The term "razed" refers to the complete destruction or leveling of a city, structure, or area, often as an act of judgment or warfare. In the biblical context, razing is frequently associated with divine judgment against nations or cities that have turned away from God or have committed grievous sins. The act of razing serves as a physical manifestation of God's wrath and a warning to others.

Biblical Instances of Razing

1. Jericho: One of the most well-known instances of a city being razed in the Bible is the destruction of Jericho. Under Joshua's leadership, the Israelites marched around the city for seven days, and on the seventh day, the walls of Jericho fell, allowing the Israelites to capture and destroy the city. This event is recorded in Joshua 6:20-21 : "So when the people heard the sound of the ram’s horn, they shouted loudly. And when they did, the wall collapsed. Then all the people charged straight into the city and captured it. At the edge of the sword, they devoted to destruction everything in the city—man and woman, young and old, oxen, sheep, and donkeys."

2. Babylon: The prophecy against Babylon foretold its eventual destruction as a consequence of its pride and idolatry. Isaiah 13:19 declares, "And Babylon, the jewel of kingdoms, the glory of the pride of the Chaldeans, will be overthrown by God like Sodom and Gomorrah." This prophecy highlights the complete and utter devastation that would befall Babylon, akin to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

3. Jerusalem: The city of Jerusalem itself was razed by the Babylonians in 586 BC as a result of the Israelites' persistent disobedience and idolatry. This event is chronicled in 2 Kings 25:9-10 : "He burned down the house of the LORD, the royal palace, and all the houses of Jerusalem—every significant building. And the whole army of the Chaldeans under the captain of the guard broke down the walls around Jerusalem."

Theological Significance

The razing of cities in the Bible often serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of sin and rebellion against God. It underscores the seriousness with which God views idolatry, injustice, and moral corruption. The destruction of these cities is not merely an act of divine retribution but also a call to repentance and a return to righteousness.

Symbolism and Lessons

Razing in the biblical narrative symbolizes the purging of evil and the restoration of divine order. It serves as a cautionary tale for nations and individuals to remain faithful to God's commandments. The destruction of cities like Jericho and Babylon illustrates the futility of human pride and the ultimate sovereignty of God over all earthly powers.

In summary, the concept of razing in the Bible is deeply intertwined with themes of judgment, repentance, and divine justice. It reflects the biblical worldview that God is both just and merciful, offering redemption to those who turn back to Him while executing judgment on those who persist in their rebellion.1. (imp. & p. p.) of Raze.

2. (a.) Slashed or striped in patterns.

456. anoikodomeo -- to build again
... Phonetic Spelling: (an-oy-kod-om-eh'-o) Short Definition: I rebuild, build up, build
Definition: I rebuild, build up (what has fallen or been razed to the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/456.htm - 6k6209. arar -- to strip oneself
... 6208, 6209. arar. 6210 . to strip oneself. Transliteration: arar Phonetic
Spelling: (aw-rar') Short Definition: razed. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/6209.htm - 6k

5422. nathats -- to pull down, break down
... down NASB Word Usage break (1), broke down (15), broken (1), broken down (2), demolish
(1), destroy (1), pull down (1), pulled down (2), razed (1), smashed (1 ...
/hebrew/5422.htm - 6k

A Comparison of Constantine's Piety with the Wickedness Of
... They had utterly demolished and razed to the ground the houses of prayer: he commanded
that those which still existed should be enlarged, and that new ones ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter i a comparison of constantines.htm

The Jewish War and the Destruction of Jerusalem. AD 70
... The prophecy of the Lord approached its literal fulfilment: Jerusalem was razed
to the ground, the temple burned, and not one stone was left upon another. ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 38 the jewish war.htm

Of Chapters and Cloisters.
... If they will not serve this purpose, it is better that they be abandoned or razed,
rather than [continued and], with their blasphemous services invented by men ...
/.../luther/the smalcald articles/article iii of chapters and.htm

Pagan Shrines and Temples.
... was copied for the last time by the Einsiedlensis. It was razed to the ground
towards 1450. "When I made my first visit to Rome," says ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/chapter ii pagan shrines and.htm

O Come Let us Adore
... And in our songs of praise recount. The mystery of His birth. II. The middle wall
is razed,. An entrance now is free; For cherubim with sword of flame. ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the greek church/o come let us adore.htm

The Believer's Challenge
... the crucifixion of our infidelity, yet God, foreseeing the strength of our unbelief,
hath been pleased to smite it four times that it might be razed to rise no ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the believers challenge.htm

Continuation. Several Other Martyrs.
... [4034] Literally, "have reached to the stedfast course of faith.". [4035]
Genesis 2:23. [4036] I. kateskapsen (razed to the ground). ...
/.../keith/the epistles of clement/chapter vi continuation several other martyrs.htm

The Bohemian Confessions after the Reformation. AD 1535 and 1575.
... Protestant worship was forbidden. Protestant churches, schools, and hospitals were
razed to the ground, or turned into Jesuit churches and colleges. ...
/.../ 73 the bohemian confessions.htm

The Brethren of Jesus.
... Antiquities of the Jews" in twenty books, when wishing to exhibit the cause why
the people suffered so great misfortunes that even the temple was razed to the ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/17 the brethren of jesus.htm

Martin Destroys Heathen Temples and Altars.
... Accordingly Martin returned to the village; and while the crowds of heathen looked
on in perfect quiet as he razed the pagan temple even to the foundations, he ...
/.../life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter xiv martin destroys heathen.htm

Razed (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (imp. & pp) of Raze. 2. (a.) Slashed or striped
in patterns. Multi-Version Concordance Razed (3 Occurrences). ...
/r/razed.htm - 7k

City
... accumulation of debris from town refuse and from frequent demolitions; restoration
being effected after a levelng up of the ruins of the razed city (see Fig. ...
/c/city.htm - 43k

Zedekiah (63 Occurrences)
... After the fall of Jerusalem, Nebuzaraddan was sent to carry out its complete
destruction. The city was razed to the ground. Only ...
/z/zedekiah.htm - 49k

Nineveh (23 Occurrences)
... attacked by the Medes, who subsequently, about BC 625, being joined by the Babylonians
and Susianians, again attacked it, when it fell, and was razed to the ...
/n/nineveh.htm - 52k

Uzziah (27 Occurrences)
... was restored to Judah, and the city rebuilt (2 Kings 14:22 2 Chronicles 26:2); the
walls of certain hostile towns, Gath, Jabneh and Ashdod, were razed to the ...
/u/uzziah.htm - 27k

Jerusalem (782 Occurrences)
... 30; 33:11), till finally, for the abounding iniquities of the nation, after a siege
of three years, it was taken and utterly destroyed, its walls razed to the ...
/j/jerusalem.htm - 89k

Gath (44 Occurrences)
... for we find Rehoboam restoring it (2 Chronicles 11:8). It was after this reoccupied
by the Philistines, for we read that Uzziah took it and razed its walls (2 ...
/g/gath.htm - 26k

Raze (1 Occurrence)

/r/raze.htm - 6k

Razis

/r/razis.htm - 6k

Penuel (7 Occurrences)
... On his return, Gideon slew the men of this city and razed its lofty watch-tower
to the ground. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. PENUEL. pe-nu'-el, pen'-u-el. ...
/p/penuel.htm - 9k

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