Bible Dictionary
CORRUPTION
Corruption may mean physical decay or moral ruin. Biblically, moral corruption describes depravity and degradation resulting from sin, while physical corruption refers to the decay of the body.
Definition
Corruption may mean physical degeneration and decay or, figuratively, moral depravity and ruin. It can describe bodily decay and also the degradation produced by sin. In its moral sense it reaches utter depravity and ruin, not annihilation of the spirit.
Biblical Usage
Scripture uses corruption for physical decay and for moral corruption. Its images include destruction, unquenchable fire, the undying worm, and the differing destinies of the righteous and godless after death.
Historical Background
Some passages translated “corruption” are better rendered “pit,” including the term in Jonah. The source distinguishes the biblical idea of moral ruin from final destruction or annihilation.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>ko-rup'-shun: The Hebrew words mishchath, mashchath, mashchith, and their Greek equivalents, phthora, and diaphthora, with numerous derivatives and cognate verbs, imply primarily physical degeneration and decay (Job 17:14; Ac 2:27, etc.). The term shachath, which the King James Version translates with "corruption" in Jon 2:6, ought to be rendered "pit,". as in Ps 30:9; 35:7 et passim, while shachath beli in Isa 38:17 means the "pit of nothingness," i.e. of destruction.</p><p>Figurative: At an early time we find the above-given words in a non-literal sense denoting moral depravity and corruption (Ge 6:11; Ex 32:7; Ho 9:9; Ga 6:8, etc.), which ends in utter moral ruin and hopelessness, the second death. The question has been raised whether the meaning of these words might be extended so as to include the idea of final destruction and annihilation of the spirit. Upon careful examination, however, this question must be denied both from the standpoint of the Old Testament and of the New Testament. Apart from other considerations we see this from the metaphors used in the Scriptures to illustrate the condition of "corruption," such as the "unquenchable fire," the "worm" which "dieth not" (Mr 9:43,18; compare Isa 66:24), and "sleep" (Da 12:2), where a careful distinction is made between the blissful state after death of the righteous and the everlasting disgrace of the godless. The later Jewish theology is also fully agreed on this point. The meaning of the words cannot therefore extend beyond the idea of utter moral degradation and depravity.</p><p>H. L. E. Luering</p>