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Enemy's Intent to Kill and Destroy in Scripture

The biblical concept of an enemy's intent to kill and destroy is evident throughout Scripture, often portraying adversaries as driven by malice and a desire for annihilation. This destructive intent is attributed to various enemies, ranging from human foes to spiritual adversaries like Satan.

One clear example of this intent is found in Exodus 15:9, where the enemy declares, "I will pursue. I will overtake. I will divide the plunder. My desire shall be satisfied on them. I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them" [3]. This passage illustrates a comprehensive plan of pursuit, conquest, and destruction. Similarly, Isaiah 10:7 describes an enemy whose purpose is "to destroy and to cut off many nations," even if their initial intention was not explicitly stated as such [2]. The Psalms also reflect this theme, noting that "The wicked watches the righteous, and seeks to kill him" [4].

The term "Satan" itself, derived from the Hebrew satan, means "adversary" [5]. While initially used in a general sense for any adversary, it evolved to refer to a specific spiritual entity whose nature is adversarial [5]. This adversary's intent is consistently depicted as destructive.

The New Testament further develops this understanding. Revelation 11:5 speaks of those who desire to harm God's witnesses, stating that "fire proceeds out of their mouth and devours their enemies. If anyone desires to harm them, he must be killed in this way" [1]. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown commentary interprets this not as a literal fire, but as God making the inspired denunciations of judgment come to pass, devouring their enemies [10]. This highlights a divine response to the enemy's destructive intent. Another passage in Revelation describes the entire army of enemies being "dispatched by the sword from Christ’s mouth," which is understood as the word of God carrying out a death sentence [12].

The concept of "enmity" in Scripture signifies deep-rooted hatred [6]. Genesis 3:15 speaks of God putting "enmity between thee and the woman, between thy seed and her seed" [6]. This foundational passage establishes a spiritual conflict. The "carnal mind" is also described as "enmity against God" in Romans 8:7 [6]. Hatred, a core component of destructive intent, is forbidden in the Mosaic law and is equated with murder in 1 John 3:15 [7, 9]. It is considered a "work of the flesh" and leads to strife and bitterness [7].

Biblical texts also warn against alliances with the enemies of God, as such associations can lead to idolatry, provoke divine anger, and prove ensnaring [8]. This underscores the inherent danger and destructive potential associated with those who stand in opposition to God.

While the enemy's intent is often portrayed as destructive, there are instances where God's response to repentance can alter a decreed judgment. For example, in Jonah 3:10, God "repented of the evil" He had planned for Nineveh when the people repented [11]. This demonstrates that while destruction may be purposed due to sin, a change in heart can lead to a change in divine action [11].

The destructive intent of enemies is a recurring theme, whether it is the wicked seeking to kill the righteous [4], or the broader spiritual conflict against forces of evil. This intent is met with divine judgment, often described as a necessary act for the salvation of the Church and the vindication of God's righteousness [13].

Sources

  1. Revelation “If anyone desires to harm them, fire proceeds out of their mouth and devours their enemies. If anyone desires to harm them, he must be killed in this way. -- Revelation 11:5”
  2. Isaiah “Isaiah 10:7 (NASB) — Yet it does not so intend, Nor does it plan so in its heart, But rather it is its purpose to destroy And to cut off many nations.”
  3. Exodus “The enemy said, ‘I will pursue. I will overtake. I will divide the plunder. My desire shall be satisfied on them. I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.’ -- Exodus 15:9”
  4. Psalms “The wicked watches the righteous, and seeks to kill him. -- Psalms 37:32”
  5. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Satan — The word itself, the Hebrew satan, is simply an "adversary," and is so used in (1 Samuel 29:4; 2 Samuel 19:22; 1 Kings 6:4; 11:14,23,25; Numbers 22:22,33; Psalms 109:6) This original sense is still found in our Lord's application of the name to St. Peter in (Matthew 16:23) It is used as a proper name or title only four times in the Old Testament, vis. (with the article) in (Job 1:6; 12; 2:1; Zechariah 2:1) and without the article in (1 Chronicles 21:1) It is with the scriptural revelation on the subject that we are here concerned; and it is clear, from this si”
  6. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Enmity — Deep-rooted hatred. "I will put enmity between thee and the woman, between thy seed and her seed" (Gen. 3:15). The friendship of the world is "enmity with God" (James 4:4; 1 John 2:15, 16). The "carnal mind" is "enmity against God" (Rom. 8:7). By the abrogation of the Mosaic institutes the "enmity" between Jew and Gentile is removed. They are reconciled, are "made one" (Eph. 2:15, 16).”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Hatred — Forbidden -- Le 19:17; Col 3:8. Is murder -- 1Jo 3:15. A work of the flesh -- Ga 5:20. Often cloaked by deceit -- Pr 10:18; 26:26. Leads to deceit -- Pr 26:24,25. Stirs up strife -- Pr 10:12. Embitters life -- Pr 15:17. Inconsistent with The knowledge of God. -- 1Jo 2:9,11. The love of God. -- 1Jo 4:20. Liars prone to. -- Pr 26:28. The wicked exhibit Towards God. -- Ro 1:30. Towards saints. -- Ps 25:19; Pr 29:10. Towards each other. -- Tit 3:3. Christ experienced -- Ps 35:19; Joh 7:7; 15:18,24,25. Saints should Expect. -- Mt 10:22; Joh 15:18,19. Not marvel a”
  8. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God — Forbidden -- Ex 23:32; 34:12; De 7:2,3; 13:6,8; Jos 23:6,7; Jdj 2:2; Ezr 9:12; Pr 1:10,15; 2Co 6:14-17; Eph 5:11. Lead to idolatry -- Ex 34:15,16; Nu 25:1-8; De 7:4; Jdj 3:5-7; Re 2:20. Have led to murder and human sacrifice -- Ps 106:37,38. Provoke the anger of God -- De 7:4; 31:16,17; 2Ch 19:2; Ezr 9:13,14; Ps 106:29,40; Isa 2:6. Provoke God to leave mean to reap the fruits of them -- Jos 23:12,13; Jdj 2:1-3. Are ensnaring -- Ex 23:33; Nu 25:18; De 12:30; 13:6; Ps 106:36. Are enslaved -- 2Pe 2:18,19. Are defiling -- Ez”
  9. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Murder — Forbidden by Mosaic law -- Ex 20:13; De 5:17. Why forbidden by God -- Ge 9:6. The law made to restrain -- 1Ti 1:9. Described as killing With premeditation. -- Ex 21:14. From hatred. -- Nu 35:20,21; De 19:11. By lying in wait. -- Nu 35:20; De 19:11. By an instrument of iron. -- Nu 35:16. By the blow of a stone. -- Nu 35:17. By a hand weapon of wood. -- Nu 35:18. Killing a thief in the day, counted as -- Ex 22:3. Early introduction of -- Ge 4:8. Represented as a sin crying to heaven -- Ge 4:10; Heb 12:24; Re 6:10. The Jews often guilty of -- Isa 1:21. Persons ”
  10. Revelation (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Revelation 11:5: will hurt--Greek, "wishes," or "desires to hurt them." fire . . . devoureth--(Compare Jer 5:14; Jer 23:29). out of their mouth--not literally, but God makes their inspired denunciations of judgment to come to pass and devour their enemies. if any man will hurt them--twice repeated, to mark the immediate certainty of the accomplishment. in this manner--so in like manner as he tries to hurt them (compare Rev 13:10). Retribution in kind.”
  11. Jonah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Jonah 3:10: God repented of the evil--When the message was sent to them, they were so ripe for judgment that a purpose of destruction to take effect in forty days was the only word God's righteous abhorrence of sin admitted of as to them. But when they repented, the position in which they stood towards God's righteousness was altered. So God's mode of dealing with them must alter accordingly, if God is not to be inconsistent with His own immutable character of dealing with men according to their works and state of heart, taking vengeance at last on the hardened imp”
  12. Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 19:21: 19:21 The entire army of enemies is dispatched by the sword from Christ’s mouth (see 1:16; 2:12, 16; see also Isa 11:4; 49:2; 2 Thes 2:8). While one side of God’s word (grace) leads to repentance, the other side (judgment) carries out the death sentence.”
  13. 2 Thessalonians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Thessalonians 2:8: Translate, "the lawless one"; the embodiment of all the godless "lawlessness" which has been working in "mystery" for ages (Th2 2:7) : "the man of sin" (Th2 2:3). whom the Lord--Some of the oldest manuscripts read, "the Lord Jesus." How awful that He whose very name means God-Saviour, should appear as the Destroyer; but the salvation of the Church requires the destruction of her foe. As the reign of Israel in Canaan was ushered in by judgments on the nations for apostasy (for the Canaanites were originally worshippers of the true God: thus Me”
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