Topical Encyclopedia
In ancient Israel, military service was a significant aspect of national life, deeply intertwined with the religious and social fabric of the society. The armies of Israel were composed primarily of able-bodied men who were called upon to defend the nation and execute the will of God as revealed through His prophets and leaders.
Eligibility for Military ServiceThe primary criterion for military service in Israel was age and physical capability. According to the census instructions given to Moses, all men twenty years old and above were eligible for military duty.
Numbers 1:2-3 states, "Take a census of the whole congregation of the Israelites by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one. You and Aaron are to number those who are twenty years of age or older by their divisions—everyone who can serve in Israel’s army."
Tribal ContributionsEach tribe of Israel was responsible for contributing men to the army, with the exception of the Levites, who were set apart for religious duties.
Numbers 1:47-49 notes, "The Levites, however, were not registered with the rest of the Israelites. For the LORD had said to Moses: 'Do not count the tribe of Levi or include them in the census of the other Israelites.'"
Exemptions from ServiceCertain exemptions from military service were recognized in the Mosaic Law.
Deuteronomy 20:5-8 outlines these exemptions: "The officers are to address the army, saying: 'Has anyone built a new house and not dedicated it? Let him return home, or he may die in battle and another man dedicate it. Has anyone planted a vineyard and not begun to enjoy its fruit? Let him return home, or he may die in battle and another man enjoy its fruit. Has anyone become pledged to a woman and not married her? Let him return home, or he may die in battle and another man marry her.' Then the officers shall add, 'Is anyone afraid or fainthearted? Let him return home, so that the hearts of his brothers will not melt like his own.'"
Voluntary Service and Divine SelectionWhile military service was a duty, there were instances where individuals volunteered or were divinely selected for specific missions. The account of Gideon in
Judges 6-7 illustrates divine selection, where God chose Gideon to lead a reduced force against the Midianites, emphasizing reliance on divine power rather than sheer numbers.
Role of Women and Non-IsraelitesWhile the primary combatants were men, women occasionally played significant roles in military contexts, often in supportive or leadership capacities. Deborah, a prophetess and judge, led Israel to victory alongside Barak (Judges 4-5). Additionally, non-Israelites sometimes served in the armies of Israel, either as mercenaries or allies, as seen in the case of Uriah the Hittite, one of David's mighty men (
2 Samuel 11:3).
Spiritual and Moral DimensionsMilitary service in Israel was not merely a civic duty but also a spiritual calling. The soldiers were expected to maintain ritual purity and moral integrity, as seen in the instructions for camp cleanliness in
Deuteronomy 23:9-14. The success of military campaigns was often attributed to the nation's faithfulness to God, with victories seen as divine favor and defeats as a result of disobedience.
In summary, the armies of Israel were composed of men who met specific age and physical criteria, with certain exemptions allowed. Service was both a national duty and a spiritual responsibility, reflecting the covenant relationship between God and His people.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Numbers 1:2,3Take you the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, after their families, by the house of their fathers, with the number of their names, every male by their polls;
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
Persecution Every Christian's Lot
... pause, and, Lastly, by way of application, exhort all persons,. ... he comes to judge
the twelve tribes of Israel. ... and our Lord sent forth his armies, and destroyed ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/persecution every christians lot.htm
The Seventh Book
... bringing in as witnesses outsiders or persons unsuitable to ... where they had completely
crushed our armies in battle ... devastator of the land of Israel, the king of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the seventh book.htm
The Seven Trumpets.
... the Mohammedan power was extended by these armies, which till ... The church comprises
all the holy persons who have ... God said to Israel, after the evil report of ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the seven trumpets.htm
A Lecture for Little-Faith
... large congregation this morning of this very class of persons. ... manna ceased when
the children of Israel entered into ... drums in the march of the God of armies. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/a lecture for little-faith.htm
Appendix xii. The Baptism of Proselytes
... each having 30 chiefs of armies, each chief ... of the requirements of the present world,
Israel liberated him ... Over these six persons - Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix xii the baptism of.htm
The General Conference of 1840
... if in error, as they are certainly liable to be ... and whose interests they are
particularly designed to serve. ... that, in common with all other persons, they should ...
/.../chapter 15 the general conference.htm
The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... flat district, intersected by canals and liable at times ... The Elamite armies were
well organized, and under a ... and in which fifteen thousand persons lost their ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm
The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... of Jerubbaal, being threescore and ten persons, upon one ... for the many evils they
had inflicted on Israel. ... head of his own contingent.* Their armies were made ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm
Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... a host capable of meeting on equal terms the armies of Damascus ... that the owners of
landed estate in Israel, who were in that capacity liable to render ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm
Period iii. The Dissolution of the Imperial State Church and the ...
... or, in case they should be such, are not liable to any ... belong to the cities in which
such persons dwell or ... The two armies met and there was a fearful slaughter ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iii the dissolution of.htm
Resources
Who was Chedorlaomer / Kedorlaomer? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the heavenly hosts? | GotQuestions.orgDoes China have a role in the end times? | GotQuestions.orgArmies: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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