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There are numerous instances of beheadings documented in the Bible. Beheading was a common method of execution in ancient societies. Beheading an adversary was a means of declaring complete victory over them. Exhibiting the severed head of an enemy left no room for doubt that the enemy was no longer a threat.
In the New Testament, the most notable case of a beheading is that of John the Baptist by the order of the tetrarch Herod Antipas “And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.”, (Matthew 14:10). John had openly criticized Herod for his immoral actions (Herod had taken his brother’s wife, Herodias— who also happened to be Herod’s step-niece). Herodias was so furious at John’s rebuke that she manipulated her husband into presenting her with John the Baptist’s head on a platter “And she, being previously instructed by her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist’s head in a charger.”, (Matthew 14:8). Although Herod did not desire John’s death, Herodias coerced him into making the promise in front of Herod’s guests, leading him to comply with her request to avoid embarrassment (Mark 6:17-29). Some time later, James, the brother of John, was beheaded by Herod Agrippa I in an attempt to suppress the rapid expansion of Christianity “And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.”, (Acts 12:2).
The most renowned beheading in the Old Testament is recounted in 1 Samuel 17 when David defeated Goliath. As the giant Goliath menaced the Israelite army day after day, young David confronted him with a slingshot and the strength of the Lord “Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a”
Shield: but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.” , (1 Samuel 17:45). The first stone struck Goliath’s head, and the giant fell. David then ran to him, drew out the giant’s own sword, and cut off his head (verse 51).
At another time, however, King David was grieved when his men thought they were pleasing him by killing and beheading Ish-bosheth, one of King Saul’s remaining sons (2 Samuel 4:7-8). The assassins brought Ish-bosheth’s head to David, expecting a reward. Instead of commending them, David was outraged that they had killed an innocent man in his own house. Rather than display Ish-bosheth’s head and reward his killers, David buried the head and had the men executed. David did not behead them but had their hands and feet cut off and displayed as a warning to anyone who would murder innocent men for political gain “And David commanded his young men, and they slew them, and cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged them up over the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ish-bosheth, and buried it in the sepulcher of Abner in Hebron.”, (2 Samuel 4:12).
Second Kings 10 tells us of a mass beheading that took place when God removed wicked King Ahab from the throne and instructed that all his sons and followers also be executed. God, through the prophet Elisha, anointed Jehu as the next king and commanded him to rid Israel of all remnants of Ahab’s evil reign, including all worshipers of Baal (2 Kings 9:1-10). Jehu obeyed; he first slaughtered the king’s seventy sons, beheading them and piling their heads at the city gate of Samaria (2 Kings 10:7-8). Jehu then organized a deceptive festival for all Baal worshipers in the land to assemble them in one location (verses 18–19). Once the idolaters had gathered and filled the building, Jehu commanded his men to eliminate them all with the “edge of the sword,” possibly indicating beheading (verse 25).
Other instances of beheadings in the Bible involve the Egyptian baker, who was beheaded by Pharaoh «And it came to pass on the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, that he made a feast for all his servants; and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants. », (Genesis 40:20); King Saul, who was beheaded by the Philistines (1 Samuel 31:8-10); and Sheba, who was beheaded by the people of Abel Beth Maakah (2 Samuel 20:21-22). Abishai threatens to behead Shimei, but David prevents him (2 Samuel 16:9-10). Ashpenaz, the chief Babylonian court official, is afraid of being beheaded by King Nebuchadnezzar «And the prince of the eunuchs said to Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and your drink: for why should he see your faces looking worse than the children who are of your age? then you would endanger my head to the king. », (Daniel 1:10). Particularly notable is the “beheading” of the Philistine god Dagon. The Philistines had taken the Ark of the Covenant and placed it in their temple of Dagon, “but the next morning when they arose, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the Lord! His head and hands had been broken off and were lying on the threshold; only his body remained” «And when they arose early in the mornOn the following morning, behold, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off at the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left. », (1 Samuel 5:4). The Lord God of Israel, by cutting off Dagon’s head, clearly displayed His victory over all false gods.
Beheadings are not a new phenomenon, and as stated in Revelation 20:4, beheadings will persist and escalate until Jesus returns. The martyrs during the tribulation of the end times will face beheading for refusing to accept the mark of the beast or renounce Jesus as Lord. This form of martyrdom is already happening globally due to the rise of malevolent religious fanaticism that opposes the truth. Just as in ancient times, beheading is often used to intimidate potential adversaries and suppress opposition. However, truth cannot be silenced «And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out. », (Luke 19:40). We must bear in mind that even when our foes flaunt their wickedness and display the heads of martyrs, Jesus instructed us not to fear, for He has “overcome the world” «These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.», (John 16:33).
