To strike an offender with stones until he or she is dead. Stoning normally took place outside the city walls. The prosecution witnesses, of whom there must be at least two, had to throw the first stones, followed if necessary by the spectators.

Leviticus 20:1-2,27; 24:13-14

Stoning was the punishment for certain offences under the Mosaic law

Deuteronomy 13:6-10; 17:2-7; 22:23-24
Leviticus 24:23

Examples of stoning in upholding the Mosaic law

Numbers 15:32-36
Joshua 7:24-25
1 Kings 21:13-15
John 8:1-11
Numbers 14:10

Examples of the threatened or actual stoning of God's servants

1 Samuel 30:6

Joshua and Caleb

2 Samuel 16:6
2 Chronicles 24:20-21

David

John 8:59; 10:31-33
Acts 7:58-59

Jesus Christ:

Acts 14:19

Stephen

2 Corinthians 11:25

Paul:

Hebrews 11:37

See also

5025 killing
5482 punishment
5493 retribution
5975 violence
7346 death penalty
8450 martyrdom
8794 persecution
9020 death