Combat, in the biblical context, often refers to physical battles, spiritual warfare, and the moral struggles faced by individuals and nations. The Bible presents combat as both a literal and metaphorical concept, illustrating the ongoing conflict between good and evil, faith and doubt, and obedience and rebellion.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, combat is frequently depicted in the narratives of Israel's history. The Israelites, under God's command, engaged in numerous battles to secure the Promised Land. One of the most notable examples is the Battle of Jericho, where the walls of the city fell after the Israelites marched around them for seven days, as instructed by God (Joshua 6:1-20). This event underscores the belief that victory in combat is ultimately determined by divine intervention and obedience to God's commands.

The account of David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17) is another significant example of combat. David, a young shepherd, defeats the giant Goliath with a sling and a stone, demonstrating that faith in God can overcome seemingly insurmountable odds. David's victory is attributed to his reliance on God rather than conventional weapons of war.

Spiritual Warfare

The concept of combat extends beyond physical battles to include spiritual warfare. The Bible describes a cosmic struggle between the forces of God and the forces of evil. Ephesians 6:12 states, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world's darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Believers are called to put on the "full armor of God" (Ephesians 6:11) to stand firm against these spiritual adversaries.

The armor of God includes the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:14-17). This metaphorical armor equips Christians to engage in spiritual combat, emphasizing the importance of faith, righteousness, and the Word of God in overcoming evil.

Moral and Ethical Struggles

Combat in the Bible also encompasses moral and ethical struggles faced by individuals. The Apostle Paul frequently uses the imagery of combat to describe the Christian life. In 1 Timothy 6:12 , Paul exhorts Timothy to "fight the good fight of the faith." This phrase captures the essence of the Christian journey as a continuous battle to maintain faith and integrity in a world opposed to God's principles.

Similarly, in 2 Timothy 4:7 , Paul reflects on his own life, stating, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." Here, combat is portrayed as a lifelong endeavor, requiring perseverance and dedication to uphold one's faith amidst trials and temptations.

Divine Justice and Judgment

The Bible also presents combat as an instrument of divine justice and judgment. God is depicted as a warrior who fights on behalf of His people and executes judgment against the wicked. In Exodus 15:3 , following the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt, Moses declares, "The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is His name." This portrayal of God as a warrior underscores His sovereignty and power to deliver and protect His people.

In the prophetic literature, combat imagery is often used to describe the Day of the Lord, a time of divine judgment and the ultimate defeat of evil. For instance, in Joel 3:9-10 , the nations are summoned to prepare for battle as God executes His judgment: "Proclaim this among the nations: 'Prepare for war; rouse the mighty men! Let all the men of war advance and attack. Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears. Let the weak say, ‘I am strong!’"

Conclusion

Throughout the Bible, combat serves as a powerful metaphor for the struggles faced by individuals and nations. Whether in physical battles, spiritual warfare, or moral conflicts, the biblical narrative emphasizes reliance on God, faith, and righteousness as the keys to victory.1. (v. i.) To struggle or contend, as with an opposing force; to fight.

2. (v. t.) To fight with; to oppose by force, argument, etc.; to contend against; to resist.

3. (n.) A fight; a contest of violence; a struggle for supremacy.

4. (n.) An engagement of no great magnitude; or one in which the parties engaged are not armies.

6635. tsaba -- army, war, warfare
... Word Origin from tsaba Definition army, war, warfare NASB Word Usage armies (23),
army (79), army* (1), battle (1), combat (1), conflict (1), forced to labor (1 ...
/hebrew/6635.htm - 6k

How Our Eighth Combat is against the Spirit of Pride, and of Its ...
... Prolegomena. Chapter I. How our eighth combat is against the spirit of
pride, and of its character. Our eighth and last combat is ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter i how our eighth.htm

How Our Fifth Combat is against the Spirit of Dejection, and of ...
... Prolegomena. Chapter I. How our fifth combat is against the spirit of
dejection, and of the harm which it inflicts upon the soul. ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter i how our fifth.htm

How Our Seventh Combat is against the Spirit of Vainglory, and ...
... Prolegomena. Chapter I. How our seventh combat is against the spirit of
vainglory, and what its nature. Our seventh combat is against ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter i how our seventh.htm

How Our Sixth Combat is against the Spirit of Accidie, and what ...
... Prolegomena. Chapter I. How our sixth combat is against the spirit of accidie,
and what its character is. Our sixth combat is with ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter i how our sixth.htm

Celsus Now Sets Himself to Combat the views of those who Say that ...
... Chapter II. Celsus now sets himself to combat the views of those who say
that the Jewish? Celsus now sets himself to combat the ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter ii celsus now sets.htm

That the Sin of Pride is Last in the Actual Order of the Combat ...
... Prolegomena. Chapter VI. That the sin of pride is last in the actual order
of the combat, but first in time and origin. And so it ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter vi that the sin.htm

That the Foundation and Basis of the Spiritual Combat must be Laid ...
... Prolegomena. Chapter XVII. That the foundation and basis of the spiritual
combat must be laid in the struggle against gluttony. ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xvii that the foundation.htm

Of the Number of Different Conflicts and victories through which ...
... Prolegomena. Chapter XVIII. Of the number of different conflicts and victories through
which the blessed Apostle ascended to the crown of the highest combat. ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xviii of the number.htm

The Adventures of Saint Andrew of Scotland.
... to discover their way by poking before them with their spears, every moment expecting
to meet with some huge monster with whom they might be called to combat. ...
/.../kingston/the seven champions of christendom/chapter eight the adventures of.htm

Whether the Proper Form of this Sacrament Is: "I Sign Thee with ...
... Now as is evident from what has been already said ([4487]AA[1],2), in this sacrament
the Holy Ghost is given for strength in the spiritual combat. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the proper form of.htm

Combat (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Combat (5 Occurrences). 1 Corinthians 9:26 I therefore
thus run, as not uncertainly; so I combat, as not beating the air. (DBY). ...
/c/combat.htm - 8k

List (17 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A line inclosing or forming the extremity of a piece of ground, or field
of combat; hence, in the plural (lists), the ground or field enclosed for a ...
/l/list.htm - 14k

Defy (10 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To provoke to combat or strife; to call out to combat; to challenge; to
dare; to brave; to set at defiance; to treat with contempt; as, to defy an enemy ...
/d/defy.htm - 10k

Fight (265 Occurrences)
... 1. (vi) To strive or contend for victory, with armies or in single combat; to attempt
to defeat, subdue, or destroy an enemy, either by blows or weapons; to ...
/f/fight.htm - 38k

Encounter (10 Occurrences)
... 2. (vi) To meet face to face; to have a meeting; to meet, esp. as enemies; to engage
in combat; to fight; as, three armies encountered at Waterloo. ...
/e/encounter.htm - 10k

Defiance (9 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of defying, putting in opposition, or
provoking to combat; a challenge; a provocation; a summons to combat. ...
/d/defiance.htm - 9k

Debate (13 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To engage in combat for; to strive for. 2.
(vt ... against. 3. (vi) To engage in strife or combat; to fight. 4 ...
/d/debate.htm - 11k

Helkath-hazzurim (1 Occurrence)
... Abner proposed that the conflict should be decided by twelve young men engaging
in personal combat on either side. So fiercely did ...
/h/helkath-hazzurim.htm - 9k

Helkathhazzurim (1 Occurrence)
... Abner proposed that the conflict should be decided by twelve young men engaging
in personal combat on either side. So fiercely did ...
/h/helkathhazzurim.htm - 9k

Warfare (18 Occurrences)
... the personal courage and endurance of the combatants, fighting man against man,
but there were occasions when the decision was left to single combat, as at the ...
/w/warfare.htm - 34k

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