Bastinado
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Bastinado in the Bible?
Bastinado is a form of corporal punishment involving the beating of the soles of the feet. This practice was historically prevalent in the Near East and various Mediterranean regions.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing bastinado clarifies the physical reality of judicial discipline described in ancient legal codes and biblical narratives, offering insight into the severity and specific nature of punishments referenced in the text.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Bastinado. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Bastinado in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Bastinado clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Bastinado." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/bastinado/