The term "decimated" is often used in modern language to describe a situation where a large portion of a group or population has been destroyed or severely reduced. While the specific term "decimated" does not appear in the Bible, the concept of significant destruction or reduction is present throughout the Scriptures, often as a result of divine judgment or warfare.

Biblical Context

1. Divine Judgment: The Bible frequently records instances where God brings judgment upon nations or peoples, resulting in significant loss of life. One of the most notable examples is the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. In Genesis 19:24-25 , it is written, "Then the LORD rained down sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens. Thus He overthrew those cities and the entire plain, including all the inhabitants of the cities and everything that grew on the ground." This passage illustrates the complete decimation of these cities as a result of their wickedness.

2. Warfare and Conquest: The Old Testament contains numerous accounts of battles and conquests where entire populations were decimated. In the conquest of Canaan, the Israelites, under God's command, were instructed to destroy certain cities completely. For example, in Joshua 6:21 , regarding the fall of Jericho, it states, "At the edge of the sword they devoted to destruction everything in the city—man and woman, young and old, ox, sheep, and donkey."

3. Plagues and Pestilence: Another form of decimation in the Bible comes through plagues and pestilence. The plagues of Egypt, as described in the book of Exodus, serve as a powerful demonstration of God's ability to decimate a population to achieve His purposes. Exodus 12:29 recounts the final plague: "Now at midnight the LORD struck down every firstborn male in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the prisoner in the dungeon, as well as all the firstborn among the livestock."

4. Prophetic Warnings: The prophets often warned of impending destruction as a consequence of Israel's disobedience. In Isaiah 24:1 , the prophet declares, "Behold, the LORD lays waste to the earth and leaves it in ruins; He will twist its surface and scatter its inhabitants." Such warnings were intended to call the people to repentance and to avert the decimation that would come as a result of their sins.

Theological Implications

The concept of decimation in the Bible underscores the seriousness of sin and the holiness of God. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the reality of divine justice. The destruction of peoples and nations is often portrayed as a necessary act to uphold righteousness and to fulfill God's covenant promises. At the same time, these accounts highlight God's sovereignty and His ultimate control over the affairs of humanity.

Historical and Cultural Considerations

In the ancient Near Eastern context, warfare and divine judgment were common themes, and the complete destruction of a city or people was not unusual. Such actions were often seen as a demonstration of the power and favor of a deity. The biblical narratives reflect this cultural understanding while also conveying a theological message about the nature of God and His relationship with His people.

Conclusion

While the term "decimated" is not explicitly used in the Bible, the concept is woven throughout the biblical narrative, illustrating the consequences of sin, the reality of divine judgment, and the fulfillment of God's purposes in history.(imp. & p. p.) of Decimate.

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... Although decimated and driven from fortress to fortress, and from province to province,
hampered by the rebellions it was called upon to suppress, and ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

Of the Love of Offspring as a Plea for Marriage.
... Burdens must be sought by us for ourselves which are avoided even by the majority
of the Gentiles, who are compelled by laws, [391] who are decimated [392] by ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/to his wife/chapter v of the love of.htm

India as Carey Found It
... It was not amid the scattered and decimated savages of the Pacific or of America
that the citadel of heathenism was found, nor by them that the world, old and ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter iii india as carey.htm

Elucidations.
... iii.[p. 64. [334] Tertullian speaks of the heathen as "decimated by abortions."
See ad Uxor., p. 41, infra. [335] Lippincotts, Philadelphia, 1868. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/on the veiling of virgins/elucidations.htm

The Roman Empire at the Time of the Birth of Christ. Upwards of a ...
... After the victory of Actium he was at the head of upwards of forty veteran legions;
and though some of these had been decimated by war, yet, when recruited ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter i the roman empire.htm

Back to Memphis
... The plagues overcame the weaker convicts and decimated the number of laborers, so
Kenkenes was put, alone, to the work that two men had done before. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxxiii back to memphis.htm

The Angel's Touch
... Just as the ark maimed Dagon and decimated the Philistine cities and slew Uzzah,
but brought blessing and prosperity to the house of Obed-edom, just as the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/the angels touch.htm

Propagation of Christianity among the Persians by Maruthas Bishop ...
... discovered. Becoming indignant at the deception thus attempted the king
commanded that the tribe of the magi should be decimated. ...
/.../chapter viii propagation of christianity among.htm

Sargon of Assyria (722-705 BC )
... The invasion of Tiglath-pileser and the consequent deportations of prisoners had
decimated the tribes of Bit-Shilani, Bit-Shaali, and Bit-Amuhkani, the ...
/.../chapter iiisargon of assyria 722-705.htm

The Evolution of Language
... The less equipped herds will be slowly decimated and driven to the wall; and those
which survive to propagate their kind will be those whose signal-service is ...
/.../the lowell lectures on the ascent of man/chapter v the evolution of.htm

Decimated (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Decimate. Multi-Version Concordance
Decimated (1 Occurrence). 2 Samuel 21:5 They said to ...
/d/decimated.htm - 6k

Deciding (2 Occurrences)

/d/deciding.htm - 7k

Decision (174 Occurrences)

/d/decision.htm - 41k

Ezekiel (4 Occurrences)
... to the wind, and only the very smallest portion of which he ties together in the
hem of his garment, he pictures how the people shall be decimated so that only ...
/e/ezekiel.htm - 45k

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