Strong's Concordance
mastix: a whip, scourge
Original Word: μάστιξ, ιγος, ἡPart of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: mastix
Phonetic Spelling: (mas'-tix)
Short Definition: a scourge, lash, sufferings
Definition: (a) a scourge, lash, of leathern thongs with pieces of metal sewn up in them, (b) met: severe pains (sufferings), disease.
HELPS Word-studies
3148 mástiks – properly, a disease that (literally) carried a torturous level of pain (the root is, "a scourge/plague"). "The plague (mastigos) or scourge, was a whip used in flagellations, as on Paul, to find out his guilt (Ac 22:24, cf. Heb 11:26). It is an old word that was used for afflictions regarded as a scourge from God" (WP, 1 299).
When 3148 (mástiks) refers to a disease (Mk 3:10, 5:29,34; Lk 7:21), it emphasizes the oppressive pain (suffering) of this acute disorder – acting like a scourge ("plague") which is highly painful and debilitating.
When 3148 (mástiks) refers to literal whipping (Ac 23:24; Heb 11:36), it stresses its pain and debilitating after-effects.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 3148: μάστιξμάστιξ,
μαστιχος,
ἡ,
a whip, scourge (for
שׁוט,
1 Kings 12:11, 14;
Proverbs 26:3):
Acts 22:21;
Hebrews 11:36; metaphorically,
a scourge, plague, i. e.
a calamity, misfortune, especially as sent by God to discipline or punish (
Psalm 88:33
