Topical Encyclopedia
The Holocaust, also known as the Shoah, refers to the systematic, state-sponsored persecution and annihilation of six million Jews by the Nazi regime and its allies and collaborators during World War II. This atrocity took place from 1941 to 1945, under the leadership of Adolf Hitler, and is one of the most devastating events in human history. The term "Holocaust" is derived from the Greek word "holokauston," meaning "a whole burnt offering," which is a term that appears in the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible.
Historical Context and Biblical ParallelsThe Holocaust is often viewed through the lens of biblical prophecy and the history of the Jewish people as recorded in the Scriptures. The Bible recounts numerous instances of persecution and suffering endured by the Israelites, beginning with their enslavement in Egypt (
Exodus 1:11-14) and continuing through various exiles and oppressions. The prophet Jeremiah speaks of a time of great distress for Jacob, yet with a promise of deliverance: "Alas, for that day is great, so that none is like it; it is even the time of Jacob's trouble, but he shall be saved out of it" (
Jeremiah 30:7).
Theological ReflectionsFrom a theological perspective, the Holocaust raises profound questions about the nature of evil, human free will, and God's sovereignty. The Bible affirms the reality of evil and the presence of sin in the world, as seen in the fall of man (Genesis 3) and the subsequent history of human rebellion against God. Yet, it also emphasizes God's ultimate justice and the hope of redemption. The Apostle Paul writes, "For we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now" (
Romans 8:22), acknowledging the suffering present in the world while pointing to the future glory that will be revealed.
Jewish Suffering and Divine PurposeThroughout the Scriptures, the Jewish people are depicted as God's chosen people, set apart for His purposes (
Deuteronomy 7:6). Their history is marked by both divine blessing and severe trials. The Holocaust is seen by some as a continuation of this pattern of suffering, which serves to fulfill God's mysterious purposes. The prophet Zechariah speaks of a refining process: "And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried" (
Zechariah 13:9).
Christian Responsibility and ResponseThe Holocaust also serves as a sobering reminder of the responsibility of Christians to stand against anti-Semitism and all forms of hatred and injustice. The Bible calls believers to love their neighbors as themselves (
Leviticus 19:18;
Matthew 22:39) and to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God (
Micah 6:8). The Apostle Paul emphasizes the unity of all believers in Christ, regardless of ethnic background: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (
Galatians 3:28).
Eschatological HopeIn the face of the horrors of the Holocaust, the Bible offers a message of hope and restoration. The prophetic writings speak of a future time when God will gather His people from the nations and restore them to their land (
Isaiah 11:11-12;
Ezekiel 37:21-22). The book of Revelation envisions a new heaven and a new earth, where God will dwell with His people, and "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain" (
Revelation 21:4). This eschatological hope provides comfort and assurance that, despite the present suffering, God's redemptive plan will ultimately prevail.
Topical Bible Verses
James 1:12Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to them that love him.
Topicalbible.orgMatthew 24:13
But he that shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved.
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1 John 5:19
And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in wickedness.
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Galatians 1:4
Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
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2 Peter 3:3-4
Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
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Matthew 24:21-22
For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
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Acts 2:40
And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
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2 Corinthians 4:4
In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine to them.
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Greek
3646. holokautoma -- a whole burnt offering... whole burnt offering. From a derivative of a compound of holos and a derivative
of kaio; a wholly-consumed sacrifice ("
holocaust") -- (whole) burnt offering.
...Strong's Hebrew
3632. kalil -- entire, whole, aholocaust... 3631, 3632. kalil. 3633 . entire, whole, a
holocaust. Transliteration: kalil
Phonetic Spelling: (kaw-leel') Short Definition: perfect.
...1890. habhab -- a gift
... offering. By reduplication from yahab; gift (in sacrifice), ieHolocaust -- offering.
see HEBREW yahab. 1889, 1890. habhab. 1891 . Strong's Numbers.
5928. alah -- a burnt offering
... burnt offering. (Aramaic) corresponding to olah; aholocaust -- burnt offering.
see HEBREW olah. 5927, 5928. alah or alath. 5929 . Strong's Numbers.
5930. olah -- whole burnt offering
... Or mowlah {o-law'}; feminine active participle of alah; a step or (collectively,
stairs, as ascending); usually aholocaust (as going up in smoke) -- ascent...
Library
An Exhortation to the Sacrifice which we are to Make to God of Our...
... said to him: Take thy only-begotten son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and go into the
land of vision: and there thou shalt offer him for aholocaust upon one of the...
Shewing How a Simple and Ready Obedience is the Only Means of for...
... the Fire of Obedience: there it will be found, as in a Touch-stone, whether the
Love thou followest be thine own, or Divine; there in thatHolocaust must thine...
Whether a Suitable Cause Can be Assigned for the Ceremonies which...
... offerings. But no female animals was offered up to God as aholocaust, although
holocausts were offered of both quadrupeds and birds....
Whether Christ was Himself Both Priest and victim?
... Hence, under the Old Law, theholocaust was offered, so called because the victim
was wholly burnt, as we read in the first chapter of Leviticus....
Whether it is Right to Say that Religious Perfection Consists in...
... as quieting the human mind from outward solicitude, according to 1:Cor.7:32: "I
would have you to be without solicitude": thirdly, as aholocaust whereby a man...
Whether Christ was Becomingly Presented in the Temple?
... Objection 4: Further, among the legal victims the principal was the lamb, which
was a "continual sacrifice" [Vulg.: 'holocaust'], as is stated Num.28:6: for...
Whether Parish Priests and Archdeacons are More Perfect than...
... 2). Wherefore the comparison of their religious state with their office is like
the comparisons of the universal with the particular, and of aholocaust with a...
Psalm LXVI.
... What is aholocaust? A whole sacrifice burned up, but with fire divine. For
a sacrifice is called aholocaust, when the whole is burned....
That the Most Sacred virgin Mother of God Died of Love for Her Son...
... making on her part also, a perpetual movement of contemplation, at length the sacred
fire of this divine love consumed her entirely as aholocaust of sweetness...
Whether Poverty is Required for Religious Perfection?
... Reply to Objection 6: The renouncement of one's own wealth is compared to almsgiving
as the universal to the particular, and as theholocaust to the sacrifice....
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