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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Scour</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/s/scour.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/matthew/23-15.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/s/scour.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Scour</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/s/scoundrels.htm" title="Scoundrels">◄</a> Scour <a href="/topical/s/scoured.htm" title="Scoured">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#web" title="Webster's Dictionary">Webster's</a> • <a href="#cnc" title="Multiversion Concordance">Concordance</a> • <a href="#thes" title="Bible Thesaurus">Thesaurus</a> • <a href="#heb" title="Strong's Hebrew Concordance">Hebrew</a> • <a href="#lib" title="Library">Library</a> • <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div><b>Definition and Context</b> <br>The term "scour" in biblical context generally refers to the act of whipping or flogging, often as a form of punishment or discipline. This practice was common in ancient times and is mentioned in various passages throughout the Bible. Scourging was typically carried out with a whip or lash, sometimes embedded with sharp objects, to inflict pain and serve as a deterrent against wrongdoing.<br><br><b>Biblical References</b> <br>One of the most notable references to scourging in the Bible is found in the New Testament, in the account of Jesus Christ's suffering before His crucifixion. In the Gospel of John, it is recorded: "Then Pilate took Jesus and had Him flogged" (<a href="/john/19.htm">John 19:1</a>). This act of scourging was part of the Roman judicial process and was inflicted upon Jesus despite His innocence, fulfilling the prophecies of the suffering Messiah.<br><br>In the Old Testament, scourging is mentioned as a form of punishment under the Mosaic Law. <a href="/deuteronomy/25-2.htm">Deuteronomy 25:2-3</a> states: "If the guilty man deserves to be beaten, the judge shall have him lie down and be flogged in his presence with the number of lashes appropriate to his crime. He may receive no more than forty lashes, lest your brother be beaten any more than that and be degraded in your sight." This law was intended to ensure that punishment was just and not excessive.<br><br><b>Theological Significance</b> <br>Scourging in the biblical narrative often symbolizes the severity of sin and the justice of God. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the need for repentance. In the case of Jesus, His scourging is seen as part of the atoning sacrifice for humanity's sins. <a href="/isaiah/53-5.htm">Isaiah 53:5</a> prophetically speaks of the Messiah's suffering: "But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed."<br><br><b>Historical and Cultural Background</b> <br>In the ancient world, scourging was a common practice among various cultures, including the Romans and Jews. It was used not only as a punishment but also as a means of extracting confessions or information. The Roman flagrum, a type of whip used for scourging, was particularly brutal and could cause severe injury or even death.<br><br>The Jewish law, as outlined in the Torah, sought to regulate the practice to prevent abuse. The limitation of forty lashes was a measure to protect the dignity and life of the individual being punished. This reflects the broader biblical principle of justice tempered with mercy.<br><br><b>Application for Believers</b> <br>For Christians, the concept of scourging is a poignant reminder of the suffering Christ endured for the sake of humanity. It calls believers to reflect on the gravity of sin and the depth of God's love demonstrated through Jesus' sacrifice. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, often speaks of sharing in Christ's sufferings as part of the Christian journey, emphasizing the transformative power of enduring trials for the sake of the Gospel.<br><br>In summary, the biblical concept of scourging serves as a multifaceted symbol of justice, punishment, and ultimately, redemption through Christ.<a name="web" id="web"></a><div class="vheading2">Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary</div>1. (<I>v. t.</I>) To rub hard with something rough, as sand or Bristol brick, especially for the purpose of cleaning; to clean by friction; to make clean or bright; to cleanse from grease, dirt, etc., as articles of dress.<p>2. (<I>v. t.</I>) To purge; as, to scour a horse.<p>3. (<I>v. t.</I>) To remove by rubbing or cleansing; to sweep along or off; to carry away or remove, as by a current of water; -- often with off or away.<p>4. (<I>v. t.</I>) To pass swiftly over; to brush along; to traverse or search thoroughly; as, to scour the coast.<p>5. (<I>v. i.</I>) To clean anything by rubbing.<p>6. (<I>v. i.</I>) To cleanse anything.<p>7. (<I>v. i.</I>) To be purged freely; to have a diarrhea.<p>8. (<I>v. i.</I>) To run swiftly; to rove or range in pursuit or search of something; to scamper.<p>9. (<I>n.</I>) Diarrhea or dysentery among cattle.<a name="heb" id="heb"></a><div class="vheading2">Strong's Hebrew</div><a href="/hebrew/4838.htm"><span class="l">4838. maraq -- to <b>scour</b>, polish</span></a><br><b>...</b> maraq. 4839 . to <b>scour</b>, polish. Transliteration: maraq Phonetic Spelling:<br> (maw-rak') Short Definition: polish. Word Origin a prim. <b>...</b> bright, furbish, <b>scour</b>. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/hebrew/4838.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 6k</font><p> <a href="/hebrew/4803.htm"><span class="l">4803. marat -- to make smooth, bare or bald, to <b>scour</b>, polish</span></a><br><b>...</b> 4802, 4803. marat. 4804 . to make smooth, bare or bald, to <b>scour</b>, polish.<br> Transliteration: marat Phonetic Spelling: (maw-rat') Short Definition: polished. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/hebrew/4803.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 6k</font><a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><p><a href="/library/watson/the_beatitudes_an_exposition_of_matthew_51-12/21_concerning_persecution.htm"><span class="l">Concerning Persecution</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Take a cloth that is rotten. If you <b>scour</b> and rub it, it frets and tears;<br> but if you <b>scour</b> a piece of plate, it looks brighter. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/21 concerning persecution.htm</font><p><a href="/library/maclaren/expositions_of_holy_scripture_a/the_river_of_life.htm"><span class="l">The River of Life</span></a> <br><b>...</b> ideal, which there is power in the gospel to make real in the case of every one<br> of us, the rapid and continuous increase in the depth and in the <b>scour</b> of 'the <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the river of life.htm</font><p><a href="/library/stalker/the_trial_and_death_of_jesus_christ/chapter_ii_the_ecclesiastical_trial.htm"><span class="l">The Ecclesiastical Trial</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Messengers were dispatched to <b>scour</b> the city for the members at the midnight<br> hour, because the case was urgent and could not brook delay. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../the trial and death of jesus christ/chapter ii the ecclesiastical trial.htm</font><p><a href="/library/smith/jeremiah/1_his_earliest_oracles_ii.htm"><span class="l">His Earliest Oracles. (ii. 2-iv. 4. )</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Yea, though thou <b>scour</b> thee with nitre, 22 And heap to thee lye, Ingrained is thy<br> guilt before Me, Rede of the Lord, thy God.(156) How sayest thou, "I'm not <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/1 his earliest oracles ii.htm</font><p><a href="/library/drummond/the_lowell_lectures_on_the_ascent_of_man/chapter_vi_the_struggle_for.htm"><span class="l">The Struggle for Life</span></a> <br><b>...</b> With fifty other breakfastless birds, it had to bide its time, to <b>scour</b> the country;<br> to prospect the trees, the grass, the ground; to lie in ambush; to attack <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../the lowell lectures on the ascent of man/chapter vi the struggle for.htm</font><p><a href="/library/maclaren/expositions_of_holy_scripture_ephesians_peter/the_girdle_of_truth.htm"><span class="l">'The Girdle of Truth'</span></a> <br><b>...</b> It is better to have our lives running between narrow banks, and so to have a <b>scour</b><br> in the stream, than to have them spreading wide and shallow, with no <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/the girdle of truth.htm</font><p><a href="/library/maclaren/expositions_of_holy_scripture_k/coming_in.htm"><span class="l">Coming In</span></a> <br><b>...</b> The stream that is to flow with impetus sufficient to <b>scour</b> its bed clear of<br> obstructions must not be allowed to meander in side branches, but be banked up in <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/coming in.htm</font><p><a href="/library/jerome/the_principal_works_of_st_jerome/letter_cxvii_to_a_mother.htm"><span class="l">Letter cxvii. To a Mother and Daughter Living in Gaul.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> to allow one's tongue free course through the world." "You are too fearful," he<br> replied; "where is that old hardihood of yours which made you <b>scour</b> the world <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxvii to a mother.htm</font><p><a href="/library/maclaren/expositions_of_holy_scripture_j/gods_guests.htm"><span class="l">God's Guests</span></a> <br><b>...</b> shallow pond. Why! it ought to run in a clear stream that has a <b>scour</b> in it<br> and that will take all filth off the surface. The Psalmist <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/gods guests.htm</font><p><a href="/library/maclaren/expositions_of_holy_scripture_g/fences_and_serpents.htm"><span class="l">Fences and Serpents</span></a> <br><b>...</b> walls, as our hydro-graphical engineers talk about, which, built in the bed of a<br> river, wholesomely confine its waters and make a good <b>scour</b> which gives life <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/fences and serpents.htm</font><a name="thes" id="thes"></a><div class="vheading2">Thesaurus</div><a href="/topical/s/scour.htm"><span class="l"><b>Scour</b> (2 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 2. (vt) To purge; as, to <b>scour</b> a horse. <b>...</b> 4. (vt) To pass swiftly over; to brush<br> along; to traverse or search thoroughly; as, to <b>scour</b> the coast. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/s/scour.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/g/gained.htm"><span class="l">Gained (66 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Matthew 23:15 "Alas for you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you <b>scour</b> sea<br> and land in order to win one convert--and when he is gained, you make him <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/g/gained.htm - 25k</font><p><a href="/topical/w/win.htm"><span class="l">Win (27 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Matthew 23:15 "Alas for you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you <b>scour</b> sea<br> and land in order to win one convert--and when he is gained, you make him <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/w/win.htm - 14k</font><p><a href="/topical/f/furbish.htm"><span class="l">Furbish (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Noah Webster's Dictionary (vt) To rub or <b>scour</b> to brightness; to clean; to burnish;<br> as, to furbish a sword or spear. Multi-Version Concordance <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/f/furbish.htm - 6k</font><p><a href="/topical/f/fuller.htm"><span class="l">Fuller (5 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Easton's Bible Dictionary The word "full" is from the Anglo-Saxon fullian, meaning<br> "to whiten." To full is to press or <b>scour</b> cloth in a mill. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/f/fuller.htm - 10k</font><p><a href="/topical/f/full.htm"><span class="l">Full (1047 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 12. (n.) To thicken by moistening, heating, and pressing, as cloth; to mill;<br> to make compact; to <b>scour</b>, cleanse, and thicken in a mill. 13. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/f/full.htm - 36k</font><p><a href="/topical/r/rub.htm"><span class="l">Rub (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 5. (vt) To <b>scour</b>; to burnish; to polish; to brighten; to cleanse; -- often with<br> up or over; as, to rub up silver. 6. (vt) To hinder; to cross; to thwart. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/r/rub.htm - 8k</font><p><a href="/topical/b/beat.htm"><span class="l">Beat (85 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 5. (vt) To <b>scour</b> or range over in hunting, accompanied with the noise made<br> by striking bushes, etc., for the purpose of rousing game. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/b/beat.htm - 35k</font><p><a href="/topical/b/bear.htm"><span class="l">Bear (425 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> market. 32. (n.) A portable punching machine. 33. (n.) A block covered with<br> coarse matting; -- used to <b>scour</b> the deck. 34. (vt) To <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/b/bear.htm - 44k</font><p><a href="/topical/c/convert.htm"><span class="l">Convert (6 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Matthew 23:15 "Alas for you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you <b>scour</b> sea<br> and land in order to win one convert--and when he is gained, you make him <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/c/convert.htm - 9k</font><p><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/abuse-guilt.html">I am a victim of abuse. Why do I feel guilty? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://clyx.com/term/scour.htm">Scour: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com</a><br /><br /><a href="/concordance/">Bible Concordance</a> • <a href="/dictionary/">Bible Dictionary</a> • <a href="/encyclopedia/">Bible Encyclopedia</a> • <a href="/topical/">Topical Bible</a> • <a href="/thesaurus/">Bible Thesuarus</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="cnc" id="cnc"></a><div class="vheading2">Concordance</div><span class="encheading">Scour (2 Occurrences)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/matthew/23-15.htm">Matthew 23:15</a></span><br />"Alas for you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you <span class="boldtext">scour</span> sea and land in order to win one convert--and when he is gained, you make him twice as much a son of Gehenna as yourselves.<br /><span class="source">(WEY)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/proverbs/20-30.htm">Proverbs 20:30</a></span><br />By the wounds of the rod evil is taken away, and blows make clean the deepest parts of the body.<br /><span class="source">(See NAS)</span><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/s/scour.htm">Scour</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/scour.htm">Scour (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/scourge.htm">Scourge (24 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/o/offscouring.htm">Offscouring (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/w/wherever.htm">Wherever (107 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/rinsed.htm">Rinsed (6 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/earthenware.htm">Earthenware (13 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/earthen.htm">Earthen (19 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/d/district.htm">District (59 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/boiled.htm">Boiled (15 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/sodden.htm">Sodden (5 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/pot.htm">Pot (46 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/brazen.htm">Brazen (42 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/bronze.htm">Bronze (146 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/copper.htm">Copper (55 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/v/vessel.htm">Vessel (118 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/w/wherein.htm">Wherein (208 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt (596 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/broken.htm">Broken (559 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/s/scoundrels.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Scoundrels"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Scoundrels" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/s/scoured.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Scoured"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Scoured" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div> <div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></div></td></tr></table></div></div></div> <br /><br /> <div align="center"> <div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>