The Bible on War

The Bible on War

A review of the biblical record shows a mixed message on war and the profession of warriors. Note the following verses:

Hebrew Scriptures

Isaiah 2:4King James Version (KJV)

⁴ And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

Joel 3:10King James Version (KJV)

¹⁰ Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.

Micah 4:3King James Version (KJV)

³ And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

New Testament

Matthew 10:34King James Version (KJV)

³⁴ Think not that I (Jesus) am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

Matthew 26:52King James Version (KJV)

⁵² Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.