Bible Verses About Genocide

Difficult Bible passages about the destruction of nations, divine judgment, and violence in the Old Testament.

King James Version
1When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou; 2And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them:
Deuteronomy 7:1-2
2Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt. 3Now 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.
1 Samuel 15:2-3
21And 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.
Joshua 6:21
40So Joshua smote all the country of the hills, and of the south, and of the vale, and of the springs, and all their kings: he left none remaining, but utterly destroyed all that breathed, as the LORD God of Israel commanded.
Joshua 10:40
16But of the cities of these people, which the LORD thy God doth give thee for an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth: 17But 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: 18That they teach you not to do after all their abominations, which they have done unto their gods; so should ye sin against the LORD your God.
Deuteronomy 20:16-18
17Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him. 18But all the women children, that have not known a man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves.
Numbers 31:17-18
9Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.
Psalms 137:9
10And 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. 11And this is the thing that ye shall do, Ye shall utterly destroy every male, and every woman that hath lain by man.
Judges 21:10-11
5And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: 6Slay 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.
Ezekiel 9:5-6
15Every one that is found shall be thrust through; and every one that is joined unto them shall fall by the sword. 16Their children also shall be dashed to pieces before their eyes; their houses shall be spoiled, and their wives ravished.
Isaiah 13:15-16

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the Old Testament contain accounts of genocide?

These passages are among the most difficult in Scripture. They describe God commanding the destruction of Canaanite nations. Scholars offer various explanations: divine judgment on extreme wickedness, hyperbolic war language common in ancient Near East, or progressive revelation showing God's fuller character revealed in Christ.

How do Christians reconcile Old Testament violence with Jesus?

Christians interpret these passages in various ways: some see them as God's specific judgment for specific times, not a model for today. Others emphasize Christ's teaching of enemy-love as God's ultimate revelation. Most agree these texts require honest engagement, not dismissal.

What is the 'Canaanite conquest' and why is it controversial?

The Canaanite conquest refers to Israel's military campaigns in Joshua and Judges where God commanded destruction of specific nations. It is controversial because it appears to conflict with God's love and mercy. Scholars debate whether the language is literal or uses ancient Near Eastern war rhetoric, and whether the command was unique to that historical moment of divine judgment.