Scourge; Whip
Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia
(John 2:15)—a whip could be made from leather straps or cords. Under the law of Moses judicial flogging was limited to forty blows, and later Jewish practice stopped at thirty-nine to avoid exceeding the command (Deut. 25:1-3; 2 Cor. 11:24). Roman scourging was not governed by this biblical limit and could inflict terrible wounds; Paul invoked his Roman citizenship when soldiers were preparing to examine him by flogging (Acts 22:24-29). Beating with rods was a distinct punishment that Paul also endured (2 Cor. 11:25).