The term "depopulated" refers to the significant reduction or complete removal of inhabitants from a particular area. In the biblical context, depopulation often occurs as a result of divine judgment, warfare, or exile. The Bible contains numerous instances where cities, regions, or entire nations experience depopulation due to their disobedience to God or as a consequence of military conquest.

Divine Judgment and Depopulation

One of the most prominent examples of depopulation as divine judgment is the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. These cities were obliterated due to their grievous sins, resulting in their complete depopulation. Genesis 19:24-25 states, "Then the LORD rained down sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens. Thus He overthrew those cities and the entire plain, destroying all the inhabitants of the cities and everything that grew on the ground."

Similarly, the Northern Kingdom of Israel experienced depopulation as a result of their persistent idolatry and rebellion against God. In 2 Kings 17:6 , it is recorded, "In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and deported the Israelites to Assyria. He settled them in Halah, in Gozan on the Habor River, and in the towns of the Medes." This event marked the end of the Northern Kingdom and the scattering of its people.

Warfare and Depopulation

Warfare is another significant cause of depopulation in the Bible. The conquest of Canaan by the Israelites, as commanded by God, led to the depopulation of several Canaanite cities. In Joshua 6:21 , the fall of Jericho is described: "At the edge of the sword they devoted to destruction everything in the city—man and woman, young and old, ox, sheep, and donkey."

The Babylonian conquest of Judah also resulted in depopulation. The capture and destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC led to the exile of many Judeans to Babylon. 2 Kings 25:11 recounts, "Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried into exile the rest of the people who remained in the city—the deserters who had gone over to the king of Babylon, along with the rest of the multitude."

Exile and Depopulation

Exile is a recurring theme in the Bible, often resulting in depopulation. The Babylonian Exile is a prime example, where the inhabitants of Judah were forcibly removed from their land. This event is lamented in Psalm 137:1 : "By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion."

The return from exile, however, is also a significant biblical theme, highlighting God's faithfulness and the restoration of His people. The books of Ezra and Nehemiah detail the return of the exiles and the rebuilding of Jerusalem, marking the end of a period of depopulation and the beginning of renewal.

Prophetic Warnings of Depopulation

The prophets frequently warned of impending depopulation as a consequence of Israel's unfaithfulness. Isaiah 6:11-12 records a vision of desolation: "Then I asked, 'How long, O Lord?' And He replied, 'Until cities lie in ruins, without inhabitant, until the houses are left unoccupied and the land is desolate and ravaged, until the LORD has driven men far away and the land is utterly forsaken.'"

Jeremiah also prophesied about the depopulation of Judah due to their sins. In Jeremiah 25:11 , it is stated, "And this whole land will become a desolate wasteland, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon for seventy years."

Conclusion

The theme of depopulation in the Bible serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of sin and disobedience. It underscores the seriousness with which God views covenant faithfulness and the repercussions of turning away from His commandments. At the same time, the restoration of depopulated lands and the return of exiles highlight God's mercy and the hope of redemption for His people.(imp. & p. p.) of Depopulate.7921. shakol -- to be bereaved
... 1), bereaved (2), bereaved me of my children (1), bereaved of my children (1), bereaved
your of children (1), cast (1), childless (1), depopulated (1), made ...
/hebrew/7921.htm - 6k

Of the Manifold Abuse of Speech.
... No sooner was that small colony (wherewith the depopulated earth was to be replanted)
come forth of the Ark, but we meet with Ham, a detractor of his own father ...
/.../allestree/the government of the tongue/section ii of the manifold.htm

The "Little Knife" Insurrection
... For fourteen years China staggered under this awful scourge. Whole provinces were
devastated and almost depopulated. For a long time the issue was uncertain. ...
/.../fagg/forty years in south china/vi the little knife insurrection.htm

Under Ban of the Ritual
... The heavy drowsiness of a mid-winter noon had depopulated her booths and
bazaars and quieted the quaint traffic of her squares. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter ii under ban of.htm

The African Rome
... country. With its gardens, villas, and burial-places of the dead, it covered
nearly the entire peninsula, to-day depopulated. Carthage ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/ii the african rome.htm

The Millennium in Relation to the World.
... It is true that "the slain of the Lord will be many," yet the earth will not
be entirely depopulated. This is evident from Matt.25:31. ...
/.../pink/the redeemers return/5 the millennium in relation.htm

How Egbert, a Holy Man of the English Nation, Led a Monastic Life ...
... In the same year, a sudden pestilence depopulated first the southern parts of Britain,
and afterwards attacking the province of the Northumbrians, ravaged the ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap xxvii how egbert a.htm

Gregory the Great, Bishop of Rome.
... sins? Behold! the cities are depopulated, the castles destroyed, the churches
and abbeys are in ruins, the land is laid waste! But ...
/.../neander/light in the dark places/gregory the great bishop of.htm

Of the Various Kinds of Wars which Followed the Building of the ...
... And that was not the only servile war: the province of Macedonia, and subsequently
Sicily and the sea-coast, were also depopulated by bands of slaves. ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 26 of the various kinds.htm

Epistle xx. To Mauricius Augustus.
... Lo, all things in the regions of Europe are given up into the power of barbarians,
cities are destroyed, camps overthrown, provinces depopulated, no cultivator ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xx to mauricius augustus.htm

The Death of Saint Patrick.
... of the wisest men in the kingdom?"and they told him that it was their firm belief
that the whole land, from north to south, would be depopulated before long ...
/.../kingston/the seven champions of christendom/chapter fifteen the death of.htm

Depopulated (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Depopulate. Multi-Version Concordance
Depopulated (1 Occurrence). Ezekiel 14:15 If I cause ...
/d/depopulated.htm - 6k

Deployed (6 Occurrences)

/d/deployed.htm - 8k

Janoah (3 Occurrences)
... father of Joshua. (2) A town in the uplands of Naphtali, mentioned as having
been captured and depopulated by Tiglathpileser. It is ...
/j/janoah.htm - 8k

Deportation (3 Occurrences)

/d/deportation.htm - 7k

Salamis (1 Occurrence)
... Salamis was almost depopulated, and its destruction was afterward consummated by
earthquakes in 332 and 342 AD It was rebuilt, though on a much smaller scale ...
/s/salamis.htm - 11k

Pekah (11 Occurrences)
... It comprises Gilead beyond Jordan-already partly depopulated (1 Chronicles 5:26);
the tribal division of Naphtali, lying to the West of the lakes of Galilee ...
/p/pekah.htm - 19k

Sacrifice (300 Occurrences)
... It is said, however, that the heathen Sepharvites, settled by the Assyrian kings
in the depopulated territory of the Northern Kingdom, "burnt their children in ...
/s/sacrifice.htm - 101k

Empire (8 Occurrences)
... The pax Romana had passed; civil commotion accentuated the dangers from invading
barbarians. Plague and famine depopulated rich provinces. ...
/e/empire.htm - 80k

Ishmael (44 Occurrences)
... of Jerusalem and the deportation of the better class of Jewish citizens, it was
necessary to provide for some sort of a government in the depopulated country. ...
/i/ishmael.htm - 38k

Kingdom (409 Occurrences)
... the Assyrian overlord. The depopulated provinces were filled with colonists
from the conquered countries of the East. The year is ...
/k/kingdom.htm - 101k

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