Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, sieges were a common military strategy employed by various nations and peoples to conquer fortified cities. The Bible provides numerous accounts of sieges, illustrating both the physical and spiritual dimensions of these events. Sieges often involved surrounding a city, cutting off supplies, and waiting for the inhabitants to surrender or become vulnerable to an assault. These events were not only significant in the historical context but also carried theological implications, often seen as acts of divine judgment or deliverance.Jericho One of the most famous sieges in the Bible is the fall of Jericho, as recorded in the Book of Joshua. The Israelites, led by Joshua, were commanded by God to march around the city once a day for six days, and seven times on the seventh day. On the seventh day, the priests blew their trumpets, and the people shouted, causing the walls of Jericho to collapse (Joshua 6:1-20). This miraculous event demonstrated God's power and faithfulness in delivering the Promised Land to the Israelites. Ai Following the victory at Jericho, the Israelites faced the city of Ai. Initially, they suffered a defeat due to Achan's sin, but after addressing the sin, they successfully captured the city through a strategic ambush (Joshua 7-8). The siege of Ai highlights the importance of obedience to God's commands and the consequences of sin within the community. Lachish The city of Lachish was besieged by the Assyrian king Sennacherib during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah. The Assyrian campaign against Judah is detailed in 2 Kings 18-19 and Isaiah 36-37. Although Lachish fell, Jerusalem was miraculously delivered when an angel of the Lord struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers (2 Kings 19:35). This event underscored God's sovereignty and protection over His people. Jerusalem Jerusalem experienced several significant sieges throughout biblical history. The Babylonian siege, led by King Nebuchadnezzar, resulted in the destruction of the city and the Temple in 586 BC (2 Kings 25). This event marked the beginning of the Babylonian exile, a period of profound theological reflection and transformation for the Israelites. The siege and fall of Jerusalem were seen as divine judgment for the nation's persistent idolatry and disobedience. Samaria The capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, Samaria, was besieged by the Assyrians under King Shalmaneser V and later Sargon II. The city fell after a three-year siege, leading to the exile of the Israelites and the end of the Northern Kingdom (2 Kings 17:5-6). This event fulfilled prophetic warnings and served as a cautionary tale of the consequences of turning away from God. Rabbah The Ammonite city of Rabbah was besieged by King David's forces. The siege is notable for the events surrounding David's sin with Bathsheba and the subsequent death of Uriah the Hittite (2 Samuel 11-12). Despite the moral failings of its leader, the siege concluded with a victory for Israel, demonstrating God's continued support for His chosen king, albeit with personal consequences for David. Conclusion The biblical accounts of sieges serve as powerful reminders of the interplay between divine providence and human agency. They illustrate the themes of judgment, deliverance, obedience, and repentance, offering valuable lessons for faith and conduct. Torrey's Topical Textbook Joshua 10:35And they took it on that day, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the souls that were therein he utterly destroyed that day, according to all that he had done to Lachish. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Samuel 12:29 Library The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire The Rise of the Assyrian Empire Resources What is the history of Masada? | GotQuestions.orgWhen and how was Israel conquered by the Assyrians? | GotQuestions.org Who was Ben-Hadad in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Siege: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Siege by Rezin, King of Syria, and Pekah, Son of Remaliah, King of Israel Siege: An offer of Peace Must be Made to the City Before Beginning A Siege: Conducted by Erecting Embankments Parallel to the Walls of the Besieged City Siege: Distress of the Inhabitants During A Sieges: Being Against Round About Sieges: Cities Invested by Frequently Helped by Allies Sieges: Cities Invested by Frequently Taken by Ambush Sieges: Cities Invested by Frequently Taken by Assault Sieges: Cities Invested by Inhabitants of, Exhorted to be Courageous Sieges: Cities Invested by Often Demanded Terms of Peace Sieges: Cities Invested by Often Suffered from Famine Sieges: Cities Invested by Often Suffered from Pestilence Sieges: Cities Invested by Repaired and Newly Fortified Beforehand Sieges: Cities Invested by Sometimes Used Ambushes or Sorties Sieges: Cities Invested by Supplied With Water Beforehand Sieges: Cities Invested by The Inhabitants of, Cut off Beforehand Supplies of Water Sieges: Cities Invested by Walls of, Defended by the Inhabitants Sieges: Cities Invested by Were Strictly Shut Up Sieges: Cities of Israel in Galilee Sieges: Cities Taken by Frequently Broken Down Sieges: Cities Taken by Frequently Destroyed by Fire Sieges: Cities Taken by Given up to Pillage Sieges: Cities Taken by Inhabitants of, often Put to the Sword Sieges: Cities Taken by Sometimes Called After the Name of the Captor Sieges: Cities Taken by Sometimes Sown With Salt Sieges: Compassing About With Armies Sieges: Extreme Difficulty of Taking Cities By, Alluded To Sieges: Fenced Cities Invested By Sieges: Great Noise and Tumult of, Alluded To Sieges: Often Lasted for a Long Time Sieges: Setting in Array Against Sieges: The Jews Forbidden to Cut Down Fruit Trees for the Purpose of Sieges: The Omnipresence of God Sieges: Those Engaged in Built Forts and Mounts Sieges: Those Engaged in Called Upon the City to Surrender Sieges: Those Engaged in Cast Arrows and Other Missiles Into the City Sieges: Those Engaged in Cut off all Supplies Sieges: Those Engaged in Dug a Trench Round the City Sieges: Those Engaged in Employed Battering Rams Against the Walls Sieges: Those Engaged in Frequently Laid Ambushes Sieges: Those Engaged in Invested the City on Every Side Sieges: Those Engaged in Often Suffered Much During Sieges: Threatened As a Punishment Sieges: Zion in Her Affliction Related Terms Battering-rams (2 Occurrences) Nebuchadrezzar (31 Occurrences) |
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