The term "Slaughter of Many Thousands" refers to several significant events in the Bible where large numbers of people were killed, often as a result of divine judgment, warfare, or rebellion. These events are recorded throughout the Old Testament and serve as sobering reminders of the consequences of sin, disobedience, and the fulfillment of God's sovereign plans.

1. The Flood (Genesis 6-8): One of the earliest and most comprehensive instances of mass death in the Bible is the Great Flood. Due to the wickedness of humanity, God decided to cleanse the earth by sending a flood to destroy all life, sparing only Noah, his family, and the animals aboard the ark. Genesis 7:23 states, "Every living thing on the face of the earth was destroyed—man and livestock, crawling creatures and birds of the air; they were blotted out from the earth, and only Noah and those with him in the ark remained."

2. The Plagues of Egypt (Exodus 7-12): The final plague, the death of the firstborn, resulted in the death of many thousands in Egypt. This act of divine judgment was the culmination of a series of plagues intended to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites from bondage. Exodus 12:29 records, "Now at midnight the LORD struck down every firstborn male in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and the firstborn of all the livestock as well."

3. The Battle of Jericho (Joshua 6): As the Israelites entered the Promised Land, the city of Jericho was the first to fall. Following God's instructions, the Israelites marched around the city for seven days, and on the seventh day, the walls collapsed. Joshua 6:21 describes the aftermath: "At the edge of the sword they devoted to destruction everything in the city—man and woman, young and old, oxen, sheep, and donkeys."

4. The Rebellion of Korah (Numbers 16): Korah, Dathan, and Abiram led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron, challenging their leadership. As a result, God caused the earth to open and swallow the rebels and their households. Numbers 16:32-33 states, "And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households, all Korah’s men and all their possessions. They went down alive into Sheol with all they owned. The earth closed over them, and they vanished from the assembly."

5. The Destruction of the Canaanite Cities (Joshua 10-11): As part of the conquest of Canaan, Joshua led the Israelites in a series of battles against various Canaanite cities. These campaigns often resulted in the complete destruction of the inhabitants, as seen in Joshua 10:40 : "So Joshua conquered the whole region—the hill country, the Negev, the foothills, and the slopes, together with all their kings. He left no survivors. He devoted to destruction everything that breathed, just as the LORD, the God of Israel, had commanded."

6. The Assyrian and Babylonian Conquests (2 Kings 17, 25): The invasions by Assyria and Babylon led to the slaughter and exile of many Israelites. The fall of Samaria to the Assyrians and the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians were pivotal events in Israel's history, marked by significant loss of life and the fulfillment of prophetic warnings.

These events, while difficult to comprehend, are integral to the biblical narrative, illustrating the seriousness of sin and the holiness of God. They also underscore the importance of obedience to God's commands and the consequences of turning away from His covenant.