Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical terminology, "stripes" often refer to the physical marks or wounds inflicted by whipping or scourging. This term is most notably associated with the suffering and atonement of Jesus Christ, as well as the punishment of individuals in various biblical narratives. The concept of stripes is deeply intertwined with themes of suffering, healing, and divine justice.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, the use of stripes is primarily seen in the context of punishment and discipline. The Law of Moses provided guidelines for corporal punishment, which included the use of stripes.
Deuteronomy 25:2-3 states, "If the guilty man deserves to be beaten, the judge shall make him lie down and be beaten 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." This passage highlights the use of stripes as a form of judicial punishment, with a limit set to prevent excessive cruelty.
Prophetic SignificanceThe prophetic writings also allude to stripes in a messianic context.
Isaiah 53:5 is a key verse that foreshadows the suffering of the Messiah: "But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed." This passage is interpreted by Christians as a prophecy concerning Jesus Christ, emphasizing the redemptive power of His suffering.
New Testament FulfillmentIn the New Testament, the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy is seen in the passion of Jesus Christ. The Gospels recount the scourging of Jesus prior to His crucifixion.
Matthew 27:26 records, "Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified." The flogging, which involved the infliction of stripes, is understood as part of the suffering that Jesus endured for the salvation of humanity.
The apostle Peter reiterates the significance of Christ's stripes in
1 Peter 2:24 : "He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. 'By His stripes you are healed.'" This verse underscores the belief that the physical suffering of Jesus, symbolized by the stripes, brings spiritual healing and restoration to believers.
Theological ImplicationsTheologically, the concept of stripes is central to the Christian understanding of atonement and redemption. The stripes borne by Jesus are seen as a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and a demonstration of His sacrificial love. They serve as a reminder of the cost of sin and the extent of Christ's suffering on behalf of humanity.
In a broader sense, the use of stripes in the Bible also reflects the principles of justice and mercy. While stripes were a form of punishment under the Law, the stripes of Jesus represent the ultimate act of mercy, as He took upon Himself the punishment deserved by sinners.
ConclusionThe biblical theme of stripes, therefore, encompasses both the justice of God in dealing with sin and the profound mercy offered through the suffering of Christ. It is a powerful symbol of the Christian faith, representing both the severity of sin and the depth of divine love.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Stripes[PUNISHMENTS]
Easton's Bible Dictionary
As a punishment were not to exceed forty (
Deuteronomy 25:1-3), and hence arose the custom of limiting them to thirty-nine (
2 Corinthians 11:24). Paul claimed the privilege of a Roman citizen in regard to the infliction of stripes (
Acts 16:37, 38;
22:25-29). Our Lord was beaten with stripes (
Matthew 27:26).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
STRIPESstrips.
SeePUNISHMENTS.
Strong's Hebrew
6479. pitslah -- a peeled spot or stripe... 6478, 6479. pitslah. 6480 . a peeled spot or stripe. Transliteration: pitslah
Phonetic Spelling: (pets-aw-law') Short Definition:
stripes.
...2250. chabburah -- a stripe, blow
... Word Origin from chabar Definition a stripe, blow NASB Word Usage bruise (2),
scourging (1), striking (1),stripes (1), welts (1), wounds (1)....
4347. makkah -- a blow, wound, slaughter
... NASB Word Usage blow (1), casualties (1), crushed (1), disasters (1), inflicted
(1), injury (1), plague (3), plagues (4), slaughter (14),stripes (1), strokes...
5061. nega -- a stroke, plague, mark
... a stroke, plague, mark NASB Word Usage affliction (2), another (1), assault (2),
infection (30), mark (32), plague (6), plagues (1),stripes (1), stroke (1...
6641. tsabua -- colored, variegated
... speckled. Passive participle of the same as tseba'; dyed (instripes), ie The hyena --
speckled. see HEBREW tseba'. 6640, 6641. tsabua. 6642 . Strong's Numbers
5246. namer -- a leopard
... root meaning properly, to filtrate, ie Be limpid (comp Nimrah and Nimriym); and
thus to spot or stain as if by dripping; a leopard (from itsstripes) -- leopard...
5221. nakah -- to smite
... X go forward, X indeed, kill, make (slaughter), murderer, punish, slaughter,
slay(-er, -ing), smite(-r, -ing), strike, be stricken, (give)stripes, X surely...
Library
Christ as an Example of Humility.
... He is a man exposed tostripes and suffering, and acquainted with the endurance
of grief: for His countenance was turned away; He was despised, and not esteemed...
Christ as an Example of Humility.
... He is a man exposed tostripes and suffering, and acquainted with the endurance
of grief: for His countenance was turned away; He was despised, and not esteemed...
Chapter xx.
... every son whom He receiveth." [189] The Lord also says, "The servant that knows
not [190] his Lord's will, and does things worthy ofstripes, shall be beaten...
Epistle vii. To the Clergy, Concerning Prayer to God.
... deserve, since it is written: "And that servant, which knoweth his master's will,
and has not obeyed his will, shall be beaten with manystripes." [2177] But...
Prophecies of his Passion and Death in all Its Circumstances.
... of all, and the counsels of the Jews against Him and the indignities offered Him
at their hands.2. They say then: "A man [287] instripes, and knowing how to...
Letter cxi. (November, AD 409. )
... is easy to find a reply in the Lord's own words in the gospel, "That servant which
knew not his lord's will, and did commit things worthy ofstripes, shall be...
He Shows that Ignorance Affords no Such Excuse as Shall Free the...
... who know it, how can that be true which the Lord says in the gospel: "The servant
who knows not his lord's will, and commits things worthy ofstripes, shall be...
Concerning Balaam the Prophet and what Kind of Man He Was.
... ass on which Balaam rode understood that it was a divine spirit that met him, and
thrust Balaam to one of the walls, without regard to thestripes which Balaam...
Circumstances and Consequences
... In the Gospel story such were 'beaten with manystripes'; that meansstripes of
loss,stripes of pain,stripes of sorrow, perhaps evenstripes of death....
part ii.
... in a body the Church which is called the Church of Quirinus [1541] ; and some they
slew, some they trampled under foot, others they beat withstripes and cast...
Thesaurus
Stripes (19 Occurrences)... Paul claimed the privilege of a Roman citizen in regard to the infliction of
stripes (Acts 16:37, 38; 22:25-29).
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
STRIPES. strips.
...Flogged (12 Occurrences)
... (See NAS NIV). Acts 16:23 When they had laid manystripes on them, they threw them
into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely, (See NIV)....
Beaten (73 Occurrences)
... Luke 12:47 That servant, who knew his lord's will, and didn't prepare, nor do what
he wanted, will be beaten with manystripes, (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NIV)....
Flogging (9 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Flogging (9 Occurrences). Luke 12:48 but he who didn't
know, and did things worthy ofstripes, will be beaten with fewstripes....
Accountability
... in Luke 12:47, 48: "And that servant, who knew his lord's will, and made not ready,
nor did according to his will, shall be beaten with manystripes; but he...
Scourging (5 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary (1 Kings 12:11). Variously administered. In no case were
thestripes to exceed forty (Deuteronomy 25:3; Comp. 2 Corinthians 11:24)....
Striped (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (imp. & pp) of Stripe. 2. (a.) Havingstripes of different
colors; streaked. Multi-Version Concordance Striped (6 Occurrences)....
Vile (59 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 25:3 Fortystripes he may give him, he shall not exceed; lest, if he
should exceed, and beat him above these with manystripes, then your brother...
Jailer (8 Occurrences)
... Acts 16:23 When they had laid manystripes on them, they threw them into prison,
charging the jailer to keep them safely, (WEB WEY WBS NAS RSV NIV)....
Lashes (6 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 25:3 Fortystripes he may give him, he shall not exceed; lest, if he
should exceed, and beat him above these with manystripes, then your brother...
Resources
What does it mean that “by His stripes we are healed”? | GotQuestions.orgDid the Romans give Jesus 39 lashes? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that Christ was wounded for our transgressions (Isaiah 53:5)? | GotQuestions.orgStripes: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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