The term "overran" in the biblical context often refers to the act of overwhelming or conquering a territory, people, or situation. This concept is frequently encountered in the historical narratives of the Old Testament, where the Israelites, under divine guidance, engage in battles to claim the land promised to them by God. The notion of overrunning is closely tied to themes of divine justice, judgment, and the fulfillment of God's promises.

Biblical Instances:

1. Joshua's Conquests:
The Book of Joshua provides several instances where the Israelites, led by Joshua, overran various Canaanite cities as part of God's command to take possession of the Promised Land. In Joshua 10:42 , it is recorded, "Joshua conquered all these kings and their lands in one campaign, because the LORD, the God of Israel, fought for Israel." This passage highlights the divine assistance that enabled the Israelites to overrun their enemies.

2. The Philistines and Israel:
The Philistines frequently overran Israelite territory during the period of the Judges and the early monarchy. In 1 Samuel 13:5 , the Philistines are described as gathering to fight Israel with a formidable force, "The Philistines assembled to fight Israel with three thousand chariots, six thousand horsemen, and troops as numerous as the sand on the seashore." This overwhelming force often led to the Israelites being overrun until they turned back to God for deliverance.

3. Assyrian and Babylonian Invasions:
The Assyrian and Babylonian empires overran the Northern and Southern Kingdoms of Israel and Judah, respectively, as a form of divine judgment for the nations' idolatry and disobedience. In 2 Kings 17:6 , it is noted, "In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and deported the Israelites to Assyria." Similarly, the Babylonian conquest of Judah is detailed in 2 Kings 25:1-2 , where Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem, leading to its eventual fall.

Theological Significance:

The concept of overrunning in the Bible is often associated with God's sovereignty and justice. When the Israelites overran their enemies, it was seen as a fulfillment of God's promises and a demonstration of His power and faithfulness. Conversely, when foreign nations overran Israel or Judah, it served as a divine chastisement for the people's unfaithfulness and a call to repentance.

Moral and Spiritual Lessons:

From a moral and spiritual perspective, the instances of overrunning in the Bible serve as reminders of the consequences of obedience and disobedience to God's commands. They underscore the importance of relying on God's strength rather than human might and the necessity of faithfulness to His covenant. The narratives encourage believers to trust in God's ultimate plan and justice, even when facing overwhelming challenges.(imp.) of Overrun.

How Vespasian was Received at Rome; as Also How the Germans ...
... Romans, But Were Subdued. That The Sarmatians Overran Mysia, But Were
Compelled To Retire To Their Own Country Again. 1. And now ...
/.../chapter 4 how vespasian was.htm

A Great Part of South Judea Cut Off under the Second Temple. ...
... Simon of Gerasa overran the towns along the mountainous country, &c. And he
overran Acrabatene, and the parts as far as Idumea the Great. ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 3 a great part.htm

How John Tyrannized Over the Rest; and what Mischiefs the Zealots ...
... Those that were called Sicarii had taken possession of it formerly, but at this
time they overran the neighboring countries, aiming only to procure to ...
/.../chapter 7 how john tyrannized.htm

That Vespasian, after He had Taken Gadara Made Preparation for the ...
... 4. And as he had now a strong body of men about him, he overran the villages that
lay in the mountainous country, and when there were still more and more that ...
/.../chapter 9 that vespasian after.htm

The Story of Samson, the Strong Man
... These people, the Philistines, sent their armies up from the plain beside
the sea to the mountains of Israel and overran all the land. ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of samson the.htm

The Church and the Heathen
... Ghenghiz himself before his death in 1227 overran China, Central Asia, Persia,
and penetrated as far west as the Dnieper. His successors ...
/.../medley/the church and the empire/chapter xiv the church and.htm

The Trial of Saul.
... were the chief at that time. They overran the country, and brought the
Israelites into captivity. They tyrannized over them, and ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon iii the trial of.htm

Guelf and Ghibelline. (I)
... Roger's son William, known as "the Bad," took up an attitude of hostility, and when
the Pope asserted his overlordship, William's troops overran the Campagna. ...
/.../medley/the church and the empire/chapter viii guelf and ghibelline.htm

From Malachi to the Birth of Christ.
... In BC63 Pompey overran Palestine, destroyed Jerusalem and brought the Jews under
Roman rule. By this conquest Jewish independence was forever lost. ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xvii from malachi to.htm

The North African Church under the Vandals.
... outwardly professing Christianity, yet, instructed and guided by ignorant and fanatical
priests, seem to have had no idea of its essence"overran North Africa ...
/.../neander/light in the dark places/the north african church under.htm

Overran (3 Occurrences)
... (imp.) of Overrun. Multi-Version Concordance Overran (3 Occurrences). ... And he said
unto him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Cushy. ...
/o/overran.htm - 7k

Medes (15 Occurrences)
... concerned. So also Assur-nirari II (Western Asiastic Inscriptions, II, 52)
in 749-748 BC overran Namri in Southwest Media. Tiglath ...
/m/medes.htm - 18k

Moabites (26 Occurrences)
... was no doubt a result of the movement of the Amorites southward, when they were
pressed by the great wave of Hittite invasion that overran Northern Syria at ...
/m/moabites.htm - 28k

Moab (162 Occurrences)
... was no doubt a result of the movement of the Amorites southward, when they were
pressed by the great wave of Hittite invasion that overran Northern Syria at ...
/m/moab.htm - 62k

Syria (73 Occurrences)
... the Egyptians. Thothmes I, about 1600 BCa overran Syria as far as the
Euphrates and brought the country into subjection. Thothmes ...
/s/syria.htm - 60k

Over-quick (3 Occurrences)
Over-quick. Overpowers, Over-quick. Overran . Multi-Version Concordance
Over-quick (3 Occurrences). ... (BBE). Overpowers, Over-quick. Overran . Reference
/o/over-quick.htm - 7k

Overreach (1 Occurrence)

/o/overreach.htm - 7k

Overrun (4 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To grow or spread over in excess; to invade and occupy; to take possession
of; as, the vine overran its trellis; the farm is overrun with witch grass. ...
/o/overrun.htm - 8k

Gomer (7 Occurrences)
... In the seventh century BC they were driven out of their original seat by the Scythians,
and overran western Asia Minor, whence they were afterwards expelled. ...
/g/gomer.htm - 11k

Galatia (6 Occurrences)
... There they ultimately settled, and being strengthened by fresh accessions of the
same clan from Europe, they overran Bithynia, and supported themselves by ...
/g/galatia.htm - 23k

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