Topical Bible: Armies: Employed in Besieging Cities

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In the biblical narrative, the employment of armies in besieging cities is a recurring theme, reflecting both divine judgment and the military strategies of ancient Near Eastern cultures. The siege was a common method of warfare, involving surrounding a city to cut off supplies and compel surrender. This tactic is depicted in various accounts throughout the Old Testament, illustrating both the might of human armies and the sovereignty of God over the affairs of nations.

One of the earliest mentions of a siege is found in the account of the conquest of Jericho. Under Joshua's leadership, the Israelites besieged the city as part of their divinely ordained conquest of Canaan. The strategy was unique, involving a divine directive rather than conventional military tactics. The Israelites marched around the city for seven days, and on the seventh day, the walls of Jericho fell after the people shouted and the priests blew their trumpets (Joshua 6:1-20).

The siege of Samaria by the Arameans during the reign of King Ahab is another significant example. The city was besieged, leading to a severe famine. However, through divine intervention, the siege was lifted when the LORD caused the Arameans to hear the sound of chariots and horses, prompting them to flee (2 Kings 6:24-7:7). This account underscores the belief in God's ability to deliver His people from seemingly insurmountable circumstances.

The Babylonian siege of Jerusalem is perhaps the most consequential siege in the biblical record. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon laid siege to Jerusalem, resulting in the city's eventual fall and the exile of the Jewish people. This event was seen as a fulfillment of prophetic warnings due to the people's persistent disobedience to God (2 Kings 25:1-12; Jeremiah 52:4-11). The destruction of Jerusalem and the temple marked a pivotal moment in Israel's history, emphasizing themes of judgment and the hope of eventual restoration.

In the prophetic literature, sieges are often depicted as instruments of divine judgment. The prophets frequently warned of impending sieges as consequences for the nation's sins. For instance, Isaiah prophesied about the siege of Jerusalem by the Assyrians, which was averted through divine intervention (Isaiah 36-37). Similarly, Ezekiel symbolically enacted a siege against Jerusalem as a sign of the coming judgment (Ezekiel 4:1-3).

The New Testament does not focus on sieges in the same manner as the Old Testament, but Jesus alludes to the future siege of Jerusalem by the Romans, which occurred in AD 70. In His Olivet Discourse, Jesus warned of the coming destruction, advising His followers to flee when they saw the city surrounded by armies (Luke 21:20-24). This event fulfilled Jesus' prophecy and marked a significant turning point in Jewish history.

Throughout the biblical narrative, the use of armies in besieging cities serves as a backdrop for demonstrating God's sovereignty, justice, and mercy. These accounts remind believers of the importance of faithfulness to God and the assurance of His ultimate plan for redemption and restoration.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 20:12
And if it will make no peace with you, but will make war against you, then you shall besiege it:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 29:3
And I will camp against you round about, and will lay siege against you with a mount, and I will raise forts against you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Egypt
... While the Assyrian armies were employed elsewhere, Psammetikhos ... The Babylonian army
which was besieging Jerusalem retired on the approach of Psammetikhos ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter v egypt.htm

The Seven Trumpets.
... Mohammedan power was extended by these armies, which till ... on Constantinople, and
made preparations for besieging the city ... and near two months were employed in a ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the seven trumpets.htm

Babylonia and Assyria
... Year after year his armies marched out of Nineveh to ... rest of the Assyrian army was
employed in overrunning ... He died while besieging Samaria, which had revolted ...
/.../early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter vi babylonia and assyria.htm

The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty
... the full force of the imagery here employed, one must ... providing a practicable road
for her armies marching to ... little progress in the art of besieging a strongh.
/.../chapter iiithe eighteenth theban dynasty.htm

Sennacherib (705-681 BC )
... pushed as far as Dayaini, here similar tactics were employed. ... The united cities of
Chaldaea being unable to furnish ... on the 26th of Tisri, and, besieging him in ...
/.../chapter isennacherib 705-681 b c.htm

The Rise of the Assyrian Empire
... when we consider that the Phoenicians who employed them held ... of the Umbrians, where
they built cities, and became a ... for them to think of raising armies fit to ...
/.../chapter iithe rise of the.htm

Papal Tombs.
... us the generals who led the Roman armies to the ... the fine sand which is even now employed
for sawing ... was besieging Broussa, his rebellious brother Zem or Zizim ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/chapter v papal tombs.htm

The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
... It was a question whether the cities which had so ... expedition against Athens itself,
and he employed the year ... The two armies watched each other for a fortnight ...
/.../chapter iithe last days of 2.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... it till he had annihilated its armies and rased ... and Hadrach or Mansuati, the cities
which sought ... take its place, found themselves fully employed in repelling ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
... allegiance, and their leader, Khulai, was besieging the royal ... but requisitioned by
the way the armies of his ... from force of custom still employed the cuneiform ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm