Topical Bible: Armies: Exercised Savage Cruelties on the Vanquished

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Throughout the biblical narrative, armies often played a significant role in the unfolding of events, particularly in the context of warfare and conquest. The ancient Near Eastern context, in which the Bible was written, was marked by frequent conflicts, and the treatment of the vanquished often reflected the harsh realities of the time. The Bible provides numerous accounts of armies exercising severe and savage cruelties upon their defeated foes, illustrating both the brutality of ancient warfare and the moral and spiritual lessons derived from these events.

One of the most striking examples of such cruelty is found in the conquest narratives of the Old Testament. The Israelites, under divine command, were instructed to carry out the herem, or the complete destruction of certain Canaanite cities and their inhabitants. In the book of Joshua, the fall of Jericho is described with stark detail: "They devoted to destruction by the sword every living thing in the city—men and women, young and old, cattle, sheep, and donkeys" (Joshua 6:21). This act of total destruction was not merely a military strategy but a divine judgment against the Canaanites for their idolatry and wickedness.

Similarly, the Amalekites faced severe retribution at the hands of the Israelites. In 1 Samuel 15, God commands Saul to "attack the Amalekites and devote to destruction all that belongs to them" (1 Samuel 15:3). Saul's failure to fully carry out this command led to his rejection as king, highlighting the seriousness with which God viewed the execution of His judgments.

The Assyrian and Babylonian empires, known for their military prowess and ruthless tactics, also exemplify the savage cruelties inflicted upon the vanquished. The Assyrians, in particular, were notorious for their brutal treatment of conquered peoples. The prophet Nahum vividly describes the fall of Nineveh, the Assyrian capital, as a scene of utter devastation: "Woe to the city of blood, full of lies, full of plunder, never without prey" (Nahum 3:1). The Babylonians, under King Nebuchadnezzar, similarly laid waste to Jerusalem, destroying the temple and exiling the people of Judah, as recounted in 2 Kings 25.

The New Testament, while less focused on military conquests, does not shy away from acknowledging the harsh realities of war. Jesus Himself, in His prophetic discourse on the Mount of Olives, warns of future wars and the accompanying tribulations: "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom" (Matthew 24:7). This acknowledgment of ongoing conflict serves as a reminder of the fallen state of the world and the ultimate hope for peace through Christ.

In examining these accounts, it is essential to understand the theological and moral dimensions at play. The Bible presents these acts of cruelty not as endorsements of violence but as part of the divine narrative of justice, judgment, and redemption. The harsh treatment of the vanquished serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of sin and the seriousness of God's holiness and righteousness.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 50:42
They shall hold the bow and the lance: they are cruel, and will not show mercy: their voice shall roar like the sea, and they shall ride on horses, every one put in array, like a man to the battle, against you, O daughter of Babylon.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Lamentations 5:11-13
They ravished the women in Zion, and the maids in the cities of Judah.
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Amos 1:13
Thus said the LORD; For three transgressions of the children of Ammon, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have ripped up the women with child of Gilead, that they might enlarge their border:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Letter cxxx. To Demetrias.
... of me; my wits have often been exercised upon similar ... cries of their backers; and
when armies are drawn ... parents, others among wild beasts and savage tribes who ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxxx to demetrias.htm

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... Some half-savage tribes were accustomed to wander over ... The Elamite armies were well
organized, and under a ... assimilated so rapidly with the vanquished, that at ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm