Episode 145: "Thou Shalt Utterly Destroy" Understanding the Biblical Hērem in Scripture
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In this episode of Why Religion, Professor John Hilton hosts a deep exploration of one of the most challenging topics in the Old Testament: the biblical hērem, or divine command to utterly destroy enemies during Israel's conquest of Canaan. Through a conversation with scholar David Calibro, the episode unpacks the historical, linguistic, and theological dimensions of hērem, arguing that it was not a blanket genocide but a sacred, ritualized act of devotion to God—rooted in obedience, not vengeance. Calibro draws on ancient Near Eastern parallels, archaeological evidence, and Restoration scripture, particularly the Book of Mormon, to show that the Canaanites were warned and in a state of rebellion, much like the Nephites. The stories of Rahab and Achan illustrate that the hērem was not about ethnicity but about individual agency and attitude toward God. The discussion emphasizes that God’s commands, even when difficult, are tests of faith and humility, and that wrestling with hard scriptures is a sacred covenantal process. The episode concludes with practical advice for modern disciples: study with humility, engage questions with God, and trust that divine purposes are beyond full human comprehension.
The hērem was not total genocide but a sacred act of devotion to God, involving the destruction of enemies as a form of ritual surrender.
Ancient Near Eastern cultures practiced similar 'devotional destruction' rituals, suggesting the biblical accounts are historically plausible.
The Canaanites were warned and in a rebellious state, making their destruction a consequence of their own choices, not arbitrary violence.
Rahab and Achan show that salvation depended on faith and attitude, not ethnicity—highlighting God’s impartiality and mercy.
Hard scriptural passages are not obstacles to faith but invitations to deepen trust and relationship with God through honest inquiry.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
The Challenge of Violent Scripture
John Hilton introduces the episode by acknowledging the difficulty many feel when encountering violent passages in the Old Testament, especially those involving divine commands for destruction. He emphasizes the importance of approaching these texts with humility, faith, and a willingness to wrestle with God rather than judge.
Understanding the Hērem: A Sacred Devotion
“The hērem was not about ethnicity but about a test of people's attitude toward God. And it underscores for us the importance of approaching God with an attitude of faith and humility.”
Historical and Archaeological Context
Calibro presents evidence from ancient inscriptions and archaeological findings that similar 'devotional destruction' practices existed among other ancient Near Eastern peoples, suggesting the biblical accounts are not unique or implausible. He addresses skepticism about the conquest's historicity and argues against dismissing it as mere fiction.
God’s Role and the Supernatural Element
The episode explores how God, not Israel, was the true agent of destruction. Calibro highlights divine interventions like hornets, stones from heaven, and the sun standing still, showing that the hērem was carried out through God’s supernatural power, with Israel as instruments.
The Book of Mormon and the Test of Faith
“God is no respecter of persons. Just the sort of arbitrary act of what, to some, through modern eyes, might appear to be just a self-justified genocide. But instead it's a consequence of people choosing to exercise or not exercise their agency after having been amply warned by God's prophets.”
“God is no respecter of persons. Just the sort of arbitrary act of what, to some, through modern eyes, might appear to be just a self-justified genocide. But instead it's a consequence of people choosing to exercise or not exercise their agency after having been amply warned by God's prophets.”
“The hērem was not about ethnicity but it was a test of people's attitude toward God. And it underscores for us the importance of approaching God with an attitude of faith and humility.”
“The power that is felt in all of the scriptures... the voice of the Lord in those scriptures. And I think that's every bit as much the case in the Bible as in other scriptures of the Restoration.”
Host
Guest
David Calibro
person
John Hilton
person
Canaanites
person
Book of Mormon
book
Rahab
person
Achan
person
BYU
organization
Nephites
person
Thomas S. Monson
person
Doctrine and Covenants
book
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