In biblical literature, the term "destroyers" refers to individuals, entities, or forces that bring about destruction, ruin, or devastation. This concept is woven throughout the Scriptures, illustrating both physical and spiritual dimensions of destruction.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the notion of destroyers is often associated with divine judgment and the execution of God's wrath upon nations, cities, or individuals who have turned away from His commandments. The Hebrew word often translated as "destroyer" is "mashchit," which can refer to an agent of destruction, whether human or supernatural.

One of the most notable references to a destroyer is found in the account of the Passover in Egypt. In Exodus 12:23 , it is written: "For the LORD will pass through to strike down the Egyptians, and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses to strike you down." Here, the destroyer is an angelic being sent to execute judgment on the firstborn of Egypt, sparing those who obeyed God's command to mark their doorposts with the blood of a lamb.

The prophets also speak of destroyers in the context of foreign nations used by God as instruments of judgment. For instance, in Jeremiah 4:7 , the prophet warns, "A lion has gone up from his thicket, and a destroyer of nations has set out; he has left his lair to lay waste your land. Your cities will be reduced to ruins and lie uninhabited." This imagery underscores the role of foreign powers as agents of divine retribution against Israel's unfaithfulness.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of destroyers takes on a more spiritual dimension. The apostle Paul warns against spiritual forces and false teachers that can lead believers astray. In 1 Corinthians 10:10 , Paul admonishes the Corinthians: "And do not grumble, as some of them did, and were killed by the destroying angel." This reference to the destroying angel serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and unbelief.

The Book of Revelation also presents vivid imagery of destruction associated with the end times. Revelation 9:11 introduces Abaddon, the angel of the abyss, whose name in Greek is Apollyon, meaning "Destroyer." This figure is depicted as a leader of demonic forces unleashed during the tribulation period, symbolizing the ultimate spiritual battle between good and evil.

Theological Implications

The theme of destroyers in the Bible highlights the seriousness of sin and the reality of divine judgment. It serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and the importance of obedience and faithfulness. At the same time, the presence of destroyers underscores God's sovereignty, as He uses various means to accomplish His purposes and bring about His justice.

Throughout Scripture, the concept of destroyers is balanced by the promise of redemption and restoration for those who repent and turn to God. The ultimate victory over destruction is found in Jesus Christ, who, through His death and resurrection, has defeated the powers of sin and death, offering eternal life to all who believe in Him.7843. shachath -- perhaps to go to ruin
... acting corruptly (1), blemished animal (1), corrupt (8), corrupted (4), depravity
(1), destroy (69), destroyed (14), destroyer (4), destroyers (1), destroying ...
/hebrew/7843.htm - 6k

2040. haras -- to throw down, break or tear down
... root Definition to throw down, break or tear down NASB Word Usage break down (2),
break through (2), broken down (1), destroyed (2), destroyers (1), overthrew ...
/hebrew/2040.htm - 6k

7703. shadad -- to deal violently with, despoil, devastate, ruin
... destroyed (1), dead (1), desolate (1), despoil (1), destroy (7), destroyed (12),
destroyer (9), destroyer still destroys (1), destroyers (4), destroying (2 ...
/hebrew/7703.htm - 6k

The Destroyers and the Restorer
... THE DESTROYERS AND THE RESTORER. 'Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy
this Temple, and in three days I will raise it up.'"John 2:19. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the destroyers and the restorer.htm

Gladden -- the Prince of Life
... interpretations or philosophizings, be blotted or blurred? Some are life-givers;
some are life-destroyers. "The thief cometh not but that ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 8/gladden the prince of.htm

The Death which Gives Life
... Are there any of them left nowadays"people who have no real heart-hold of Christianity,
but are fiercely antagonistic to supposed destroyers of its externals ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the death which gives life.htm

The First Discovery of America
... of Thor and Odin was tempered, without being effeminated, by the Faith of the "White
Christ," till the very men who had been the destroyers of Western Europe ...
/.../kingsley/historical lectures and essays/the first discovery of america.htm

The First Discovery of America.
... of Thor and Odin was tempered, without being effeminated by the Faith of the 'White
Christ,' till the very men who had been the destroyers of Western Europe ...
/.../lectures delivered in america in 1874/lecture iii the first discovery.htm

Argument. --But, on the Ground that Liberty in Meats is Granted to ...
... For, moreover, preferring Lazarus in his very hunger and in his sores themselves,
and with the rich man's dogs, He restrained the destroyers of salvation, the ...
/.../novatian/on the jewish meats/chapter vi argument but on the.htm

The Cruelty of the Sacrifices to the Gods.
... But though you perceive and understand demons to be deadly and wicked, plotters,
haters of the human race, and destroyers, why do you not turn out of their way ...
/.../clement/exhortation to the heathen/chapter iii the cruelty of the.htm

Types of Talkers
... He is often tolerated, but seldom esteemed. The temperamental talker is one
of the greatest of nerve-destroyers. He deals in superlatives. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kleiser/talks on talking/types of talkers.htm

The Way of Death.
... vanities, pursuing requital, not pitying a poor man, not labouring for the afflicted,
not knowing Him that made them, murderers of children, destroyers of the ...
/.../various/the teaching of the twelve apostles/chapter v name way of.htm

Methodius, Bishop, to those who Say: what Doth it Profit us that ...
... suffered injury, even by the same receiving into itself in an ineffable manner the
Word of Wisdom, the enemy might be discovered to be the destroyers and not ...
/.../methodius/the writings of methodius fragments/i methodius bishop to those.htm

Destroyers (17 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Destroyers (17 Occurrences). ... (See NAS). Job 33:22 Yes,
his soul draws near to the pit, and his life to the destroyers. ...
/d/destroyers.htm - 11k

Destroyer (23 Occurrences)
... (2) In Job 33:22, "the destroyers" (literally, "they that cause to die") = the angels
of death that are ready to take away a man's life during severe illness. ...
/d/destroyer.htm - 16k

Destroyest (10 Occurrences)

/d/destroyest.htm - 9k

Fortify (6 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 51:53 Though Babylon should mount up to the sky, and though she should
fortify the height of her strength, yet from me shall destroyers come to her ...
/f/fortify.htm - 8k

Four (3139 Occurrences)
... 7; 21:18, etc.); Nehemiah's enemies sent to him "four times" (Nehemiah 6:4); "four
kinds" (the Revised Version, margin "families" of destroyers were threatened ...
/f/four.htm - 15k

Restores (10 Occurrences)
... Nahum 2:2 For Yahweh restores the excellency of Jacob, as the excellency of Israel;
for the destroyers have destroyed them, and ruined their vine branches. ...
/r/restores.htm - 9k

Devoureth (27 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 12:12 Destroyers are come upon all the bare heights in the wilderness;
for the sword of Jehovah devoureth from the one end of the land even to the ...
/d/devoureth.htm - 14k

Devastated (20 Occurrences)
... Nahum 2:2 For Yahweh restores the excellency of Jacob, as the excellency of Israel;
for the destroyers have destroyed them, and ruined their vine branches. ...
/d/devastated.htm - 12k

Devours (26 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 12:12 Destroyers are come on all the bare heights in the wilderness; for
the sword of Yahweh devours from the one end of the land even to the other ...
/d/devours.htm - 14k

Devastators (2 Occurrences)
... Nahum 2:2 For Yahweh restores the excellency of Jacob, as the excellency of Israel;
for the destroyers have destroyed them, and ruined their vine branches. ...
/d/devastators.htm - 6k

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