
outside the pale of all possiblemutilation and misinterpretation by malice...

Mutilation (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.MUTILATION. mu-ti-la'-shun. See PUNISHMENTS.
Multi-Version ConcordanceMutilation (1 Occurrence)....

Eunuch (20 Occurrences)
... found as renderings (compare Genesis 37:36; Genesis 39:1, where caric is applied
to married men; Esther 4:4). The barbarous practice of self-mutilation and the...

Concision (1 Occurrence)
... katatome; ie, "mutilation"), a term used by Paul contemptuously of those who were
zealots for circumcision (Philippians 3:2). Instead of the warning, "Beware...

Nicanor (1 Occurrence)
... of the final conflict (Adasa) is given only as "in the region of Samaria" (15:1).
According to this account, it was Judas who ordered themutilation of Nicanor...

Virgin (62 Occurrences)
... of the Lord's person in such a way as to involve either a very important contribution
to the doctrine of the incarnation or a very seriousmutilation of the...

Punishments (31 Occurrences)
... Instances are found in the life of Christ (Matthew 26:59, 67 Luke 22:63 John
18:22); also in the life of Paul (Acts 23:2). (12)Mutilation (Judges 1:6, 7...

Birth (357 Occurrences)
... of the Lord's person in such a way as to involve either a very important contribution
to the doctrine of the incarnation or a very seriousmutilation of the...

Nail (9 Occurrences)
... and pare her nails." The latter was probably intended to prevent her from marring
her beauty by scratching her face, an act of self-mutilation oriental women...

Mutilated (3 Occurrences)

Maim (4 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) The privation of any necessary part; a crippling;mutilation; injury;
deprivation of something essential. See Mayhem. Multi-Version Concordance...

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