Scourge

"a whip" (from Latin, flagellum), is used of the "scourge" of small cords which the Lord made and employed before cleansing the Temple, John 2:15 . However He actually used it, the whip was in itself a sign of authority and judgment.

(akin to A: Latin, flagello; Eng., "flagellate"), is the word used in Matthew 27:26; Mark 15:15 , of the "scourging" endured by Christ and administered by the order of Pilate. Under the Roman method of "scourging," the person was stripped and tied in a bending posture to a pillar, or stretched on a frame. The "scourge" was made of leather thongs, weighted with sharp pieces of bone or lead, which tore the flesh of both the back and the breast (cp. Psalm 22:17 ). Eusebius (Chron.) records his having witnessed the suffering of martyrs who died under this treatment.

akin to mastix (see below), is used (a) as mentioned under No. 1; (b) of Jewish "scourgings," Matthew 10:17; 23:34; (c) metaphorically, in Hebrews 12:6 , of the "chastening" by the Lord administered in love to His spiritual sons.

akin to No. 2, occurs in Acts 22:25 (see No. 1, above). In the Sept., Numbers 22:25 .