The term "well-fortified" in the context of the Bible often refers to cities or strongholds that are heavily defended and protected against enemy attacks. These fortifications were crucial in ancient times for the survival and security of a city or nation. The concept of being well-fortified is not only physical but also carries spiritual implications throughout the Scriptures.

Biblical Examples:

1. Jericho: One of the most famous examples of a well-fortified city in the Bible is Jericho. Before the Israelites entered the Promised Land, Jericho was known for its formidable walls. In Joshua 6:1, it is described as "tightly shut up because of the Israelites." Despite its strong defenses, the city fell by the miraculous intervention of God when the Israelites followed His instructions to march around the city.

2. Jerusalem: King David captured the well-fortified city of Jerusalem from the Jebusites, making it the political and spiritual center of Israel. Later, King Solomon and subsequent kings fortified the city further. In 2 Chronicles 32:5, King Hezekiah is noted for strengthening the fortifications of Jerusalem in preparation for an Assyrian siege: "Then he worked hard to rebuild all the broken sections of the wall, erect towers on it, and build another wall outside."

3. Babylon: The city of Babylon is another example of a well-fortified city, known for its massive walls and impressive defenses. In Isaiah 13:19, Babylon is described as "the jewel of kingdoms, the glory of the pride of the Chaldeans," yet it was prophesied to fall due to its pride and idolatry.

Spiritual Implications:

The concept of being well-fortified extends beyond physical structures to spiritual fortitude. In Ephesians 6:10-11, believers are encouraged to "be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes." This passage highlights the importance of spiritual defenses against the forces of evil.

Proverbs 18:10 states, "The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe." Here, the imagery of a fortified tower represents the security and refuge found in God. Believers are called to rely on God's strength and protection, much like a city relies on its walls and defenses.

Historical Context:

In ancient times, cities were often surrounded by walls made of stone or mud-brick, with gates that could be securely closed. Towers were built at strategic points for defense and observation. The strength of a city's fortifications was a key factor in its ability to withstand sieges and attacks from enemies.

The Bible frequently uses the imagery of fortifications to convey messages of divine protection and the futility of relying solely on human strength. Psalm 127:1 reminds us, "Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain; unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain."

Conclusion:

The concept of being well-fortified in the Bible serves as a powerful reminder of the need for both physical and spiritual preparedness. While ancient cities relied on walls and towers for protection, believers are called to trust in the Lord as their ultimate fortress and shield.4013. mibtsar -- fortification
... 5), fortified (17), fortified cities (1), fortified city (1), fortress (3), fortresses
(1), strongest (1), strongholds (6), tester (1), well-fortified (1). ...
/hebrew/4013.htm - 6k

4004. mibchor -- choice
... Word Origin from bachar Definition choice NASB Word Usage choice (3). choice. From
bachar; select, ie Well fortified -- choice. see HEBREW bachar. 4003, 4004 ...
/hebrew/4004.htm - 6k

The Heidelberg Catechism
... It is fresh, lively, glowing, yet clear, sober, self-sustained. The ideas are Biblical
and orthodox, and well fortified by apt Scripture proofs. ...
/.../various/the heidelberg catechism /the heidelberg catechism.htm

Samaria. Sychem.
... Now that city was in a mountain, and well fortified; and in it were springs, and
well-watered land, and gardens, and paradises, and vineyards, and olive-yards. ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 56 samaria sychem.htm

How Pompey when the Citizens of Jerusalem Shut their Gates against ...
... and put Aristobulus into prison, and came himself to the city, which was strong
on every side, excepting the north, which was not so well fortified, for there ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 how pompey when.htm

The Surrender of Gischala; While John Flies Away from it to ...
... village of the Tyrians, which always hated and made war against the Jews; it had
also a great number of inhabitants, and was well fortified, which made it a ...
/.../chapter 2 the surrender of.htm

The Parts of the City. Sion. The Upper City: which was on the ...
... "Of these hills, that, which contained the Upper City was by far the higher, and
more stretched out in length: and because it was very well fortified, it was ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 22 the parts of.htm

Beth-Lehem
... in the eighteenth year of the empire of Adrian, the war was more vehemently kindled
near the town called Beth-lehem (which was very well fortified with all ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 51 beth-lehem.htm

How the Entire City of Jerusalem was Demolished, Excepting Three ...
... as were to lie in garrison, as were the towers also spared, in order to demonstrate
to posterity what kind of city it was, and how well fortified, which the ...
/.../chapter 1 how the entire.htm

Paulinus
... many brief works in verse, also a consolatory work to Celsus On the death of a
christian and baptized child, a sort of epitaph, well fortified with christian ...
/.../jerome and gennadius lives of illustrious men /chapter xlix paulinus.htm

Treatise on the Priesthood. Book I.
... Brother aided by brother is like a strong city, and well fortified kingdom. [51]
Do not dissolve this genuine intimacy, nor break down the fortress. ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/treatise on the priesthood book.htm

The Heidelberg Catechism. AD 1563.
... It is fresh, lively, glowing, yet clear, sober, self-sustained. The ideas are Biblical
and orthodox, and well fortified by apt Scripture proofs. ...
/.../ 69 the heidelberg catechism.htm

Well-fortified (1 Occurrence)
Well-fortified. Well-fenced, Well-fortified. Well-founded .
Multi-Version Concordance Well-fortified (1 Occurrence). ...
/w/well-fortified.htm - 6k

Well-founded (1 Occurrence)
Well-founded. Well-fortified, Well-founded. Well-grounded . Multi-Version
Concordance ... (See JPS). Well-fortified, Well-founded. Well-grounded . ...
/w/well-founded.htm - 6k

Well-fenced (1 Occurrence)
Well-fenced. Well-fed, Well-fenced. Well-fortified . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(DBY). Well-fed, Well-fenced. Well-fortified . Reference Bible.
/w/well-fenced.htm - 6k

Fence (12 Occurrences)
... for "fenced" the American Standard Revised Version substitutes "fortified" in all
these instances; in Daniel 11:15, mibhtsar is "a well-fortified city," margin ...
/f/fence.htm - 15k

Ramp (9 Occurrences)
... Daniel 11:15 So the king of the north shall come, and cast up a mound, and take
a well-fortified city: and the forces of the south shall not stand, neither his ...
/r/ramp.htm - 10k

Ramps (8 Occurrences)
... Daniel 11:15 So the king of the north shall come, and cast up a mound, and take
a well-fortified city: and the forces of the south shall not stand, neither his ...
/r/ramps.htm - 8k

Ephron (13 Occurrences)
... Now when they came unto Ephron (this was a great city in the way as they should
go, very wellfortified) they could not turn from it either on the right hand ...
/e/ephron.htm - 13k

Architecture
... the walled cities, "great and walled up to heaven" (Deuteronomy 1:28 the King James
Version) which they took and occupied were wellfortified, unlovely shelters ...
/a/architecture.htm - 28k

Siegeworks (8 Occurrences)
... Daniel 11:15 So the king of the north shall come, and cast up a mound, and take
a well-fortified city: and the forces of the south shall not stand, neither his ...
/s/siegeworks.htm - 8k

Mound (17 Occurrences)
... Daniel 11:15 So the king of the north shall come, and cast up a mound, and take
a well-fortified city: and the forces of the south shall not stand, neither his ...
/m/mound.htm - 12k

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