Topical Encyclopedia Throughout the biblical narrative, cities often faced the threat of being pillaged, a common occurrence in the ancient Near East due to warfare, conquest, and divine judgment. The pillaging of cities is depicted as both a consequence of human conflict and a manifestation of divine retribution.Jericho One of the earliest and most notable examples of a city being pillaged is Jericho. Under Joshua's leadership, the Israelites captured and destroyed the city as they entered the Promised Land. The walls of Jericho famously fell after the Israelites marched around them for seven days. As recorded in Joshua 6:21, "At the edge of the sword they devoted to destruction everything in the city—man and woman, young and old, oxen, sheep, and donkeys." Ai Following the victory at Jericho, the city of Ai was also pillaged by the Israelites. After an initial defeat due to Achan's sin, the Israelites regrouped and successfully ambushed Ai. Joshua 8:28 states, "So Joshua burned Ai and made it a permanent heap of ruins, a desolation to this day." Sodom and Gomorrah The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were not pillaged by human hands but were destroyed by divine judgment. Genesis 19:24-25 recounts, "Then the LORD rained down sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens. Thus He overthrew those cities and the entire plain, destroying all the inhabitants of the cities and everything that grew on the ground." Jerusalem Jerusalem, the city of David, experienced pillaging multiple times throughout its history. One significant event occurred when the Babylonians, under King Nebuchadnezzar, besieged and destroyed the city in 586 BC. 2 Kings 25:9 describes the event: "He burned down the house of the LORD, the royal palace, and all the houses of Jerusalem—every significant building." Samaria The capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, Samaria, was also subject to pillaging. In 722 BC, the Assyrians captured Samaria, leading to the exile of the Israelites. 2 Kings 17:5-6 records, "Then the king of Assyria invaded the entire land, marched up to Samaria, and besieged it for three years. In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and deported the Israelites to Assyria." Babylon Though Babylon was a mighty empire, it too faced pillaging. The Medes and Persians, under Cyrus the Great, conquered Babylon in 539 BC. This event is prophesied in Isaiah 13:19, "And Babylon, the jewel of kingdoms, the glory of the pride of the Chaldeans, will be overthrown by God like Sodom and Gomorrah." Theological Implications The pillaging of cities in the Bible often serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin and disobedience to God. It underscores the transient nature of human power and the ultimate sovereignty of God over nations and cities. The destruction of cities like Jericho and Jerusalem highlights the fulfillment of divine promises and warnings, while the sparing of cities like Nineveh, after repentance, demonstrates God's mercy and willingness to forgive. Torrey's Topical Textbook Isaiah 13:16Their children also shall be dashed to pieces before their eyes; their houses shall be spoiled, and their wives ravished. Torrey's Topical Textbook Jeremiah 20:5 Library Sargon of Assyria (722-705 BC ) The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty Ancient Chaldaea The Sixth Book The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty --(Continued) How Eurycles Falsely Accused Herod's Sons; and How their Father ... Concerning John of Gischala. Concerning the Zealots and the High ... The Government of India. The Reaction against Egypt The First Theban Empire Resources What was the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did Abraham bargain with God in regard to Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18)? | GotQuestions.org Who were the Kohathites, Gershonites, and Merarites? | GotQuestions.org Cities: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Cities of Refuge of the Hope of the Gospel Cities of Refuge: (The Way To) Christ Cities of Refuge: Afforded No Asylum to Murderers Cities of Refuge: Required to Be: Easy of Access Cities of Refuge: Required to Be: Open to all Manslayers Cities of Refuge: Strangers Might Take Advantage of Cities of Refuge: Those Admitted to not Protected Outside of Cities of Refuge: Those Admitted to Obliged to Remain In, Until the High Priest's Death Cities of Refuge: Those Admitted to Were Put on Their Trial Cities were Called For: The Country in Which Built Cities were Called For: The Family of the Founder Cities were Called For: The Proprietor of the Land Cities were Frequently: Besieged Cities were Frequently: Burned Cities were Frequently: Depopulated Cities were Frequently: Made Heaps of Ruins Cities were Frequently: Pillaged Cities were Frequently: Razed and Sown With Salt Cities were Frequently: Stormed Cities were Frequently: Wasted by Famine Cities were Frequently: Wasted by Pestilence Cities: A Great Defence to a Country Cities: Afforded Refuge in Times of Danger Cities: Arranged in Streets and Lanes Cities: Artificial Mode of Supplying Water To Cities: Built in Desert Places Cities: Built in Pleasant Situations Cities: Built of Brick and Mortar Cities: Built of Brick and Slime Cities: Built of Stone and Wood Cities: Built with Compactness Cities: Built: Often of a Square Form Cities: Built: On Solid Foundations Cities: Designated as Merchant Cities: Designated as Treasure Cities: Designed for Habitations Cities: Different Kinds of Chariot Cities: Different Kinds of Commercial Cities: Different Kinds of Fenced Cities: Different Kinds of Levitical Cities: Different Kinds of Refuge Cities: Different Kinds of Royal Cities: Different Kinds of Store Cities: Different Kinds of Treasure Cities: Difficulty of Taking, Alluded To Cities: Government of, by Rulers Cities: Inhabitants of, Called Citizens Cities: Often Built to Perpetuate a Name Cities: Often Deserted on the Approach of an Enemy Cities: Often Fortified by Art Cities: Often Fortified by Nature Cities: Often Founded and Enlarged by Blood and Rapine Cities: Often Great and Goodly Cities: Often of Great Antiquity Cities: Prosperity of, Increased by Commerce Cities: Protected at Night by Watchmen Related Terms Chariot-cities (3 Occurrences) Treasure-cities (1 Occurrence) Kiriath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) |
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