The term "stoneth" is an archaic form of the verb "stone," which refers to the act of pelting or executing someone with stones. This practice is mentioned several times in the Bible, primarily in the context of capital punishment under the Mosaic Law. Stoning was a method of execution prescribed for various offenses, reflecting the gravity of sin and the holiness of God's law.

Biblical Context and Usage

1. Old Testament Law: Stoning was a common form of capital punishment in ancient Israel. It was prescribed for a range of offenses, including idolatry, blasphemy, adultery, and rebellion against parents. The community's participation in the act of stoning symbolized collective responsibility for maintaining the purity and holiness of the community.

· Idolatry: In Deuteronomy 13:10, the Israelites are commanded to stone anyone who entices them to worship other gods: "Stone him to death, because he has tried to turn you away from the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery."

· Blasphemy: Leviticus 24:16 states, "Whoever blasphemes the name of the LORD must surely be put to death. The whole congregation must stone him. Whether an alien or a native, if he blasphemes the Name, he must be put to death."

· Adultery: In cases of adultery, both the adulterer and the adulteress were to be stoned, as seen in Deuteronomy 22:24: "You must take both of them to the gate of that city and stone them to death—the girl because she did not cry out in the city, and the man because he has violated another man’s wife."

2. New Testament References: The New Testament also references stoning, both as a historical practice and as a metaphor for persecution.

· The Woman Caught in Adultery: In John 8:3-7, the scribes and Pharisees bring a woman caught in adultery to Jesus, reminding Him that the Law of Moses commands her to be stoned. Jesus responds, "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to cast a stone at her" (John 8:7), highlighting the themes of mercy and self-examination.

· Stephen's Martyrdom: The first Christian martyr, Stephen, was stoned to death, as recorded in Acts 7:58-60. His stoning was a result of his bold proclamation of the Gospel and his accusation against the Jewish leaders for resisting the Holy Spirit.

3. Symbolism and Theological Implications: Stoning in the Bible serves as a stark reminder of the seriousness of sin and the need for communal purity. It underscores the severity of breaking God's commandments and the communal responsibility to uphold divine law. However, the New Testament introduces a shift towards grace and forgiveness, as exemplified by Jesus' teachings and actions.

Cultural and Historical Considerations

Stoning was not unique to Israel but was practiced in various ancient Near Eastern cultures. It was a public form of execution, intended to serve as a deterrent to others. The communal aspect of stoning, where the witnesses were often the first to cast stones, emphasized the collective enforcement of justice.

In summary, "stoneth" in the biblical context refers to a form of capital punishment that reflects the gravity of sin and the communal responsibility to uphold God's law. While the Old Testament prescribes stoning for certain offenses, the New Testament introduces a new paradigm of grace and forgiveness through Jesus Christ.

Second Sunday after Trinity Exhortation to Brotherly Love.
... acts of Jehovah." Micah 6, 3-5. And well does Christ say to his ungrateful people:
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that killeth the prophets, and stoneth them that ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/second sunday after trinity exhortation.htm

Discourse of Jesus against the Scribes and Pharisees.
... upon this generation. "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that killeth the prophets,
and stoneth them that are sent unto her! how often would ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/discourse of jesus against the.htm

B. The Second Stages. Chs. 13:22 to 17:10
... and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem.34
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that killeth the prophets, and stoneth them that are ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/b the second stages chs.htm

The Cross as a Social Principle
... perish out of Jerusalem. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that killeth the prophets,
and stoneth them that are sent unto her! how often would ...
/.../rauschenbusch/the social principles of jesus/chapter xi the cross as.htm

The Strait Gate. Warned against Herod.
... died as a prophet to foreigners rather than as a prophet to the Jewish people.]
34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that killeth the prophets, and stoneth them that are ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lxxxix the strait gate warned.htm

Jesus' Last Public Discourse. Denunciation of Scribes and ...
... generation. [See pp.314, 315.] 37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that killeth
the prophets, and stoneth them that are sent unto her! how ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cx jesus last public discourse.htm

Tuesday --The Day of Controversy.
... upon this generation. "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that killeth the prophets,
and stoneth them that are sent unto her! how often would ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his last week/tuesdaythe day of controversy.htm

Stoneth (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Stoneth (4 Occurrences). Matthew 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem,
that killeth the prophets, and stoneth them that are sent unto her! ...
/s/stoneth.htm - 7k

Killeth (23 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Killeth (23 Occurrences). Matthew 23:37 O Jerusalem,
Jerusalem, that killeth the prophets, and stoneth them that are sent unto her! ...
/k/killeth.htm - 13k

Gathereth (65 Occurrences)
... scattereth. (KJV ASV WBS). Luke 13:34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that killeth
the prophets, and stoneth them that are sent unto her! how ...
/g/gathereth.htm - 26k

Revileth (6 Occurrences)
... 16:13 And David goeth with his men in the way, and Shimei is going at the side of
the hill over-against him, going on, and he revileth, and stoneth with stones ...
/r/revileth.htm - 8k

Dusted (1 Occurrence)
... 16:13 And David goeth with his men in the way, and Shimei is going at the side of
the hill over-against him, going on, and he revileth, and stoneth with stones ...
/d/dusted.htm - 6k

Chicken
... Bible. Matthew 23:37, contains this: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that killeth
the prophets, and stoneth them that are sent unto her! how ...
/c/chicken.htm - 10k

Stonest (2 Occurrences)

/s/stonest.htm - 7k

Stonework (1 Occurrence)

/s/stonework.htm - 6k

Over-against (156 Occurrences)
... 16:13 And David goeth with his men in the way, and Shimei is going at the side of
the hill over-against him, going on, and he revileth, and stoneth with stones ...
/o/over-against.htm - 38k

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