Topical Bible: Armies: Generals of Corps and Divisions

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical narrative, the organization and leadership of armies play a significant role in the unfolding of Israel's history and God's divine plan. The Bible provides numerous accounts of military leaders who were appointed to lead divisions and corps within the armies of Israel and other nations. These leaders, often referred to as generals or commanders, were responsible for strategic planning, leading troops into battle, and ensuring the safety and success of their people.

Old Testament Generals

1. Joshua: One of the most prominent military leaders in the Old Testament, Joshua was appointed by God to succeed Moses and lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. As a general, Joshua demonstrated faith and obedience, notably in the battle of Jericho, where the walls fell after the Israelites followed God's unconventional battle plan (Joshua 6:20).

2. Gideon: Called by God to deliver Israel from the Midianites, Gideon was a judge and military leader who led a small army of 300 men to victory against a vastly larger force. His leadership exemplified reliance on God's power rather than human strength (Judges 7:7).

3. David: Before becoming king, David was a renowned military leader. His defeat of Goliath marked the beginning of his military career, and he later commanded Israel's armies with great success. David's leadership was characterized by his trust in God and his strategic acumen (1 Samuel 18:14).

4. Joab: As the commander of King David's army, Joab played a crucial role in many of Israel's military campaigns. He was a skilled and sometimes ruthless general, known for his loyalty to David and his decisive actions in battle (2 Samuel 10:9-10).

New Testament Context

While the New Testament does not focus on military leaders in the same way as the Old Testament, the concept of spiritual warfare is prevalent. The Apostle Paul uses military imagery to describe the Christian life, urging believers to "put on the full armor of God" (Ephesians 6:11). This metaphorical language highlights the ongoing spiritual battle against the forces of evil.

Other Nations' Generals

1. Sisera: A commander of the Canaanite army under King Jabin, Sisera was defeated by the Israelites under the leadership of Deborah and Barak. His defeat is celebrated in the Song of Deborah, which praises God's deliverance of Israel (Judges 4:15).

2. Nebuchadnezzar's Generals: The Babylonian army, under the leadership of King Nebuchadnezzar and his generals, played a significant role in the conquest of Jerusalem and the subsequent exile of the Jewish people. The Bible records the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple as a fulfillment of God's judgment (2 Kings 25:8-10).

Role and Characteristics of Biblical Generals

Biblical generals were often chosen for their leadership qualities, courage, and ability to inspire their troops. They were expected to be strategic thinkers, capable of making quick decisions in the heat of battle. Importantly, many of Israel's generals were also men of faith, who sought God's guidance and relied on His strength for victory.

The accounts of these military leaders serve as reminders of God's sovereignty and the importance of obedience and faith in His plans. Through their accounts, the Bible illustrates how God can use individuals to accomplish His purposes, often in unexpected and miraculous ways.

Nave's Topical Index

Numbers 2:3,31
And on the east side toward the rising of the sun shall they of the standard of the camp of Judah pitch throughout their armies: and Nahshon the son of Amminadab shall be captain of the children of Judah.
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1 Chronicles 27:1-22
Now the children of Israel after their number, to wit, the chief fathers and captains of thousands and hundreds, and their officers that served the king in any matter of the courses, which came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year, of every course were twenty and four thousand.
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2 Chronicles 17:12-19
And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles, and cities of store.
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Library

The Review of the Troops at Doriscus.
... own head-quarters in the fortress, while his armies could be ... besides, attached to
the service of the corps, to carry ... of his court and the great generals of his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter vi the review of.htm

The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty
... Other lesser corps were named the Tribe of Pharaoh, the ... responsible to the Pharaoh
or to his generals, and he ... those which were in vogue with the armies of the ...
/.../chapter iiithe eighteenth theban dynasty.htm

The Close of the Theban Empire
... and heavy bronze swords"while a corps of veterans ... in matters of worship and theology,
generals by profession ... of the care of commanding their armies; and as ...
/.../chapter iiithe close of the.htm

The Reaction against Egypt
... of the mighty, the great among the great, the general of generals, the messenger ...
fact that another power had risen up alongside them whose armies were strong ...
/.../chapter iithe reaction against egypt.htm

The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
... when an occasion for their execution had occurred, the Egyptian armies had merely ...
The Assyrian generals had learnt by experience to meet them unmoved, being ...
/.../chapter iithe power of assyria 2.htm

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
... pal; the introduction of this new corps must consequently ... but requisitioned by the
way the armies of his ... the majority of the Assyrian generals preferred to ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm

The Iranian Conquest
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 9. <. ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... had arranged his Abiezerites in three divisions: one of ... head of his own contingent.*
Their armies were made ... think that the Philistines had cavalry corps in the ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm