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Writing about the deuteronomic concept of ḥeræm – which means “forbidden, anathema” or “part (of booty) devoted to God” (Lev 27,28) – is a great challenge the year the modern state of Israel celebrates its 70 years of existence, with the Palestine crisis still very much alive. It recalls the concept of holy war, as it is used today in politics with reference to Isis, Islam and the Koran. In a dialogue between the monotheistic religions it is important to note that the theme is no stranger to the Bible, but that the cultural history at the time of its interpretation and reception must be taken into account in face of the bias that violence is a typical characteristic used by monotheistic religions to defend their convictions. Supported by three texts (Deut 7; 20), Michaela Bauks examines the shift in meaning the word suffers and pinpoints the consequences on the understanding of the concept of holy war.