Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the term "casualties" often refers to the loss of life or injury resulting from warfare, divine judgment, or other calamities. The Scriptures provide numerous accounts of such events, each serving as a narrative of God's sovereignty, justice, and the consequences of human actions.
Warfare and CasualtiesThe Old Testament is replete with accounts of battles and the resulting casualties. These narratives often highlight the Israelites' struggles against surrounding nations. For instance, in the conquest of Canaan, the Israelites, under Joshua's leadership, faced numerous battles. In
Joshua 8:25, during the battle of Ai, it is recorded: "And all who fell that day, both men and women, were twelve thousand—all the people of Ai." This account underscores the totality of the victory and the severe loss of life that accompanied it.
The account of King David also includes significant military engagements. In
2 Samuel 18:7-8, during the battle in the forest of Ephraim, it is noted: "There the people of Israel were defeated by David’s servants, and the slaughter that day was great—twenty thousand men. The battle spread over the whole countryside, and the forest devoured more people that day than the sword." This passage illustrates the heavy toll of civil strife and the unexpected dangers of the natural environment.
Divine Judgment and CasualtiesCasualties in the Bible are not limited to warfare; they also occur as a result of divine judgment. The plagues of Egypt, as described in the book of Exodus, culminate in the death of the firstborn in every Egyptian household (
Exodus 12:29-30). This event is a profound demonstration of God's power and judgment against Pharaoh's hardened heart.
Another significant instance of divine judgment is found in the account of Korah's rebellion. In
Numbers 16:32-35, the earth opens up to swallow Korah and his followers, and fire consumes 250 men offering incense. This event serves as a stark warning against rebellion against God's appointed leaders.
Natural Disasters and CasualtiesThe Bible also records casualties resulting from natural disasters, often seen as acts of God. The Great Flood in
Genesis 7 is perhaps the most notable example, where "every living thing that moved on the earth perished—birds, livestock, animals, every creature that swarms upon the earth, and all mankind" (
Genesis 7:21). This cataclysmic event is portrayed as a divine reset of creation due to humanity's pervasive wickedness.
Prophetic Warnings and CasualtiesThe prophets frequently warned of impending casualties as a result of Israel's disobedience. In the book of Jeremiah, the prophet foretells the destruction of Jerusalem and the resulting loss of life: "They will fall by the sword before their enemies, by the hand of those who seek their lives" (
Jeremiah 21:7). These warnings were intended to call the people to repentance and to avert the prophesied destruction.
Theological ImplicationsThe accounts of casualties in the Bible serve multiple purposes. They are a testament to the reality of sin and its consequences, the justice and holiness of God, and the need for obedience and faithfulness. While the loss of life is tragic, these narratives often point to a greater divine purpose and the hope of redemption through God's covenant promises.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) Plural of Casualty.
Strong's Hebrew
4347. makkah -- a blow, wound, slaughter... Word Origin from nakah Definition a blow, wound, slaughter NASB Word Usage blow
(1),
casualties (1), crushed (1), disasters (1), inflicted (1), injury (1
...Library
That the Pre-Eminent Cause of Every Object of Sensible Perception...
... is perceived, by the senses"nor has disorder and confusion, as being vexed by earthly
passions,"nor is powerless, as being subject tocasualties of sense...
The True Doctrine is to be Sought in the Prophets.
... of outward beauty of diction, of wordiness and seductiveness, they raise up humanity
strangled by wickedness, teaching men to despise thecasualties of life...
Duties of Deacons.
... so that they may be able to counteract by the word of truth those anxieties that
fall upon the heart from every side, by means of worldlycasualties and evil...
The Changes of the Heavenly Bodies, Proof that they are not Divine...
... Explain as best you may the modes of these celestialcasualties, it is impossible
[875] for God either to become less or to cease to exist....
The Gods of the Mythic Class the Poets a Very Poor Authority in...
... Now what is there strange in the fact, that they who were once men are subject to
the dishonour [900] of humancasualties, or crimes, or fables?...
Achamoth Purified from all Impurities of Her Passion by the...
... all the outrages of Passion, without, however, utterly severing them, with an
indiscriminateness like that which had happened in thecasualties which befell...
Heathens and Heretics Alike in their Vilification of the Flesh and...
... not (their burden) from the beginning and everywhere an invective against the
flesh"against its origin, against its substance, against thecasualties and the...
God's Love for the Flesh of Man, as Developed in the Grace of...
... I venture to declare, that if suchcasualties as these had never befallen the flesh,
the bounty, the grace, the mercy, (and indeed) all the beneficent power of...
Another Shorter Evening Prayer.
... to languish with the death of sin, my good name to be traduced with scandalous
reproaches, and make mine estate liable to all manner of crosses andcasualties....
Of a Scruple Concerning a Soul's Vocation to a Religious Life. ...
... shipwreck of that imperfect charity which is in them if they continued in the world,
to permit by an especial providence certain externalcasualties to befall...
Thesaurus
Casualties (7 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Plural of Casualty. Multi-Version Concordance
Casualties (7 Occurrences). Judges 20:31 The children
...Casts (21 Occurrences)
Cat
Resources
What happened in the Six-Day War? | GotQuestions.orgIs there any truth to the Bermuda Triangle conspiracy theories? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of Ai in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgCasualties: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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