Bible Dictionary
BUFFET
To buffet means to strike or beat with the fist, and therefore to suffer bodily mistreatment. Paul also uses the term figuratively for disciplining his body and bringing it under control.
Definition
To buffet means to strike or beat with the fist, and therefore to subject someone to bodily violence. The word can also describe persistent affliction or figuratively the disciplining of the body.
Biblical Usage
Jesus was buffeted during His mistreatment, and the term is used of bodily suffering. Paul calls his thorn in the flesh a messenger of Satan to buffet him and speaks of buffeting his body to bring it into bondage.
Historical Background
The Greek term literally means to give a blow beneath the eye. In Luke 18:5 the same word is rendered “wear out” or “bruise” in connection with persistent coming.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>buf'-et (kolaphizo, "to beat with the fist"): Refers to bodily maltreatment and violence: "Then did they spit in his face and buffet him" (Mt 26:67; Mr 14:65; 1Co 4:11; 1Pe 2:20). Paul speaks of "a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me" (2Co 12:7). Used figuratively of self-control: "I buffet (the King James Version keep under, the Revised Version, margin "bruise") my body, and bring it into bondage" (1Co 9:27). The Greek in this passage reads hupopiazo, literally "to give a blow beneath the eye." In Lu 18:5 the same word is rendered "wear out": "Lest she wear roe out by her continual coming" (the King James Version "weary me" the Revised Version, margin "bruise me") (see Pape's Lexicon, under the word).</p><p>L. Kaiser</p>