Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, sieges were a common military strategy employed by various nations to conquer fortified cities. The process of a siege involved surrounding a city, cutting off its supplies, and waiting for the inhabitants to surrender due to starvation, thirst, or desperation. This tactic is vividly depicted in several accounts throughout the Scriptures, illustrating both the physical and spiritual dimensions of warfare in ancient times.Jericho: The First Major Siege One of the most famous sieges in the Bible is the fall of Jericho, as recorded in the Book of Joshua. The Israelites, under Joshua's leadership, were commanded by God to march around the city for seven days. On the seventh day, after marching around the city seven times, the priests blew their trumpets, and the walls of Jericho collapsed (Joshua 6:1-20). The text emphasizes that Jericho was "tightly shut up" because of the Israelites, with no one going out or coming in (Joshua 6:1). This miraculous victory underscored the power of divine intervention in the conquest of the Promised Land. Samaria: A Siege and Deliverance The city of Samaria experienced a severe siege during the reign of King Jehoram of Israel. The Arameans, led by King Ben-Hadad, besieged Samaria, leading to a devastating famine within the city. The situation became so dire that people resorted to cannibalism (2 Kings 6:24-29). However, the Lord delivered Samaria through a miraculous intervention. The Arameans heard the sound of a great army and fled, leaving behind their supplies, which the Israelites plundered (2 Kings 7:6-7). This account highlights God's ability to deliver His people even in the most desperate circumstances. Jerusalem: The Siege by Nebuchadnezzar The siege of Jerusalem by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon is a pivotal event in biblical history. This siege, which led to the destruction of the city and the temple in 586 B.C., was a fulfillment of prophetic warnings given by Jeremiah and other prophets. The Babylonians surrounded Jerusalem, and the city was "besieged until the eleventh year of King Zedekiah" (2 Kings 25:1-2). The fall of Jerusalem marked the beginning of the Babylonian exile, a period of profound spiritual and national crisis for the people of Judah. Lachish: An Archaeological Corroboration The siege of Lachish, a fortified city of Judah, is another significant event corroborated by both biblical and archaeological evidence. The Assyrian king Sennacherib laid siege to Lachish during the reign of King Hezekiah. The Bible records that Sennacherib's forces captured the city (2 Kings 18:13-14). The famous Lachish Reliefs, discovered in Nineveh, depict the Assyrian siege and conquest of the city, providing a vivid historical context to the biblical account. Spiritual Implications of Sieges In addition to their historical and military significance, sieges in the Bible often carry spiritual implications. They serve as reminders of the consequences of disobedience to God, as seen in the sieges of Samaria and Jerusalem. Conversely, they also demonstrate God's faithfulness and power to save, as illustrated in the miraculous deliverance of Samaria and the fall of Jericho. The imagery of a city under siege is also used metaphorically in Scripture to describe spiritual warfare and the believer's need for divine protection and perseverance (Ephesians 6:10-18). Throughout the biblical narrative, sieges are depicted as both physical and spiritual battles, reflecting the broader theme of God's sovereignty and the importance of faithfulness to His covenant. Torrey's Topical Textbook Joshua 6:1Now Jericho was straightly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The Rise of the Assyrian Empire Resources Who was Gedaliah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the Babylonian captivity/exile? | GotQuestions.org Who was King Zedekiah 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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