Death-blow
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In biblical terms, a "death-blow" refers to a decisive or fatal strike that results in death or the ultimate defeat of an enemy. This concept is often used metaphorically in Scripture to describe the final and irrevocable defeat of sin, evil, or death itself.

Old Testament Context

The idea of a death-blow can be seen in various narratives throughout the Old Testament. One prominent example is found in the account of David and Goliath. In 1 Samuel 17:49-50 , David delivers a death-blow to Goliath with a single stone: "David put his hand into the bag, took out a stone, and slung it, striking the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand, he struck down the Philistine and killed him." This act symbolizes the triumph of God's chosen servant over seemingly insurmountable odds, emphasizing divine intervention and the power of faith.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of a death-blow is most profoundly illustrated in the work of Jesus Christ. The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus are seen as the ultimate death-blow to sin and death. Hebrews 2:14 states, "Therefore, since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity, so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil." Here, the death-blow is not a physical strike but a spiritual victory over the forces of evil.

Theological Significance

Theologically, the death-blow delivered by Christ is central to Christian doctrine. It signifies the defeat of Satan and the liberation of humanity from the bondage of sin. Colossians 2:15 describes this victory: "And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." This passage highlights the comprehensive nature of Christ's victory, which is both a present reality and a future hope for believers.

Eschatological Implications

The death-blow also has eschatological implications, pointing to the ultimate defeat of death itself. In 1 Corinthians 15:54-55 , Paul writes, "When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come to pass: 'Death has been swallowed up in victory.' 'Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?'" This passage assures believers of the final eradication of death, affirming the hope of eternal life through Christ.

Conclusion

The concept of a death-blow in the Bible serves as a powerful metaphor for God's decisive action against evil. Whether through the historical narratives of the Old Testament or the redemptive work of Christ in the New Testament, the death-blow represents the ultimate triumph of good over evil, life over death, and God's sovereignty over all creation.
Library

Was Christ's a Real Death?
... Polyb., i., c. 80, Section 13.) The death-blow was afterward given in some
other way. Hence (Ammian. Marcellin., Hist., xiv., 9) it ...
/.../section 297 was christs a.htm

section 2
... that the petals begin to wither. Fertilisation marks the striking of the
death-blow to all that went before. Look at a clover head ...
//christianbookshelf.org/trotter/parables of the christ-life/section 2.htm

The Saint's Heritage and Watchword
... Under the Houses of Parliament the deadly powder was concealed which they hoped
would be a death-blow to both Houses, and so annihilate the power of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 50 1904/the saints heritage and watchword.htm

The Parables of the Kingdom.
... pure may be.". What appeared to be the death-blow of "The Kingdom of Heaven"
was but a necessary step in its formation. The King ...
/.../burbidge/the kingdom of heaven what is it/chapter iii the parables of.htm

Criticisms on "The Origin of Species. "
... writer most forcibly on his first perusal of the "Origin of Species" was the conviction
that Teleology, as commonly understood, had received its deathblow at Mr ...
/.../huxley/lay sermons addresses and reviews/xiii criticisms on the origin.htm

Absolution.
... The death-blow to such superstition is only struck when we have not only proved
that men have been deceived, but shown besides how they came to be deceived ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/robertson/sermons preached at brighton/v absolution.htm

Imagination in Prayer
... the imagination as "that forward and delusive faculty." While Jonathan Edwards,
in his own masterful way, would almost seem to have given the death-blow to the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/whyte/lord teach us to pray/xx imagination in prayer.htm

General Notes by the American Editor
... Our author clings to the purer Chiliasm of Commodian, to which Augustine had
now given the death-blow by his famous retraction. [2321]. ...
/.../general notes by the american.htm

Come and Welcome
... is prescribed is"let him take it "freely." That is the only price demanded, and
the only condition, which indeed is not a condition, but a death-blow to all ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/come and welcome.htm

Two Archbishops
... he answered, I have not so lived among you that I am ashamed to live; and yet"for
the Lord is merciful"I do not fear to die.' It is a death-blow for all ...
/.../chapter xiii two archbishops.htm

Thesaurus
Death-blow (6 Occurrences)
Death-blow. Death, Death-blow. Death-bringing . Multi-Version
Concordance Death-blow (6 Occurrences). Acts 7:24 And ...
/d/death-blow.htm - 8k

Alexandria (4 Occurrences)
... It sank lower when Cairo became the capital (circa 1000 AD), and received its death
blow when a sea route to India was discovered by way of the Cape of Good ...
/a/alexandria.htm - 31k

Taker (26 Occurrences)
... Numbers 35:21 Or in hate gave him blows with his hand, causing death; he who gave
the death-blow is to be put to death; he is a taker of life: he whose right ...
/t/taker.htm - 14k

Edrei (8 Occurrences)
... ed'-re-i ('edhre`i; Edra-ein): (1) One of the cities of Og, not far from Ashtaroth,
where the power of his kingdom received its deathblow from the invading ...
/e/edrei.htm - 11k

Death-bringing (1 Occurrence)
Death-bringing. Death-blow, Death-bringing. Death-giving . Multi-Version
Concordance ... (DBY). Death-blow, Death-bringing. Death-giving . Reference Bible.
/d/death-bringing.htm - 6k

Attacked (93 Occurrences)
... you. (BBE). Acts 7:24 And seeing one of them being attacked, he went to
his help and gave the Egyptian a death-blow: (BBE). Acts 7 ...
/a/attacked.htm - 33k

Aid (20 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). 2 Samuel 21:17 But Abishai, the son of Zeruiah, came to his help,
and, turning on the Philistine, gave him his death-blow. ...
/a/aid.htm - 13k

Borrowing (1 Occurrence)
... The theory of a swoon and a recovery in the tomb is impossible, and to it Strauss
"practically gives its deathblow" (Orr, op. cit., 43). ...
/b/borrowing.htm - 52k

Sela (5 Occurrences)
... Petra shared in the declining fortunes of Rome; and her deathblow was dealt by
the conquering Moslems, who desolated Arabia Petrea in 629-32 AD The place now ...
/s/sela.htm - 15k

Justice (212 Occurrences)
... This is grace not desert (Luke 17:10). And the parable of Matthew 20:1-15 gives
at length the deathblow to the whole Judaistic scheme of merit and reward. ...
/j/justice.htm - 46k

Resources
Why was Elijah afraid of Jezebel? | GotQuestions.org

How should a Christian view the Roe vs. Wade decision? | GotQuestions.org

What was the Levitical priesthood? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Death-blow (6 Occurrences)

Acts 7:24
And seeing one of them being attacked, he went to his help and gave the Egyptian a death-blow:
(BBE)

Exodus 21:12
He who gives a man a death-blow is himself to be put to death.
(BBE)

Numbers 35:21
Or in hate gave him blows with his hand, causing death; he who gave the death-blow is to be put to death; he is a taker of life: he whose right it is to give punishment for blood may put to death the taker of life when he comes face to face with him.
(BBE)

Deuteronomy 19:6
For if not, he who has the right of punishment may go running after the taker of life in the heat of his wrath, and overtake him because the way is long, and give him a death-blow; though it is not right for him to be put to death because he was not moved by hate.
(BBE)

2 Samuel 1:10
So I put my foot on him and gave him his death-blow, because I was certain that he would not go on living after his fall: and I took the crown from his head and the band from his arm, and I have them here for my lord.
(BBE)

2 Samuel 21:17
But Abishai, the son of Zeruiah, came to his help, and, turning on the Philistine, gave him his death-blow. Then David's men took an oath, and said, Never again are you to go out with us to the fight, so that you may not put out the light of Israel.
(BBE)

Subtopics

Death-blow

Related Terms

Death-blow (6 Occurrences)

Unsettled (5 Occurrences)

Death-giving (3 Occurrences)

Death: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To
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