Field fortifications in biblical times were temporary or semi-permanent defensive structures constructed to protect military forces during campaigns or sieges. These fortifications played a crucial role in the warfare strategies of ancient Israel and its neighboring nations, as they provided protection against enemy attacks and served as bases for launching military operations.

Biblical References and Context

The Bible provides several references to the use of fortifications, highlighting their strategic importance in ancient warfare. One of the earliest mentions of fortified structures is found in the account of the Israelites' conquest of Canaan. In Numbers 32:17, the Reubenites and Gadites express their intention to build fortified cities for their families while they assist the other tribes in conquering the Promised Land: "But we will arm ourselves for battle and go ahead of the Israelites until we have brought them to their place. Meanwhile, our children will live in the fortified cities for protection from the inhabitants of the land."

The construction of field fortifications was a common practice during sieges. In 2 Samuel 20:15, Joab and his forces besiege the city of Abel Beth Maacah, building a siege ramp against the city wall: "And all the troops with Joab came and besieged Sheba in Abel Beth Maacah. They built a siege ramp up to the city, and it stood against the outer rampart."

Types of Field Fortifications

1. Walls and Ramparts: Temporary walls and earthen ramparts were often constructed to protect encampments. These structures provided a first line of defense against enemy assaults and were sometimes reinforced with wooden palisades.

2. Siege Ramps: As seen in the account of Joab's siege, siege ramps were built to breach city walls. These ramps allowed attacking forces to bring battering rams and other siege engines closer to the fortifications of a besieged city.

3. Watchtowers: Elevated structures were used to observe enemy movements and coordinate defensive actions. Watchtowers were often part of larger fortification systems, providing strategic vantage points.

4. Trenches and Ditches: Trenches and ditches were dug around encampments or cities to hinder enemy advances. These obstacles could slow down attackers and make it more difficult for them to reach the main fortifications.

Historical and Cultural Significance

Field fortifications were not only military necessities but also reflected the broader cultural and historical context of the biblical world. The construction and maintenance of these structures required significant resources and labor, often involving the entire community. The ability to build and defend fortified positions was a testament to a nation's strength and organizational capabilities.

In the biblical narrative, the use of fortifications also underscores the reliance on divine guidance and protection. While physical defenses were essential, the ultimate security of Israel was believed to rest in the hands of God. This is evident in passages such as Psalm 18:2, where David declares, "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."

Conclusion

Field fortifications were a vital component of ancient military strategy, providing protection and strategic advantage in warfare. The biblical accounts of fortifications highlight their importance in the historical and cultural context of the time, while also emphasizing the spiritual dimension of relying on God's protection in the midst of conflict.Deuteronomy 20:19,20
When you shall besiege a city a long time, in making war against it to take it, you shall not destroy the trees thereof by forcing an ax against them: for you may eat of them, and you shall not cut them down (for the tree of the field is man's life) to employ them in the siege:
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2 Kings 25:1
And it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came, he, and all his host, against Jerusalem, and pitched against it; and they built forts against it round about.
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Ezekiel 4:2
And lay siege against it, and build a fort against it, and cast a mount against it; set the camp also against it, and set battering rams against it round about.
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Ezekiel 17:17
Neither shall Pharaoh with his mighty army and great company make for him in the war, by casting up mounts, and building forts, to cut off many persons:
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Ezekiel 26:8
He shall slay with the sword your daughters in the field: and he shall make a fort against you, and cast a mount against you, and lift up the buckler against you.
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Essay vi. "The Way of Ancient Ordinance, Though it Winds, is yet ...
... valley's playful windings, Curves round the corn-field and the ... itself even the repair
of the fortifications, and thus ... to be permitted to erect a fort on the ...
/.../coleridge/confessions of an inquiring spirit etc/essay vi the way of.htm

Destruction of Jerusalem Foretold.
... The great stones in its fortifications promised safety from its ... 16 and let him that
is in the field not return ... its sanctuary by using it as a fort, thus making ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxiii destruction of jerusalem foretold.htm

Catholic Missions
... The Franciscans were early in the field to tend ... Menendez established a permanent
settlement at Fort St. ... new territories and to erect fortifications against the ...
/.../chapter v catholic missions.htm

The First Theban Empire
... afterwards replaced by another and similar fort, situate rather ... weak as a serpent
of the field."Then I ... The most ancient bricks in the fortifications of Derr ...
/.../chapter iiithe first theban empire.htm

Down the Islands
... For the deck it was their field of fame ... saw that French ships passing to Fort Royal
harbour ... a permanent naval station, with dockyard and fortifications, and a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter ii down the islands.htm

The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty
... the chariots, arms, slaves, and provisions collected on the battle-field or in ... The
monarchs of the XIIth and XIIIth dynasties had raised fortifications at the ...
/.../chapter iiithe eighteenth theban dynasty.htm

The Close of the Theban Empire
... He carried off from the field, in addition to the treasures of the confederate tribes,
some of the ... The Great Harris Papyrus speaks of fortifications erected in ...
/.../chapter iiithe close of the.htm

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
... and slingers,"now possessed a new element, whose appearance on the field of battle
was ... of the text is that of Masiad, where there still exists a fort of the ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm

The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
... All these fortifications Deiokes caused to be raised for himself ... to meet it in the
open field, and after ... recalls that of Kuinda, the ancient fort mentioned by ...
/.../chapter iithe power of assyria 2.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... cities almost all preserved their autonomy; the Israelites had no chance against
them wherever they had sufficient space to put into the field large bodies of ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

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