The idea that God “creates evil” is one of the most misunderstood topics in Scripture. When we read verses like Isaiah 45:7, it can be unsettling if taken out of context.
The Bible uses the term “evil” in different ways—sometimes referring to moral wickedness, but often describing calamity, disaster, judgment, or hardship that God allows or brings as part of His righteous plan.
This does not mean God is the author of sin. Scripture makes it clear that God is perfectly holy and cannot do wrong. Instead, these verses reveal His control over all events—both good and bad—and show that even in judgment or hardship, His purpose is for justice, correction, and ultimate redemption.
Below, we’ll look at 35 Bible verses about God creating or allowing “evil” (disaster, calamity, or trouble) and explain what they teach about His sovereignty.
1. Isaiah 45:7
“I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the Lord, do all these things.”
Explanation: Here “evil” is translated as “disaster” or “calamity,” showing God’s control over both blessing and judgment.
2. Amos 3:6
“When disaster comes to a city, has not the Lord caused it?”
Explanation: This reminds us that nothing happens outside of God’s sovereign will, including judgment.
3. Lamentations 3:38
“Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come?”
Explanation: God allows both blessing and hardship, always with purpose.
4. Job 2:10
“Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”
Explanation: Job acknowledges God’s right to allow trials as well as blessings.
5. Deuteronomy 32:39
“I put to death and I bring to life, I have wounded and I will heal.”
Explanation: God’s sovereignty extends over life, death, healing, and harm.
6. Exodus 4:11
“Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord?”
Explanation: God is in control even of physical limitations for His purposes.
7. Isaiah 54:16
“See, it is I who created the blacksmith who fans the coals into flame… and it is I who have created the destroyer to wreak havoc.”
Explanation: God allows instruments of judgment to exist under His authority.
8. Jeremiah 18:11
“I am preparing a disaster for you and devising a plan against you.”
Explanation: Here “evil” refers to national judgment due to sin.
9. 1 Samuel 16:14
“Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him.”
Explanation: God allowed a troubling spirit to discipline Saul.
10. Judges 9:23
“God sent an evil spirit between Abimelek and the citizens of Shechem.”
Explanation: God used discord to bring judgment on the wicked.
11. 2 Samuel 24:1
“Again the anger of the Lord burned against Israel, and he incited David against them.”
Explanation: God permitted events leading to discipline for Israel’s pride.
12. 1 Kings 22:23
“So now the Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouths of all these prophets of yours.”
Explanation: God allowed deception as part of judgment on a rebellious king.
13. Isaiah 13:11
“I will punish the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins.”
Explanation: God’s justice brings destruction to persistent evil.
14. Jeremiah 11:11
“I will bring on them a disaster they cannot escape.”
Explanation: God’s “evil” here means calamity in response to disobedience.
15. Jeremiah 25:29
“I am bringing disaster on the city that bears my Name.”
Explanation: Judgment begins with God’s own people when they turn away.
16. Ezekiel 7:5
“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Disaster! Unheard-of disaster!”
Explanation: God warns of coming calamity because of sin.
17. Micah 2:3
“I am planning disaster against this people, from which you cannot save yourselves.”
Explanation: God decrees hardship as a result of injustice.
18. Psalm 78:49
“He unleashed against them his hot anger… a band of destroying angels.”
Explanation: God used supernatural agents for judgment in Egypt.
19. Isaiah 31:2
“Yet he too is wise and can bring disaster.”
Explanation: God’s wisdom includes knowing when judgment is necessary.
20. Nahum 1:3
“The Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished.”
Explanation: God’s justice often involves calamity against the wicked.
21. Habakkuk 1:6
“I am raising up the Babylonians… to seize dwellings not their own.”
Explanation: God used a wicked nation as an instrument of discipline.
22. Isaiah 19:14
“The Lord has poured into them a spirit of dizziness.”
Explanation: God confuses nations as part of judgment.
23. Jeremiah 6:19
“I am bringing disaster on this people, the fruit of their schemes.”
Explanation: Calamity is often the result of people’s own rebellion.
24. Ezekiel 14:21
“How much worse will it be when I send… sword, famine, wild beasts and plague?”
Explanation: God uses various forms of disaster to turn people back to Him.
25. Isaiah 10:5-6
“Woe to the Assyrian… I send him against a godless nation.”
Explanation: God directs even enemy nations for His purposes.
26. 2 Chronicles 15:6
“Nation was being crushed by nation… God was troubling them with every kind of distress.”
Explanation: God allowed turmoil to call people to repentance.
27. Joshua 23:15
“The Lord will bring on you all the evil he has threatened.”
Explanation: This “evil” is the promised judgment for disobedience.
28. Isaiah 45:9
“Woe to those who quarrel with their Maker.”
Explanation: Warning against questioning God’s justice in bringing hardship.
29. 2 Chronicles 18:22
“The Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouths of these prophets.”
Explanation: God allowed false prophecy to bring judgment.
30. Jonah 3:10
“When God saw what they did… he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.”
Explanation: God’s plan for disaster can change if people repent.
31. Isaiah 47:11
“Disaster will come upon you, and you will not know how to conjure it away.”
Explanation: Prideful nations cannot escape God’s decreed calamity.
32. Jeremiah 51:20
“You are my war club… with you I shatter nations.”
Explanation: God uses chosen instruments for judgment.
33. 1 Samuel 2:6
“The Lord brings death and makes alive; he brings down to the grave and raises up.”
Explanation: Life and death are fully in God’s hands.
34. Isaiah 42:24-25
“It was the Lord… he poured out on them his burning anger.”
Explanation: God allows hardship to correct and teach.
35. Proverbs 16:4
“The Lord works out everything to its proper end—even the wicked for a day of disaster.”
Explanation: God’s purposes include righteous judgment for the wicked.
Final Thoughts
When we see the term evil in these verses, it is often better understood as calamity, disaster, or judgment. God is holy and never commits moral evil, but He is sovereign over all events, including those that bring pain or destruction.
This truth should lead us to trust Him more, knowing that even in hardship, He is working for justice, holiness, and redemption.
Call to Action: Which of these verses challenged or encouraged you? Share your reflections in the comments and let’s explore together how God’s sovereignty shapes our faith.