Did God command the Israelites in the OT to attack and kill their enemies ?

Answer 1

Most assuredly YWHW did command his 'Chosen People' the Israelites to utterly annihilate vast quantities of the occupants of the area of modern Palestine, and the surrounding territories, as far as the river Euphrates to the east, the Mediterranean coast to the west, the area of Gaza to the south, including the Negev, and to modern day Lebanon in the north.

Deuteronomy 2:24 - 37 which passages include the reference to the destruction of all the men, women, children of Sihon, King of Heshbon

Deuteronomy 3: 1 - 11 which details the exact same fate for King Og of Bashan and his people

The entire Book of Joshua chronicles the continuing trail of destruction, Jericho, Ai ( 12,000 men and women ), the five kings of the Amorites, Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish and Eglon, all destroyed at YHWH's command, many supposedly by large hailstones caste down by YHWH himself ! Those five kings were subsequently killed by Joshua himself and hung in trees. The list is summarised in Joshua 12 1 : 24

The carnage goes on in Judges, Gideon, under YHWH's command, destroyed the Midianites, in this battle YHWH actually told Gideon he only needed 300 men ( selected by the ones that lapped water like a dog ), and to send the rest home ( Judges 7 : 7 ), so over 30,000 Israelites left the field .

Needless to say, according to the account of the victors ( the Israelites ) they swept all before them, at one point a bodycount of 125,000 men was said to have fallen before Gideon's army, interestingly, in Judges 7 : 1 Gideon is referred to as 'Jerub-Baal', an odd name for a chosen one of YHWH, on the surface, although the 'secret' full name of YHWH, as inscribed on the pedestal of the 'Holy of Holies' in Solomon's temple was 'YahBelOn', an odd combination of Yah for YHWH, Bel most likely for Baal ( which anyway just means 'Lord on High', and On, the ancient name of Heliopolois in Egypt, centre of the Osirian Mystery cult.

And so the slaughter continues, and those who claim to follow this deity, YHWH, deny that this is what is written in his ( supposedly ) 'Holy Book'.

By the way, advanced scholars of the Kaballa would not even begin to deny the questioner's declaration, they, the Hebrew descendents of the main actors on YHWH's stage, are fully aware of what was done at YHWH's behest, and many belief that later events in Jewish history may reflect some kind of national 'Karmic' return.

Answer 2

There were several cases in the Old Testament where the Israelity people were in danger from other people around them. The Amelikites are a good example. They were people who lived outside of Israel, and every few years would invade the land, loot what they could and leave. God permitted them to fight against and slay those enemies.

In many of those battles God required that the Israelites take no prisoners and no profit. Everyone and everything was to be destroyed. God did not want the Israelites to pick up the habit of raiding others around them for women, livestocks, money, etc. They were allowed to fight for defense, but not to become raiders.

There were also times when God commanded the slaying of evil groups, such as the prophet of Baal on Mt Carmel who were trying to introduce human sacrifice - especially of infants - into the Israeli nation.

Just as the United States today is permitted to wage war when needed, and to punish (even execute) criminals, so God permitted the Israelites to do the same.

Answer 3

The Bible, from Genesis to 2 Kings, is actually 4 separate books written many centuries apart. The original 10 commandments (as found in Book J) contained only ceremonial regulations, and said nothing about murder. The passages where God supposedly ordered the Israelites to obliterate their enemies were actually written some 1000 years after the conquest of Canaan, and reflect the political agendas of Jewish refugees returning from exile in Babylon. These writings were mostly intended to justify the liberation of Jerusalem from their Samaritan overlords. Archaelogical evidence shows that most of the Israelites probably never left Canaan, and that there was no violent conquest of the local nations. If you want to understand the Bible, you have to study redaction criticism. I recommend "Who Wrote the Bible" by Friedman.

Answer 4

Yes He did, when they went into the promised land. It was to keep Israel pure and not mix with the heathen nations. It was for their protection as God's chosen. He knew if they mixed with the heathens, they would begin to turn away from Him and begin to worship idols, which He does not tolerate. In the Old Testament, God not only demanded to be first but He inforced it, and was swift to chastise His children (Israel). We now live in an age of grace, and have a new covenant with Him which includes the gentiles and anyone who will receive His Son as Savior. He doesn't swoop down and zap us like He did in the O.T., but we still have natural consequences to sin.
It seems when we hang with the wrong crowd, their sins easily rub off on us and attach themselves to our lives. This is what God was concerned about. It may seem harsh to us today, because we take our freedoms for granted, but God has never changed His character.....He is Holy, Pure, Loving, and Just. He will judge us all for our connections with the pagans. We are to share the gospel, but not adopt their way of life. Hope this helps. God bless.

Answer 5

I know where you're going with this. There is a difference between murdering and killing. Righteous killing has happened--you know how I know? God wouldn't have commanded His chosen people if it wasn't in His Perfect Plan.

Answer 6

Very transparent of you.... Are you failing to distinguish between a response to an attack and murders?
How very Muslim of you...

Answer 7

no

Answer 8

Moses brought the law-an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. the enemies had the choice to believe the God of Moses -many did and joined the Israeli's yet others joined to destroy them. Take the Egyptian leader he knew God was true but hardened his heart and tried to destroy the people that would travel to Israel and become Israeli's

Jesus brought truth and grace-not just mercy but to share his Kingship=You are a joint heir of the Messiah when you are saved and there is no other name under heaven than Jesus whereby you must be saved." the book of Acts

there are many from every race who already believe in Jesus and heaven -for them it would be understood, to the unbeliever though no fact is enough till they want to believe in even Messiah Jesus-they see the changes in peoples lives that come to Jesus-yet they chose to not believe-

some info for help here too=the worst day even filled with guilt is heaven compared to Jesus description of hell for a moment-Revelation 19-22nd chapters weeping forever for rejecting the Messiah's free salvation to all who will accept it.

the key is the way out of hell-and I will tell you also what Daniel has to say about Hell too=Jesus came from heaven as promised Isaiah 9:6 quoted below

Jesus was concieved similar to a test tube baby from the Spirit of God in the womb of Mary as promised in Isaiah 7:14 from a virgin to be born God with us, in the then land of Israel -before the English renamed it Palestine-which also includes land now occupied by Jordan,
Joseph espoused to be married and Mary recieved word by the order of Herod that all were to go to their home towns to be taxed.

Jesus was brought to Bethlehem of Judea in Mary's womb and concieved there in the stable of an Inn because they had no room for them in the inn.
PEACE TO ALL IN THE PRINCE OF PEACE (ISAIAH 9:6 UNTO US IS TO BE BORN A CHILD, A SON IS given and he will be almighty God and the Prince of Peace."
TIME FOR TRUTH FOR All

it is time to teach truth about the Jewish faith including the Echod-compound unity not Yachid=absolute one, and the prophecies and the truth about my Messiah and best friend Yeshua in Hebrew= that Jesus is the Messiah-and if you dont believe Moses, Isaiah and the Messiah your not actually Jewish according to the Jewish Scriptures.

^yes I believe in Hell Jesus taught about it and described it too Revelation 19-22nd chapters and
Hell is in the Jewish Scriptures too=Daniel 12:2 described as in torment abhored from God forever and heaven as everlasting life.
the point is accept Messiah Jesus for who he is and Salvation and the reality of Hell.
Here is about Jewish people that reject hell because he tries to change things


Isaiah 53 promised "He will be despised and rejected."
These are things written by those that claim to be Jewish but reject their Messiah promised to be a light to all nations Isaiah 42=
and Jews must always try to deceive Goys (Christians/Moslems). - Zohar (1 160a)

Jesus was guilty of sorcery and apostasy; he deserved execution. The
disciples of Jesus deserved to be killed. Sanhedrin 43a, p. 281-282

Jesus was a bastard born of adultery. Yebamoth 49b, p. 324

EVEN IF YOU REJECT YESHUA/JESUS ---as some say against scriptures God can not become a man about "Let us make man in our image" Genesis

Isaiah 53 promised "He will be despised and rejected."
These are things written by those that claim to be Jewish but reject their Messiah promised to be a light to all nations Isaiah 42

I was taught that Jesus is a liar and a deciever, and to have nothing to do with him.
yet i learned the truth little by little and this person will help you to see the issue

I happen to be Jewish myself.
this is what Rachel -who claims to be Jewish wrote to me in msg=From: Rachel G it kind of explains-when people say one thing but do another my comments in CAPITOLS=

have a nice day for Iraq where they can hear truth openly now too & Rachel MY WORDS TO Your comment previous to me

Message: Please stop this! If you accept Jesus as your "savior", then you are NOT Jewish!
EXCUSE ME-THERE ARE ATHIEST SOVIET JEWS AND MANY OTHER VARIETIES-THEY DONT EVEN BELIEVE ISAIAH OR MOSES EITHER "THE LIFE OF THE FLESH IS IN THE BLOOD AND I HAVE GIVEN IT TO MAKE ATONEMENT FOR YOUR SOULS." LEVITICUS 17:11 MOSES.

ISAIAH SAID "HE WILL BE EXALTED AND MADE VERY HIGH, AND HE WILL BE MARRED MORE THAN ANY MAN AND LAY DOWN HIS LIFE TO MAKE ATONEMENT FOR OUR SINS. HE WILL BE DESPISED AND REJECTED. ALL WE (JEWISH PEOPLE) HAVE GOne ASTRAY AND THE LORD WILL MAKE TO LIGHT ON HIM THE INIQUITIES OF US ALL.. HE WILL DIE WITH THE WICKED AND BE BURRIED WITH THE RICH. Isaiah 52:13-53:12 (predicted 700 bc/bce (era)
You are Christian which means a follower of Christ. I cannot abide Messianic Jews...they are cowards!

EXCUSE ME Rachel you call me a coward -I believe the truth about our Messiah

and to you who rejects the unity of Diviity in Echod-as the Zohar asks "Why is there mention of GOD 3 TIMES IN THE SHMAH "Hear o' Israel the LORD our GOD, the LORD is one. "The first is from the way above, the second is from the way of God on the earth and the third is the Spirit. (Echod unity-like a cluster of grapes =1 yet many=Echod not Yachid=1 grape in that number) -When you talk are those words part of you-are they part of your essence-Since God is everywhere -can he not manifest himself as Isaiah promised in a certain place for his purpose to have personal fellowship with mankind. "He was tested in all ways as we are, yet without sin." (Muslims in the koran also teach the sinlessness of Jesus & that he is in heaven now awaiting return to reign as Messiah-yet missing the personal fellowship as promised)


WHEN ANY MESSIAH COMES IN YOUR IDEAS YOU WILL BE A FOLLOWER OF THE MESSIAH TOO-THAT DOESNT STOP A PERSON FROM BEING JEWISH IN FACT REJECTING THE JEWISH MESSIAH WOULD STOP YOU FROM BEING JEWISH!


WELL ANYWAYS AS YOU CAN SEE WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO CLAIM TO BE JEWISH BUT REJECT MOSES, ISAIAH AND THE MESSIAH-and they say things like this to fellow Jewish peoples like me-so its a good question--I am not sure of the answer--I guess jealousy, blindness -I was against Jesus taught he was a liar and deciever-and fulfilled "He will be despised and rejected." too--so go figure.

I PRAYED HIS WORDS AND BECAME A TRUE JEWISH BELIEVER WITH THE MESSIAH AS MY BEST FRIEND
SPOKEN FROM HEAVEN "I LOVE YOU and knock on your heart door to come in and be your friend, if you repent from sin and ask me in ." Revelation 1:1 & 3:19&20 This also worked for my Yiddish Jewish Bubbie grandma and Zaddi grandpa in Boston too--she told me "David keeps telling our people about Messiah Yeshua/Jesus they need Him." And I do tell them too!

we also need to pray for Muslims too. MUSLIMS NEED TO STOP KILLING EACH OTHER SUNNI AGAINST THE SHIITE OVER THE 2006 BLOWING UP OF THE GOLDEN MOSQUE-and vengence blowing up each others mosques since then and dragging out their leaders and murdering them in the street. they claim to believe Jesus -He teaches to love everybody even your enemy, and to share the gospel with them.

PEACE TO ALL IN THE PRINCE OF PEACE (ISAIAH 9:6 UNTO US IS TO BE BORN A CHILD, A SON IS given and he will be almighty God and the Prince of Peace."
TIME FOR TRUTH FOR All

thank you it is time to teach truth about Hell & where Jesus came from, and who he is and, also about the consequences of rejecting his promised salvation, to all that believe, delivering from hell as Daniel 12:2 does say it is abhorance forever -Revelation 19-22nd chapter weeping and gnashing teeth-yet heaven is described there too & the salvation is offered to go to heaven. Thanks please believe me, and that Jesus is the Messiah-and if you dont believe Moses, Isaiah and the Messiah your a rejector of his salvation and friendship according to the Scriptures.^


good question and why not pray for others that believe in Jesus and heaven and for those that dont -then the question goes from yours straight to the new birth and true salvation.