Topical Encyclopedia In biblical times, sieges were a common military strategy employed by nations to conquer fortified cities. The act of setting in array 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 Context The Old Testament provides numerous accounts of sieges, often as instruments of divine retribution or as part of Israel's military campaigns. One of the earliest references is found in the account of the conquest of Jericho, where the Israelites, under Joshua's leadership, laid siege to the city as commanded by God. The unique strategy involved marching around the city for seven days, culminating in the walls collapsing (Joshua 6:1-20). Another significant siege is that of Jerusalem by the Babylonians, led by King Nebuchadnezzar. This event marked a pivotal moment in Israel's history, resulting in the destruction of the First Temple and the Babylonian exile. The prophet Jeremiah vividly describes the siege and its devastating effects: "The city was besieged until the eleventh year of King Zedekiah" (Jeremiah 52:5). The Assyrian siege of Lachish is another notable example, where King Sennacherib's forces captured the city, as recorded in 2 Kings 18:13-17. This event is corroborated by archaeological findings, including the Lachish reliefs, which depict the siege in detail. Prophetic Symbolism Sieges in the Bible often carry prophetic symbolism, representing God's judgment against sin and rebellion. The prophet Ezekiel was instructed to enact a symbolic siege against Jerusalem, using a clay tablet to represent the city and laying siege works against it (Ezekiel 4:1-3). This act served as a warning to the Israelites of the impending Babylonian conquest due to their unfaithfulness. New Testament References While the New Testament does not focus extensively on sieges, it does allude to the concept in prophetic teachings. Jesus foretold the siege and destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in AD 70, a judgment for the nation's rejection of Him as the Messiah. In Luke 21:20-24, Jesus warns, "When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you will know that her desolation is near" (Luke 21:20). Spiritual Warfare In a spiritual sense, the concept of siege can be applied to the believer's life, representing the spiritual battles faced against the forces of darkness. The Apostle Paul exhorts Christians to "put on the full armor of God" to stand firm against the devil's schemes (Ephesians 6:11). This imagery suggests a defensive posture, akin to a city under siege, requiring vigilance and reliance on divine strength. Conclusion The biblical accounts of sieges serve as powerful reminders of God's sovereignty over nations and His righteous judgment. They also provide insights into the historical and spiritual dynamics of warfare, both physical and spiritual, that continue to resonate with believers today. Torrey's Topical Textbook Jeremiah 50:9For, see, I will raise and cause to come up against Babylon an assembly of great nations from the north country: and they shall set themselves in array against her; from there she shall be taken: their arrows shall be as of a mighty expert man; none shall return in vain. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library What Cestius did against the Jews; and How, Upon his Besieging ... How Joshua, the Commander of the Hebrews, Made War with The The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire The Rise of the Assyrian Empire The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria 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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