(usually some form of נָכָה, nakah, to smite; but occasionally נֶגִע, nega, contact; חֲביּרָה, chabburah, or חֲביּרָה, chaburah, a bruise; מִהֲלוּמָּה, mahalummah, a stroke; μώλωχ, a wale; πληγή, a wound), a blow inflicted as a judicial punishment, usually with a rod. (See BASTINADO). Among the Hebrews, to be beaten with stripes was a theocratic form of punishment for offenses of the less heinous kind. It was left to the judges when to inflict them, and how many to give limiting them, however, to forty as the greatest number that could be inflicted for a single offense (Deuteronomy 25:1-3). To be sure that the punishment was kept within the bounds of the law, the custom was to give forty save one (2 Corinthians 11:24). The offender, when receiving them, was laid prostrate on the ground, and the whip was applied to his back uncovered. Many allusions are made to this form of chastisement, as a symbol of primitive dealing or disciplinary correction generally (Proverbs 17:26; Proverbs 20:30; Psalms 89:32)., (See PUNISHMENT).