Jump to: Topical • ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia Definition and Context Cutting, in the biblical context, often refers to the act of making incisions or lacerations on the body. This practice is mentioned in various parts of the Bible, typically associated with mourning, idolatrous rituals, or pagan worship. The act of cutting oneself is generally viewed negatively in the Scriptures, as it is often linked to practices that are contrary to the worship of the God of Israel. Old Testament References In the Old Testament, cutting oneself is explicitly prohibited in the Law given to the Israelites. Leviticus 19:28 states, "You must not make any cuts in your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD." This command is part of a broader set of laws intended to set the Israelites apart from the surrounding nations, many of whom engaged in self-mutilation as part of their religious practices. Another significant reference is found in Deuteronomy 14:1 , which says, "You are the children of the LORD your God; do not cut yourselves or shave your foreheads on behalf of the dead." This verse underscores the prohibition against adopting pagan mourning practices, emphasizing the distinct identity and holiness of God's people. Prophetic Literature The prophets also speak against the practice of cutting. In 1 Kings 18:28 , during the contest on Mount Carmel, the prophets of Baal "shouted louder and cut themselves with knives and lances, as was their custom, until the blood gushed over them." This account highlights the futility and desperation of idol worship, contrasting it with the power and sovereignty of the God of Israel, who answers Elijah's prayer without such extreme measures. New Testament Considerations While the New Testament does not directly address the practice of cutting, it continues the theme of the body as a temple of the Holy Spirit. In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 , Paul writes, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body." This teaching implies a respect for the body, which would be inconsistent with self-harm or mutilation. Theological Implications From a theological perspective, the prohibition against cutting oneself is rooted in the understanding of human beings as created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). The body is to be treated with respect and dignity, reflecting the holiness and sanctity of life. The practice of cutting, especially in the context of pagan rituals, is seen as a distortion of this divine image and a departure from the worship of the one true God. Cultural and Historical Context In the ancient Near East, cutting oneself was often part of mourning rituals or acts of devotion to deities. These practices were intended to appease gods or express grief, but they were ultimately expressions of a worldview that did not acknowledge the sovereignty and sufficiency of the God of Israel. The biblical injunctions against cutting serve to protect the Israelites from adopting these harmful practices and to maintain their covenant relationship with God. Pastoral Considerations In contemporary pastoral care, the issue of cutting may arise in the context of self-harm, often linked to emotional distress or mental health struggles. While the biblical context differs from modern understandings, the underlying principle of valuing the body and seeking healing through God's grace remains relevant. Pastoral care should approach individuals with compassion, offering support and guidance towards healing and wholeness in Christ. Topical Bible Verses Leviticus 19:28You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks on you: I am the LORD. Topicalbible.org Leviticus 21:5 Easton's Bible Dictionary The flesh in various ways was an idolatrous practice, a part of idol-worship (Deuteronomy 14:1; 1 Kings 18:28). The Israelites were commanded not to imitate this practice (Leviticus 19:28; 21:5; Deuteronomy 14:1). The tearing of the flesh from grief and anguish of spirit in mourning for the dead was regarded as a Mark of affection (Jeremiah 16:6; 41:5; 48:37).Allusions are made in Revelation (13:16; 17:5; 19:20) to the practice of printing Marks on the body, to indicate allegiance to a deity. We find also references to it, through in a different direction, by Paul (Galatians 6; 7) and by Ezekiel (9:4). (see HAIR.) Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Cut.2. (n.) The act or process of making an incision, or of severing, felling, shaping, etc. 3. (n.) Something cut, cut off, or cut out, as a twig or scion cut off from a stock for the purpose of grafting or of rooting as an independent plant; something cut out of a newspaper; an excavation cut through a hill or elsewhere to make a way for a railroad, canal, etc.; a cut. 4. (a.) Adapted to cut; as, a cutting tool. 5. (a.) Chilling; penetrating; sharp; as, a cutting wind. 6. (a.) Severe; sarcastic; biting; as, a cutting reply. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia CUT; CUTTING(karath, gadha`, kachadh, nathach; apokopto, ekkopto): Many Hebrew words are translated "cut." Of these karath, "to cut down, out, off," is the most frequent. As "cut off" it is used in the sense of laying or destroying (Genesis 9:11 Deuteronomy 12:29 1 Kings 11:16 Psalm 101:8, etc.), also for cutting off transgressors from the community of Yahweh, which meant probably separation, or exclusion, rather than death or destruction (Genesis 17:14 Exodus 12:15, 19). Other words are damam, ("to be silent," "cease" Jeremiah 25:37 the King James Version; Jeremiah 48:2); tsamath "to destroy" (Psalm 54:5 the King James Version; Psalm 94:23, etc.); gadhadh, "to cut, one's self," is used of the cutting of one's flesh before heathen gods and in mourning for the dead, which was forbidden to the Israelites, (Deuteronomy 14:1 1 Kings 18:28 Jeremiah 16:6; Jeremiah 41:5; Jeremiah 47:5); sereT, sareTeth, "incision," are also used of those "cuttings of the flesh" (Leviticus 19:28; compare Leviticus 21:5). See CUTTINGS IN THE FLESH. The cutting of the hair of head and beard in mourning for the dead is referred to in Isaiah 15:2; "Every, beard is cut off" (gadha`), and Jeremiah 7:29, gazaz, "Cut off thy hair" (the Revised Version, margin "thy crown"), O Jerusalem (compare Isaiah 22:12 Jeremiah 16:6 Ezekiel 7:18 Amos 8:10). This early and widespread practice was also forbidden to the Israelites as being unworthy of them in their relation to Yahweh (Leviticus 19:27 Deuteronomy 14:1). CUTTING ASUNDER See ASUNDER; PUNISHMENTS. CUTTING OFF See CONCISION; PUNISHMENTS. Greek 2871. kope -- a cutting in pieces, slaughter ... a cutting in pieces, slaughter. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: kope Phonetic Spelling: (kop-ay') Short Definition: slaughter Definition ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2871.htm - 6k 2699. katatome -- concision, mutilation 1464. egkope -- a hindrance 4297. prokope -- progress 2875. kopto -- to cut (off), strike, by ext. to mourn 4298. prokopto -- to cut forward (a way), advance 4059. peritemno -- to cut around, circumcise 622. apollumi -- to destroy, destroy utterly 4932. suntemno -- to cut in pieces Strong's Hebrew 1418. gedudah -- cutting... gedudah. 1419 . cutting. Transliteration: gedudah Phonetic Spelling: (ghed-oo-daw') Short Definition: cutting. Word Origin the same as gedud, qv. cutting ... /hebrew/1418.htm - 5k 4037. magzerah -- a cutting instrument, axe 1496. gazith -- a cutting, hewing 1417. gedud -- a furrow, cutting 1336. Bether -- "cutting," a place of unc. location in Isr. 8148. sheninah -- a sharp (cutting) word, taunt 1508. gizrah -- a cutting, separation 8296. seret -- incision 2799. charosheth -- a carving, skillful working 1824. domi -- cessation, a pause, a quiet, a rest Library Cutting Corners LMSS Cutting. Family Hymn. Evening. On the Different Kinds of Cause. Adam and Zaretan, Joshua 3 A Rare Harvest. None of These Answers Will You Give Us. You Turn to Other Things ... Charity and Conflict. But Origen Also, You Will Tell Us, in Composing his Work Called ... I Desire to Die. The Cleansing Thesaurus Cutting (178 Occurrences)... 4. (a.) Adapted to cut; as, a cutting tool. 5. (a.) Chilling; penetrating; sharp; as, a cutting wind. 6. (a.) Severe; sarcastic; biting; as, a cutting reply. ... /c/cutting.htm - 46k Grain-cutting (19 Occurrences) Grape-cutting (1 Occurrence) Wood-cutting (2 Occurrences) Cutting-off (1 Occurrence) Cutting-instruments (1 Occurrence) Wool-cutting (1 Occurrence) Blade (23 Occurrences) Stamp (25 Occurrences) Ploughing (14 Occurrences) Resources What does the Bible say about self-harm / self-mutilation / cutting? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about body piercings? | GotQuestions.org Why do some cultures practice female genital mutilation (FGM)? | GotQuestions.org Cutting: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Cutting (178 Occurrences)Matthew 21:8 Matthew 26:51 Mark 4:29 Mark 5:5 Mark 11:8 Mark 14:47 Luke 22:50 John 4:35 John 4:36 John 18:10 Acts 27:32 Acts 27:40 Romans 9:28 2 Timothy 2:15 Hebrews 4:12 James 5:4 Revelation 14:15 Genesis 4:22 Genesis 15:10 Genesis 30:37 Genesis 31:19 Genesis 38:12 Genesis 40:10 Genesis 45:6 Exodus 4:25 Exodus 28:11 Exodus 28:36 Exodus 31:5 Exodus 32:12 Exodus 35:33 Exodus 39:3 Exodus 39:6 Exodus 39:14 Leviticus 5:8 Leviticus 19:28 Leviticus 21:5 Leviticus 26:5 Numbers 13:23 Deuteronomy 4:26 Deuteronomy 8:20 Deuteronomy 19:5 Deuteronomy 23:1 Deuteronomy 25:18 Deuteronomy 28:63 Joshua 7:9 Joshua 9:21 Joshua 9:23 Joshua 9:27 Joshua 24:20 Judges 6:25 Judges 6:30 Judges 9:48 Judges 9:49 Judges 19:29 Judges 20:6 Judges 20:21 Judges 20:25 Judges 20:43 Ruth 2:9 Ruth 2:23 1 Samuel 6:13 1 Samuel 6:14 1 Samuel 8:12 1 Samuel 11:7 1 Samuel 12:17 1 Samuel 17:51 1 Samuel 20:15 1 Samuel 24:4 1 Samuel 24:5 1 Samuel 24:11 1 Samuel 25:2 1 Samuel 25:4 1 Samuel 31:9 2 Samuel 4:7 2 Samuel 4:12 2 Samuel 7:9 2 Samuel 10:4 2 Samuel 12:31 2 Samuel 13:23 2 Samuel 13:24 2 Samuel 21:9 1 Kings 5:18 1 Kings 11:16 1 Kings 14:10 1 Kings 18:4 1 Kings 18:28 1 Kings 18:33 1 Kings 21:21 2 Kings 3:19 2 Kings 3:25 2 Kings 6:2 2 Kings 6:4 2 Kings 6:5 2 Kings 6:6 2 Kings 8:12 2 Kings 24:13 1 Chronicles 17:8 1 Chronicles 19:4 1 Chronicles 20:3 1 Chronicles 22:2 Subtopics Cutting: (The Flesh for the Dead): Forbidden Related Terms Grain-cutting (19 Occurrences) Cutting-instruments (1 Occurrence) Grain-crushers (2 Occurrences) Servant-girls (12 Occurrences) |