Topical Encyclopedia In biblical times, sieges were a common military strategy employed to conquer fortified cities. The act of "compassing about with armies" involved surrounding a city to cut off supplies and reinforcements, thereby weakening the inhabitants and forcing them into submission. This tactic is frequently mentioned in the Bible, illustrating both divine judgment and human warfare.Old Testament Instances One of the earliest recorded sieges in the Bible is the siege of Jericho. In Joshua 6, the Israelites, under Joshua's leadership, encircled the city for seven days as instructed by God. On the seventh day, after marching around the city seven times and blowing trumpets, the walls of Jericho miraculously fell, allowing the Israelites to capture the city. This event underscores the belief that divine intervention can determine the outcome of a siege. Another significant siege is that of Samaria by the Arameans, as described in 2 Kings 6:24-25. The city was besieged to the point of severe famine, leading to desperate conditions among the inhabitants. The prophet Elisha prophesied deliverance, and indeed, the Lord caused the Arameans to hear the sound of chariots and horses, prompting them to flee and abandon their camp (2 Kings 7:6-7). The siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonians is a pivotal event in biblical history. In 2 Kings 25:1-2, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon laid siege to Jerusalem, eventually leading to the city's fall, the destruction of the Temple, and the exile of the Jewish people. This event is seen as a fulfillment of prophetic warnings due to the people's disobedience to God. New Testament References In the New Testament, Jesus Himself prophesied the siege of Jerusalem, which would occur in A.D. 70. In Luke 21:20 , Jesus warns, "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you will know that her desolation is near." This prophecy was fulfilled when the Roman armies, led by General Titus, besieged and destroyed Jerusalem, marking a significant moment in Jewish history. Symbolism and Spiritual Lessons Sieges in the Bible often symbolize divine judgment and the consequences of sin. They serve as a reminder of the importance of obedience to God's commandments and the dire outcomes of turning away from His ways. The imagery of a city under siege is also used metaphorically to describe spiritual warfare, where believers are called to stand firm in their faith amidst trials and opposition. Divine Deliverance Despite the grim realities of sieges, the Bible also highlights instances of divine deliverance. In 2 Chronicles 32, King Hezekiah of Judah faced a siege by the Assyrian king Sennacherib. Through prayer and reliance on God, Hezekiah witnessed a miraculous deliverance when an angel of the Lord struck down the Assyrian army (2 Chronicles 32:21). Conclusion The biblical accounts of sieges provide rich insights into the historical, spiritual, and theological dimensions of warfare in ancient times. They reflect the sovereignty of God over nations and His ability to deliver His people, even in the most dire circumstances. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Kings 6:14Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about. Torrey's Topical Textbook Luke 21:20 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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