Topical Bible: Armies: Marched with Noise and Tumult

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In the biblical narrative, the movement and presence of armies are often depicted with vivid imagery, emphasizing the noise and tumult that accompany them. This portrayal serves to underscore the power, might, and sometimes the divine judgment associated with military forces in the ancient world.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament frequently describes armies as advancing with great noise and tumult, symbolizing both the physical and psychological impact of warfare. In Isaiah 17:12-13, the prophet vividly captures this imagery: "Oh, the raging of many nations—they rage like the raging sea! Oh, the uproar of the peoples—they roar like the roaring of great waters. Although the peoples roar like the roar of surging waters, when He rebukes them, they flee far away, driven before the wind like chaff on the hills, like tumbleweed before a gale."

This passage not only highlights the overwhelming sound and chaos of advancing armies but also points to the sovereignty of God over the nations. Despite their tumultuous approach, they are ultimately subject to His command and can be scattered at His rebuke.

Historical Accounts

The historical books of the Old Testament provide numerous accounts of armies marching with noise and tumult. In 1 Samuel 4:5, when the Ark of the Covenant was brought into the Israelite camp, "all Israel raised such a great shout that the ground shook." This reaction illustrates the combination of military presence and divine symbolism, as the Ark represented God's presence among His people.

Similarly, in 2 Kings 7:6-7, the Lord caused the Aramean army to hear the sound of chariots, horses, and a great army, leading them to flee in panic: "For the Lord had caused the Arameans to hear the sound of chariots, horses, and a great army, so that they said to one another, 'Look, the king of Israel has hired the Hittite and Egyptian kings to attack us!' So they got up and fled in the dusk and abandoned their tents and their horses and donkeys. They left the camp as it was and ran for their lives."

Prophetic Imagery

The prophets often used the imagery of noisy and tumultuous armies to convey messages of impending judgment or deliverance. In Joel 2:5, the advancing army is described with the sound of chariots: "With a noise like that of chariots they leap over the mountaintops, like a crackling fire consuming stubble, like a mighty army drawn up for battle."

This imagery serves to evoke a sense of urgency and fear, as the sound of the army is likened to natural disasters, emphasizing the unstoppable force of divine judgment.

New Testament Reflections

While the New Testament does not focus as heavily on physical armies, the imagery of noise and tumult is present in apocalyptic literature. In Revelation, the final battles and judgments are depicted with dramatic sounds and chaos, reflecting the ultimate confrontation between good and evil.

Revelation 9:9 describes the locusts with breastplates of iron, and "the sound of their wings was like the thundering of many horses and chariots rushing into battle." This apocalyptic vision draws on the Old Testament tradition of associating noise and tumult with divine intervention and judgment.

Theological Implications

The depiction of armies marching with noise and tumult in the Bible serves multiple theological purposes. It highlights the might and power of human forces while simultaneously affirming the ultimate authority and sovereignty of God. The tumult of armies often precedes divine intervention, reminding believers of God's control over history and His ability to bring about His purposes, even through the chaos of human conflict.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 17:12,13
Woe to the multitude of many people, which make a noise like the noise of the seas; and to the rushing of nations, that make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters!
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Joel 2:5
Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devours the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

How Taricheae was Taken. A Description of the River Jordan, and of ...
... easily assist one another, while over-numerous armies are more ... you: do not you hear
what a noise they make? ... to the lake; by which lake he marched, and entered ...
/.../chapter 10 how taricheae was.htm

Patriotic Hymns.
... As a festival performance, replete with patriotic noise, let Avison's ... patron priest
and his clergy marched to Tara ... marching chorus of the Federal armies of the ...
/.../brown/the story of the hymns and tunes/chapter ix patriotic hymns.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... their places each at the head of his own contingent.* Their armies were made ... heard
the noise of the crying, he said, What meaneth the noise of this tumult? ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... Cyaxares converted all the small feudal armies which had ... noise of the whip, and the
noise of the ... acts of brigandage,* and together they marched from province ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

The Holy War,
... first sight, it may seem strange that the armies, both within ... were by far, Than only
where the noise of war ... They marched towards Mansoul, but all in a manner ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy war.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... crackling and shivering with the noise of mighty thunders ... officers; but the God of
armies avenged the ... The conquerors marched to Leicester, which surrendered by ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm