Impaled on a stake — a result of sectarian bias?
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<str<strong>on</strong>g>Impaled</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> a <strong>stake</strong> - a <strong>result</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>sectarian</strong> <strong>bias</strong>? 20<br />
Use <strong>of</strong> Greek word xyl<strong>on</strong><br />
The Greek noun xyl<strong>on</strong> was used by Luke, Paul and Peter (Ac 5:30; 10:39; 13:29; Gal<br />
3:13; 1 Pet 2:24) in reference to the instrument <strong>of</strong> Jesus’ executi<strong>on</strong>. Is it possible that<br />
an understanding <strong>of</strong> xyl<strong>on</strong> can give us a clue as to the shape <strong>of</strong> this stauros?<br />
According to the dicti<strong>on</strong>aries, xyl<strong>on</strong> means, “tree”, “something made <strong>of</strong> wood” etc 69 .<br />
However, they also say that in some c<strong>on</strong>texts having to do with executi<strong>on</strong>, it means<br />
“<strong>stake</strong>”, “upright pale”. Let us therefore investigate how xyl<strong>on</strong> is to be understood in<br />
this c<strong>on</strong>text.<br />
In LXX the Hebrew ´ets, or the corresp<strong>on</strong>ding Aramaic ´a, is translated with xyl<strong>on</strong>.<br />
In Ezra 6:11, the LXX reads xyl<strong>on</strong> as descripti<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> a beam from a house that was to<br />
be used for executi<strong>on</strong>. Further, in Esther 5:14 we read that Haman commanded that a<br />
xyl<strong>on</strong> should be made for Mordechai’s hanging. We therefore have scriptural<br />
evidence that xyl<strong>on</strong> not <strong>on</strong>ly meant a “tree”, but likely was a “<strong>stake</strong>”. 70<br />
´There is absolutely no evidence from the 1 st century that xyl<strong>on</strong>, when used in<br />
c<strong>on</strong>necti<strong>on</strong> with executi<strong>on</strong>s, had a technical meaning different from a pole <strong>of</strong> tree.<br />
Josephus c<strong>on</strong>firms this in his comment to Esther 5:14, 6:4, and 7:9,10. Where LXX<br />
uses xyl<strong>on</strong>, Josephus uses stauros. (Interestingly, in Esther 7:9 LXX uses stauroô in<br />
naming the form <strong>of</strong> executi<strong>on</strong>). Genesis 40:19 is also interesting, Joseph prophesizes<br />
that the baker’s head would be hung <strong>on</strong> a xyl<strong>on</strong>. Josephus describes this as<br />
anastaurothenta (from the verb anastauroô). These examples from Josephus indicate<br />
that xyl<strong>on</strong> and stauros was regarded as syn<strong>on</strong>ym in the 1 st century in some c<strong>on</strong>texts.<br />
One interesting place for us in this discussi<strong>on</strong> is Gal 3:13 where Paul used xyl<strong>on</strong> for<br />
Jesus’ stauros in his quotati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> De 21:22,23 where LXX uses xyl<strong>on</strong>. How should<br />
69 xyŒl<strong>on</strong> means living or dead “wood,” anything made <strong>of</strong> wood, e.g., a “stick,” “cudgel,” or “club,”<br />
also a “bench” or “table.” As an instrument <strong>of</strong> punishment or restraint it is a kind <strong>of</strong> wooden collar. It<br />
is also used for the “<strong>stake</strong>” or “tree” to which malefactors are fastened. Figuratively xyŒl<strong>on</strong> is an<br />
“unfeeling” pers<strong>on</strong>. The LXX <strong>of</strong>ten uses xyŒla for trees, but also has xyŒl<strong>on</strong> for wood, used for cultic or<br />
secular purposes. Theological dicti<strong>on</strong>ary <strong>of</strong> the New Testament: Translated from Theologisches<br />
Wörterbuch zum Neuen Testament.<br />
70 (Ezra 6:11) A beam from a house must be taken as a “<strong>stake</strong>” (Esther 5:14). Persians administer the<br />
executi<strong>on</strong>, and they used <strong>stake</strong>s, see Nels<strong>on</strong>'s New Illustrated Bible Dicti<strong>on</strong>ary: An Authoritative One-Volume<br />
Reference Work <strong>on</strong> the Bible with Full Color Illustrati<strong>on</strong>s (Electr<strong>on</strong>ic editi<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> the revised editi<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> Nels<strong>on</strong>'s<br />
illustrated Bible dicti<strong>on</strong>ary; Logos Library System; ed. R. F. Youngblood; Thames & Huds<strong>on</strong>, 1995). and The<br />
Anchor Bible Dicti<strong>on</strong>ary.