Behead

== Easton's Bible Dictionary == Genesis 40:17-192 Samuel 4:820:21,222 Kings 10:6-8Matthew 14:8-12Acts 12:2 == King James Dictionary ==

BEHEAD', behed'. be and head.

To cut off the head to sever the head from the body, with a cutting instrument appropriately used of the execution of men for crimes.

== Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words ==

1: Ἀποκεφαλίζω (Strong'S #607 — Verb — apokephalizo — ap-ok-ef-al-id'-zo )

apo, "from, off," kephale, "a head," is found in Matthew 14:10; Mark 6:16,27; Luke 9:9 .

2: Πελεκίζω (Strong'S #3990 — Verb — pelekizo — pel-ek-id'-zo )

denotes "to cut with an axe" (from pelekus, "an axe"), Revelation 20:4 .

== Webster's Dictionary ==

(v. t.) To sever the head from; to take off the head of.

== Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature ==

(עָרִ Š, araph', applied to an animal, to break the neck, Deuteronomy 21:6; like πελεκίζω, Revelation 20:4; but properly הֵסַיר הָראֹשׁ, αποκεφαλίζω, to take off the head, 2 Samuel 4:7; Matthew 14:10; Mark 6:16; Mark 6:27; Luke 9:9), a method of taking away life, known and practiced among the Egyptians (Genesis 40:17-19). This mode of punishment, therefore, must have been known to the Hebrews, and there occur indubitable instances of it in the time of the early Hebrew kings (2 Samuel 4:8; 2 Samuel 20:21-22; 2 Kings 10:68). It appears, in the later periods of the Jewish history, that Herod and his descendants, in a number of instances, ordered decapitation (Matthew 14:8-12; Acts 12:2). The apostle Paul is said to have suffered martyrdom by beheading, as it was not lawful to put a Roman citizen to death by scourging or crucifixion. (See Punishment).