the Fourth Week of Advent
Click here to learn more!
Bible Encyclopedias
Behead
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
or (עָרִ Š, araph', applied to an animal, to break the neck, Deuteronomy 21:6; like πελεκίζω, Revelation 20:4; but properly הֵסַיר הָראֹשׁ, αποκεφαλίζω, to take off the head, 2 Samuel 4:7; Matthew 14:10; Mark 6:16; Mark 6:27; Luke 9:9), a method of taking away life, known and practiced among the Egyptians (Genesis 40:17-19). This mode of punishment, therefore, must have been known to the Hebrews, and there occur indubitable instances of it in the time of the early Hebrew kings (2 Samuel 4:8; 2 Samuel 20:21-22; 2 Kings 10:68). It appears, in the later periods of the Jewish history, that Herod and his descendants, in a number of instances, ordered decapitation (Matthew 14:8-12; Acts 12:2). The apostle Paul is said to have suffered martyrdom by beheading, as it was not lawful to put a Roman citizen to death by scourging or crucifixion. (See PUNISHMENT).
These files are public domain.
McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Behead'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/b/behead.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.
