We are used to hearing about the good guys in the Bible, but have you ever been a little curious to know about some of the bad people in the Bible and the evil things they did? Much like in real life, the Bible too has some evil people who, driven by jealousy, hunger for power, and money, did some really despicable things.
From vile betrayal to cold-blooded murder, here are the top ten most evil people in the Bible alongside their evil deeds and the verses where you can read about them.
Evil People in the Bible
Cain (Genesis 4:1-16)
As the first murderer recorded in the Bible, Cain earns a spot on our list of evil people in the Bible. Driven by jealousy towards his younger brother- Abel whose offering was more pleasing to God than his, Cain killed him and tried to cover up his murder. As a result, God punished him by putting a mark on his forehead and forcing him to wander the earth with a guilty conscience.
Also read: Brothers in the Bible
Pharaoh of Egypt (Exodus 5-12)
The Pharaoh who ruled Egypt when Moses was trying to lead the Israelites to their exodus had a heart of stone. He continuously refused to let the Israelites go even after witnessing plagues that devastated Egypt and resulted in the deaths of all the male firstborns of Egyptians, including his own. He only gave up and let the Israelites go after his army drowned in the Red Sea while chasing after the Israelites.
Delilah (Judges 16:4-22)
Delilah got romantically involved with Samson- the strongest man in Israel only to trick him into revealing the source of his immense strength which she then shared with his enemies who had bribed her. As a result of Delilah’s betrayal, Samson’s enemies managed to outpower him, blind and lock him up in prison where they mocked him.
King Ahab and Queen Jezebel (I Kings 16-22)
King Ahab of Israel and his wife Queen Jezebel are some of the most evil rulers in the Bible. The two not only promoted the worship of false gods throughout Israel but they were also ruled with wickedness. Jezebel persecuted the prophets of God and she helped Ahab to devise a plan to murder Naboth so that he could grab his vineyard.
Queen Athaliah (2 Chronicles 22:10-12)
It is said that the fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree and this can be said about Queen Athaliah who was the daughter of King Ahab and Jezebel. Like her parents, Queen Athaliah also committed some really nasty things that earned her a spot among the most evil people in the Bible.
After the death of her husband, King Jehoram, and her son Ahaziah, Athaliah was very power-hungry. She ordered the massacre of all the royal heirs of Judah and forced herself to rule the kingdom for seven years.
King Herod The Great (Matthew 2:1-16)
When King Herod heard that Jesus had been born in Bethlehem and that He would grow up to be the King of the Jews, he felt threatened and jealous. Out of paranoia, he ordered all the boys who were two years and younger in Bethlehem and its surroundings to be killed.
Herod of Antipas and Herodias (Matthew 14:3-12)
King Herod of Antipas married Herodias, his half-brother’s ex-wife which was against Jewish laws, and when John the Baptist criticised their marriage, he sent him to jail. But that’s not all, after Herod of Antipas threw a banquet and was pleased by Herodias daughter’s dancing, he made an oath to give her anything she desired. Herodias who was hungry for revenge influenced her daughter to ask for John the Baptist’s head on a platter and that’s how John the Baptist was beheaded.
Haman (Esther 3-7)
Haman was the highest-ranking officer in the Persian Empire during King Xerxes’ reign and the main antagonist in the Book of Esther. After Mordecai refused to bow down to him, Haman was enraged and decided to kill not just Mordecai but all the Jews in the entire Persian Empire. However, through Esther’s intervention, Haman’s plan went down the drain and instead, he ended up being hanged in the very gallows he had prepared for Mordecai.
Abimelech (Judges 9:1-6)
Abimelech was one of Gideon’s sons who, consumed by hunger for power, tried to manipulate the people of Shechem to support his bid for kingship. When his plan failed, he murdered all but one of his 70 brothers who escaped. Having eliminated his rivals, Abimelech then ascended to the throne.
Judas Iscariot (Matthew 26:14-56)
This list of evil people in the Bible wouldn’t be complete without the father of all betrayers- Judas Iscariot. Judas, one of Jesus’ disciples, betrayed Jesus for a mere 30 pieces of silver. Overwhelmed with guilt and regret, Judas Iscariot ended his own life.