Topical Encyclopedia The city of Jerusalem holds a central place in biblical history and prophecy, and its sieges are significant events that reflect both divine judgment and deliverance. Throughout the biblical narrative, Jerusalem was besieged multiple times, each siege carrying profound theological and historical implications.1. The Siege by the Assyrians (701 BC): One of the earliest recorded sieges of Jerusalem occurred during the reign of King Hezekiah. The Assyrian king Sennacherib invaded Judah and laid siege to Jerusalem. Hezekiah sought the Lord's deliverance, and the prophet Isaiah assured him of divine intervention. The Bible records a miraculous deliverance: "Then the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians" (Isaiah 37:36). This event underscored God's protection over Jerusalem and His power over the nations. 2. The Siege by the Babylonians (586 BC): The most devastating siege of Jerusalem in the Old Testament was conducted by the Babylonians under King Nebuchadnezzar. This siege resulted in the destruction of the city and the First Temple. The prophet Jeremiah had warned of this impending judgment due to the people's persistent idolatry and disobedience. "The city was besieged until the eleventh year of King Zedekiah" (2 Kings 25:2). The fall of Jerusalem marked the beginning of the Babylonian Exile, a pivotal moment in Jewish history. 3. The Siege by the Romans (AD 70): In the New Testament era, Jerusalem faced another catastrophic siege, this time by the Romans under General Titus. This siege culminated in the destruction of the Second Temple, fulfilling Jesus' prophecy: "Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down" (Matthew 24:2). The Roman siege was a significant event in early Christian history, as it marked the end of the Jewish sacrificial system and the dispersion of the Jewish people. 4. Theological Implications: The sieges of Jerusalem are often seen as acts of divine judgment for the nation's sins, yet they also highlight themes of hope and restoration. Prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah spoke of a future restoration and a new covenant. The sieges serve as reminders of God's sovereignty and the importance of faithfulness to His covenant. 5. Prophetic Significance: Jerusalem's sieges are not only historical events but also carry prophetic significance. The city is central to eschatological prophecies concerning the end times. Zechariah prophesies a future siege where the Lord will defend Jerusalem: "Then the LORD will go out to fight against those nations, as He fights on a day of battle" (Zechariah 14:3). This future deliverance points to the ultimate redemption and restoration of Jerusalem. In summary, the sieges of Jerusalem are pivotal events in biblical history, reflecting themes of judgment, deliverance, and prophecy. They underscore the city's enduring significance in God's redemptive plan. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Kings 24:10,11At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against Jerusalem, and the city was besieged. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Kings 25:1,2 Library That Whereas the City of Jerusalem had Been Five Times Taken ... What Cestius did against the Jews; and How, Upon his Besieging ... Jeremiah The Last Siege of the Jews after Christ. Storming the Battlements Oracles on the Scythians. (With Some Others: iv. 5-vi. 29. ) Concerning Jonathan, one of the Sicarii, that Stirred up a ... Placidus Attempts to Take Jotapata and is Beaten Off. Vespasian ... Book 9 Footnotes Herod Takes Sepphoris and Subdues the Robbers that were in the ... 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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