Why stoning?

[abandonentropy]

Why was stoning the preferred execution method used by ancient Israel and endorsed by God in the Old Testament? I've seen real footage of stonings and it's barbaric, I don't understand why God would endorse such a thing, the death penalty is one thing, but the method matters. Even in the world with all its shortcomings, first world countries executions are swift.

 

[Darkhorse]

1) They had plenty of rocks

2) It's public

3) It's an execution that requires a consensus of the community. One person isn't designated as the executioner, so the relatives of the stoned person cannot take revenge on that one person. In a similar manner, it would be difficult for a few people to carry out, unless the criminal is immobilized. In a very real sense, the community carries out the execution.

 

[abandonentropy]

1) They had plenty of rocks

2) It's public

3) It's an execution that requires a consensus of the community. One person isn't designated as the executioner, so the relatives of the stoned person cannot take revenge on that one person.

Why does it have to be public, to inspire fear? Where does sacrficial offerings of repentance fit in then?

 

[Der Alte]

Why was stoning the preferred execution method used by ancient Israel and endorsed by God in the Old Testament? I've seen real footage of stonings and it's barbaric, I don't understand why God would endorse such a thing, the death penalty is one thing, but the method matters. Even in the world with all its shortcomings, first world countries executions are swift.

Biblical stoning was not a group of people picking up rocks and throwing them at the one convicted.

The convict having been placed on a platform twice his height, one of the witnesses throws him to the ground. If the concussion does not produce instant death, the second witness hurls a heavy stone at his chest; and only when this also proves insufficient to end his misery, the bystanders throw stones at the prostrate body until death ensues (Sanh. vi. 4; 45a et seq.; Sifra, Emor, xix.; Sifre, Num. 114; ib. Deut. 89, 90, 149, 151).
http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/4005-capital-punishment​

 

[abandonentropy]

Biblical stoning was not a group of people picking up rocks and throwing them at the one convicted.

The convict having been placed on a platform twice his height, one of the witnesses throws him to the ground. If the concussion does not produce instant death, the second witness hurls a heavy stone at his chest; and only when this also proves insufficient to end his misery, the bystanders throw stones at the prostrate body until death ensues (Sanh. vi. 4; 45a et seq.; Sifra, Emor, xix.; Sifre, Num. 114; ib. Deut. 89, 90, 149, 151).
http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/4005-capital-punishment​

Thank you for the information, this clears things up a bit.

 

[public hermit]

Biblical stoning was not a group of people picking up rocks and throwing them at the one convicted.

The convict having been placed on a platform twice his height, one of the witnesses throws him to the ground. If the concussion does not produce instant death, the second witness hurls a heavy stone at his chest; and only when this also proves insufficient to end his misery, the bystanders throw stones at the prostrate body until death ensues (Sanh. vi. 4; 45a et seq.; Sifra, Emor, xix.; Sifre, Num. 114; ib. Deut. 89, 90, 149, 151).
http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/4005-capital-punishment​

I don't doubt what you're saying, and that what you have outlined is to some extent how it was done. Nonetheless, there are numerous times in the NT where people just pick up stones and get ready to start throwing them. So, it seems that, at least in some instances, they just picked up stones and started throwing them.

 

[Der Alte]

I don't doubt what you're saying, and that what you have outlined is to some extent how it was done. Nonetheless, there are numerous times in the NT where people just pick up stones and get ready to start throwing them. So, it seems that, at least in some instances, they just picked up stones and started throwing them.

Those were usually lynch mobs with no trial etc. While reading up on this I found about 20 laws that the Jews broke when they assassinated Jesus.
A capital trial cannot be conducted the same day of the accusation.
A capital sentence cannot be carried out on the day is is rendered.
An accused cannot be executed on his testimony alone.
The accused must be allowed to call witnesses in his defense.
Only the full Sanhedrin can issue a death sentence.
The Sanhedrin must diligently seek witnesses for the accused.

 

[HTacianas]

Why was stoning the preferred execution method used by ancient Israel and endorsed by God in the Old Testament? I've seen real footage of stonings and it's barbaric, I don't understand why God would endorse such a thing, the death penalty is one thing, but the method matters. Even in the world with all its shortcomings, first world countries executions are swift.

The first time I went to Israel I saw the answer to your question. In a nutshell, it's easy. There are so many stones covering the ground in Israel it makes it a simple enough thing to do.

But if you read the rules on stoning, the entire community was required to participate in it. It served as a form of "group justice" where everyone was involved in the execution and also as a powerful deterrent to crime.

 

[icxn]

Why was stoning the preferred execution method used by ancient Israel and endorsed by God in the Old Testament?

Because Christ is the spiritual stone (Ephesians 2:20-22) and His teachings the precious stones (1 Corinthians 3:12), with which we build His temple in us. These stones we also use to put to death the old man in us, as well as that of unbelievers and sinners when we 'stone' them with the teachings of repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.

 

[hedrick]

Biblical stoning was not a group of people picking up rocks and throwing them at the one convicted.

The convict having been placed on a platform twice his height, one of the witnesses throws him to the ground. If the concussion does not produce instant death, the second witness hurls a heavy stone at his chest; and only when this also proves insufficient to end his misery, the bystanders throw stones at the prostrate body until death ensues (Sanh. vi. 4; 45a et seq.; Sifra, Emor, xix.; Sifre, Num. 114; ib. Deut. 89, 90, 149, 151).
http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/4005-capital-punishment​

I've got to wonder whether this information is a reliable account of things that would have happened hundreds of years earlier. But it's also worth noting that by the time of this account, stoning was almost never actually used. There are many who think the same was true in the OT. It was a way of showing the seriousness of the offense, but there's little evidence that it actually happened very often, or even at all.

 

[Sketcher]

Why was stoning the preferred execution method used by ancient Israel and endorsed by God in the Old Testament? I've seen real footage of stonings and it's barbaric, I don't understand why God would endorse such a thing, the death penalty is one thing, but the method matters. Even in the world with all its shortcomings, first world countries executions are swift.

Practical for a low-tech people, carried out by the community (which is important for the purpose of having the behavior rejected by the community).

Why does it have to be public, to inspire fear? Where does sacrficial offerings of repentance fit in then?

To teach the people, and to differentiate it from assassinations.

 

[abandonentropy]

Thank you all for replying, it's given me a lot to think about.

 

[lismore]

Why was stoning the preferred execution method used by ancient Israel and endorsed by God in the Old Testament?

I see it as a fail safe mechanism.

In John's gospel where the woman is caught in adultery, Jesus says 'let he among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her'. They go away, the oldest first.

In stoning the whole community, the whole group has to agree. The whole group has to participate in a physically violent and yes barbaric act. Therefore it is likely to repel participation in all but the most severe and clear cases. God Bless