Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

LASH

A whip used in punishment. In the OT and NT the word is used both literally and metaphorically. Whipping with a lash up to 40 strokes was prescribed by Israelite law (Deut. 25:1-3); the punishment was later reduced to 39 lashes to prevent exceeding the law (2 Cor. 11:25). Lashing or scourging with a leather whip split into several thongs was practiced in the synagogues and the Sanhedrin for unacceptable behavior or for breaking religious rituals or the rules of the rabbis. Jesus warned his followers that they would be flogged in the synagogues (Matt. 10:17; 23:34).

The Romans used a stick, the rod, and the scourge or lash of leather strips with sharp pieces of bone and metal attached. Flogging with the lash was part of capital punishment and usually came before crucifixion (Matt. 20:19; Mark 10:34; Luke 18:33; John 19:1). The results were horrendous. Beating with the lash was also done to coerce a confession or as part of interrogation (Acts 22:23-29).

The word (and the related term “scourging”) is used metaphorically to indicate torment, illness, trouble, or suffering (cf. Job 5:21; Isa. 10:26). Jesus healed the woman with the issue of blood from her “disease” (Gk. mástix; lit., “scourging”; cf. Mark 3:10; Luke 7:21). The image of scourging also represents the correction and punishment of those whom Jesus accepts (Heb. 12:6), and that image is borrowed from the OT (Prov. 3:12 LXX; 1 Kgs. 12:11, 14; 2 Chr. 10:11, 14).

Richard A. Spencer

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

LASH

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)