The term "massacred" refers to the brutal and indiscriminate killing of a large number of people. In the context of the Bible, massacres often occur as acts of divine judgment, warfare, or as a result of human sinfulness and rebellion. The Bible records several instances where massacres took place, each serving a distinct purpose within the narrative of God's redemptive history.

Old Testament Instances

1. The Flood (Genesis 6-8): The first and most comprehensive act of divine judgment resulting in mass death is the Great Flood. Due to the pervasive wickedness of humanity, God decided to cleanse the earth, sparing only Noah and his family. Genesis 6:13 states, "Then God said to Noah, 'The end of all living creatures has come before Me, because through them the earth is filled with violence. Now behold, I will destroy both them and the earth.'"

2. The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19): These cities were destroyed by fire and brimstone as a result of their grievous sins. Genesis 19:24-25 recounts, "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."

3. The Conquest of Canaan (Joshua): As the Israelites entered the Promised Land, God commanded them to destroy the inhabitants of Canaan. This was both a judgment on the Canaanites for their idolatry and a means to prevent Israel from being led astray. Joshua 6:21 describes the fall of Jericho: "At the edge of the sword they utterly destroyed everything in the city—man and woman, young and old, ox, sheep, and donkey."

4. The Massacre at Nob (1 Samuel 22): King Saul, in his jealousy and paranoia, ordered the killing of the priests of Nob, accusing them of aiding David. 1 Samuel 22:18-19 records, "Then the king ordered Doeg, 'You turn and strike down the priests!' So Doeg the Edomite turned and struck them down, killing eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod. He also put to the sword Nob, the city of the priests, with its men and women, children and infants, oxen, donkeys, and sheep."

New Testament Context

While the New Testament does not record massacres in the same manner as the Old Testament, it does acknowledge the reality of persecution and martyrdom faced by early Christians. Jesus Himself warned of coming tribulations, and the Book of Revelation speaks of the suffering of the saints.

1. The Slaughter of the Innocents (Matthew 2): King Herod, in an attempt to kill the newborn Jesus, ordered the massacre of all male children two years old and under in Bethlehem. Matthew 2:16 states, "When Herod saw that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was filled with rage. Sending orders, he put to death all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, according to the time he had learned from the Magi."

2. Persecution of Early Christians: The New Testament also speaks of the persecution faced by the early church, often resulting in martyrdom. Acts 7 recounts the stoning of Stephen, the first Christian martyr, and Revelation 6:9-11 describes the souls of those slain for the word of God.

Theological Implications

The instances of massacre in the Bible are often difficult to comprehend, yet they serve as a sobering reminder of the seriousness of sin and the holiness of God. They underscore the reality of divine justice and the consequences of rebellion against God. At the same time, they point to the ultimate hope of redemption and restoration through Jesus Christ, who offers salvation to all who believe.(imp. & p. p.) of Massacre.

Of the Civil Dissension Occasioned by the Sedition of the Gracchi.
... For noble and ignoble were indiscriminately massacred; and this not by legal
authority and procedure, but by mobs and armed rioters. ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 24 of the civil dissension.htm

The Jewish Rebellions
... Would they make war against their emperor? 'We have no thought of war,' they cried
with one voice, 'but we will submit to be massacred rather than break our law ...
/.../kingsley/discipline and other sermons/sermon xv the jewish rebellions.htm

The Seven Trumpets.
... secure and rapid passage of Alaric; and the fertile fields of Phocis and Boeotia
were instantly covered with a deluge of barbarians, who massacred the males of ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the seven trumpets.htm

Gainas Meets his Doom
... His wife had been slain; one-third of his army had been massacred; the gates of
Constantinople were closed, and its walls garrisoned against him. ...
/.../chapter xxxiv gainas meets his.htm

Matt. Ii. 16
... [364] For as here, when the young child had fled, other children are massacred in
the place of ... [380] sphagiasthnta. ["Massacred," a bold figure of speech.--R.]. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily ix matt ii 16.htm

Sennacherib (705-681 BC )
... He lacked the wisdom to conciliate the vanquished, or opportunely to check his own
repressive measures; he destroyed towns, massacred entire tribes, and laid ...
/.../chapter isennacherib 705-681 b c.htm

The Nations of the South-East
... as the Canaanites were treated by the Israelites in later days; their cities were
captured by the invading Ammonites, and they themselves massacred or absorbed ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iii the nations of.htm

The Anti-Missionary Agitation.
... of Charity, one foreign priest, the French consul and other French officials and
subjects, and three Russians"in all, twenty-one Europeans"were massacred. ...
/.../fagg/forty years in south china/x the anti-missionary agitation.htm

In Judaea
... the memorial of Israel's sorrow and shame, to re-echo her lamentation over yet sorer
captivity and slaughter, when the Idumaean Herod massacred her innocent ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 5 in judaea.htm

Adultery and Fornication Synonymous.
... or widow, provided it be not his own "female;" just as there is no difference made
by places"whether it be in chambers or in towers that modesty is massacred ...
/.../tertullian/on modesty/chapter iv adultery and fornication synonymous.htm

Massacred (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Massacre. Multi-Version Concordance
Massacred (1 Occurrence). Matthew 2:16 Then Herod, finding ...
/m/massacred.htm - 6k

Massah (5 Occurrences)

/m/massah.htm - 12k

Neighbourhood (9 Occurrences)
... Matthew 2:16 Then Herod, finding that the Magi had trifled with him, was furious,
and sent and massacred all the boys under two years of age, in Bethlehem and ...
/n/neighbourhood.htm - 9k

Josephus
... AD The Jews withstood the siege for 47 days with splendid courage, till Titus,
assaulting under cover of a mist, stormed the stronghold and massacred the weary ...
/j/josephus.htm - 13k

Joash (49 Occurrences)
... I. Ninth King of Judah 1. His Early Preservation: When, on Athaliah's usurpation
of the throne, she massacred the royal princes, Jehoash was saved from her ...
/j/joash.htm - 41k

Jehoash (28 Occurrences)
... I. Ninth King of Judah 1. His Early Preservation: When, on Athaliah's usurpation
of the throne, she massacred the royal princes, Jehoash was saved from her ...
/j/jehoash.htm - 32k

Flavius
... AD The Jews withstood the siege for 47 days with splendid courage, till Titus,
assaulting under cover of a mist, stormed the stronghold and massacred the weary ...
/f/flavius.htm - 13k

Furious (28 Occurrences)
... Matthew 2:16 Then Herod, finding that the Magi had trifled with him, was furious,
and sent and massacred all the boys under two years of age, in Bethlehem and ...
/f/furious.htm - 14k

Finding (57 Occurrences)
... Matthew 2:16 Then Herod, finding that the Magi had trifled with him, was furious,
and sent and massacred all the boys under two years of age, in Bethlehem and ...
/f/finding.htm - 23k

Trifled (1 Occurrence)
... Matthew 2:16 Then Herod, finding that the Magi had trifled with him, was furious,
and sent and massacred all the boys under two years of age, in Bethlehem and ...
/t/trifled.htm - 6k

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