“How can anyone worship the God who commands people to murder others?” God did not command murder at any time and He did not command murder anywhere in the Bible. According to biblical theology, God’s divine nature is love (cf. 1 John 4:8). God’s existence requires that God is the moral standard and the source of morality so that God is morally perfect and thus worthy of worship. The All-powerful God must have created humanity’s moral conscience (cf. Rom 2:14–15).
By definition, God is the Creator of the universe who transcends matter, space, and time, and He is an incomprehensible Mind who creates with unimaginable power. By accepting that there is one Creator of humanity, God’s nature requires that God is the originator and foundation of moral values. God neither arbitrarily invents morals nor are morals greater than God. God is the standard of moral behavior.
How does the Christian then handle the accusations of that God commanded “You shall murder” in the Bible? There are passages in the Bible that some interpret to infer that God commanded soldiers to kill innocent men, women, and children. This post will examine those claims recognizing that anyone reinterpreting the Bible to reject or accept it are being dishonest.
Implications for Faith in Jesus Christ
Christians trust and put their faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus of Nazareth fully accepted Moses’s Law, the Old Testament, and God’s judgments against evil people, and Jesus accepted the Bible of His day as the divine truth, powerful, unperishable, understandable, unbreakable, historically reliable, scientifically accurate, and the ultimate standard of religious practice (Matt 4:4, 7, 10; 5:17–18; 12:40; 15:3–6; 19:4–5; 22:27; 24:37–38; Luke 24:27, 44–47; John 10:35). Furthermore, the New Testament does contain miraculous punishments against wicked people including death and blindness (Acts 5:1–11; 12:20–23; 13:6–11).
God Commands “You Shall Not Murder”
God condemns the murder of the innocent. From the Ten Commandments, “You shall not murder” (Exod 20:13). The biblical God cannot commit murder, because God is the Creator and Giver of life. The God of the Bible does not command murder. God commands that people love their neighbors and enemies (Lev 19:18; Matt 5:43–48). God commanded via Moses, “Keep far from a false charge, and do not kill the innocent and righteous, for I will not acquit the wicked” (Exod 23:7).
God cannot murder. However, God gives life and He can take life. Some have accused God of mass murder of children for the biblical Flood when the world was full of evil and no children are mentioned living on the earth. Noah’s sons were married and had no children. When God kills or allows death, those souls are moving from one place to another. For God to kill people is no more evil or morally wrong than for parents to move their children from one house into a better home and to remove rebellious abusive children out of their home.
Rules of War
God commanded via Moses, “When you go near a city to fight against it, then proclaim an offer of peace to it. And it shall be that if they accept your offer of peace, and open to you, then all the people who are found in it shall be placed under tribute to you, and serve you. Now if the city will not make peace with you, but war against you, then you shall besiege it. And when the Lord your God delivers it into your hands, you shall strike every male in it with the edge of the sword. But the women, the little ones, the livestock, and all that is in the city, all its spoil, you shall plunder for yourself; and you shall eat the enemies’ plunder which the Lord your God gives you. Thus you shall do to all the cities which are very far from you, which are not of the cities of these nations” (Deut 20:10–15).
Addressing False Assertions
The destruction of people in the Old Testament was commanded against wicked nations. The destruction does not include the murder of innocent men, women, and children but refers to driving evil people out of the land. God instructed the nation of Israel,
“Therefore understand today that the LORD your God is He who goes over before you as a consuming fire. He will destroy them and bring them down before you; so you shall drive them out and destroy them quickly, as the LORD has said to you. Do not think in your heart, after the LORD your God has cast them out before you, saying, ‘Because of my righteousness the LORD has brought me in to possess this land’; but it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the LORD is driving them out from before you.”
(1) Antagonists ask, “How could God command the Israelites to murder little boys of Midian along with killing their mothers and raping their virgin sisters?” They are reframing Numbers 31:17–18 without its context to suit their contempt for God, Jesus, and the Bible.
- The Scriptures do not depict God ordering the killing of children or any innocents, and the text does not record Israelite soldiers literally killing any boys (and certainly not the rape of virgin girls). However, those who detest God have twisted these scriptures so they can reject them.
- After losing 24,000 Israelites to plague and execution because of sin induced by the Midianites, God commanded Moses to avenge Israel. Israel warred with Midian and returned with the Midianite women and children. God had commanded Israel to save the women and children in war (Deut 20:10–15).
- Because these women were evil and seduced Israel and thus brought a plague upon Israel, Moses ordered Israel to execute the women who were not virgins, kill any remaining men, and keep the virgin women alive (Num 31:17–18). No children are mentioned in the judgment or being harmed.
- The ancient Jewish historian Josephus and the Jewish philosopher Philo did not report that the Israelites killed any children in this event (Josephus, Ant. 4.7.1). Philo wrote that Israel kept the young boys alive (Philo, Moses 1.52).
- The translators of the Greek Old Testament describe Moses ordering the killing of the adult males who remained among those captured — not the children (Num 31:17 LXX). Furthermore, the same word for the males killed in verse 17 is the same word for the adult males that the Midian women had sex in next phrase of the same verse 17, so these are not male children. Moses did not order the execution of male children.
(2) The antagonist also asserts, “How could God command the Israelites to completely destroy the Canaanites leaving none breathing?” — Deuteronomy 20:16–17; Joshua 6:21
- Israel’s God condemned the Canaanites for sacrificing children and practicing adultery, sexual perversions, necromancy, and idolatry (Lev 18:20–30; 20:2–3; Deut 20:18). Yahweh was patient for four centuries waiting for the Canaanite nations to repent before banning them from the land to be driven out by the Israelites (Gen 15:16).
- In the Word Biblical Commentary (“1 Samuel,” WBC 149), Ralph W. Klein observed that the “destruction” of the people is the Hebrew word herem meaning to ban and was “not necessarily total in every case” according to Joshua 6:15–25, 8:26–27, and 11:1–15. God’s command to destroy every man, woman, and child did not literally mean slaughter but to drive and ban them from the land (Deut 9:3–6). Furthermore, “leave none breathing” means in Hebrew “you shall save nothing that breathes” (Deut 20:16).
- In the book, “Did God Really Command Genocide?” (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2014. 10), Paul Copan and Matt Flanigan noted that this “destruction” is biblical hyperbole for the act of driving out the Canaanite nations according to God’s instruction so to destroy the nations of Canaan by banning every man, woman, and child from land (Deut 2:34; 3:6; 9:3–5; 20:16–17; Josh 6:21). This would cause the banned people of these evil nations to assimilate with other nations and no longer to exist.
- “You shall let nothing that breathes remain alive” in Deuteronomy 20:16 is another linguistic expression translated “save nothing that breathes,” otherwise, Israel would have to kill every animal and insect in the land of Canaan. Deuteronomy 9:3–6 describes this destruction as driving out of the land.
- God also drove Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden for their sin so that they would not live forever in the Garden, and likewise God commanded the destruction of the nations of Canaan by removing them from the land (Gen 2:15–17; 3:22–24).
(3) Furthermore, critics assert, “Why did God command Saul to put to death children and infants among the Amalekites?” — 1 Samuel 15:2–3
- The Amalekites murdered Israelites when the Israelites left Egypt and crossed the Red Sea. Centuries later, King Saul fought the Amalekites who were raiding Israel (1 Sam 14:48).
- God commanded Saul to “destroy” the Amalekites including man, woman, child, and infant (1 Sam 15:2–3). However, the text indicates that this command for the death of all was hyperbole for the destruction of the nation. The Amalekites continued to live after Israel fought to drive them out.
- Neither Samuel nor King Saul interpreted this command to mean killing women and children. Samuel admonished King Saul for failing to kill King Agag of the Amalekites. However, the king’s mother lived and so did other Amalekites indicating that the command was not to slaughter innocent women and children (1 Sam 15:33; 27:8–9; 30; 2 Sam 1:1–16).
- Furthermore, King Saul led Israel to destroy the troops rather than the people as indicated by other uses of the Hebrew word ‘am meaning “troops” rather than “people” (1 Sam 15:8; cf. Gen 14:16; Exod 14:6; 1 Sam 15:4).
- God’s command to put to death man, woman, child, and infant of this evil nation is an hyperbolic expression for Israel to drive out this wicked nation from the land promised to the descendants of Abraham. There is no account of Israel killing women and children by God’s command in the Scriptures.
Conclusion
For these things in the Bible, “untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures” (2 Pet 3:16). God did not command people to commit mass murder. Outside of God, no objective moral standards can exist. Without objective morality, no one can judge God. Without God, morality is solely subjective to each individual’s choice allowing people to rationalize their desires and justify abuse to harm others. Subjective morality means that abuse, murder, rape, extortion, and slander are not wrong for all people at all times. A world without the God of Christ and the Book that Jesus upheld is a world that is morally lost, empty, and doomed.
[The above article is an adaptation of an academic paper that is also titled “God, Justice, and Genocide.”]
The Breath of God 
I think your either lying to us or yourself.
Numbers 31: 17-18
Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him. 18. But all the women children, that have not known a man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves.
The Jews who translated the Hebrew text into Greek in the third century BC did not interpret and understand that Moses commanded the killing of male children. The Greek Old Testament (LXX) known as the Septuagint affirmed that the males were executed. In Numbers 31:17, Moses commanded Israel to execute the females who had known a male. The same Greek word for the males to be executed were those who slept the females. These are not children as many presume. Philo & Josephus make the same historical interpretation that children were not killed by Israel at Baal Peor. Israel protected women & children, but Moses commanded the execution of the guilty women & males hiding among the spoil (Num 31:10–11).
See Paul Copan’s work on matter: Did God Command Genocide?
Hey Scott,
“For “utterly destroy” the Hebrew has the far stronger expression, “put under the ban” (cherem). Whatever was “put under the ban” in Israel was devoted to God, and whatever was so devoted could not be redeemed, but must be slain. Amalek was to be looked upon as accursed; human beings and cattle must be killed; whatever was capable of being destroyed by fire must be burnt. The cup of iniquity in this people was filled up. Its national existence, if prolonged, would simply have worked mischief to the commonwealth of nations. Israel here was simply the instrument of destruction used by the Almighty. It is vain to attempt in this and similar transactions to find materials for the blame or the praise of Israel. We must never forget that Israel stood in a peculiar relation to the unseen King, and that this nation was not unfrequently used as the visible scourge by which the All-Wise punished hopelessly hardened sinners, and deprived them of the power of working mischief.”
(Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers) …pretty much nails it on the head in my opinion.
While it is true that God is Love, God is also the Most High Judge (James 4:12). He can overlook sin for a time, but there is judgement for those on Earth who live in disobedience to God’s commands and in this case, those who would attack His people. God’s judgement for Amelek was pronounced earlier in Exodus 17:14. He was patient and allowed time for repentance, just as He does today with those entangled in sinful lives. While the topic of child slaughter is not easy, I must emphasize that no child is innocent. We are all born into sinful flesh and thus God’s judgement here is righteous in His command to devote the Amalekites to complete destruction. It is dangerous to be found in the company of God’s enemies. We were all once God’s enemies before His Son reconciled us through His death and resurrection.
Then I heard another voice calling from heaven, “Come away from her, my people. Do not take part in her sins, or you will be punished with her. (Rev. 18:4)
One day His people will be called out of every land and He will judge the world one last time, with fire. In the mean time, let’s not forget that God has many characteristics.
Thank you, Matthew, for the comment. For the most part, I agree especially with your theology. You have accurately displayed another perspective.
I think our only disagreement is whether children are innocent and the meaning of herem. Concerning innocence, those who sinned are condemned and lost (Rom 3:23; 5:12, 18; 6:23). However, children are safe from condemnation according to Jesus (Matt 19:14).
My academic sources demonstrate that herem was not a complete slaughter (Eerman’s Dictionary; WBC). There is much debate over the ban of destruction according to herem. My paper is linked below addresses herem further.
I am ready to reconsider.
Scott,
Thank you for your reply. I believe we have a different interpretation of Jesus’ words in Matthew 19:14. The NLT renders the second part of this verse: “For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” To me, this does not mean that children are free from condemnation because of their ignorance of salvation. That would be also to imply that those who never hear the gospel will be saved by proxy, but we know from Romans 1:20 (NLT also for consistency), “For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.” That is a different topic all together so let me get back on track. LIKE these children seems to underscore character that is common to little children before the sclerosis of the heart is rapidly hastened by a fallen world. Qualities such as purity, obedience, and having a humble nature (all qualities that a regenerative new creation in Christ ought to possess and represent outwardly).
As far as herem goes, I am open to learning new interpretation as well, considering my only knowledge of Hebrew is that which someone else has already translated, transliterated, or interpreted for me. What is the name on the link? (I’m not sure which one to click on). In my curiosity I also found an interesting read that appeals to the non-violent rendering of herem. Check it out.
http://experimentaltheology.blogspot.com/2013/05/devoted-to-destruction-reading-cherem.html
One thing would be interesting to see: A good definition of AGAPE. Based on what the word actually means, rather than the “soft and fuzzy” that is often described.
It dawned on me a few years ago that “we” have mis-interpreted that word in the “preacher dictionary.” It has nothing to do with selfish vs unselfish. A good example of that is when Luke speaks of the scribes and pharisees who “love” the pre-eminent seats in the synagogue.
That usage clashes loudly with the idea of “giving up at the cost of oneself…” etc.
According to TDNT, the basic idea behind the word is “total commitment.” The positive (or negative) then lies in the object of our commitment. God so loved the world…
Or, in OT development, God so loved Israel…
1. In His concern about the nation’s existence
2. In His commitment to the nation’s welfare
3. In His commitment to the nations’s safety
4. In His commitment to the nation’s purity
5. In His commitment to the nations purpose
Too many preachers have, in my opinion, lambasted Peter for not understanding Jesus in the conversation at the end of the Gospel of John. Peter, do you love (AGAPE) me? Yes, Jesus, I love (PHILEIN) you!
PhILEIN is the correct usage by Peter in his response. Try it this way:
Jesus: Peter, are you committed to me?
Peter: Jesus, of course! You are like my own brother to me!
Jesus: Peter, are you committed to me?
Peter, Jesus, I love like my own brother!!
And now the conversation makes more sense. PHILEIN is the love between family members. Where parents would give their life for their children! Brothers laying down their lives for each other (Hm, where did I read about that one?”
PHILEIN, by the way, is also used in the description of the love God has for His Son!!
Fascinating; although, off topic.
I believe you failed to prove your point – thereby your conclusion remains unproven as well.
You state that “there Are objective. Moral values.” But you did nothing to prove that! No matter how many times you make that statement, you are still circular in your argument: if God exist, objective moral values exist. Moral values exist. Therefore God exists.
Identify objective
Identify moral
Identify values
Have fun!
My only plea is that you reconsider and think deeply about what I have presented does not originate from me but from centuries of theistic philosophers and Christian apologists.
Notice that this commenter brings forth some good points; although, separate from this article. This person aims right for the heart. Are there objective moral values?
My only attempt at answering this is by addressing innate moral laws within humanity. The Bible supports such (Rom 2:14-16). The only evidence that I really provided was that murder, abuse, rape, and extortion are wrong. I must add that these are always wrong for everybody even if others do not agree. Most people accept that there are objective moral values.
The commenter seems to support the first premise and rejects the second. First, if God does not exist, then objective moral values do not exist. Furthermore, by rejecting the second premise that asserts that there are moral objective values, the commenter believes that morality is subjective. While the commenter may condemn abuses and atrocities against humanity, this individual cannot judge another person or society for accepting such evil as “good.” Therefore, the commenter concedes and allows that societies can accept moral atrocities, and subjective morals withdraw someone from interfering and bringing criminals to justice.