Topical Bible: Captive: Cruelty to Tortured Under Saws and Harrows

◄ Captive: Cruelty to Tortured Under Saws and Harrows ►

Topical Encyclopedia

The treatment of captives in ancient times often reflected the harsh realities of war and conquest, as seen in various accounts throughout the Bible. One particularly brutal method of dealing with captives involved the use of saws and harrows, instruments typically associated with agriculture and construction, repurposed for acts of cruelty and torture.

A notable biblical reference to this practice is found in the actions of King David against the Ammonites. In 1 Chronicles 20:3, the Berean Standard Bible recounts: "David brought out the people who were there and put them to work with saws, iron picks, and axes. David did this to all the Ammonite cities. Then David and all the troops returned to Jerusalem." This passage, while not explicitly detailing torture, has been interpreted by some scholars to imply a severe and harsh treatment of the captives, possibly involving forced labor under brutal conditions.

The parallel account in 2 Samuel 12:31 provides further insight: "And he brought out the people who were there and put them to work with saws, iron picks, and axes, and he made them pass through the brick kilns. David did this to all the Ammonite cities. Then he and all his troops returned to Jerusalem." The phrase "made them pass through the brick kilns" has been subject to various interpretations, with some suggesting it indicates a form of execution or severe punishment.

These accounts highlight the grim realities faced by captives in the ancient Near East, where victors often exercised absolute power over the vanquished. The use of saws and harrows as tools of cruelty underscores the severity of the consequences for those who opposed the Israelites and serves as a sobering reminder of the brutal nature of ancient warfare.

The biblical narrative does not shy away from depicting the harshness of these times, reflecting the cultural and historical context in which these events occurred. The treatment of captives, as described in these passages, serves as a testament to the complex and often violent interactions between nations and peoples in the biblical era.

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2 Samuel 12:31
And he brought forth the people that were therein, and put them under saws, and under harrows of iron, and under axes of iron, and made them pass through the brick-kiln: and thus did he to all the cities of the children of Ammon. So David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.
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1 Chronicles 20:3
And he brought out the people that were in it, and cut them with saws, and with harrows of iron, and with axes. Even so dealt David with all the cities of the children of Ammon. And David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.
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