Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, sieges are significant events that often reflect the spiritual and moral state of the people involved. The Bible records numerous instances where cities were besieged, highlighting the strategic importance of fortified cities in ancient warfare and the resilience of their inhabitants.Jericho One of the earliest and most famous sieges recorded in the Bible is the fall of Jericho. As the Israelites, led by Joshua, entered the Promised Land, they encountered the fortified city of Jericho. The city was tightly shut up, with walls that seemed impenetrable. However, following God's instructions, the Israelites marched around the city for seven days. On the seventh day, the walls miraculously fell after the people shouted and the priests blew their trumpets (Joshua 6:1-20). This event underscores the power of faith and obedience to God's commands in overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Lachish The siege of Lachish is another notable event. During the Assyrian invasion under King Sennacherib, Lachish was one of the fortified cities of Judah that was besieged and captured. The Bible records this event in 2 Kings 18:13-14, where Sennacherib's campaign against Judah is described. The siege of Lachish is also depicted in Assyrian reliefs, providing archaeological corroboration of the biblical account. This siege illustrates the relentless aggression of the Assyrian empire and the dire circumstances faced by the Kingdom of Judah. Jerusalem Jerusalem, the city of David, faced multiple sieges throughout its history. One of the most significant was the Babylonian siege under King Nebuchadnezzar. The Bible details how the city was besieged, leading to its eventual fall and the exile of its inhabitants (2 Kings 25:1-11). The prophet Jeremiah, who witnessed these events, lamented the destruction and urged the people to repent and return to God. The siege of Jerusalem serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of turning away from God's covenant. Samaria The capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, Samaria, was besieged by the Assyrians under King Shalmaneser V. The siege lasted for three years, culminating in the city's capture and the deportation of its people (2 Kings 17:5-6). This event marked the end of the Northern Kingdom and fulfilled the prophetic warnings given by God's messengers. The fall of Samaria highlights the theme of divine judgment against idolatry and unfaithfulness. Spiritual Lessons Throughout these accounts, the Bible emphasizes the spiritual dimensions of sieges. The physical walls of a city symbolize the spiritual fortifications of faith and obedience. When the inhabitants relied on God and followed His guidance, as in the case of Jericho, they experienced victory. Conversely, when they turned away from God, as seen in the sieges of Jerusalem and Samaria, they faced defeat and destruction. The biblical accounts of sieges serve as powerful illustrations of the broader spiritual battles faced by God's people. They remind believers of the importance of maintaining spiritual vigilance, faithfulness, and reliance on God's strength in the face of adversity. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Samuel 11:20,21And if so be that the king's wrath arise, and he say to you, Why approached you so near to the city when you did fight? knew you not that they would shoot from the wall? Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Kings 18:26 2 Chronicles 32:18 Library The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria The Medes and the Second Chaldaean 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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