In the biblical context, combatants are individuals who engage in warfare or battle, often as part of a larger military force. The Bible provides numerous accounts of combatants, both in historical narratives and in metaphorical or spiritual contexts. These accounts offer insights into the nature of warfare, the role of combatants, and the spiritual implications of battle.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament is replete with accounts of combatants, as the history of Israel is marked by numerous conflicts and battles. One of the earliest mentions of combatants is found in the account of Abram, who led a group of trained men to rescue his nephew Lot from captivity (Genesis 14:14-16). This account highlights the role of combatants in defending family and property.

The Israelites themselves were often combatants, as they fought to claim and defend the Promised Land. The Book of Joshua details the conquest of Canaan, where Joshua led the Israelites in battle against various Canaanite kings (Joshua 10:7-14). The combatants in these narratives are depicted as instruments of God's judgment against the wickedness of the Canaanites.

The role of combatants is further illustrated in the account of David and Goliath. David, a young shepherd, becomes a combatant when he faces the Philistine giant Goliath. Armed only with a sling and his faith in God, David defeats Goliath, demonstrating that victory in battle is ultimately determined by God's power rather than human strength (1 Samuel 17:45-47).

New Testament Context

While the New Testament does not focus on physical warfare to the same extent as the Old Testament, it does address the concept of spiritual combatants. The Apostle Paul frequently uses military imagery to describe the Christian life, emphasizing the spiritual battle against sin and evil forces. In Ephesians 6:10-18, Paul exhorts believers to "put on the full armor of God" so that they may stand firm against the schemes of the devil. This passage identifies Christians as spiritual combatants, equipped with truth, righteousness, faith, and the Word of God.

The New Testament also acknowledges the presence of physical combatants in the Roman military. In Luke 7:1-10, a Roman centurion, a professional combatant, demonstrates great faith in Jesus' authority, leading to the healing of his servant. This account illustrates that even those engaged in earthly warfare can exhibit profound spiritual insight and faith.

Moral and Ethical Considerations

The Bible presents a complex view of combatants, acknowledging both the necessity of warfare in certain contexts and the moral challenges it poses. The Old Testament law includes regulations for warfare, such as the requirement to offer peace before engaging in battle (Deuteronomy 20:10-12). These laws reflect a concern for justice and mercy, even in the context of conflict.

In the New Testament, Jesus' teachings emphasize peace and reconciliation. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus blesses the peacemakers and calls His followers to love their enemies (Matthew 5:9, 44). This teaching challenges believers to consider the spiritual dimensions of conflict and to prioritize peace whenever possible.

Conclusion

The Bible's portrayal of combatants encompasses both physical and spiritual dimensions, offering lessons on faith, justice, and the ultimate sovereignty of God in the affairs of humanity. Through the narratives of combatants, believers are encouraged to trust in God's power and to engage in spiritual warfare with the armor of God.

Exposition of the Present State of the Churches.
... Of the combatants some are turning traitors; some are deserting in the very thick
of the fight; some have at one and the same moment to urge on their boats ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/chapter xxx exposition of the.htm

Of the Senses, and their Pleasures in the Brutes and in Man; and ...
... They are even angry with the combatants, unless one of the two is quickly slain;
and as though they thirsted for human blood, they hate delays. ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xx of the senses and.htm

With those Also Who, as it were from Sleep...
... delayed and protracted, inasmuch as it has not yet burst forth openly, but meditates
and delays, hesitating in truth to bring forth the combatants, who bring ...
/.../peter/the writings of peter of alexandria/canon ix with those also.htm

The Sin of Silence
... Jesus Christ's ideal of His Church was an active propaganda, an army in which there
were no non-combatants, even although some of the combatants might be ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/the sin of silence.htm

Doctrine of Non-Resistance to Evil by Force must Inevitably be ...
... arose when the first conflict between men took place, since every conflict is nothing
else than resistance by force to what each of the combatants regards as ...
/.../the kingdom of god is within you/chapter viii doctrine of non-resistance.htm

The Conquest of Lydia.
... It was cloudy, so that the combatants could not see the sun. ... The combatants separated
when it became dark, and each withdrew from the field. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter vii the conquest of.htm

A Homily on Guria and Shamuna, Composed by Mar Jacob.
... sacrifice. Yet the combatants despised the menaces, and the intimidations,. ...
was. But, as combatants who were awaiting their crowns,. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/a homily on guria and.htm

The Revolt of Babylon.
... In those days, when the missiles employed were thrown chiefly by the strength of
the human arm alone, the combatants could safely draw near enough together for ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter vii the revolt of.htm

Matt. xx. 17-19.
... say may be more plain, let us work it on an illustration, and let us suppose there
was some master of the games, then that many excellent combatants went down ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxv matt xx 17-19.htm

This HomilyIs Intended to Shew that the Fear of Magistrates is ...
... themselves, but even the enemy with his own voice, yea, both orally, and by his
epistle, proclaimed to all men both the constancy of the combatants, and the ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily vi this homily is.htm

Combatants (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Combatants (1 Occurrence). Deuteronomy 3:18 And
I commanded you at that time, saying, Jehovah your God ...
/c/combatants.htm - 6k

Warfare (18 Occurrences)
... the Biblical battlefields by modern travelers with knowledge of military history
has yielded valuable results in showing the position of the combatants and the ...
/w/warfare.htm - 34k

War (529 Occurrences)
... the Biblical battlefields by modern travelers with knowledge of military history
has yielded valuable results in showing the position of the combatants and the ...
/w/war.htm - 64k

Combat (5 Occurrences)

/c/combat.htm - 8k

Siege (63 Occurrences)
... To escape capture by the Romans, ten men were chosen by lot from among the occupants
of the fortress, 960 in number, including combatants and non-combatants...
/s/siege.htm - 51k

Fight (265 Occurrences)
... 8. (vi) Strength or disposition for fighting; pugnacity; as, he has a great deal
of fight in him. 9. (n.) A screen for the combatants in ships. Int. ...
/f/fight.htm - 38k

Force (250 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) Strength or power for war; hence, a body of land or naval combatants, with
their appurtenances, ready for action; -- an armament; troops; warlike array ...
/f/force.htm - 40k

Tilt (2 Occurrences)
... 11. (n.) A thrust, as with a lance. 12. (n.) A military exercise on horseback, in
which the combatants attacked each other with lances; a tournament. 13. ...
/t/tilt.htm - 8k

Part (2071 Occurrences)
... contiguity; to sunder. 14. (n.) Hence: To hold apart; to stand between;
to intervene betwixt, as combatants. 15. (n.) To separate ...
/p/part.htm - 12k

Combated (1 Occurrence)

/c/combated.htm - 6k

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