Extermination, in the biblical context, refers to the complete destruction or annihilation of a people, group, or entity, often as a divine judgment or command. This concept is primarily found in the Old Testament, where God commands the Israelites to exterminate certain nations or peoples as part of His divine plan and judgment against sin and idolatry.

Biblical Instances of Extermination

1. The Flood (Genesis 6-9): The first major instance of extermination in the Bible is the global flood, where God decides to destroy all flesh on earth due to the pervasive wickedness of humanity. 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.'" Noah and his family, along with pairs of every kind of animal, are spared to repopulate the earth.

2. Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19): The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah are destroyed by fire and brimstone as a judgment for their grievous sins. Genesis 19:24-25 records, "Then the LORD rained down sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens. Thus He destroyed these cities and the entire plain, including all the inhabitants of the cities and everything that grew on the ground."

3. The Canaanite Nations (Deuteronomy 7, Joshua 6-12): God commands the Israelites to exterminate the Canaanite nations as they enter the Promised Land. This command is given to prevent the Israelites from being led astray by the idolatrous practices of these nations. Deuteronomy 7:2 instructs, "and when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you and you have defeated them, you must devote them to complete destruction. Make no treaty with them and show them no mercy."

4. The Amalekites (1 Samuel 15): God commands King Saul to exterminate the Amalekites for their opposition to Israel during the Exodus. 1 Samuel 15:3 states, "Now go and attack the Amalekites and devote to destruction all that belongs to them. Do not spare them, but put to death men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys."

Theological Implications

The concept of extermination in the Bible raises significant theological questions about the nature of God, justice, and mercy. From a conservative Christian perspective, these acts of extermination are seen as expressions of God's holiness and justice. They serve as a warning against sin and idolatry and demonstrate the seriousness with which God views disobedience and moral corruption.

Divine Judgment and Mercy

While extermination is a form of divine judgment, the Bible also emphasizes God's mercy and desire for repentance. The sparing of Noah's family, the opportunity for repentance given to the Ninevites in the book of Jonah, and the preservation of a remnant of Israel all highlight God's willingness to forgive and restore those who turn to Him.

Christological Fulfillment

In the New Testament, the concept of extermination is transformed through the work of Jesus Christ. The ultimate judgment and destruction of sin are accomplished through His death and resurrection. Jesus' sacrifice provides a way for humanity to escape the ultimate extermination of eternal separation from God. As stated in John 3:16 , "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Conclusion

The biblical theme of extermination underscores the gravity of sin and the holiness of God, while also pointing to the redemptive work of Christ as the ultimate solution to the problem of sin and judgment.1. (n.) The act of exterminating; total destruction; eradication; excision; as, the extermination of inhabitants or tribes, of error or vice, or of weeds from a field.

2. (n.) Elimination.

2764. cherem -- devoted thing, devotion, ban
... rem) Short Definition: cursed. accursed dedicated thing, appointed to utter
destruction, Extermination Or (Zecheriah 14:11) cherem ...
/hebrew/2764.htm - 6k

6987. qoteb -- destruction
... Word Origin the same as qeteb, qv. destruction From the same as qeteb; extermination --
destruction. see HEBREW qeteb. 6986, 6987. qoteb. 6988 . ...
/hebrew/6987.htm - 5k

Further Proofs, from Ezekiel. Summary of the Prophetic Argument ...
... And He cried into mine ears with a loud voice, saying, The vengeance of this city
is at hand; and each one had vessels of extermination in his hand. ...
/.../tertullian/an answer to the jews/chapter xi further proofs from ezekiel.htm

Of the Times of Christ's Birth and Passion, and of Jerusalem's ...
... Accordingly the times must be inquired into of the predicted and future nativity
of the Christ, and of His passion, and of the extermination of the city of ...
/.../tertullian/an answer to the jews/chapter viii of the times of.htm

Laymen Called to the Field of Missions.
... When and where have individuals or companies gone forth with the sole design
of benefiting the heathen, and yet proved their extermination? ...
/.../dibble/thoughts on missions/chapter v laymen called to.htm

Knox in Scotland: Lethington: Mary of Guise: 1555-1556
... Knox, we know, regarded extermination of idolaters as a counsel of perfection, though
in the Christian scriptures not one word could be found to justify his ...
/.../lang/john knox and the reformation/chapter vii knox in scotland .htm

Even if the Permission had Been Given by St. Paul in the Sense ...
... And how long will this most shameless "infirmity" persevere in waging a war of
extermination against the "better things?" The time for its indulgence was (the ...
/.../tertullian/on monogamy/chapter xiv even if the permission.htm

Elijah --Passionate in Prayer
... In a passion of scorn and contempt at the priests of Baal. In a passion of fury
and extermination against all idolatry, and against all organised uncleanness. ...
/.../whyte/lord teach us to pray/vi elijahpassionate in prayer.htm

Acts VIII
... of a mob. Once embarked in this mad career, nothing less than the utter
extermination of the Church could satisfy them. Hence the ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts viii.htm

Leaves College. Goes to Alexandria, Ky. An Adventure in Ohio. A ...
... soldiers. All this I tolerated, but did not say Amen. Finally he prayed for
the utter extermination of the Southern people. He besought ...
/.../chapter ix leaves college goes.htm

Esther
... for Mordecai, while Mordecai "the Jew" is exalted to the place next the king, and
the Jews, whom the initial decree had doomed to extermination, turn the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/esther.htm

The War of Truth
... achieved; the Amalekites were put to the rout, and because of their unprovoked attack
upon the children of Israel, they were condemned to extermination; for we ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the war of truth.htm

Extermination (6 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The act of exterminating; total destruction; eradication; excision; as,
the extermination of inhabitants or tribes, of error or vice, or of weeds from ...
/e/extermination.htm - 8k

Cruelty (8 Occurrences)
... Some of these acts are sanctioned by Scripture or even presented as commanded by
God, as, for example, the sacrifice of Isaac, the extermination of the ...
/c/cruelty.htm - 16k

Cruel (196 Occurrences)
... Some of these acts are sanctioned by Scripture or even presented as commanded by
God, as, for example, the sacrifice of Isaac, the extermination of the ...
/c/cruel.htm - 42k

External (8 Occurrences)

/e/external.htm - 9k

Zimri (16 Occurrences)
... Numbers 31 describes the extermination of the Midianites at the bidding of Moses.
All the males are slain by the Israelites (31:7), but the women are spared. ...
/z/zimri.htm - 18k

Nabal (18 Occurrences)
... any assistance or presents, but sent back insulting words to David, whereupon the
latter, becoming very angry, determined upon the extermination of Nabal and ...
/n/nabal.htm - 16k

Overwhelming (5 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 10:22 For though thy people, O Israel, be as the sand of the sea, only a
remnant of them shall return; an extermination is determined, overflowing with ...
/o/overwhelming.htm - 8k

Josiah (51 Occurrences)
... He distinguished himself by beginning a war of extermination against the prevailing
idolatry, which had practically been the state religion for some seventy ...
/j/josiah.htm - 42k

Idolatry (14 Occurrences)
... No facts are more strongly declared in the Old Testament than that the extermination
of the Canaanites was the punishment of their idolatry (Exodus 34:15, 16 ...
/i/idolatry.htm - 21k

Foreskin (12 Occurrences)
... booty in war, especially if it meant that no very careful operation was expected
to be performed, but the act became practically equivalent to extermination. ...
/f/foreskin.htm - 14k

Why did God command the extermination / genocide of the Canaanites, women and children included? | GotQuestions.org

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Questions about God (All) | GotQuestions.org

Extermination: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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