Shobach was a military commander of the Aramean army under King Hadadezer of Zobah, a region located in modern-day Syria. His role and actions are primarily documented in the context of the conflicts between the Arameans and the Israelites during the reign of King David. Shobach's involvement is recorded in the books of 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles, where he is depicted as a significant adversary to the Israelites.

Biblical References:

1. 2 Samuel 10:15-18 : The narrative in 2 Samuel describes a series of battles between the Israelites and the Arameans. After the initial defeat of the Arameans by David's forces, Hadadezer sent Shobach to regroup and lead the Aramean army against Israel. The text states: "When the Arameans saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they regrouped. Hadadezer sent messengers to bring the Arameans from beyond the Euphrates, and they came to Helam with Shobach the commander of Hadadezer’s army leading them. When this was reported to David, he gathered all Israel, crossed the Jordan, and went to Helam. The Arameans arrayed themselves against David and fought against him. But the Arameans fled before Israel, and David killed seven hundred charioteers and forty thousand foot soldiers. He also struck down Shobach the commander of their army, who died there."

2. 1 Chronicles 19:16-18 : This passage parallels the account in 2 Samuel, providing additional details about the battle. It emphasizes the scale of the conflict and the decisive victory achieved by David's forces. "When the Arameans saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they sent messengers to bring the Arameans from beyond the Euphrates, with Shophach the commander of Hadadezer’s army leading them. When this was reported to David, he gathered all Israel, crossed the Jordan, advanced against them, and lined up in battle formation. David engaged the Arameans in battle, and they fought against him. But the Arameans fled before Israel, and David killed seven thousand of their charioteers and forty thousand foot soldiers. He also killed Shophach the commander of their army."

Historical and Theological Context:

Shobach's role as a commander highlights the broader geopolitical tensions of the time, as the Arameans were one of several regional powers that frequently clashed with Israel. The accounts of Shobach's defeat underscore the military prowess and divine favor attributed to David's reign. The victories over formidable foes like Shobach and the Arameans are often interpreted as evidence of God's support for David and the establishment of Israel as a dominant power in the region.

Theologically, these narratives are seen as part of the fulfillment of God's promises to David, including the expansion of his kingdom and the subjugation of surrounding nations. The defeat of Shobach and the Arameans serves as a testament to the strength and protection provided by God to His chosen leaders and people.

Name Variations:

In the parallel account in 1 Chronicles, Shobach is referred to as Shophach, which is a variation in the transliteration of his name. This difference is a common occurrence in ancient texts due to variations in language and manuscript traditions.

Significance:

Shobach's defeat is a pivotal moment in the military campaigns of King David, illustrating the consolidation of Israel's power and the establishment of a period of relative peace and prosperity. The narrative of Shobach serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by Israel and the divine intervention that is believed to have guided their victories.Shobach

your bonds; your chains

Shobach

(expansion), the general of Hadarezer king of the Syrians of Zoba, who was defeated by David. (2 Samuel 10:15-18) In (1 Chronicles 19:16) he is called SHOPHACH. (B.C. 1034.)

Poured out, the "captain of the host of Hadarezer" when he mustered his vassals and tributaries from beyond "the river Euphrates" (2 Samuel 10:15-18); called also Shophach (1 Chronicles 19:16). SHOBACH

sho'-bak (shobhakh; Sobak): Captain of the Syrian host (2 Samuel 10:16, 18); but "Shophach" (shophakh) in 1 Chronicles 19:16, 18.

7731. Shobak -- an Aramean (Syrian) general
... 7730, 7731. Shobak. 7732 . an Aramean (Syrian) general. Transliteration: Shobak
Phonetic Spelling: (sho-bawk') Short Definition: Shobach. ... Shobach. ...
/hebrew/7731.htm - 6k

How the War was Waged against the Ammonites and Happily Concluded.
... for war; they also sent a thousand talents to the Syrian king of Mesopotamia, and
endeavored to prevail with him to assist them for that pay, and Shobach. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 how the war.htm

'More than Conquerors through Him'
... And Hadarezer sent, and brought out the Syrians that were beyond the river: and
they came to Helam: and Shobach the captain of the host of Hadarezer went ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/more than conquerors through him.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6. <. ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Shobach (2 Occurrences)
... 19:16). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SHOBACH. sho'-bak (shobhakh ... 16, 18.
Multi-Version Concordance Shobach (2 Occurrences). 2 Samuel 10 ...
/s/shobach.htm - 7k

Hadadezer (18 Occurrences)
... at Helam (2 Samuel 10:17). Shobach, the leader of the Syrian army, died
on the field of battle. The Syrians of Damascus, who had ...
/h/hadadezer.htm - 15k

Zobah (15 Occurrences)
... These, under Shobach the captain of the host, were met by David in person at Helam,
and a great slaughter ensued, Shobach himself being among the slain (2 ...
/z/zobah.htm - 15k

Arameans (61 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 10:16 And Hadarezer sent, and brought out the Syrians that were beyond
the River: and they came to Helam, with Shobach the captain of the host of ...
/a/arameans.htm - 26k

Aramaeans (49 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 10:16 And Hadadezer sent for the Aramaeans who were on the other side of
the River: and they came to Helam, with Shobach, the captain of Hadadezer's ...
/a/aramaeans.htm - 23k

Commander (111 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 10:16 and Hadadezer sendeth, and bringeth out Aram which 'is' beyond the
River, and they come in to Helam, and Shobach head of the host of Hadadezer ...
/c/commander.htm - 37k

Shobab (4 Occurrences)

/s/shobab.htm - 8k

Aram (130 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 10:16 And Hadadezer sent, and brought out the Arameans that were beyond
the River; and they came to Helam, with Shobach the captain of the host of ...
/a/aram.htm - 40k

Syrians (63 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 10:16 Hadadezer sent, and brought out the Syrians who were beyond the River:
and they came to Helam, with Shobach the captain of the army of Hadadezer ...
/s/syrians.htm - 37k

Helam (3 Occurrences)
... on the east of Jordan and west of the Euphrates where David gained a great victory
over the Syrian army (2 Samuel 10:16), which was under the command of Shobach...
/h/helam.htm - 8k

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