Bloodthirsty
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The term "bloodthirsty" in the Bible is often used to describe individuals or groups characterized by a violent and murderous disposition. This term is frequently associated with wickedness, injustice, and a departure from God's righteous standards. The Bible provides numerous examples and warnings against such behavior, emphasizing the sanctity of life and the divine mandate for justice and mercy.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, the concept of being bloodthirsty is often linked with the wicked and unrighteous. Proverbs 29:10 states, "Men of bloodshed hate a blameless man, but the upright care for his life." This verse highlights the inherent conflict between those who are bloodthirsty and those who live righteously. The bloodthirsty are depicted as hating those who are innocent and upright, indicating a deep-seated animosity towards righteousness.

The Psalms frequently mention bloodthirsty individuals as enemies of the psalmist and, by extension, enemies of God. Psalm 5:6 declares, "You destroy those who tell lies; the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man." Here, the bloodthirsty are equated with liars and deceitful individuals, underscoring their opposition to God's truth and justice.

New Testament Insights

In the New Testament, the theme of bloodthirstiness is less about specific individuals and more about the general spirit of violence and opposition to God's kingdom. Jesus, in His teachings, emphasized love, mercy, and forgiveness, contrasting sharply with the bloodthirsty nature of those who opposed Him. In Matthew 26:52, Jesus admonishes Peter, saying, "Put your sword back in its place; for all who draw the sword will die by the sword." This statement reflects the principle that those who live by violence will ultimately face its consequences.

The Apostle Paul, in his letters, also warns against behaviors that are characteristic of a bloodthirsty nature. In Galatians 5:19-21, he lists "hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage" among the acts of the flesh, which are contrary to the fruit of the Spirit. These behaviors can be seen as manifestations of a bloodthirsty disposition, which is incompatible with the life of a believer.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the bloodthirsty are often seen as those who have rejected God's commandments and have embraced a life of sin and rebellion. The Bible consistently portrays God as a God of justice who abhors violence and bloodshed. In Ezekiel 33:11, God declares, "I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live." This underscores God's desire for repentance and transformation rather than destruction.

The bloodthirsty, therefore, stand in stark contrast to the character of God, who values life and seeks to redeem and restore rather than destroy. The call for believers is to reject the ways of the bloodthirsty and to pursue peace, justice, and righteousness in accordance with God's will.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(a.) Eager to shed blood; cruel; sanguinary; murderous.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BLOODTHIRSTY

blud'-thurs-ti ('anshe damim, "men of blood"): This occurs in the King James Version only in Proverbs 29:10; in the Revised Version (British and American), Psalm 5:6; Psalm 55:23; Psalm 59:2; Psalm 139:19.

See BLOODY.

Strong's Hebrew
582. enosh -- man, mankind
... scorners* (1), soldiers* (3). another, bloodthirsty, certain, divers, fellow,
in the flower of their age. From 'anash; properly, a ...
/hebrew/582.htm - 6k
Library

Ignatius is Condemned by Trajan.
... the soldiers, like a distinguished ram [1414] the leader of a goodly flock, that
he might be carried to Rome, there to furnish food to the bloodthirsty beasts. ...
/.../pearson/the martyrdom of ignatius/chapter ii ignatius is condemned by.htm

Herod and John the Baptist
... I would have said, "I do not believe that the bloodthirsty wretch who took the life
of John the Baptist ever had a serious thought in his life about his soul's ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/men of the bible/v herod and john the.htm

The Greatest Trial on Record
... Here they made a temporary call, to gratify the bloodthirsty Annas with the sight
of his victim; and then, hastening on, they brought him to the house of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/the greatest trial on record.htm

Hence Neither is it Lawful to Accuse those who have Left All...
... God in a dream," he says, "that they should not return to Herod, they departed into
their own country another way." [2337] Hence the bloodthirsty "Herod, when ...
/.../peter/the writings of peter of alexandria/canon xiii hence neither is.htm

A Home Question
... THIS WAS A HOME STROKE. When the children of Israel had bloodthirsty thoughts towards
their brethren of Judah, the prophet very earnestly dissuaded them. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/a home question.htm

Christ's Sheep
... ignorance, and wanted to be taught. They were not proud and self-sufficient,
not fierce or bloodthirsty. The text does not say that ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon v christs sheep.htm

Matt. xxvii. 11, 12
... now the contrary hath come to pass, and the ruler petitions the people; and not
even so do they become gentle, but grow more savage and bloodthirsty, driven to ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxxxvi matt xxvii 11.htm

Natural Love.
... The most bloodthirsty animals, even tigers and hyenas, are never more enraged
than when the hunter approaches their whelps too closely. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xvii natural love.htm

Love in the Old Covenant.
... They sang imprecatory psalms. And to crown all, they indulged the bloodthirsty
desire of dashing the enemy's innocent babes against the stones. ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxix love in the old.htm

Dangerous Effects to Religion and Morality of the Doctrine of So ...
... God? Why do you not frequent the customary pleasures of the maddening circus,
the bloodthirsty arena, and the lascivious theatre? ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xxvii dangerous effects to religion.htm

Thesaurus
Bloodthirsty (6 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BLOODTHIRSTY. ... Multi-Version Concordance Bloodthirsty
(6 Occurrences). Psalms 5:6 You will destroy those who speak lies. ...
/b/bloodthirsty.htm - 8k

Deceitful (46 Occurrences)
... Yahweh abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man. ...Bloodthirsty and deceitful men
shall not live out half their days, but I will trust in you. ...
/d/deceitful.htm - 18k

Deceit (160 Occurrences)
... Yahweh abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man. ...Bloodthirsty and deceitful men
shall not live out half their days, but I will trust in you. ...
/d/deceit.htm - 35k

Nethermost (3 Occurrences)
... Psalms 55:23 But thou, O God, wilt bring them down into the pit of destruction:
Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; But I will ...
/n/nethermost.htm - 7k

Jonath (2 Occurrences)
... Psalms 55:23 But thou, O God, wilt bring them down into the pit of destruction:
Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; But I will ...
/j/jonath.htm - 7k

Lowest (28 Occurrences)
...Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days, but I will trust
in you. (See RSV). Psalms 86:13 For your loving kindness is great toward me. ...
/l/lowest.htm - 15k

Weasel (1 Occurrence)
... They have a slender, elongated body, and are noted for the quickness of their movements
and for their bloodthirsty habit in destroying poultry, rats, etc. ...
/w/weasel.htm - 9k

Treachery (18 Occurrences)
... pit of destruction. Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half
their days, but I will trust in you. (See RSV). Isaiah 24 ...
/t/treachery.htm - 12k

Rehokim (2 Occurrences)
... Psalms 55:23 But thou, O God, wilt bring them down into the pit of destruction:
Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; But I will ...
/r/rehokim.htm - 7k

Elem (2 Occurrences)
... Psalms 55:23 But thou, O God, wilt bring them down into the pit of destruction:
Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; But I will ...
/e/elem.htm - 7k

Resources
What does the Bible say about the possibility of Bigfoot/Sasquatch? | GotQuestions.org

Why did God condone such terrible violence in the Old Testament? | GotQuestions.org

Is Richard Dawkins' caricature of the God of the Old Testament accurate? | GotQuestions.org

Bloodthirsty: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Bloodthirsty (6 Occurrences)

Psalms 5:6
You will destroy those who speak lies. Yahweh abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.
(WEB RSV NIV)

Psalms 26:9
Don't gather my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men;
(WEB RSV NIV)

Psalms 55:23
But you, God, will bring them down into the pit of destruction. Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days, but I will trust in you.
(WEB ASV NIV)

Psalms 59:2
Deliver me from the workers of iniquity. Save me from the bloodthirsty men.
(WEB ASV RSV NIV)

Psalms 139:19
If only you, God, would kill the wicked. Get away from me, you bloodthirsty men!
(WEB ASV NIV)

Proverbs 29:10
The bloodthirsty hate a man of integrity; and they seek the life of the upright.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY RSV NIV)

Subtopics

Bloodthirsty

Related Terms

Blood-thirsty (2 Occurrences)

Deceitful (46 Occurrences)

Bloody (19 Occurrences)

Deceit (160 Occurrences)

Nethermost (3 Occurrences)

Jonath (2 Occurrences)

Lowest (28 Occurrences)

Weasel (1 Occurrence)

Treachery (18 Occurrences)

Rehokim (2 Occurrences)

Elem (2 Occurrences)

Destroyest (10 Occurrences)

Michtam (12 Occurrences)

Bloodstains (1 Occurrence)

Blood (435 Occurrences)

Abhors (5 Occurrences)

Abhorreth (6 Occurrences)

Sincere (18 Occurrences)

Sweep (34 Occurrences)

Falsehood (107 Occurrences)

Corruption (37 Occurrences)

Cain (18 Occurrences)

Integrity (46 Occurrences)

Workers (76 Occurrences)

Wouldest (66 Occurrences)

Gath (44 Occurrences)

Sinners (132 Occurrences)

Musician (112 Occurrences)

Pit (110 Occurrences)

Samaritan (8 Occurrences)

Pentateuch

Bloodstains
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