In the biblical context, war-cries were vocal signals used by armies to rally troops, intimidate enemies, and invoke divine assistance during battles. These cries were an integral part of ancient warfare, serving both practical and spiritual purposes. The Bible provides several instances where war-cries played a significant role in the narrative of Israel's military engagements.

Old Testament Instances

1. The Battle of Jericho: One of the most famous examples of a war-cry is found in the account of the Battle of Jericho. Under God's command, the Israelites marched around the city for seven days. On the seventh day, after the priests blew the trumpets, Joshua instructed the people to shout. The walls of Jericho fell flat, allowing the Israelites to capture the city. The war-cry here was an act of faith and obedience, demonstrating reliance on God's power rather than military might. As recorded in Joshua 6:16, "At the seventh time around, when the priests blew the trumpets, Joshua commanded the people, 'Shout! For the LORD has given you the city!'"

2. Gideon's Battle Against the Midianites: In Judges 7, Gideon and his 300 men used a strategic war-cry to defeat the Midianites. Armed with trumpets and torches hidden in jars, they surrounded the enemy camp. At Gideon's signal, they broke the jars, blew the trumpets, and shouted, "A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!" (Judges 7:20). This cry, combined with the sudden noise and lights, caused panic among the Midianites, leading to their defeat.

3. David and Goliath: Before David faced Goliath, the Philistine and Israelite armies were engaged in a standoff, each side taunting the other. David's declaration before the battle can be seen as a personal war-cry, expressing his faith in God's deliverance. In 1 Samuel 17:45, David says to Goliath, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied."

Purpose and Significance

War-cries in the Bible were not merely psychological tactics; they were deeply rooted in the spiritual life of Israel. These cries often invoked the name of the LORD, reflecting the belief that victory was granted by divine intervention rather than human strength alone. The use of war-cries underscored the covenant relationship between God and His people, where obedience and faith were paramount.

Symbolism and Theology

Theologically, war-cries symbolize the power of faith and the spoken word in spiritual warfare. They serve as reminders that battles, whether physical or spiritual, are ultimately fought and won through God's strength. The war-cry is an expression of trust in God's promises and His presence with His people.

New Testament Perspective

While the New Testament does not provide direct examples of war-cries in the context of physical battles, the concept can be seen in the spiritual warfare imagery used by the Apostle Paul. Believers are encouraged to stand firm in faith, using the "sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Ephesians 6:17). The proclamation of God's word and the name of Jesus can be seen as a spiritual war-cry against the forces of darkness.

In summary, war-cries in the Bible are a testament to the power of faith and the importance of divine reliance in the face of adversities. They reflect a deep-seated belief in God's sovereignty and His active role in the lives of His people.8643. teruah -- a shout or blast of war, alarm, or joy
... 1), shout (10), shout of alarm (1), shout of joy (1), shouted (1), shouting (4),
shouts of joy (1), signal (1), trumpet blast (1), war cries (2), war cry (1). ...
/hebrew/8643.htm - 6k

The Swift Decay of Love
... Joshua's soldierly ear interprets the shouts which are borne up to them as war-cries;
'He snuffeth the battle afar off, and saith Aha!' But Moses knew that ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the swift decay of love.htm

The Young Titus
... swung in. Out of it rushed a sortie of motley soldiery, brandishing weapons
and shouting the war-cries of Simon and John. The citizens ...
/.../miller/the city of delight/chapter ix the young titus.htm

The Three Tribunals
... But the men whose names were the war-cries of these sections were themselves knit
in closest friendship, and felt themselves to be servants in common of one ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/the three tribunals.htm

The New Song
... just the point, the rallying point between God and Satan. Here are the
two war-cries. The hosts of evil cry, "Sin, sin, sin;" but ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/the new song.htm

A New Kind of King
... The world's war-cries to-day are two"'Get!' 'Enjoy!' Christ's command is, 'Renounce!'
And in renouncing we shall realise both of these other aims, which they ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/a new kind of king.htm

War-cries (1 Occurrence)
War-cries. War-club, War-cries. War-cry . Multi-Version Concordance War-cries
(1 Occurrence). Job 39:25 When it comes to his ears he says, Aha! ...
/w/war-cries.htm - 6k

War-cry (5 Occurrences)
War-cry. War-cries, War-cry. Ward . Multi-Version Concordance War-cry (5
Occurrences). ... (BBE). War-cries, War-cry. Ward . Reference Bible.
/w/war-cry.htm - 8k

War-club (1 Occurrence)
War-club. War-carriages, War-club. War-cries . Multi-Version Concordance
War-club (1 Occurrence). ... War-carriages, War-club. War-cries . Reference Bible.
/w/war-club.htm - 6k

Smelling (8 Occurrences)
... Job 39:25 When it comes to his ears he says, Aha! He is smelling the fight from
far off, and hearing the thunder of the captains, and the war-cries. (BBE). ...
/s/smelling.htm - 9k

Commanders (93 Occurrences)
... Job 39:25 When it comes to his ears he says, Aha! He is smelling the fight from
far off, and hearing the thunder of the captains, and the war-cries. (See NIV). ...
/c/commanders.htm - 36k

Who was Baal? | GotQuestions.org

What can we learn from the tribe of Ephraim? | GotQuestions.org

Who were the Midianites? | GotQuestions.org

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