Suffocation
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Suffocation in the Bible?
Suffocation denotes a method of execution involving the obstruction of breathing, recognized in ancient Near Eastern legal traditions and cited in biblical literature as a form of capital punishment.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding suffocation as a historical legal practice clarifies the specific judicial contexts and severity of penalties described in biblical narratives.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Suffocation. 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 Suffocation in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Suffocation 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
"Suffocation." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/suffocation/