Topical Bible: Armies: Antiquity of

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Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of organized military forces, or armies, is deeply rooted in the history of ancient civilizations, including those depicted in the Bible. From the earliest narratives in the Old Testament, armies play a significant role in the unfolding of biblical events, serving as instruments of divine judgment, protection, and conquest.

Early Biblical References

The first mention of an organized military force in the Bible occurs in Genesis 14, where Abraham leads a coalition of 318 trained men to rescue his nephew Lot from the hands of four kings. This passage highlights the existence of trained men prepared for battle, indicating an early form of military organization. Genesis 14:14 states, "And when Abram heard that his relative had been captured, he mobilized the 318 trained men born in his household, and they set out in pursuit as far as Dan."

Israelite Armies

The formation of Israelite armies is further detailed in the books of Exodus, Numbers, and Joshua. The Israelites, upon their exodus from Egypt, were organized into tribal units, each with its own leaders and warriors. The census recorded in Numbers 1 provides a detailed account of the number of men eligible for military service, emphasizing the importance of military readiness. Numbers 1:3 states, "You and Aaron are to number those who are twenty years of age or older by their divisions—everyone who can serve in Israel’s army."

The conquest of Canaan under Joshua's leadership showcases the strategic and divinely guided military campaigns of the Israelites. The fall of Jericho, as described in Joshua 6, is a prime example of the Israelites' reliance on both military strategy and divine intervention.

Monarchical Period

During the period of the monarchy, the organization and sophistication of Israelite armies increased significantly. King Saul, the first king of Israel, established a standing army, as seen in 1 Samuel 13:2 : "Saul chose three thousand men of Israel. Two thousand were with him at Michmash and in the hill country of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan at Gibeah of Benjamin. The rest of the troops he sent away, each to his own home."

King David further expanded and professionalized the military forces, creating specialized units and appointing commanders over thousands and hundreds. David's military exploits, including his victories over the Philistines and other neighboring nations, are well-documented in the books of Samuel and Chronicles.

Divine Role and Symbolism

Throughout the Old Testament, armies are often depicted as instruments of God's will. The victories and defeats of Israelite armies are frequently attributed to their faithfulness or disobedience to God. For instance, in 2 Chronicles 20, King Jehoshaphat's reliance on divine intervention rather than military might leads to a miraculous victory over the Moabites and Ammonites.

Moreover, the imagery of armies is used symbolically in prophetic literature to describe the hosts of heaven and the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom. The Lord is often referred to as the "LORD of Hosts," emphasizing His supreme command over all heavenly and earthly forces.

Conclusion

The antiquity of armies in the biblical narrative underscores their integral role in the history and theology of the Scriptures. From the patriarchal period to the monarchy, the development and deployment of military forces reflect both the practical needs and the spiritual dimensions of ancient Israel's relationship with God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 14:1-8
And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Christ Risen
... Two armies beheld the battle of Waterloo, but who can tell when it began ... Nor does
it mention the twelve manuscripts of almost equal antiquity in which they are ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 16 1-18 christ risen.htm

The God who Dwells with Men
... They are 'everlasting doors,' grey with antiquity, hoary with age ... warrior-God, a
conquering King, one whose word is power, who rules amidst the armies of heaven ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/the god who dwells with.htm

Egypt and Greece.
... This is considered a great antiquity. ... dangerous to leave a province of his father's
empire in a state of successful rebellion, while leading his armies off to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter ii egypt and greece.htm

The Image and the Stone
... and the like, and the use of human means, such as armies, are emphasised ... This is
the weakness of these huge empires of antiquity, which have no internal cohesion ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the image and the stone.htm

Contradiction Between Our Life and Our Christian Conscience.
... The slave of antiquity knew that he was a slave by nature, but our laborer ... We see
no necessity for wars and armies, but we must bear terribly heavy burdens in ...
/.../the kingdom of god is within you/chapter v contradiction between our.htm

Character of the Times in which the Christian Religion was ...
... the first of them, according to all the reports of antiquity, died a ... tells the Roman
governors, that their corporations, councils, armies, tribes, companies ...
/.../sect iv character of the.htm

God Alone the Salvation of his People
... Look on yon rocks and wonder at their antiquity, for from their summits a thousand
ages ... like a rock he hath broken the waves, and scattered the armies of his ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/god alone the salvation of.htm

In Reply to the Questions as to his Authority, Jesus Gives the ...
... and treated them shamefully, and killed them.7 But the king was wroth; and he sent
his armies, and destroyed ... But the antiquity of this custom is disputed. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cviii in reply to the 4.htm

The Place of the Old Testament in Divine Revelation
... religion of Babylonia, which, was unquestionably the noblest of early antiquity. ...
when in the eighth and seventh centuries Assyrian armies conquered Palestine ...
/.../the origin and permanent value of the old testament/iv the place of the.htm

Rondelet, {7} the Huguenot Naturalist {8}
... order to fortify the city upon a modern system against the invading armies of Charles
V ... to have been founded by Moors at a date of altogether abysmal antiquity. ...
/.../kingsley/historical lectures and essays/rondelet 7 the huguenot naturalist.htm