In biblical times, forts and fortified cities played a significant role in the defense and military strategies of ancient civilizations. These structures were essential for protection against invading armies and served as strongholds for the inhabitants. The Bible references various forts and fortified cities, highlighting their importance in the historical and spiritual narratives of the Israelites and their neighbors.

Old Testament References

The concept of fortified cities is prevalent throughout the Old Testament. One of the earliest mentions is in the context of the Canaanite cities that the Israelites encountered upon entering the Promised Land. In Numbers 13:28, the spies sent by Moses report, "The people who live in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large." This indicates the presence of well-defended urban centers that posed significant challenges to the Israelites.

Jericho is perhaps the most famous fortified city mentioned in the Bible. Its walls were renowned for their strength, yet they fell miraculously at the sound of trumpets and the shouts of the Israelites, as described in Joshua 6. This event underscores the belief in divine intervention in overcoming seemingly insurmountable defenses.

King Solomon is noted for his extensive building projects, which included the fortification of cities. In 1 Kings 9:15, it is recorded, "This is the account of the forced labor that King Solomon conscripted to build the house of the LORD, his own palace, the supporting terraces, the wall of Jerusalem, and Hazor, Megiddo, and Gezer." These cities were strategically fortified to protect the kingdom and maintain control over key trade routes.

Prophetic and Poetic Imagery

Forts and fortified cities also appear in the prophetic and poetic literature of the Bible, often symbolizing strength and security. In Isaiah 26:1, the prophet declares, "In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: 'We have a strong city; He sets up salvation as walls and ramparts.'" Here, the imagery of a fortified city is used to convey the security and salvation provided by God.

Similarly, the Psalms frequently use the metaphor of God as a fortress. Psalm 18:2 states, "The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." This language emphasizes the protective and unassailable nature of God's care for His people.

New Testament Context

While the New Testament does not focus extensively on physical forts, the concept of spiritual fortification is present. Believers are encouraged to put on the "full armor of God" in Ephesians 6:11, which serves as a metaphorical fortification against spiritual adversaries. This passage reflects the ongoing theme of divine protection and strength found throughout the biblical narrative.

Historical and Archaeological Insights

Archaeological discoveries have provided further insight into the construction and significance of forts in biblical times. Excavations at sites like Hazor, Megiddo, and Gezer have revealed massive walls, gates, and other defensive structures that align with biblical descriptions. These findings corroborate the historical accounts of fortified cities and their role in the ancient Near East.

In summary, forts and fortified cities in the Bible represent both physical and spiritual strongholds. They illustrate the need for protection and security in a tumultuous world, while also pointing to the ultimate refuge found in God.3794. ochuroma -- a stronghold, fortress
... In its use here there may lie a reminiscence of the rock-forts on the coast of Paul's
native Cilicia, which were pulled down by the Romans in their attacks on ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3794.htm - 7k

What the Ruler's Discrimination Should be Between Correction and ...
... thee, and pourtray upon it the city Jerusalem (Ezekiel 4:1). And immediately it
is subjoined, And thou shalt lay siege against it, and build forts, and cast a ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter x what the rulers.htm

The Child Moses.
... to the throne, who was afraid of their numbers, and made slaves of them all, forcing
them to make bricks and build for him great walls, forts, and buildings of ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/the child moses.htm

In Jericho and at Bethany - Jericho - a Guest with Zacch??us - the ...
... [5001] These forts were afterwards destroyed by Pompey in his campaign. ... We are
approaching it from the Jordan. It is protected by walls, flanked by four forts. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxiv in jericho and.htm

The Fort Sumter Expedition
... last act of duty of my life for my country." (He died soon after.) As he slowly
raised the flag over the ruined walls of the fort, from Forts Moultrie, Ripley ...
/.../griswold/sixty years with plymouth church/the fort sumter expedition.htm

The Life of Sir Thomas Browne.
... by promises, he quitted his settlement, and accompanied his father-in-law, [6] who
had some employment in Ireland, in a visitation of the forts and castles ...
//christianbookshelf.org/browne/christian morals/the life of sir thomas.htm

Six Cities
... Recent travellers describe its ruins as still standing on a rocky ridge in the midst
of green hills, surrounded with the remains of forts and castles built by ...
/.../macduff/the cities of refuge or the name of jesus/ii six cities.htm

The Story of Benjamin.
... Having crossed many a weary mile of yellow sand and barren rock, they were stopped
by a high wall set with forts and gates guarded by soldiers; and they had to ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/the story of benjamin.htm

England's Strength
... for the art of war, and their power of taking walled towns like Jerusalem, you may
see them in these pictures battering down and undermining forts and castles ...
/.../kingsley/sermons for the times/sermon xiv englands strength.htm

Ezekiel's Discourse
... rams, to open the mouth in the slaughter, to lift up the voice with shouting, to
set battering rams against the gates, to cast up mounts, to build forts. ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/vi ezekiels discourse.htm

Thanksgiving for the Declaration of Peace.
... What could this lesson ever Grave on our hearts so solemnly, As forts laid low for
ever, And towns that now in ruins lie: As fair and fertile meadows That wav ...
/.../gerhardt/paul gerhardts spiritual songs/thanksgiving for the declaration of.htm

Forts (12 Occurrences)
...Forts (12 Occurrences). ... Isaiah 29:3 And I will camp against thee round about, and
will lay siege against thee with a mount, and I will raise forts against thee. ...
/f/forts.htm - 10k

Zedekiah's (6 Occurrences)
... day of the month, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came, he and all his army,
against Jerusalem, and encamped against it; and they built forts against it ...
/z/zedekiah's.htm - 8k

Mounds (7 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 17:17 Neither shall Pharaoh with his mighty army and great company help
him in the war, when they cast up mounds and build forts, to cut off many ...
/m/mounds.htm - 8k

Mound (17 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 4:2 and lay siege against it, and build forts against it, and cast up a
mound against it; set camps also against it, and plant battering rams against ...
/m/mound.htm - 12k

Battering (6 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 4:2 and lay siege against it, and build forts against it, and cast up a
mound against it; set camps also against it, and plant battering rams against ...
/b/battering.htm - 8k

Siegeworks (8 Occurrences)
... day of the month, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came, he and all his army,
against Jerusalem, and encamped against it; and they built forts against it ...
/s/siegeworks.htm - 8k

Erect (17 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 4:2 and lay siege against it, and build forts against it, and cast up a
mound against it; set camps also against it, and plant battering rams against ...
/e/erect.htm - 12k

Ninth (35 Occurrences)
... day of the month, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came, he and all his army,
against Jerusalem, and encamped against it; and they built forts against it ...
/n/ninth.htm - 18k

Marched (51 Occurrences)
... day of the month, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came, he and all his army,
against Jerusalem, and encamped against it; and they built forts against it ...
/m/marched.htm - 21k

Siege (63 Occurrences)
... (2) Line of Circumvallation: There was next the drawing of a line of
circumvallation (day'eq) with detached forts round about the walls. ...
/s/siege.htm - 51k

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