Bible verses about genocide
Here are twelve powerful Bible verses about genocide:
1. Deuteronomy 20:16-17 – “But of the cities of these people, which the Lord thy God doth give thee for an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth: But thou shalt utterly destroy them; namely, the Hittites, and the Amorites, the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee.”
2. Joshua 6:21 – “And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword.”
3. 1 Samuel 15:3 – “Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.”
4. Numbers 31:17-18 – “Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him. But all the women children, that have not known a man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves.”
5. Deuteronomy 2:34 – “And we took all his cities at that time, and utterly destroyed the men, and the women, and the little ones, of every city, we left none to remain.”
6. 1 Samuel 15:18 – “And the Lord sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed.”
7. Judges 21:10 – “And the congregation sent thither twelve thousand men of the valiantest, and commanded them, saying, Go and smite the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead with the edge of the sword, with the women and the children.”
8. 2 Kings 10:7 – “And it came to pass, when the letter came to them, that they took the king’s sons, and slew seventy persons, and put their heads in baskets, and sent him them to Jezreel.”
9. Ezekiel 9:6 – “Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house.”
10. Hosea 13:16 – “Samaria shall become desolate; for she hath rebelled against her God: they shall fall by the sword: their infants shall be dashed in pieces, and their women with child shall be ripped up.”
11. Zechariah 14:2 – “For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.”
12. Psalms 137:9 – “Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.”
What does the bible say about genocide?
The Bible condemns genocide as a sinful and unjust act.
It emphasizes the value of human life and the importance of showing mercy and compassion towards others.
The Bible teaches that all people are created in the image of God and should be treated with dignity and respect.
It also emphasizes the importance of seeking justice and reconciliation rather than resorting to violence and destruction.
Overall, the Bible promotes peace, love, and forgiveness as the way to address conflicts and promote harmony among people.
What Bible chapters should you read if you want to learn more about genocide?
1. Joshua 6-11: These chapters describe the conquest of Canaan by the Israelites under the leadership of Joshua. The Israelites are commanded by God to completely destroy the inhabitants of the land, including men, women, and children. This account is often cited as an example of genocide in the Bible.
2. 1 Samuel 15: This chapter recounts the story of King Saul’s disobedience to God’s command to completely destroy the Amalekites. Saul spares the king and some of the livestock, leading to God rejecting him as king. This chapter highlights the consequences of failing to carry out genocide as commanded by God.
3. Deuteronomy 20: This chapter outlines the laws of warfare for the Israelites, including instructions on how to conduct warfare against their enemies. It includes commands to completely destroy certain nations and leave nothing alive that breathes. This chapter provides insight into the biblical justification for genocide in the context of war.
Studying these chapters can provide a deeper understanding of the biblical narratives surrounding genocide and the ethical implications of such actions in the name of religion. It also raises important questions about the morality of violence and the interpretation of divine commands in religious texts.
Ideas and concepts related to genocide that are also taught or mentioned in the Bible.’
1. Divine judgment: In the Bible, there are instances where God commands the Israelites to carry out acts of violence against other nations as a form of divine judgment. This concept is similar to genocide in that it involves the destruction of an entire group of people.
2. Retribution: The idea of retribution is present in the Bible, where God punishes nations or individuals for their sins. This can involve acts of violence and destruction, similar to the devastation caused by genocide.
3. Conquest: The Bible also contains stories of conquest, where the Israelites are commanded to conquer and take over lands inhabited by other nations. This can involve the killing of the inhabitants, resembling the mass killings associated with genocide.
4. Justice: The concept of justice is prevalent in the Bible, where God is portrayed as a just and righteous judge who punishes evil and rewards righteousness. Genocide can be seen as a form of justice in the eyes of those carrying it out, as they believe they are eliminating a threat or avenging past wrongs.
Overall, these concepts in the Bible are related to genocide in that they involve the destruction or punishment of a group of people, often justified by religious or moral beliefs. The Bible provides examples of how these concepts can be used to justify acts of violence and mass killings, similar to the atrocities committed in cases of genocide.
