Topical Encyclopedia In biblical times, sieges were a common military strategy employed by nations to conquer fortified cities. The act of encamping against a city involved surrounding it with armed forces to cut off supplies and compel surrender. This tactic is frequently mentioned in the Bible, illustrating both divine judgment and human conflict.Old Testament Instances One of the earliest references to a siege is found in the account of the conquest of Jericho. The Israelites, under Joshua's leadership, encamped against Jericho as instructed by God. The unique strategy involved marching around the city for seven days, culminating in the city's walls collapsing (Joshua 6:1-20). This event underscores the belief that divine intervention can determine the outcome of a siege. The siege of Samaria by the Arameans is another significant example. In 2 Kings 6:24-25, the Arameans besieged Samaria, leading to a severe famine. The dire circumstances within the city highlight the desperation and suffering that often accompanied sieges. However, the miraculous deliverance of Samaria, as prophesied by Elisha, demonstrates God's power to rescue His people (2 Kings 7:1-20). The Babylonian siege of Jerusalem is perhaps the most pivotal siege in the Old Testament. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon laid siege to Jerusalem, leading to its eventual fall and the exile of the Jewish people (2 Kings 25:1-21). This event was seen as a fulfillment of prophetic warnings due to the people's disobedience to God (Jeremiah 25:8-11). Prophetic and Symbolic Significance Sieges are often used symbolically in the prophetic literature of the Bible. The prophet Ezekiel was commanded to enact a siege against a model of Jerusalem as a sign to the Israelites of the impending judgment (Ezekiel 4:1-3). This symbolic act served as a visual prophecy of the actual siege that would come upon Jerusalem due to the nation's sins. In Isaiah 29:1-3, the prophet speaks of a siege against Ariel (Jerusalem), indicating a time of distress and divine judgment. Yet, the passage also offers hope of deliverance, reflecting the dual themes of judgment and redemption that permeate biblical prophecy. New Testament Context While the New Testament does not focus extensively on sieges, Jesus alludes to the future siege of Jerusalem in His Olivet Discourse. He warns of the coming destruction of the city, which historically occurred in AD 70 when the Romans besieged and destroyed Jerusalem (Luke 21:20-24). This event is seen as a fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy and serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of rejecting God's messengers. Theological Implications Sieges in the Bible often serve as instruments of divine judgment, reflecting the consequences of sin and disobedience. They also highlight the sovereignty of God in the affairs of nations, as He uses these events to fulfill His purposes. The deliverance of besieged cities, when it occurs, underscores God's mercy and faithfulness to His covenant people. In summary, the concept of sieges and encamping against cities in the Bible is rich with historical, prophetic, and theological significance. It illustrates the interplay between divine sovereignty and human agency, serving as a powerful reminder of the need for faithfulness to God. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Samuel 12:28Now therefore gather the rest of the people together, and encamp against the city, and take it: lest I take the city, and it be called after my name. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Chronicles 32:1 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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