The term "smites" in the Bible refers to the act of striking, hitting, or inflicting a blow, often with the intent to cause harm or punishment. This action is frequently attributed to God, individuals, or nations as a form of divine judgment, personal retribution, or warfare. The concept of smiting is deeply embedded in the biblical narrative, illustrating both the justice and the wrath of God, as well as the human propensity for violence.

Divine Smiting

In the Scriptures, God is often depicted as the one who smites as a form of divine judgment against sin and disobedience. This is seen in various instances where God exercises His power to discipline or punish. For example, in Exodus 12:29, God smites the firstborn of Egypt as a final plague to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites: "Now at midnight the LORD struck down every firstborn male in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the prisoner who was in the dungeon, and the firstborn of all the livestock as well."

Similarly, in 2 Samuel 6:7, God smites Uzzah for touching the Ark of the Covenant: "And the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah, and God struck him down on the spot for his irreverence, and he died there beside the ark of God."

Human Smiting

The act of smiting is also carried out by individuals, often in the context of personal vengeance or warfare. In 1 Samuel 17:49, David smites Goliath with a stone: "Then David reached into his bag and took out a stone, and he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground."

In the context of warfare, smiting is a common occurrence, as seen in the battles of the Israelites against their enemies. Joshua 10:10 describes a victory given by God: "And the LORD threw them into confusion before Israel, who defeated them in a great slaughter at Gibeon, pursued them along the road to Beth-horon, and struck them down as far as Azekah and Makkedah."

Smiting as a Metaphor

Beyond the literal sense, smiting is also used metaphorically in the Bible to describe the impact of God's word or the consequences of sin. In Hosea 6:1, the prophet calls the people to repentance, acknowledging God's smiting as a means of correction: "Come, let us return to the LORD. For He has torn us to pieces, but He will heal us; He has injured us, but He will bind up our wounds."

Theological Implications

The concept of smiting in the Bible underscores the themes of justice, retribution, and the seriousness of sin. It reflects the holiness of God and His intolerance of sin, as well as His sovereign authority to judge and discipline. At the same time, it serves as a reminder of the need for repentance and the hope of restoration through God's mercy and grace.5062. nagaph -- to strike, smite
... root Definition to strike, smite NASB Word Usage beaten (1), defeated (17), hurts
(1), plagued (1), routed (4), smite (3), smites (1), smote (3), strike (7 ...
/hebrew/5062.htm - 6k

Liii. Smitten of God.
... His foes. He smites us, and then lifts us up; He smites his enemies, and
then casts them down for ever. WHICH ARE YOU? Herod was ...
//christianbookshelf.org/champness/broken bread/liii smitten of god.htm

A Christlike Judgment of Men
... There is no leader or guide, no Joshua or director to order their march; they are
a worn-out, tired, unregulated mob, and the sight smites upon His eye, and it ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/a christlike judgment of men.htm

The Winepress and Its Treader
... His love leads Him to warn before He smites, but it does not contradict His
threatenings, nor augur our impunity. Nay rather, love compels Him to smite. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the winepress and its treader.htm

Justice Satisfied
... if that were not enough, since the creature had not power of itself to give forth
all the vengeance of God upon its own substitute, God himself smites his Son. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/justice satisfied.htm

Nevertheless, a Necessity, as it Were, is Laid Upon Me to Reply ...
... reproach and evil speaking. But it is not true, as he says, that he turns
the left cheek to one who smites him on the right. It is on ...
/.../2 nevertheless a necessity as.htm

Mercy, Omnipotence, and Justice
... is slow to anger. First I will prove that he is "slow to anger;" because
he never smites without first threatening. Men who are ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/mercy omnipotence and justice.htm

Chastisement
... Many of you have been foolish enough when bereaved of your property, to cry out,
"Ah! God takes everything away. He smites me with one stroke upon another. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/chastisement.htm

The Voice of the Blood of Christ
... friendly with him: he gives him, as it were, the kiss of Judas; he entices him into
the field where he is alone; he takes him unawares; he smites him, and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the voice of the blood.htm

Book I to Pleasant Songs My Work was Erstwhile Given, and Bright ...
... the sun is hidden and the stars are not yet come into the sky, and night descending
from above o'erspreads the earth: but if the north wind smites this scene ...
/.../boethius/the consolation of philosophy/book i to pleasant songs.htm

What the Ruler's Discrimination Should be Between Correction and ...
... speech too hard. And he smites and slays his friend, because overstrained
contumely cuts him off from the spirit of love. For the ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter x what the rulers.htm

Smites (10 Occurrences)
...Smites (10 Occurrences). ... (DBY). Joshua 15:16 And Caleb said, He that smites
Kirjath-sepher and takes it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter as wife. (DBY ...
/s/smites.htm - 9k

Kirjath-sepher (4 Occurrences)
... (DBY WBS YLT). Joshua 15:16 And Caleb said, He that smites Kirjath-sepher and takes
it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter as wife. (DBY WBS). ...
/k/kirjath-sepher.htm - 8k

Massah (5 Occurrences)
... He takes with him the elders of Israel, and smites with his rod the rock on which
the Lord stands in Horeb, whereupon water gushes forth, and the people drink. ...
/m/massah.htm - 12k

Meribah (11 Occurrences)
... He takes with him the elders of Israel, and smites with his rod the rock on which
the Lord stands in Horeb, whereupon water gushes forth, and the people drink. ...
/m/meribah.htm - 14k

Plague (142 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) That which smites, wounds, or troubles; a blow;
a calamity; any afflictive evil or torment; a great trail or vexation. ...
/p/plague.htm - 49k

Body-coat (2 Occurrences)
... Luke 6:29 To him that smites thee on the cheek, offer also the other; and from him
that would take away thy garment, forbid not thy body-coat also. (DBY). ...
/b/body-coat.htm - 7k

Arm (110 Occurrences)
... Yahweh is sometimes likened to a warrior and smites with His arm (Psalm 89:10 Isaiah
63:5 Jeremiah 21:5). The arm of Yahweh is holy (Psalm 98:1 Isaiah 52:10). ...
/a/arm.htm - 42k

Smiter (9 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One who smites. Multi-Version Concordance
Smiter (9 Occurrences). Exodus 21:19 if he rise, and hath ...
/s/smiter.htm - 9k

Smitest (5 Occurrences)

/s/smitest.htm - 7k

Smiters (3 Occurrences)

/s/smiters.htm - 7k

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