Bible Encyclopedias
Whip

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

(שׁוֹט, shot; occasionally rendered "scourge," Job 5:21; Job 9:23; Isaiah 10:26; Isaiah 28:15). In ancient times, whips were used not only for driving animals, but also as instruments of torture; and even now, in slaveholding countries, the unfortunate slaves are obliged to work with the, fear of the whip before their eyes. The system of administering personal chastisement has been, and is, universal throughout the East; and, under despotic governments, no person can be sure of escaping, as punishment is inflicted on the mere caprice of any tyrant who may happen to be in power. For this purpose, however, the rod (q.v.) was oftener used, and punishment of the bastinado (q.v.) is now the most common in Oriental countries. (See CORPORAL PUNISHMENT).

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