The term "Massacre of the People" in a biblical context often refers to instances where large groups of individuals were killed, typically in the context of divine judgment, warfare, or as a result of human sinfulness. These events are recorded in various parts of the Bible and serve as sobering reminders of the consequences of disobedience to God, the severity of divine justice, and the complexities of human history.

Old Testament Instances

1. The Flood (Genesis 6-9): One of the earliest and most significant instances of mass death in the Bible is the Great Flood. Due to the widespread wickedness of humanity, God decided to cleanse the earth with a flood, sparing only Noah, his family, and pairs of every living creature. Genesis 6:5-7 states, "Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time. And the LORD regretted that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. So the LORD said, 'I will blot out man, whom I have created, from the face of the earth—every man and beast and crawling creature and bird of the air—for I am grieved that I have made them.'"

2. The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19): These cities were destroyed by fire and brimstone due to their grievous sins. Only Lot and his daughters were spared. Genesis 19:24-25 records, "Then the LORD rained down sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens. Thus He destroyed these cities and the entire plain, including all the inhabitants of the cities and everything that grew on the ground."

3. The Plagues of Egypt (Exodus 7-12): The final plague, the death of the firstborn, resulted in widespread death throughout Egypt. This was a direct act of divine judgment against Pharaoh and the gods of Egypt. Exodus 12:29 states, "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 captive who was in the dungeon, and every firstborn of the livestock as well."

4. The Conquest of Canaan (Joshua 6-12): As the Israelites entered the Promised Land, they were commanded to destroy the inhabitants of certain cities as an act of divine judgment. The fall of Jericho is a notable example, where the city was completely destroyed. Joshua 6:21 says, "At the edge of the sword they devoted to destruction everything in the city—man and woman, young and old, oxen, sheep, and donkeys."

5. The Slaughter of the Amalekites (1 Samuel 15): King Saul was commanded to destroy the Amalekites completely. This was a fulfillment of God's earlier pronouncement of judgment against them. 1 Samuel 15:3 instructs, "Now go and attack the Amalekites and devote to destruction all that belongs to them. Do not spare them, but put to death men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys."

New Testament Context

While the New Testament does not contain events of mass slaughter in the same manner as the Old Testament, it does address the theme of divine judgment and the ultimate fate of the wicked.

1. The Siege of Jerusalem (AD 70): Though not recorded in the New Testament, Jesus prophesied the destruction of Jerusalem, which occurred in AD 70 when the Romans besieged the city. This event is seen as a fulfillment of Jesus' warnings in passages like Matthew 24:2 , "Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down."

2. The Book of Revelation: The apocalyptic visions in Revelation describe future judgments that will result in widespread death and destruction as part of God's final judgment on the earth. Revelation 6:8 describes one of the Four Horsemen, "Then I looked and saw a pale horse. Its rider’s name was Death, and Hades followed close behind. And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill by sword, by famine, by plague, and by the beasts of the earth."

These instances of mass death in the Bible are complex and often difficult to comprehend. They reflect the seriousness of sin, the holiness of God, and the unfolding of His redemptive plan throughout history.