Behead

A method of taking away life practised among the Egyptians (Gen 40:17–19). There are instances of this mode of punishment also among the Hebrews (2 Sam 4:8; 2 Sam 20:21, 2 Sam 20:22; 2 Kgs 10:6–8). It is also mentioned in the New Testament (Matt 14:8–12; Acts 12:2).

From Easton’s Bible Dictionary (1897), by Matthew George Easton.