Topical Bible: Military

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The concept of military and warfare is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, reflecting both the physical and spiritual battles faced by the people of God. The military in biblical times was not only a means of defense and conquest but also a tool through which God often executed His divine will and judgment.

Old Testament

In the Old Testament, the military is frequently mentioned in the context of the nation of Israel and its interactions with surrounding nations. The Israelites, under divine command, engaged in numerous battles to secure the Promised Land. One of the earliest military leaders was Joshua, who led the Israelites in the conquest of Canaan. The Bible records, "The LORD said to Joshua, 'Do not be afraid or discouraged. Take the whole army with you, and go up and attack Ai. For I have delivered into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land'" (Joshua 8:1).

The military organization of Israel evolved over time, with King David establishing a more formalized army. David himself was a renowned warrior, and his military exploits are well-documented. Under his leadership, Israel expanded its territory significantly. The Bible notes, "David reigned over all Israel, administering justice and righteousness for all his people. Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army" (2 Samuel 8:15-16).

The role of the military was not only to protect and expand the nation but also to serve as an instrument of God's judgment. For instance, the Assyrian and Babylonian armies were used by God to discipline Israel and Judah for their disobedience. The prophet Isaiah records, "Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger; the staff in their hands is My wrath" (Isaiah 10:5).

New Testament

In the New Testament, the focus shifts from physical warfare to spiritual warfare. Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, taught His followers to love their enemies and turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:39). However, the concept of spiritual warfare is prominent, with believers called to put on the "full armor of God" to stand against the schemes of the devil (Ephesians 6:11).

The Roman military presence is a backdrop in the New Testament, with centurions and soldiers appearing in various narratives. Notably, a Roman centurion is commended by Jesus for his great faith (Matthew 8:5-13), and another centurion, Cornelius, becomes the first Gentile convert to Christianity (Acts 10).

Spiritual Warfare

The Bible emphasizes that the ultimate battle is spiritual. Paul writes, "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" (Ephesians 6:12). Believers are encouraged to be vigilant and to use spiritual weapons, such as prayer and the Word of God, to fight these battles.

Symbolism and Prophecy

Military imagery is also used symbolically in biblical prophecy. The Book of Revelation describes the final battle between good and evil, where Christ, the King of Kings, leads the heavenly armies to ultimate victory (Revelation 19:11-16). This imagery underscores the sovereignty of God and the assurance of His ultimate triumph over all forces of darkness.

Throughout the Bible, the military serves as a metaphor for discipline, readiness, and the struggle between good and evil. It reflects the reality of human conflict while pointing to the greater spiritual battles that define the life of faith.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (a.) Of or pertaining to soldiers, to arms, or to war; belonging to, engaged in, or appropriate to, the affairs Of war; as, a military parade; military discipline; military bravery; military conduct; military renown.

2. (a.) Performed or made by soldiers; as, a military election; a military expedition.

3. (n.) The whole body of soldiers; soldiery; militia; troops; the army.

Greek

4760. stratopedon -- a military camp, ie an army
... a military camp, ie an army. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: stratopedon
Phonetic Spelling: (strat-op'-ed-on) Short Definition: an encamped army ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4760.htm - 6k

5511. chlamus -- a chlamys or short cloak
... Feminine Transliteration: chlamus Phonetic Spelling: (khlam-ooce') Short Definition:
a short cloak Definition: a short cloak, worn by military officers and ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5511.htm - 7k

5442. phulasso -- to guard, watch
... 5442 (akin to 5441 , "a military guard") -- properly, preserve by "having an eye
on" (J. Thayer), referring to the uninterrupted vigilance shepherds show in ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5442.htm - 9k

5506. chiliarchos -- a chiliarch, a commander of a thousand
... of a thousand. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: chiliarchos Phonetic
Spelling: (khil-ee'-ar-khos) Short Definition: a military tribune Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5506.htm - 7k

4752. strateia -- a campaign, expedition, hence warfare
... hence warfare. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: strateia Phonetic
Spelling: (strat-i'-ah) Short Definition: warfare, military service Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4752.htm - 6k

5432. phroureo -- to guard
... of Speech: Verb Transliteration: phroureo Phonetic Spelling: (froo-reh'-o) Short
Definition: I guard, keep Definition: I guard, keep, as by a military guard. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5432.htm - 7k

5010. taxis -- an arranging, order
... See 5021 (). [5010 ("orderly array") was a military term in ancient Greece and ... 5010 (),
as an ancient military term, describes an ("cohort") -- descending . ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5010.htm - 7k

4686. speira -- anything wound up or coiled, by ext. a body (of ...
... Feminine Transliteration: speira Phonetic Spelling: (spi'-rah) Short Definition:
a cohort Definition: a cohort, the tenth part of a legion; a military guard. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4686.htm - 6k

5021. tasso -- to draw up in order, arrange
... 5021 ("place in position, post") was commonly used in ancient military language
for "" (", commissioning") , ie arranging (placing) in a deliberate, fixed order ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5021.htm - 7k

3853. paraggello -- to transmit a message, to order
... 7,8. [3853 () "originally meant to or ; hence, used as a military term,
of or ; and so generally to " (, 222).]. Word Origin from ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3853.htm - 9k

Strong's Hebrew

7262. Rabshaqeh -- perhaps "chief of the officers," an Assyr. ...
... military leader. Transliteration: Rabshaqeh Phonetic Spelling: (rab-shaw-kay') Short
Definition: Rabshakeh. ... military leader NASB Word Usage Rabshakeh (16). ...
/hebrew/7262.htm - 6k

6904. qebol -- something in front, a military siege engine
... 6903, 6904. qebol. 6905 . something in front, a military siege engine.
Transliteration: qebol Phonetic Spelling: (ko'-bel) Short Definition: rams. ...
/hebrew/6904.htm - 6k

6496. paqid -- commissioner, deputy, overseer
... From paqad; a superintendent (civil, military or religious) -- which had the charge,
governor, office, overseer, (that) was set. see HEBREW paqad. 6495, 6496 ...
/hebrew/6496.htm - 6k

4707. mitspeh -- watchtower
... watch tower. From tsaphah; an observatory, especially for military purposes -- watch
tower. see HEBREW tsaphah. 4706, 4707. mitspeh. 4708 . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/4707.htm - 6k

4675. mitstsabah -- perhaps a guard, watch
... army, garrison. Or mitstsabah {mits-tsaw-baw'}; feminine of matstsab; a military
guard -- army, garrison. see HEBREW matstsab. 4674, 4675. mitstsabah. 4676 > ...
/hebrew/4675.htm - 6k

4674. mutstsab -- palisade or entrenchment
... siegeworks (1). mount. From natsab; a station, ie Military post -- mount. see HEBREW
natsab. 4673, 4674. mutstsab. 4675 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/4674.htm - 6k

5430. seon -- sandal, boot (of a soldier)
... battle. From ca'an; perhaps a military boot (as a protection from mud -- battle.
see HEBREW ca'an. 5429, 5430. seon. 5431 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/5430.htm - 6k

4673. matstsab -- standing place, station, garrison
... garrison, station, place where. From natsab; a fixed spot; figuratively, an office,
a military post -- garrison, station, place where...stood. see HEBREW natsab ...
/hebrew/4673.htm - 6k

5550. solelah -- a mound
... bank, mount. Or cowllah {so-lel-aw'}; active participle feminine of calal, but used
passively; a military mound, ie Rampart of besiegers -- bank, mount. ...
/hebrew/5550.htm - 6k

4535. massach -- perhaps repulse, defense
... broken down. From nacach in the sense of staving off; a cordon, (adverbially) or
(as a) military barrier -- broken down. see HEBREW nacach. 4534, 4535. ...
/hebrew/4535.htm - 6k

Library

He Will be a Military Genius
... The Genius and Character of the Antichrist 5. He will be a military genius.
He will be endowed with the most extraordinary powers ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/5 he will be a.htm

Concerning Military Service.
... Chapter XIX."Concerning Military Service. In that last section, decision
may seem to have been given likewise concerning military ...
/.../tertullian/on idolatry/chapter xix concerning military service.htm

Whether Military Prudence Should be Reckoned a Part of Prudence?
... OF THE SUBJECTIVE PARTS OF PRUDENCE (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether military prudence
should be reckoned a part of prudence? Objection 1 ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether military prudence should be.htm

Military Service of St. Martin.
... Martin. Chapter II. Military Service of St. Martin. ... His father was at first
simply a soldier, but afterwards a military tribune. ...
/.../life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter ii military service of.htm

Concerning those Confessors Engaged in Military Service.
... Book II. Chapter XXXIII."Concerning those Confessors engaged in Military Service.
"Once more, with respect to those who had previously ...
/.../the life of constantine/chapter xxxiii concerning those confessors engaged.htm

Martin Retires from Military Service.
... Sulpitius Severus On the Life of St. Martin. Chapter IV. Martin retires
from Military Service. In the meantime, as the barbarians ...
/.../life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter iv martin retires from.htm

New Orders of Monks; Military Orders
... PART II CHAPTER X: NEW ORDERS OF MONKS; MILITARY ORDERS. ... Other military orders were
founded after the pattern of the Templars and the Hospitallers. ...
/.../chapter x new orders of.htm

His Military Life --He is Wounded at the Siege of Pampeluna --His ...
... CHAPTER I HIS MILITARY LIFE"HE IS WOUNDED AT THE SIEGE OF PAMPELUNA"HIS CURE"SPIRITUAL
READING"THE APPARITION"THE GIFT OF CHASTITY"HIS LONGING FOR ...
/.../loyola/the autobiography of st ignatius/chapter i his military lifehe.htm

To Begin with the Real Ground of the Military Crown...
... Chapter XI. To begin with the real ground of the military crown? To begin
with the real ground of the military crown, I think ...
/.../tertullian/the chaplet or de corona/chapter xi to begin with.htm

How Moses Discharged the Part of a Military Leader.
... The Stromata, or Miscellanies: Book I Chapter XXIV."How Moses Discharged
the Part of a Military Leader. Our Moses then is a prophet ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xxiv how moses discharged the.htm

Thesaurus

Military (44 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Of or pertaining to soldiers, to arms, or to war; belonging to, engaged
in, or appropriate to, the affairs Of war; as, a military parade; military...
/m/military.htm - 21k

Captain (167 Occurrences)
... This same Hebrew word denotes a military captain (Exodus 18:21; 2 Kings 1:9;
Deuteronomy 1:15; 1 Samuel 18:13, etc.), the "captain of the body-guard" (Genesis ...
/c/captain.htm - 53k

Banner (20 Occurrences)
... The English word "banner" is from banderia, Low Latin, meaning a banner (compare
bandum, Latin, which meant first a "band," an organized military troop, and ...
/b/banner.htm - 18k

Colony (1 Occurrence)
... The city of Philippi was a Roman colony (Acts 16:12), ie, a military settlement
of Roman soldiers and citizens, planted there to keep in subjection a newly ...
/c/colony.htm - 10k

Warfare (18 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) Military service; military life; contest carried on by enemies; hostilities;
war. ... 3. (vi) To lead a military life; to carry on continual wars. Int. ...
/w/warfare.htm - 34k

Pisidia (2 Occurrences)
... was made a Roman colony, with the title Caesareia Antiocheia; it was now the capital
of southern Galatia and the chief of a series of military colonies founded ...
/p/pisidia.htm - 21k

Omri (16 Occurrences)
... In spite of the brief passage given to Omri in the Old Testament, he was one
of the most important of the military kings of Northern Israel. ...
/o/omri.htm - 20k

Garrison (15 Occurrences)
... (1.) Hebrews matstsab, a station; a place where one stands (1 Samuel 14:12); a
military or fortified post (1 Samuel 13:23; 14:1, 4, 6, etc.). ...
/g/garrison.htm - 13k

Gezer (14 Occurrences)
... GEZER. ge'-zer (gezer): A city of great military importance in ancient times,
the site of which has recently been thoroughly explored. ...
/g/gezer.htm - 27k

Ensign (21 Occurrences)
... (1.) Hebrews `oth, a military standard, especially of a single tribe (Numbers
2:2). Each separate tribe had its own "sign" or "ensign.". ...
/e/ensign.htm - 15k

Resources

What does the Bible say about a Christian serving in the military? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Joshua in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What is militarism? | GotQuestions.org

Military: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus

Concordance

Military (44 Occurrences)

Mark 6:21
Then a convenient day came, that Herod on his birthday made a supper for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee.
(See NAS NIV)

Luke 3:14
And persons engaged in military service also asked him saying, And we, what should we do? And he said to them, Oppress no one, nor accuse falsely, and be satisfied with your pay.
(DBY)

Acts 23:15
So now, will you and the Sanhedrin make a request to the military authorities to have him sent down to you, as if you were desiring to go into the business in greater detail; and we, before ever he gets to you, will be waiting to put him to death.
(BBE)

Acts 23:27
This man, having been taken by the Jews, and being about to be killed by them, I came up with the military and took out of their hands, having learned that he was a Roman.
(DBY)

Acts 25:23
So on the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice had come with great pomp, and they had entered into the place of hearing with the commanding officers and principal men of the city, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in.
(See RSV)

Revelation 6:15
The kings of the earth and the great men, the military chiefs, the wealthy and the powerful--all, whether slaves or free men--hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains,
(WEY)

Numbers 1:3
from twenty years and upward, all that go forth to military service in Israel: ye shall number them according to their hosts, thou and Aaron.
(DBY)

Numbers 1:20
And the sons of Reuben, Israel's eldest son, their generations, after their families, according to their fathers' houses, by the number of the names, according to their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that went forth to military service:
(DBY)

Numbers 1:24
Of the sons of Gad: their generations, after their families, according to their fathers' houses, by the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that went forth to military service:
(DBY)

Numbers 1:26
Of the sons of Judah: their generations, after their families, according to their fathers' houses, by the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that went forth to military service:
(DBY)

Numbers 1:28
Of the sons of Issachar: their generations, after their families, according to their fathers' houses, by the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that went forth to military service:
(DBY)

Numbers 1:30
Of the sons of Zebulun: their generations, after their families, according to their fathers' houses, by the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that went forth to military service:
(DBY)

Numbers 1:32
Of the sons of Joseph: of the children of Ephraim: their generations, after their families, according to their fathers' houses, by the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that went forth to military service:
(DBY)

Numbers 1:34
Of the children of Manasseh: their generations, after their families, according to their fathers' houses, by the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that went forth to military service:
(DBY)

Numbers 1:36
Of the sons of Benjamin: their generations, after their families, according to their fathers' houses, by the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that went forth to military service:
(DBY)

Numbers 1:38
Of the sons of Dan: their generations, after their families, according to their fathers' houses, by the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that went forth to military service:
(DBY)

Numbers 1:40
Of the sons of Asher: their generations, after their families, according to their fathers' houses, by the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that went forth to military service:
(DBY)

Numbers 1:42
Of the sons of Naphtali: their generations, after their families, according to their fathers' houses, by the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that went forth to military service:
(DBY)

Numbers 1:45
And all those that were numbered of the children of Israel, according to their fathers' houses, from twenty years old and upward, all that went forth to military service in Israel,
(DBY)

Numbers 26:2
Take the sum of the whole assembly of the children of Israel, from twenty years old and upward, according to their fathers' houses, all that go forth to military service in Israel.
(DBY)

Numbers 31:3
And Moses spoke to the people, saying, Arm from amongst you men for military service, that they go against Midian to execute Jehovah's vengeance upon Midian.
(DBY)

Joshua 4:13
About forty thousand armed for military service passed over before Jehovah to the war, unto the plains of Jericho.
(DBY)

Joshua 5:4
This is the reason Joshua circumcised: all the people who came out of Egypt, who were males, even all the men of war, died in the wilderness by the way, after they came out of Egypt.
(See NIV)

Joshua 5:6
For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the nation, even the men of war that came forth out of Egypt, were consumed, because they hearkened not unto the voice of the LORD; unto whom the LORD swore that He would not let them see the land which the LORD swore unto their fathers that He would give us, a land flowing with milk and honey.
(See NIV)

1 Samuel 18:4
And Jonathan took off the robe he had on and gave it to David, with all his military dress, even to his sword and his bow and the band round his body.
(BBE)

2 Samuel 5:2
In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led out and brought in Israel. Yahweh said to you,'You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over Israel.'"
(See NIV)

2 Samuel 20:8
When they were at the great stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa came to meet them. Joab was girded with his apparel of war that he had put on, and thereon was a sash with a sword fastened on his waist in its sheath; and as he went forth it fell out.
(See NAS NIV)

1 Kings 22:45
Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, and his might that he showed, and how he warred, aren't they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
(See NIV)

2 Kings 14:28
Now the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, and all that he did, and his might, how he warred, and how he recovered Damascus, and Hamath, which had belonged to Judah, for Israel, aren't they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
(See NIV)

2 Kings 18:20
You say (but they are but vain words),'There is counsel and strength for war.' Now on whom do you trust, that you have rebelled against me?
(See NIV)

2 Kings 25:19
And from the town he took the unsexed servant who was over the men of war, and five of the king's near friends who were in the town, and the scribe of the captain of the army, who was responsible for getting the people of the land together in military order, and sixty men of the people of the land who were in the town.
(BBE)

1 Chronicles 5:18
The sons of Reuben, and the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, of valiant men, men able to bear buckler and sword, and to shoot with bow, and skillful in war, were forty-four thousand seven hundred and sixty, that were able to go forth to war.
(See NIV)

1 Chronicles 7:4
And with them by their generations, according to their fathers' houses, were military bands for war, thirty-six thousand; for they had many wives and sons.
(DBY)

1 Chronicles 11:2
In times past, even when Saul was king, it was you who led out and brought in Israel. Yahweh your God said to you,'You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over my people Israel.'"
(See NIV)

1 Chronicles 12:23
And this is the number of the men equipped for military service, who came to David to Hebron, to transfer the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of Jehovah.
(DBY)

1 Chronicles 12:24
The children of Judah that bore shield and spear were six thousand eight hundred, equipped for military service.
(DBY)

2 Chronicles 25:5
And Amaziah gathered Judah together and arranged them according to the fathers' houses, according to the captains of thousands and the captains of hundreds, throughout Judah and Benjamin; and he numbered them from twenty years old and upwards, and found them three hundred thousand choice men, able for military service, that could handle spear and target.
(DBY NIV)

2 Chronicles 32:3
he took counsel with his princes and his mighty men to stop the waters of the springs which were outside of the city; and they helped him.
(See NIV)

2 Chronicles 32:6
He set captains of war over the people, and gathered them together to him in the broad place at the gate of the city, and spoke comfortably to them, saying,
(See NAS NIV)

2 Chronicles 33:14
Now after this he built an outer wall to the city of David, on the west side of Gihon, in the valley, even to the entrance at the fish gate; and he encircled Ophel with it, and raised it up to a very great height: and he put valiant captains in all the fortified cities of Judah.
(See NIV)

Esther 1:3
in the third year of his reign, he made a feast for all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him.
(See NIV)

Isaiah 36:5
You say you have a design and strength for war, but these are only words: now to whom are you looking for support, that you have gone against my authority?
(See NIV)

Ezekiel 27:10
They of Persia and of Lud and of Phut were in thy army, thy military men: they hung the shield and helmet in thee; they set forth thy comeliness.
(WBS)

Ezekiel 27:27
Thy riches, and thy fairs, thy merchandise, thy mariners, and thy pilots, thy calkers, and the occupiers of thy merchandise, and all thy military men, that are in thee, and in all thy company which is in the midst of thee, shall fall into the midst of the seas in the day of thy ruin.
(WBS)

Subtopics

Military

Military Instruction of Children

Related Terms

Captain (167 Occurrences)

Banner (20 Occurrences)

Colony (1 Occurrence)

Warfare (18 Occurrences)

Pisidia (2 Occurrences)

Omri (16 Occurrences)

Garrison (15 Occurrences)

Gezer (14 Occurrences)