Lexical Summary stratopedon: Camp, army camp, military encampment Original Word: στρατόπεδον Strong's Exhaustive Concordance army. From the base of stratia and the same as pedinos; a camping-ground, i.e. (by implication) a body of troops -- army. see GREEK stratia see GREEK pedinos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as strateuó and pedon (ground, a site) Definition a military camp, i.e. an army NASB Translation armies (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4760: στρατόπεδονστρατόπεδον, στρατοπεδονου, τό (στρατός, and πέδον a plain), from Herodotus down; a. a military camp. b. soldiers in camp, an army: Luke 21:20. The term denotes a military encampment or the massed forces that inhabit it. It suggests not only soldiers but the organized, strategic presence of an army poised for action—an image loaded with urgency whenever applied to the people of God or to prophetic events. Usage in the New Testament The word appears once, in Luke 21:20. There, Jesus warns, “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you will know that her desolation is near” (Berean Standard Bible). The single occurrence ensures every nuance is concentrated into this eschatological context: the gathered forces symbolize impending judgment and the decisive movement of divine providence in history. Historical Setting in Luke 21:20 Luke records Jesus’ prophetic discourse during the final week before the crucifixion. The “armies” that would encircle Jerusalem point most immediately to the Roman legions led by Titus in A.D. 70. Contemporary historians such as Josephus describe a siege that perfectly matches Jesus’ prediction: Jerusalem hemmed in, travel blocked, supplies cut, and eventual devastation. The fulfilled prophecy underscores Christ’s authority and the infallibility of His word. Old Testament Foreshadowing 1. Jeremiah 6:3–6 pictures foreign shepherds pitching their tents around Jerusalem, a clear backdrop for the encampment motif. These passages weave the concept of an encamped army into the biblical storyline as a covenantal warning whenever Israel breaks faith with the LORD. Prophetic Fulfilment and Eschatological Horizons While A.D. 70 fulfils the immediate sense, the image carries forward into larger eschatological expectations: Theological Themes 1. Covenant Accountability—The encirclement of Jerusalem validates Deuteronomy 28:52; disobedience invites siege. Ministry and Discipleship Application • Watchfulness: Leaders urge congregations to heed Christ’s warnings and discern the times (Luke 21:34–36). Homiletical Suggestions • Compare the physical encampment around Jerusalem with spiritual strongholds that beset the believer, drawing on 2 Corinthians 10:4. Conclusion Strong’s Greek 4760 captures a single yet potent picture: encamped forces that signal God’s active involvement in human history. Its lone New Testament appearance distills layers of covenantal warning, fulfilled prophecy, and enduring pastoral counsel, reminding every generation to submit to Christ’s lordship before the final encampment of judgment arrives. |
    |