Bible Dictionary
BLOODY
Describing bloodshed, violence, or bloodthirstiness. Scripture calls violent cities such as Jerusalem and Nineveh “bloody,” while “bridegroom of blood” refers to the circumcision of Moses' son.
Definition
Bloody may describe bloodshed, violence, or bloodthirstiness. It can also mean “of blood,” as in the expression “bridegroom of blood.”
Biblical Usage
“Bridegroom of blood” refers to the circumcision of Moses’ son. Scripture also uses the term for bloodthirsty people, Saul’s bloodguilt, and cities such as Jerusalem and Nineveh whose rulers were responsible for unjust killing and cruelty.
Historical Background
Nineveh is called the bloody city in connection with the severe cruelties of Assyrian rulers, including violence, slaughter, and the treatment of defeated enemies.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>blud'-i (dam = "blood" of man or an animal; and where the King James translators have rendered with the adjective "bloody," the Hebrew employs the noun in the construct case, "of blood"): "A bridegroom of blood" (Ex 4:25,26, the King James Version bloody husband). Zipporah, not being an Israelite, probably objected to the circumcision of infants, if not to the rite altogether; apprehending, however, that her husband's life was imperiled possibly through some grievous sickness (Ex 4:24) because of their disobedience in this particular, she performed the ceremony herself upon her son, saying, "A bridegroom of blood art thou to me."</p><p>In the Revised Version (British and American) the expression (the King James Version "bloody") is variously rendered, "man of blood" (2Sa 16:7,8); "men of blood" (Ps 26:9); "bloodthirsty" (Ps 5:6; 59:2; 139:19). In 2Sa 21:1, "It is for Saul, and for his bloody house," might be rendered "Upon Saul and his house rests bloodshed."</p><p>Ezekiel calls Jerusalem "the bloody city" (Eze 22:2; 24:6; compare Eze 7:23), referring to those unjustly put to death by the wicked rulers of Jerusalem. Nineveh also is called "the bloody city" (Na 3:1). The capital here virtually stands for the kingdom, and history bears witness to the enormous cruelties perpetrated by the Assyrian rulers. It is siege on siege, pools of blood everywhere, the flaying of men alive, "great baskets stuffed with the salted heads of their foes." For two hundred years it is th e story of brute force and ruthless cruelty. "The prey departeth not." And now every cruelty which they have visited upon others is to be turned upon themselves (Na 3:19).</p><p>M. O. Evans</p>