Punishments

1. Striking, or even reviling, a parent. (Exodus 21:15,17)
2. Blasphemy. (Leviticus 24:14,16,23)
3. Sabbath-breaking. (Exodus 31:14; 35:2; Numbers 15:32-36)
4. Witchcraft, and false pretension to prophecy. (Exodus 22:18; Leviticus 20:27; 13:5; 18:20)
5. Adultery. (Leviticus 20:10; 22:22)
6. Unchastity. (Leviticus 21:9; 22:21,23)
7. Rape. (22:25)
8. Incestuous and unnatural connections. (Exodus 22:19; Leviticus 20:11,14,16)
9. Manstealing. (Exodus 21:16; 24:7)
10. Idolatry, actual or virtual, in any shape. (Leviticus 20:2; 13:8,10,15; 17:2-7) see Josh 7:1 ... and Josh 22:20 and Numb 25:8
11. False witness in certain cases. (19:16,19) II. But there is a large number of offences, some of them included in this list, which are named in the law as involving the,penalty of "cutting off from the people. On the meaning of this expression some controversy has arisen. There are altogether thirty six or thirty seven cases in the Pentateuch in which this formula is used. We may perhaps conclude that the primary meaning of "cutting off" is a sentence of death to be executed in some cases without remission, but in others voidable -- (1) by immediate atonement on the offender’s part; (2) by direct interposition of the Almighty i.e., a sentence of death always "regarded," but not always executed. Kinds of punishments . --Punishments are twofold, Capital and Secondary. I. Capital. (A) The following only are prescribed by the law:
12. Stoning , which was the ordinary mode of execution. (Exodus 17:4; Luke 20:6; John 10:31; Acts 14:5) In the case of idolatry, and it may be presumed in other cases also, the witnesses, of whom there were to be at least two, were required to cast the first stone. (13:9; Acts 7:58)
13. Hanging is mentioned as a distinct punishment. (Numbers 25:4; 2 Samuel 21:6,9)
14. Burning , in pre-Mosaic times, was the punishment for unchastity. (Genesis 38:24) Under the law it was ordered in the case of a priest’s daughter (Leviticus 21:9)
15. Death by the sword or spear is named in the law, (Exodus 19:13; 32:27; Numbers 25:7) and it occurs frequently in regal and post-Babylonian times. (1 Kings 2:25,34; 19:1; 2 Chronicles 21:4) etc.
16. Strangling is said by the rabbis to have been regarded as the most common but least severe of the capital punishments, and to have been performed by immersing the convict in clay or mud, and then strangling him by a cloth twisted round the neck. (B) Besides these ordinary capital punishments, we read of others, either of foreign introduction or of an irregular kind. Among the former
17. CRUCIFIXION is treated elsewhere.
18. Drowning , though not ordered under the law, was practiced at Rome, and is said by St. Jerome to have been in use among the Jews.
19. Sawing asunder or crushing beneath iron instruments. (2 Samuel 12:31) and perhaps (Proverbs 20:26; Hebrews 11:37)
20. Pounding in a mortar , or beating to death, is alluded to in (Proverbs 27:22) but not as a legal punishment, and cases are described. 2 Macc. 6:28,30.
21. Precipitation, attempted in the case of our Lord at Nazareth, and carried out in that of captives from the Edomites, and of St. James, who is said to have been cast from "the pinnacle" of the temple. Criminals executed by law were burned outside the city gates, and heaps of stones were flung upon their graves. (Joshua 7:25,26; 2 Samuel 18:17; Jeremiah 22:19) II. Of secondary punishments among the Jews, the original Principles were,
22. Retaliation , "eye for eye," etc. (Exodus 21:24,25)
23. Compensation , Identical (restitution)or analogous payment for loss of time or of power. (Exodus 21:18-36; Leviticus 24:18-21; 19:21) Slander against a wife’s honor was to be compensated to her parents by a fine of one hundred shekels, and the traducer himself to be punished with stripes (22:18,19)
24. Stripes , whose number was not to exceed forty, (25:3) whence the Jews took care not to exceed thirty-nine. (2 Corinthians 11:24)
25. Scourging with thorns is mentioned (Judges 8:16) The stocks are mentioned (Jeremiah 20:2) passing through fire , (2 Samuel 12:31) mutilation , (Judges 1:6) 2 Macc. 7:4, and see (2 Samuel 4:12) plucking out hair , (Isaiah 50:6) in later times, imprisonment and confiscation or exile. (Ezra 7:26; Jeremiah 37:15; 38:6; Acts 4:3; 5:18; 12:4)

pun'-ish-ments ('awon, "fault," "iniquity," "punishment for iniquity," "sin" (Ge 4:13; Le 26:41; Job 19:29; Ps 149:7; La 4:22; Eze 14:10 margin; Am 1:3,6,9,11,13; 2:1,4,6), `onesh, "tribute," "fine," "punishment" (La 3:39), chaTa'ah, or chaTTa'th, "sin" and its retribution, "penalty," "expiation" (Zec 14:19); kolasis, "punishment," "torment" (Mt 25:46), epitimia, "poll tax," hence, "penalty" (2Co 2:6), timoria, "vindication," hence, "penalty" (Heb 10:29), ekdikesis, "vindication," "retribution" (1Pe 2:14 the King James Version)): A court could inflict for a crime against the person, a sentence of

(1) death in the form of stoning, burning, beheading, or strangling, etc.;

(2) exile to one of the cities of refuge in case of manslaughter (Nu 35); or

(3) stripes, not to exceed 40, in practice 39 or less (De 25:3; 2Co 11:24).

Offences against property (theft, fraudulent conversion of deposit, embezzlement, robbery) were punished by exacting more than the value of the things taken (Lu 19:8), the excess going to the injured party, thus differing from a fine, which goes into the treasury of the community. The housebreaker was liable to be slain with impunity (Ex 22:2). A fine in the modern sense is unknown in the Scriptures, unless Le 5:6-19 be interpreted as referring to such.

1. History of the Hebrew Law concerning Punishment:

The earliest theory of punishment seems to have been that of retaliation--"blood for blood"--and to some extent this principle appears even in the Law of Moses (Le 21:19,20; Mt 5:38). Early in the history of the race, punishment was administered for sin and crime. Adam and Eve were driven from the Garden, and Cain, the first murderer, though not executed in retaliation for his deed, had a mark set on him. The words of Lamech (Ge 4:24) indicate that death was regarded as the fitting punishment for murder, and the same thought apparently was in the minds of the brethren of Joseph (Ge 42:21). Judah, as head of his family, seems to have had power of life and death (Ge 38:24), and Abimelech threatens his people with the extreme punishment in case they injure or insult Isaac or his wife (Ge 26:11). Similar power is ascribed to Pharaoh (Ge 41:13).

2. The Mosaic Law concerning Punishment:

Under the Law of Moses, the murderer was to be put to death without mercy. Even if he took refuge at the altar in a sanctuary or in an asylum city, he would not be immune from arrest and execution, and the same principle was applied in the case of an animal (Ex 21:12,14,23,28,36 parallel). But punishment under the Mosaic Law was not to be entailed or transmitted (De 24:16), as was the case among the Chaldeans (Da 6:24) and the kings of Israel (1Ki 21; 2Ki 9:26).

It has been noted that capital punishment is extensively prescribed by the Mosaic Law, and undoubtedly the Law was carried out. This circumstance has been explained by reference to the fact that the nation consisted of newly emancipated slaves, and therefore required harsh measures to keep them in check.

Under the Mosaic Law, the offenses that made one liable to the punishment of death were:

(1) striking or reviling a parent (Ex 21:15,17);

(2) blasphemy (Le 24:14,16,23; 1Ki 21:10; Mt 26:65,66);

(3) Sabbath-breaking (Ex 31:14; 35:2; Nu 15:32-36);

(4) witchcraft and false pretension to prophecy (Ex 22:18; Le 20:27; De 13:5; 18:20; 1Sa 28:9);

(5) adultery (Le 20:10; De 22:22);

(6) unchastity:

(a) before marriage, but detected afterward (De 22:21),

(b) in case of a woman with someone other than her betrothed (De 22:23),

(c) in a priest's daughter (Le 21:9);

(7) rape (De 22:25);

(8) incestuous and unnatural connections (Ex 22:19; Le 20:11,14,16);

(9) man-stealing (Ex 21:16);

(10) idolatry, actual or virtual, in any form (Le 20:2; De 13:6; 17:2-7);

(11) false witness in capital cases (De 19:16,19).

A large number of offenses come under the law of punishment by cutting off from the people, the meaning of which expression has led to some controversy. It may signify excommunication or death, and occurs in connection with the following offenses:

(1) breach of morals, such as willful sin in general (Nu 15:30,31); incestuous or unclean connections (Le 18:29; 29:9-21);

(2) breach of covenant, brought about through uncircumcision (Ge 17:14; Ex 4:24), neglect of Passover (Nu 9:13), Sabbath-breaking (Ex 31:14), neglect of Atonement Day (Le 23:29), work done on the Atonement Day (Le 23:30), children offered to Molech (Le 20:3), witchcraft (Le 20:6), anointing an alien with holy oil (Ex 30:33);

(3) breach of ritual, committed by eating leavened bread during Passover (Ex 12:15,19), eating fat of sacrifices (Le 7:25), eating blood (Le 7:27; 17:14), eating sacrifices while unclean (Le 7:20,21; 22:3,4,9), offering too late (Le 19:8), making holy ointment for private use (Ex 30:32,33), making perfume for private use (Ex 30:38), general neglect of purification (Nu 19:13,20), not bringing offering after slaying a beast for food (Le 17:9), slaying the animal at a place other than the tabernacle door (Le 17:4), touching holy things illegally (Nu 4:15,18,20).

Of capital punishments that are properly regarded as of Hebrew origin, we note:

(1) Stoning

Stoning, which was the ordinary mode of execution (Ex 19:13; Le 20:27; Jos 7:25; Lu 20:6; Ac 7:58; 14:5). The witnesses, of whom there were at least two, were required to cast the first stone (De 13:9 f; Joh 8:7). If these failed to cause death, the bystanders proceeded to complete the sentence, whereupon the body was to be suspended until sunset (De 21:23).

(2) Hanging

Hanging is mentioned (Nu 25:4; De 21:22), probably not as a mode of execution, but rather of exposure after death. It may have been a Canaanitish punishment, since it was practiced by the Gibeonites on the sons of Saul (2Sa 21:6,9).

(3) Burning

Burning, before the age of Moses, was the punishment of unchastity (Ge 38:24). The Law prescribes it as a punishment in the case of a priest's daughter (Le 21:9), and in case of incest (Le 20:14), but it is also mentioned as following death by other means (Jos 7:25), and some believe it was never used except after death. That it was sometimes used as a punishment on living persons among the heathen is shown by Da 3.

(4) The Sword or Spear

The sword or spear as an instrument of punishment is named in the Law (Ex 19:13; 32:27; Nu 25:7). It occurs frequently in monarchic and post-Bab times (Jud 9:5; 1Sa 15:33; 2Sa 20:22; 1Ki 19:1; Jer 26:23; Mt 14:8,10), but among these cases, there are some of assassination rather than of punishment.

(5) Strangling

Strangling as a form of punishment has no Scripture authority, but according to tradition was frequently employed, and is said to have been performed by immersing the convict in clay or mud, and then strangling him by a cloth tied around the neck.

3. Punishments of Foreign Origin: Besides these, which are to be regarded as the ordinary capital punishments, we read of some that were either of foreign introduction or of an irregular kind, such as:

(1) crucifixion (which see);

(2) drowning (Mt 18:6 parallel);

(3) sawing asunder or crushing (2Sa 12:31; Heb 11:37);

(4) torturing (1Ch 20:3; Heb 11:35);

(5) precipitation (2Ch 25:12; Lu 4:29);

(6) suffocation (2 Macc 13:4-8).

The Persians are said to have filled a high tower a great way up with ashes, and then to have thrown the criminal into it, and continually stirred up the ashes by means of a wheel till he was suffocated (Rawlinson, Ancient Monarchy, III, 246).

See also HEROD, II, 100.

Secondary forms of punishment not heretofore mentioned are to be noted as follows:

(1) Blinding or Putting Out of Eyes

Blinding or putting out of eyes in the case of captives (Jud 16:21; 1Sa 11:2; 2Ki 25:7).

(2) Chaining

Chaining by means of manacles or fetters of copper or iron, similar to our handcuffs fastened on the wrists and ankles and attached to each other by a chain (Jud 16:21; 2Sa 3:34; 2Ki 25:7); also alluded to in the life of Paul (Ac 28:20; Eph 6:20; 2Ti 1:16); and in the case of Peter (Ac 12:6).

(3) Confiscation of Property

Confiscation of property that had fallen under the ban, i.e. had been singled out for destruction by the special decree of Yahweh, as in Nu 21:2; Jos 6:17; or had been reserved for the use of the army (De 2:35; 20:14; Jos 22:8); or given over to the priesthood (Jos 6:19). The term may be extended to include all things vowed or sanctified and those irrevocably devoted or consecrated to God (Le 27:21,28). The idea is applied with special emphasis to those things which, because of their uncleanness, must not be used by the Israelites, though, through their warfare with the heathen, they might have come into possession of them (De 7:26; 1Sa 15:16-23).

(4) Dashing in Pieces (Psalms 2:9; Isaiah 13:18).

(5) Divine Visitation.

See VISITATION.

(6) Exposure to Wild Beasts (Leviticus 26:22; 1 Samuel 17:46; Daniel 6).

(7) Flaying

(Rawlinson, Ancient Monarchy, I, 478; Nineveh and Babylon; mentioned figuratively in Mic 3:3).

(8) Forfeiture (Ezra 10:8).

(9) Gallows

Gallows in the modern sense probably were unknown to the ancients. Where the word occurs in Es 5:14; 6:4; 7:9,10; 9:13,15, it probably refers to a beam or pole on which the body was impaled and then elevated to a height of 50 cubits as an object of warning to the people (see "Hanging").

(10) Imprisonment

Imprisonment is frequently referred to in both the Old Testament and the New Testament, indicating that this was a common mode of punishment among both the Israelites and other nations (Ge 40:3; 42:17; Le 24:12; Nu 15:34; 1Ki 22:27; Jer 37:15,21; Lu 3:20; Ac 4:3,10; 23:10; and the Epistles of Paul).

See PRISON.

(11) Indignities.

In this term may be included all those outbursts of vengeance or other evil dispositions that were practiced in times or under circumstances when liberties with the prisoner were permitted on the part of bystanders or those who had charge beyond the execution of the judicial decree. Instances are found in the life of Christ (Mt 26:59,67; Lu 22:63 ff; Joh 18:22); also in the life of Paul (Ac 23:2).

(12) Mutilation (Judges 1:6,7; Ezekiel 23:25; 2 Maccabees 7).

The Law was opposed to thus treating any Israelite, and Samuel, when referring to the arbitrary power of the future king (1Sa 8:10), does not say that he would thus treat "their sons." It was a barbarous custom of the East (see EUNUCH; POLYGAMY), evidently regarded, among the Hebrews, as a heinous practice (De 23:1). The only act authorizing mutilation (except in retaliation) is mentioned in De 25:11.

(13) Plucking Off the Hair

Plucking off the hair is alluded to as a mode of punishment in Ne 13:25; Isa 50:6.

(14) Prison Garments

Prison garments were in vogue to mark the convicts (Jer 52:33).

(15) Restitution

Restitution has been alluded to in the general introduction to this topic.

(16) Retaliation

Retaliation was recognized by Moses as a principle, but the application of it was left to the judge (Le 24:19-22). A fine example of it is found in the law of De 19:19.

(17) Scorpions, Chastising with.

Probably the use of thongs armed with pointed pieces of lead or other metal (1Ki 12:11; 2Ch 10:14).

See SCORPIONS.

(18) Scourging.

See separate article.

(19) Slavery.

See separate article.

(20) Stocks.

See PRISON.

Frank E. Hirsch

• Antiquity of Ge 4:13,14
• Power of inflicting, given to magistrates Job 31:11; Ro 13:4
• Designed to be a warning to others De 13:11; 17:13; 19:20
• WERE INFLICTED
  • On the guilty De 24:16; Pr 17:26
  • Without pity De 19:13,21
  • Without partiality De 13:6-8
  • By order of magistrates Ac 16:22
  • By order of kings 2Sa 1:13-16; 1Ki 2:23-46
  • Immediately after sentence was passed De 25:2; Jos 7:25
  • By the witnesses De 13:9; 17:7; Joh 8:7; Ac 7:58,59
  • By the people Nu 15:35,36; De 13:9
  • By soldiers 2Sa 1:15; Mt 27:27-35
• Sometimes deferred until God was consulted Nu 15:34
• Sometimes deferred for a considerable time 1Ki 2:5,6,8,9
• SECONDARY KINDS OF
  • Imprisonment Ezr 7:26; Mt 5:25
  • Confinement in a dungeon Jer 38:6; Zec 9:11
  • Confinement in stocks Jer 20:2; Ac 16:24
  • Fine, or giving of money Ex 21:22; De 22:19
  • Restitution Ex 21:36; 22:1-4; Le 6:4,5; 24:18
  • Retaliation or injuring according to the injury done Ex 21:24; De 19:21
  • Binding with chains and fetters Ps 105:18
  • Scourging De 25:2,3; Mt 27:26; Ac 22:25; 2Co 11:24
  • Selling the criminal Mt 18:25
  • Banishment Ezr 7:26; Re 1:9
  • Torturing Mt 18:34; Heb 11:37
  • Putting out the eyes Jud 16:21; 1Sa 11:2
  • Cutting off hands and feet 2Sa 4:12
  • Mutilating the hands and feet Jud 1:5-7
  • Cutting off nose and ears Eze 23:25
  • Plucking out the hair Ne 13:25; Isa 50:6
  • Confiscating the property Ezr 7:26
• Inflicting of capital, not permitted to the Jews by the Romans Joh 18:31
• CAPITAL KINDS OF
  • Burning Ge 38:24; Le 20:14; Da 3:6
  • Hanging Nu 25:4; De 21:22,23; Jos 8:29; 2Sa 21:12; Es 7:9,10
  • Crucifying Mt 20:19; 27:35
  • Beheading Ge 40:19; Mr 6:16,27
  • Slaying with the sword 1Sa 15:33; Ac 12:2
  • Stoning Le 24:14; De 13:10; Ac 7:59
  • Cutting in pieces Da 2:5; Mt 24:51
  • Sawing asunder Heb 11:37
  • Exposing to wild beasts Da 6:16,24; 1Co 15:32
  • Bruising in mortars Pr 27:22
  • Casting headlong from a rock 2Ch 25:12
  • Casting into the sea Mt 18:6
• Strangers not exempted from Le 20:2
• Were sometimes commuted Ex 21:29,30
• For murder not to be commuted Nu 35:31,32