The Bible contains verses that sometimes provoke difficult questions, particularly when they seem to advocate for violence or destruction. One such phrase—“kill the men, women, and children”—appears in several places in the Old Testament, especially in the context of wars fought by the Israelites under God’s command.
These verses can be unsettling for modern readers, prompting questions about the nature of God, justice, and how we understand these scriptures today.
In this post, we will explore 15 Bible verses that include the phrase “kill the men, women, and children” or similar language. We will also examine the context and spiritual significance of these passages to gain a deeper understanding of what they mean and how they can be applied to our faith today.
1. Deuteronomy 20:16-17
“But in the cities of these peoples that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance, you shall save alive nothing that breathes, but you shall devote them to complete destruction, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, as the Lord your God has commanded.”
Explanation: This command, given during Israel’s conquest of Canaan, was part of God’s judgment on the wickedness of these nations. The command to destroy every living thing was meant to remove the corrupting influence of these people who had engaged in practices contrary to God’s will, such as child sacrifice and idol worship. It’s essential to see this as God’s judgment against sin rather than a blanket endorsement of violence.
2. Joshua 6:21
“And they devoted all in the city to destruction, both men and women, young and old, oxen, sheep, and donkeys, with the edge of the sword.”
Explanation: In the battle of Jericho, God commanded the Israelites to destroy everything as a form of divine judgment. Jericho’s destruction serves as an example of God’s holiness and justice, reflecting how sin, if left unchecked, leads to destruction. This verse points to the severity of God’s judgment against sin, not a random or indiscriminate act of violence.
3. 1 Samuel 15:3
“Now go and strike Amalek and devote to destruction all that they have. Do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.”
Explanation: In this instance, God commands King Saul to destroy the Amalekites. The Amalekites were notorious for their brutal attacks on Israel, and their actions were seen as an affront to God’s people. The complete destruction was seen as an act of justice. Again, this illustrates God’s judgment on those who persist in sin, and it is important to understand these acts within the larger narrative of divine justice and Israel’s role as God’s instrument.
4. 1 Kings 15:29
“As soon as he was king, he struck down all the house of Jeroboam. He left to the house of Jeroboam not one that breathed, until he had destroyed it, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by his servant Ahijah the Shilonite.”
Explanation: This verse speaks about King Baasha of Israel, who wiped out the house of Jeroboam as a fulfillment of God’s judgment. The destruction of Jeroboam’s descendants is a specific act of divine retribution for their wickedness, showing that God’s judgment is sometimes executed through human rulers. This highlights the theme of justice throughout the Bible.
5. Deuteronomy 7:2
“And when the Lord your God gives them over to you, and you defeat them, then you must devote them to complete destruction. You shall make no covenant with them and show no mercy to them.”
Explanation: The command here is directed at Israel’s enemies, emphasizing the complete destruction of nations that opposed God’s will. This was not about random violence but about keeping Israel separate from influences that could lead them away from God. The principle was to maintain holiness and not be corrupted by the surrounding nations.
6. Numbers 31:17-18
“Now therefore, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known man by lying with him. But all the young girls who have not known man by lying with him keep alive for yourselves.”
Explanation: This disturbing command came after Israel’s victory over the Midianites. The context of this event is that the Midianites had led Israel into sin through idolatry and sexual immorality. The destruction of the male children and women who were involved in these practices was a form of God’s judgment. The young girls were spared because they were not guilty of the same offenses. This passage reflects God’s justice in dealing with sin and His mercy in sparing the innocent.
7. Exodus 12:29
“At midnight the Lord struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of the livestock.”
Explanation: While not directly about “killing the men, women, and children,” this verse describes the death of Egypt’s firstborns during the Passover. It is part of God’s judgment on Egypt for enslaving His people and refusing to let them go. This shows how God’s justice works against oppressive regimes and systems of evil. The death of the firstborn was a direct response to Pharaoh’s hardened heart.
8. Joshua 10:40
“So Joshua struck the whole land, the hill country and the Negev and the lowland and the slopes, and all their kings. He left none remaining, but devoted to destruction all that breathed, just as the Lord God of Israel commanded.”
Explanation: This passage recounts Joshua’s conquest of the southern Canaanite cities. The destruction of these cities was not a matter of personal vendetta but of fulfilling God’s command to rid the land of wickedness. The acts of judgment were tied to the larger narrative of God establishing Israel in the promised land.
9. 2 Kings 10:25
“And as soon as he had finished offering the burnt offering, Jehu said to the guard and to the officers, ‘Go in and strike them down; let none escape.’ So they struck them down with the edge of the sword, and the guards and the officers cast them out and went into the inner room of the house of Baal.”
Explanation: This was an act of judgment against the worshippers of Baal, who had led Israel astray. Jehu, carrying out God’s judgment, was commanded to completely destroy Baal worship, including the priests and followers of Baal. This event emphasizes the seriousness with which God views idolatry and the lengths He will go to eradicate it.
10. Deuteronomy 13:12-15
“If you hear in one of your cities, which the Lord your God is giving you to dwell there, that certain worthless fellows have gone out among you and have drawn away the inhabitants of their city, saying, ‘Let us go and serve other gods’—then you shall inquire and make search and ask diligently. And behold, if it is true and certain that such an abomination has been done among you, you shall strike the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, destroying it completely.”
Explanation: This passage addresses the punishment for those who lead others to idolatry, even within the Israelite community. The severe judgment is meant to preserve Israel’s faithfulness to God and prevent the spread of idolatry, which was seen as a grave sin.
11. 2 Samuel 12:31
“And he put the people under saws and under iron axes and made them toil at the brick kilns, and he did thus to all the cities of the Ammonites. And David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.”
Explanation: This verse, describing David’s victory over the Ammonites, does not involve killing everyone but serves as an example of the brutal warfare practices of the time. It’s a reminder of the violence that surrounded Israel’s struggles for survival and dominance during ancient times.
12. Deuteronomy 9:3
“Know therefore today that he who goes over before you as a consuming fire is the Lord your God. He will destroy them and subdue them before you. So you shall drive them out and make them perish quickly, as the Lord has promised you.”
Explanation: God is described as a consuming fire in this passage, emphasizing His power and the righteous destruction He brings to the wicked nations of the land. The Israelites are commanded to drive out and destroy the inhabitants of the land to maintain their purity and commitment to God.
13. Judges 21:10-12
“So the congregation sent 12,000 of their bravest men there and commanded them, ‘Go and strike the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead with the edge of the sword; also the women and the little ones.'”
Explanation: This event takes place after the crime of the Benjaminites, leading to the near annihilation of their tribe. The Israelites were commanded to exact judgment for the sin committed. While this story is challenging, it reflects the seriousness with which God treats sin and the consequences for violating His law.
14. Zechariah 14:12
“And this shall be the plague with which the Lord will strike all the peoples that wage war against Jerusalem: their flesh will rot while they are still standing on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths.”
Explanation: This verse from Zechariah reflects the final judgment against those who oppose God’s people. It portrays the intensity of God’s judgment on those who oppose His plans. Though it is a graphic image, it serves to highlight the severity of God’s judgment on evil.
15. Revelation 19:15
“From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.”
Explanation: In this verse, Jesus is depicted as executing judgment upon the nations at the end of time. This final act of judgment is part of the larger narrative of God’s justice and the defeat of evil. It shows that God will ultimately bring justice to all the nations, ending the reign of sin and unrighteousness.
Conclusion
The Bible contains passages that describe God’s judgment, including the destruction of entire groups of people. These actions are often difficult to understand but are deeply tied to God’s holiness and justice. The command to destroy the men, women, and children of certain nations in the Old Testament reflects God’s righteous judgment against sin, idolatry, and wickedness.
It’s essential to understand these verses in the context of God’s larger plan for His people and His call to holiness. While these passages are sobering, they also point to the ultimate victory of God’s justice over evil.
As we reflect on these difficult passages, let us remember that God is just, merciful, and holy, and that His ultimate desire is for all to come to repentance.
How do you understand God’s judgment in these scriptures? Feel free to share your thoughts and reflections in the comments below.
Let’s continue to seek understanding and wisdom as we read through the challenging aspects of Scripture.