Topical Encyclopedia In biblical times, a siege was a military blockade of a city or fortress with the intent of conquering by attrition or assault. The distress experienced by the inhabitants during a siege is vividly depicted in various passages of the Bible, highlighting the physical, emotional, and spiritual turmoil faced by those trapped within besieged cities.Physical Hardships The physical hardships during a siege were severe, often leading to famine and disease. The scarcity of food and water is a recurring theme in biblical accounts. In 2 Kings 6:25, during the siege of Samaria by the Arameans, the famine was so severe that "a donkey’s head sold for eighty shekels of silver, and a quarter of a cab of seed pods for five shekels." The desperation for food led to extreme measures, as seen in the same chapter where two women resorted to cannibalism (2 Kings 6:28-29). Similarly, the siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonians brought about dire conditions. Lamentations 4:9-10 describes the agony of starvation: "Those slain by the sword are better off than those who die of hunger, who waste away, pierced with pain because the fields produce no food. With their own hands compassionate women have cooked their own children, who became their food when my people were destroyed." Emotional and Psychological Distress The emotional and psychological distress during a siege was profound. The uncertainty of survival, the loss of loved ones, and the constant threat of death created an atmosphere of fear and despair. In Deuteronomy 28:53-57, the curses for disobedience include the horrors of siege, where even the most tender and delicate individuals would turn against their own family members due to the desperation of hunger. The lament of the prophet Jeremiah captures the emotional turmoil of a besieged city. In Lamentations 1:20, he cries out, "See, O LORD, how distressed I am! I am in torment within, and in my heart I am disturbed, for I have been most rebellious. Outside, the sword bereaves; inside, there is only death." Spiritual Anguish The spiritual anguish during a siege was also significant, as the inhabitants grappled with feelings of abandonment and divine judgment. The siege was often perceived as a consequence of the people's sins and a manifestation of God's wrath. In 2 Chronicles 36:15-17, the chronicler explains that the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians was due to the people's persistent disobedience and rejection of God's prophets. The prophet Ezekiel was instructed to enact a symbolic siege of Jerusalem, lying on his side for 390 days to bear the iniquity of the house of Israel (Ezekiel 4:1-8). This act served as a powerful reminder of the spiritual dimensions of a siege, emphasizing the need for repentance and return to God. Hope Amidst Despair Despite the overwhelming distress, the Bible also offers glimpses of hope and divine intervention. In 2 Kings 7, during the siege of Samaria, God miraculously provided for the city by causing the Aramean army to flee, leaving behind abundant supplies. This event underscores the belief in God's sovereignty and ability to deliver His people even in the direst circumstances. The distress of the inhabitants during a siege, as depicted in the Bible, serves as a poignant reminder of the physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges faced by those in such dire situations. These accounts not only highlight the severity of human suffering but also the enduring hope and faith in God's deliverance. Nave's Topical Index 2 Kings 6:24-29And it came to pass after this, that Benhadad king of Syria gathered all his host, and went up, and besieged Samaria. Nave's Topical Index 2 Kings 25:3 Isaiah 9:20 Isaiah 36:12 Jeremiah 19:9 Library What Injunctions Caesar Gave when He was Come Within the City. The ... Extracts No. Iii. The First Crusade (Ad 1095-1099) Vespasian, when He had Taken the City Gadaea Marches to Jotapata. ... Essay v. Whose Powers Shed Round Him in the Common Strife... The Tangled Web The Restoration of the Jews. The Destruction of Jerusalem. The Destruction of Jerusalem The Assyrian Captivity Resources Who was Sennacherib in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho are the Branch Davidians? | GotQuestions.org Who was Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz? | GotQuestions.org Siege: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Siege by Rezin, King of Syria, and Pekah, Son of Remaliah, King of Israel Siege: An offer of Peace Must be Made to the City Before Beginning A Siege: Conducted by Erecting Embankments Parallel to the Walls of the Besieged City Siege: Distress of the Inhabitants During A Sieges: Being Against Round About Sieges: Cities Invested by Frequently Helped by Allies Sieges: Cities Invested by Frequently Taken by Ambush Sieges: Cities Invested by Frequently Taken by Assault Sieges: Cities Invested by Inhabitants of, Exhorted to be Courageous Sieges: Cities Invested by Often Demanded Terms of Peace Sieges: Cities Invested by Often Suffered from Famine Sieges: Cities Invested by Often Suffered from Pestilence Sieges: Cities Invested by Repaired and Newly Fortified Beforehand Sieges: Cities Invested by Sometimes Used Ambushes or Sorties Sieges: Cities Invested by Supplied With Water Beforehand Sieges: Cities Invested by The Inhabitants of, Cut off Beforehand Supplies of Water Sieges: Cities Invested by Walls of, Defended by the Inhabitants Sieges: Cities Invested by Were Strictly Shut Up Sieges: Cities of Israel in Galilee Sieges: Cities Taken by Frequently Broken Down Sieges: Cities Taken by Frequently Destroyed by Fire Sieges: Cities Taken by Given up to Pillage Sieges: Cities Taken by Inhabitants of, often Put to the Sword Sieges: Cities Taken by Sometimes Called After the Name of the Captor Sieges: Cities Taken by Sometimes Sown With Salt Sieges: Compassing About With Armies Sieges: Extreme Difficulty of Taking Cities By, Alluded To Sieges: Fenced Cities Invested By Sieges: Great Noise and Tumult of, Alluded To Sieges: Often Lasted for a Long Time Sieges: Setting in Array Against Sieges: The Jews Forbidden to Cut Down Fruit Trees for the Purpose of Sieges: The Omnipresence of God Sieges: Those Engaged in Built Forts and Mounts Sieges: Those Engaged in Called Upon the City to Surrender Sieges: Those Engaged in Cast Arrows and Other Missiles Into the City Sieges: Those Engaged in Cut off all Supplies Sieges: Those Engaged in Dug a Trench Round the City Sieges: Those Engaged in Employed Battering Rams Against the Walls Sieges: Those Engaged in Frequently Laid Ambushes Sieges: Those Engaged in Invested the City on Every Side Sieges: Those Engaged in Often Suffered Much During Sieges: Threatened As a Punishment Sieges: Zion in Her Affliction Related Terms Battering-rams (2 Occurrences) Nebuchadrezzar (31 Occurrences) |
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