In the Beginning, God Warned about Hamas
If we knew, why did we ignore Proverbs 22.3?
“Now God saw that the earth had become corrupt and was filled with violence (ḥāmās).” Genesis 6:11 NLT
Hamas- Strong’s Concordance: H2555- Meaning: violence, wrong, cruelty, injustice, oppression, or malicious damage
The same Hebrew word appears many times across the Old Testament to describe moral corruption, violent oppression, or unjust treatment—for example:
Psalm 11:5 – “The Lord tests the righteous, but the wicked and the one who loves violence (ḥāmās) His soul hates.”
Ezekiel 7:23 – “The land is full of violence (ḥāmās), and the city is full of injustice.”
Jonah 3:8 – The king of Nineveh calls people to turn from their violence (ḥāmās) so that God might relent.
The Hebrew word חָמָס (ḥāmās), Strong’s H2555, is literally “hamas,” meaning violence, cruelty, or wrongdoing. It had no political meaning in the Bible context but denotes the moral corruption and societal lawlessness that grieved God before the Flood
The name of the political genocidal attackers from Gaza is also Hamas
The political-militant group Hamas (حماس) uses a name that has a layered meaning and origin. Here are the main points:
“Hamas” comes from the Arabic acronym (in transliteration) Harakat al-Muqāwamah al-Islāmiyyah (حركة المقاومة الإسلامية) which translates as the “Islamic Resistance Movement.”
At the same time, the word ḥamās (حماس) in Arabic carries additional meanings such as “zeal,” “enthusiasm,” or “ fervour”
Hamas was formally founded in December 1987, in the context of the First Intifada (the Palestinian uprising) and emerged from the local branch of the Muslim Brotherhood in the Gaza-Strip/West-Bank region.
The choice of the name reflects the group’s self-identification: a resistance movement rooted in Islam (hence “Islamic Resistance Movement”) and emphasising activism/struggle rather than purely humanitarian or purely political activities.
Some commentators point out that the Hebrew cognate word ḥāmās (חָמָס, Strong’s H2555) means “violence,” “wrongdoing,” “oppression.” While this is a different language and etymological line, the similarity of the sound leads to additional symbolic interpretations (especially in the Israeli-Hebrew discourse).
In other words: while in Arabic the primary meaning of “Hamas” is via the acronym + the word for zeal, in Hebrew the similar sound invokes a quite different word meaning “violence.”
The group has never said they adopt the name with the Hebrew meaning in mind, but the bilingual/conflict environment gives extra layers of meaning for observers. Does it make you ask a question?
Maybe, just 6 Chapters deep into the Bible, God was warning what was going to happen in the 21st Century
Now what does Proverbs 22.3 say?
"A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences." Proverbs 22:3 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/pro.22.3.NLT
So what is the Good News?
The question we all have to answer is how do we respond to the type of evil and violence that is found in groups like Hamas?
Does God want us to fight them back with violence (hamas)?
Do we ignore their evil deeds and pray for them to have a change of heart?
There is no question that the Bible teaches us to love our enemies, to forgive those that hurt us. The Bible teaches that love overcomes hate. But the Bible also teaches to protect the helpless, to stand up for those who are in need and peril. If we allow hate to have a place in hearts in response to the evil they commit we will end up where they are, in bondage to violence and hate. The early leaders of the American civil rights movement pondered these seemingly contradictory Biblical messages. Martin Luther King said "Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that". He stressed that violence is self-defeating and merely increases hate. However King also said "To accept passively an unjust system is to cooperate with that system; thereby the oppressed become as evil as the oppressor". He emphasized that non-cooperation with evil is a moral obligation, but must be done without hatred or bitterness. King took inspiration from Jesus' words. If they slap one cheek, turn the other.
Many westerners are not familiar that in the first century context of the ancient Mediterranean and Roman-occupied areas, being struck with a backhand slap was considered a grave insult and a uniquely demeaning act. It was a method used by a social superior to admonish or put a social inferior in their place, such as a master to a slave, a husband to a wife, or a Roman soldier to a subject like a Jew. Jesus was telling his listeners: When they backhand and insult you; Give the other cheek. Because then they must slap with an open palm which was considered a challenge or an insult between social equals, unlike a backhand slap was a more degrading insult used to admonish an inferior, such as a slave or servant. God asks that we not accept injustice, but we find ways to stand against it that does not involve violence or hate but still involves a public stand even at risk to ourselves
Dave Evans
Dave Evans is a Realtor in Fayetteville NC. He is the former President of the Fayetteville Area Association of Realtors and past Chairman of the local hospital group and a board member for the NC state hospital group. Together with his wife Theresa, they own Main Street Realty.
