Topical Encyclopedia In the ancient Near East, sieges were a common military strategy employed to conquer fortified cities. The use of battering rams was a significant aspect of these sieges, as they were designed to break through the defensive walls of a city. The Bible provides several accounts of sieges where battering rams were likely used, reflecting the historical and military context of the times.Biblical Context and Historical Background Battering rams were large, heavy beams, often capped with metal, used to break down walls and gates. They were typically mounted on wheeled platforms and operated by teams of soldiers. The use of battering rams is not explicitly detailed in the biblical text, but their presence is implied through descriptions of sieges and the destruction of city walls. Siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar One of the most notable sieges in the Bible is the siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. This event is recorded in 2 Kings 25 and Jeremiah 39. Although the text does not specifically mention battering rams, the destruction of Jerusalem's walls suggests their use. The Babylonians were known for their advanced military technology, including siege engines. 2 Kings 25:1-4 describes the siege: "So in the ninth year of Zedekiah’s reign, on the tenth day of the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his entire army. They encamped outside the city and built siege works all around it. And the city was kept under siege until King Zedekiah’s eleventh year." Siege of Lachish The siege of Lachish, an event not directly mentioned in the Bible but corroborated by archaeological findings and Assyrian records, provides insight into the use of battering rams. The Assyrian king Sennacherib laid siege to Lachish during his campaign against Judah, as mentioned in 2 Kings 18:13-14. The Lachish Reliefs, discovered in Nineveh, depict Assyrian soldiers using battering rams against the city walls. Ezekiel’s Prophecy The prophet Ezekiel provides a vivid description of siege warfare, which likely included the use of battering rams. In Ezekiel 4:2 , God instructs Ezekiel to enact a siege against a model of Jerusalem: "Then lay siege against it: build a siege wall, erect a ramp, set up camps, and place battering rams all around it." Ezekiel 21:22 also references battering rams in a prophecy against Jerusalem: "In his right hand is the divination for Jerusalem, where he is to set up battering rams, to call for slaughter, to lift the battle cry, to set battering rams against the gates, to build a ramp, and to erect a siege wall." Symbolism and Spiritual Lessons In the biblical narrative, sieges and the use of battering rams symbolize the judgment of God against unfaithfulness and sin. The destruction of city walls serves as a metaphor for the breaking down of spiritual defenses when a nation or individual turns away from God. The prophets often used the imagery of siege warfare to call the people of Israel and Judah to repentance and to warn them of impending judgment. The accounts of sieges in the Bible remind believers of the importance of spiritual vigilance and the need to maintain strong defenses against the forces of evil. As the Apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 6:11 , "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes." Torrey's Topical Textbook Ezekiel 4:2And lay siege against it, and build a fort against it, and cast a mount against it; set the camp also against it, and set battering rams against it round about. Torrey's Topical Textbook Ezekiel 26:9 Library The Old Testament and Archeology The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire 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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