"slaughter, Acts 8:32; Rom. 8:36; Jas. 5:5*"
Definition and meaning
slaughter, Acts 8:32; Rom. 8:36; Jas. 5:5*
In the original Greek the word is written: σφαγή
Historical context
The Roman Empire provided infrastructure no previous civilization had built — roads, sea routes, a common language in Greek, and relative peace across the Mediterranean. Jewish synagogues existed in every major city, giving Paul a starting point everywhere he traveled. The early church had no buildings, no political power, no social standing — and spread faster than any movement in ancient history.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of sphage (G4967) across the King James Bible.
The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.
Refiner gives you the full lexicon entry, AI-powered verse insight, historical commentary, cross-references, and voice study — all in one place.
Free to start · Disciple $4.99/mo · Shepherd $9.99/mo
Common questions
Strong's G4967 (sphage) is a Greek word that means: slaughter, Acts 8:32; Rom. 8:36; Jas. 5:5* It appears 3 times in the King James Bible.
The word sphage (G4967) appears 3 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4967 is sphage, a Greek word defined as: slaughter, Acts 8:32; Rom. 8:36; Jas. 5:5*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
sphage is a Greek word found in the New Testament.