Bible Dictionary
Scourging
Scourging was a severe punishment administered with rods, sticks, or leather thongs. Jewish law limited the number of stripes, while Roman scourging was inflicted on Jesus and on others who were not protected by citizenship.
Definition
Scourging was a severe punishment administered with sticks, rods, or leather thongs. Jewish punishment was limited to forty stripes, while Roman scourging involved stripping and fastening the victim before beating him.
Biblical Usage
Scourging is mentioned in connection with Jewish punishment, the apostles, and the suffering of Jesus. The scourging of Christ is presented as fulfilling the words of prophecy.
Historical Background
In the East, punishment often used the stick or bastinado, applied to the soles of the feet. Roman citizens were legally exempt from scourging, though others could be beaten with rods or a multi-thonged scourge sometimes fitted with metal.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(1 Kings 12:11). Variously administered. In no case were the stripes to exceed forty (Deut. 25:3; comp. 2 Cor. 11:24). In the time of the apostles, in consequence of the passing of what was called the Porcian law, no Roman citizen could be scourged in any case (Acts 16:22-37). (See BASTINADO.) In the scourging of our Lord (Matt. 27:26; Mark 15:15) the words of prophecy (Isa. 53:5) were fulfilled.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
The punishment of scourging was common among the Jews. The instrument of punishment in ancient Egypt, as it is also in modern times generally in the East, was usually the stick, applied to the soles of the feet—bastinado. Under the Roman method the culprit was stripped, stretched with cords or thongs on a frame and beaten with rods. (Another form of the scourge consisted of a handle with three lashes or thongs of leather or cord, sometimes with pieces of metal fastened to them. Roman citizens were exempt by their law from scourging.)