In the context of the Bible, "inflicting" often refers to the act of causing pain, suffering, or punishment. This concept is seen throughout the Scriptures, where God, individuals, or nations inflict consequences as a response to sin, disobedience, or as a means of discipline.

Divine Infliction

God's infliction of punishment is a recurring theme in the Bible, often serving as a response to the sinfulness and rebellion of His people. In the Old Testament, God uses various means to inflict judgment upon Israel and other nations. For instance, in the book of Exodus, God inflicts plagues upon Egypt to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites from bondage. Exodus 9:14 states, "For this time I will send all My plagues against your heart and against your officials and your people, so you may know that there is no one like Me in all the earth."

The prophets frequently warned of impending divine infliction due to the people's unfaithfulness. In Isaiah 13:11 , God declares, "I will punish the world for its evil and the wicked for their iniquity; I will end the haughtiness of the arrogant and lay low the pride of the ruthless."

Human Infliction

The Bible also records instances where individuals or groups inflict harm upon others. This can be seen in the actions of various biblical characters who, driven by jealousy, anger, or revenge, cause suffering. For example, Cain's infliction of harm upon Abel, resulting in the first murder, is a poignant illustration of sin's destructive power (Genesis 4:8).

Moreover, the infliction of punishment is sometimes carried out by human authorities as a means of maintaining justice and order. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul acknowledges the role of governing authorities in inflicting punishment on wrongdoers. Romans 13:4 states, "For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer."

Infliction as Discipline

In the biblical narrative, infliction is not solely punitive but can also serve a disciplinary purpose. God's infliction of hardship is sometimes intended to correct and restore His people. Hebrews 12:6 affirms this, saying, "For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives."

The concept of infliction as discipline is also evident in the wisdom literature. Proverbs 3:11-12 advises, "My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD, and do not loathe His rebuke; for the LORD disciplines the one He loves, as does a father the son in whom he delights."

Infliction in Eschatology

In eschatological contexts, the Bible speaks of future inflictions as part of God's final judgment. The book of Revelation describes a series of divine judgments that will be inflicted upon the earth in the end times. Revelation 16:1 states, "Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, 'Go, pour out on the earth the seven bowls of God’s wrath.'"

These inflictions serve to demonstrate God's ultimate justice and sovereignty, bringing about the fulfillment of His redemptive plan.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Inflict.2190. echthros -- hostile
... 2190 -- properly, an ; someone (at ), animated by hatred. 2190 ("enemy"),
implies , proceeding out of a "" hatred on inflicting (). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2190.htm - 7k

172. akakos -- guileless
... hurt). [It is ultimately the negated form of 2556 ("a rotten disposition,
bent on inflicting ").]. Word Origin from alpha (as a neg. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/172.htm - 7k

Whether Anyone Should be Excommunicated for Inflicting Temporal ...
... OF THE DEFINITION, CONGRUITY AND CAUSE OF EXCOMMUNICATION (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether
anyone should be excommunicated for inflicting temporal harm? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether anyone should be excommunicated.htm

Chapter xx.
... Nor are we thus precluded from inflicting such punishment [requital] [187] as avails
for correction, and as compassion itself dictates; nor does it stand in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/chapter xx.htm

Whether it is Lawful for Parents to Strike their Children, or ...
... forbidden to provoke their children to anger, they are not prohibited from striking
their children for the purpose of correction, but from inflicting blows on ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful for 4.htm

Whether it is Lawful for a Man to Kill his Wife if She be ...
... adultery. Objection 4: Further, the husband is bound to correct his wife. But
correction is given by inflicting a just punishment. Since ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful for 21.htm

Whether Clemency and Meekness are Absolutely the Same?
... ii, 2]. Since, then, clemency "is leniency of a superior in inflicting punishment
on an inferior," as Seneca states (De Clementia ii, 3), and vengeance is ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether clemency and meekness are.htm

Now, as to the Question which You Raise, when it was that I Began ...
... a man who remains in obscurity done you, that you should lay bare his scars, and
when they were skinned over, should tear them open by inflicting this uncalled ...
/.../17 now as to the.htm

Faustus Avows his Disbelief in the Old Testament and his Disregard ...
... and certainly you ought, if it could be done to swallow them whole; so that after
the one wound your follower has been guilty of inflicting in pulling them, of ...
/.../faustus avows his disbelief in.htm

The Wrath of Love
... The Gods, or God, punished sin; inflicting so much pain for so much sin, very much
as the heathens are apt to punish their criminals still, and as Christian ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xxxix the wrath of.htm

Non-Resistants.
... cross, not only prayed, but apologized for his murderers; that, if the gospel is
right in prescribing pardon, the law is wrong in inflicting punishment; that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/non-resistants.htm

Of Scoffing and Derision.
... his own. 2. Nor is this injury enhanced only by the refinement of the sufferer,
but also by the way of inflicting it. We generally ...
/.../allestree/the government of the tongue/section vii of scoffing and.htm

Inflicting (4 Occurrences)
...Inflicting (4 Occurrences). Acts 15:19 "My judgement, therefore, is against inflicting
unexpected annoyance on those of the Gentiles who are turning to God. ...
/i/inflicting.htm - 7k

Avenge (27 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To take vengeance for; to exact satisfaction for by punishing the injuring
party; to vindicate by inflicting pain or evil on a wrongdoer. ...
/a/avenge.htm - 17k

Inflicts (7 Occurrences)

/i/inflicts.htm - 8k

Inflicted (20 Occurrences)

/i/inflicted.htm - 12k

Kingly (7 Occurrences)
... Romans 5:21 in order that as sin has exercised kingly sway in inflicting death,
so grace, too, may exercise kingly sway in bestowing a righteousness which ...
/k/kingly.htm - 10k

Naboth (18 Occurrences)
... of Elijah imprinted on Jehu's memory that many years afterwards he refers to them
(2 Kings 9:26), and he was the chief instrument in inflicting this sentence ...
/n/naboth.htm - 16k

Unexpected (2 Occurrences)
... Acts 15:19 "My judgement, therefore, is against inflicting unexpected annoyance
on those of the Gentiles who are turning to God. (WEY). ...
/u/unexpected.htm - 7k

Imposition (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of imposing, laying on, affixing,
enjoining, inflicting, obtruding, and the like. 2. (n ...
/i/imposition.htm - 11k

Terms (25 Occurrences)
... (DBY NAS RSV NIV). Romans 3:5 And, if our unrighteousness God's righteousness doth
establish, what shall we say? is God unrighteous who is inflicting the wrath? ...
/t/terms.htm - 13k

Tabeel (2 Occurrences)
... in bringing murderers to trial (Deuteronomy 19:12; Deuteronomy 21:1 Joshua 20:4),
punishing a disobedient son (Deuteronomy 21:19), inflicting penalty for ...
/t/tabeel.htm - 101k

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