CRIMES AND PDNISHMEN'TS.— .4. CRIMES.
— The term occurs in tlie Scriptures as a tr. of the foil, words :—B?;fP, Ezk 7^; .1^. Job 31"; DVK, Gn 26"'; alHa, Ac 25", changed in RV to 'charges,' and 'fault' in AV Jn 18» W" to ' crime ' ; (yKXitfui, Ac 25", changed in RV to 'matter.' Crime is an act that subjects the doer to legal punishment ; a grave oltence against the legal order ; wickedne.ss ; iniquity. In the Bible such an act is regarded as an otl'ence against (1) God or (2) man. The distinction cannot always be maintained, for an injury to the creature is ob- noxious to the Creator. For convenience of refer- ence the list appears in alphabetical order.
Adultery in general terms was forbidden in the seventli commandment (Ex 20"). It usually de- notes sexual intercourse of a married woman with any otlier man than her husband, or of a married man with any other than his wife. More specifi- cally in the Isr. as well as Rom. law, the term was coniined to illicit intercourse of a married or be- trothed woman with any other man than hei
CRIMES AXD PUNISHMENTS
CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS 621
husband. Other unchaste relations were dis- approved, but they were described by ditrerent words. It was deemed an outrageous crime, ■triking at the laws of inheritance and indicting a spurious ollspring on the husband, and was to be punished with death, Lv 20'" 19^*', Ezk 16^- ■■", by the act of stoning, Jn 8'. It has been seriously doubted whether the extreme penalty was exe- cuted, Lightfoot failing to lind the record of a single instance, except of a priest's daughter who was burnt according to tne order, but she was unmarried. A bondmaid was only scourged (Lv 19-"). Muti- lation of nose and ears is mentioned (Ezk 23"). See Mutilation. Divorce became a substitute for severer j^enalties. The word is used to describe the unfaithfulness of the covenant people who dis- solved their relation with God (Jer 2' 3" IS" 3F», Hos 8'), and those who rejected Christ are described as an ' adulterous generation ' (Mt 12^' 16*, Mk S**).
Affray. — He who inflicted an injury was required to pay for loss of time and the medical expenses, ana an especial consideration for a pregnant woman indirectly injured (Ex 21"- "• "'"). A certain form of vicious attempt was to be summarily and piti- lessly punislied (Ut 25"- ").
Assassination. — See Murder.
Assault, resulting in damage, incurred the penalty of retaliation. The 7''r as well as the home-born was protected (Lv 24'''-^).
Bestiality, treated as a rank and mortal ofTence (Ex 22'», Lv IS'o 20"'- "). The Talm. gives as a reason for slaughter of the beast, that all memory of the low transaction might be obliterated. The crime was charged on the Canaanites, and was said to exist in Egypt.
Blasphemy. — An irreverent use of the name of God, accompanied with cursing (Lv 24'"''') ; a pre- sumptuous deed, or, KV, an act done ' with a high hand ' (Nu IS'") ; contempt towards God. bee •rparate article.
Breach of Covenant. — In this term are included : (1) A failure to observe the Day of Atonement (Lv 23») ; work on that day (Lv 23=»). (2) The Sacrifice of Children to Molech (Lv 20^). (3) Neglect to Circumcise the holy seed (Gn 17", Ex 4"). (4) An unauthorized manufacture of the holy Oil (Ex 3lP), and (5) Anointing a Stranger therewth (Ex ^(f). (6) Neglect of the Passover (Nu 9'^).
Breach of Ritual. — (1) Eating Hlood, whether of fowl or beast (Lv T'" 17") ; because God has sancti- fied the life to Himself. (2) Eating Fat of the beast of sacrifice (Lv 7") ; regarded as insanitary. (3) Eating Leavened Bread during the passover (Ex 12"- '^). (4) OU'ering a sacrifice after the ap- pointed time (Lv 19"). See7"'"'". (5) l''ailure to bring an Ollering when an animal is slaughtered for food (Lv 17*). The notion that such was dedicated to a deity existed even in Egypt. (6) OU'ering a sacri- fice while the worshipper is in an Unclean condi- tion (Lv 7"-" 22^-*-"). (7) Manufacturing holy Ointment for private use (Ex 30^-'- ^). I'erfume was regarded by the Semites as a holy thing (I'liny, xii. 54 ; see W. R. Smith, JiSp. 433). (8) Using the eatne for Perfume (Ex 30^). (9) Neglect of Purifi- cation in general (Nu U)"-"). The offender 'de- fileth the tabernacle of the l^rd." Cf. 1 Co 3". (10) Slaughtering an animal for food away from the door of the Tabernacle (Lv 17*-"). The order was designed to enforce religious proprieties in eating, and to prevent formal worship elsewhere. ICven the jr/'r must comply. (II) Touching holy things (RV the sanctuary) illegally (Nu 4"- '»"»'). See 2 S 6', 2 Ch 2G'-".
Breach or Betrayal of Trust, including false dealing ' in a matter of deposit, or of bargain, or of robliery, or oppression,' and involving ilio con- cealment of stolen goods, was regarded as a crime to which not only a penalty was attached, but a
sacrificial service was required for expiation (Lv 6'^''). In this may be included breach of contract, which was also severely condemned in the religion of the ancient Persians (Zend. Fa7-g. iv.). The removal of landmarks as set by God is an oll'ence that exposes to the divine curse, Ut 19''' 27'' (Jos. Ant. IV. viii. 18.). It was wrong to move them when set by the fathers (Pr 22'" 23'").