Topical Encyclopedia The concept of a "War of Extermination" in the biblical context refers to divinely commanded military campaigns where the Israelites were instructed to completely destroy certain groups of people inhabiting the Promised Land. These commands are primarily found in the Old Testament, particularly in the books of Deuteronomy and Joshua. The purpose of these wars was to eliminate idolatry and prevent the Israelites from being led astray by the pagan practices of the surrounding nations.Biblical Foundation The foundation for these wars is laid out in Deuteronomy 7:1-2 : "When the LORD your God brings you into the land you are entering to possess, and He drives out before you many nations—the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, seven nations larger and stronger than you—and when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you and you have defeated them, then you must devote them to complete destruction. Make no treaty with them and show them no mercy." This command is reiterated in Deuteronomy 20:16-18 : "However, in the cities of the nations the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, you must not leave alive anything that breathes. For you must devote them to complete destruction—the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that they cannot teach you to do all the detestable things they do for their gods, and so cause you to sin against the LORD your God." Historical Context The historical context of these commands is crucial for understanding their purpose. The Canaanite nations were known for their idolatrous practices, which included child sacrifice and other forms of moral depravity. The Israelites were chosen by God to be a holy nation, set apart for His purposes (Exodus 19:5-6). The eradication of these nations was intended to protect the Israelites from adopting these abominable practices and to establish a society based on the worship of Yahweh alone. Execution of the Command The book of Joshua details the execution of these commands as the Israelites entered the Promised Land. Joshua 6:21 describes the fall of Jericho: "At the edge of the sword, they devoted to destruction everything in the city—man and woman, young and old, oxen, sheep, and donkeys." Similarly, Joshua 11:20 states, "For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts to engage Israel in battle, so that they would be completely destroyed without mercy and be annihilated, as the LORD had commanded Moses." Theological Implications Theologically, these wars raise questions about the nature of God and His justice. From a biblical perspective, God's commands for war were acts of divine judgment against nations that had reached the fullness of their iniquity (Genesis 15:16). The Israelites were instruments of God's justice, executing His righteous judgment on those who had persistently rejected Him. Moral and Ethical Considerations The moral and ethical considerations of these wars are complex. They are often viewed through the lens of divine sovereignty and the holiness of God. The complete destruction of these nations was seen as necessary to preserve the spiritual purity of Israel and to fulfill God's covenant promises. The biblical narrative emphasizes that these commands were specific to a particular time and context, and not a general mandate for all warfare. Contemporary Reflections In contemporary discussions, these passages are often examined in light of the broader biblical narrative of redemption and the ultimate revelation of God's character in Jesus Christ. The New Testament shifts the focus from physical warfare to spiritual warfare, emphasizing love, forgiveness, and the spread of the Gospel (Ephesians 6:12). Nave's Topical Index Numbers 31:7-17And they warred against the Midianites, as the LORD commanded Moses; and they slew all the males. Nave's Topical Index Deuteronomy 2:33,34 Deuteronomy 3:6 Deuteronomy 20:13-18 Joshua 6:21,24 Joshua 8:24,25 Joshua 10:2-40 Joshua 11:11-23 1 Samuel 15:3-9 1 Samuel 27:8-11 Library Righteous Hatred The Sinner's Excuses Answered Even if the Permission had Been Given by St. Paul in the Sense ... Valentinian Goes into the West; Valens Remains at Constantinople ... The Bohemian Confessions after the Reformation. AD 1535 and 1575. Numbers The War of Truth Thoughts for the Clergy on the Amusement Question. A Prehistoric Conflict. Justinian. Resources What is the just war theory? | GotQuestions.orgIs the war in Iraq a just war? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about war? | GotQuestions.org War: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics War with Endurance of Hardness War with Steadfastness in the Faith War without Earthly Entanglements War: Be Clothed in White Clothing War: Be Confessed by Christ in the Presence of God the Father War: Be Pillars in the Temple of God War: Called "The Armor of God" War: Called "The Armor of Light" War: Called "The Armor of Righteousness" War: Called the Good Fight of Faith War: Eat from the Tree of Life War: Enemy Harangued by the General of the Opposing Side War: Frequently Long Continued War: Frequently Sore and Bloody War: God: Gives the Victory In War: God: Scatters Those Who Delight In War: God: Strengthens his People For War: God: Taught his People the Art of War: Have a White Stone, and in It a New Name Written War: Have Power Over the Nations War: Have the Name of God Written Upon Them by Christ War: Large Armies Frequently Engaged In War: Mere Professors do not Maintain War: Not be Hurt by the Second Death War: Not Have Their Names Blotted out of the Book of Life War: Often Arises from the Opposition of Friends or Relatives War: Often Attended by Cruelty War: Often Attended by Devastation War: Often Attended by Pestilence War: Often Sent As a Punishment for Sin War: Originates in the Lusts of Men War: Over all That Exalts Itself War: Preceded by Great Preparation War: Saints are all Engaged In War: Sit With Christ on his Throne War: Strengthened by Christ In War: Symbolized by a Red Horse War: The Breastplate of Righteousness War: The Contest Between Antichrist and the Church War: The Contest of Saints With the Enemies of Their Salvation War: The Jews: Frequently Engaged in (See Joshua Chapters 6 Through 11) War: The Malignity of the Wicked War: The Preparation of the Gospel War: Those Who Overcome In, Will Eat of the Hidden Manna War: To be on the Right Hand and Left, an Idiom Meaning: "To Attack and to Defend." War: Under Christ, As Our Captain Related Terms War-carriages (76 Occurrences) |
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