Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical context, armies play a significant role throughout the narrative of Scripture, serving as instruments of divine judgment, protection, and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. The concept of armies is woven into the fabric of both the Old and New Testaments, reflecting the historical and spiritual battles faced by the people of God.Old Testament In the Old Testament, armies are frequently mentioned as the military forces of various nations, including Israel. The Israelites, under divine command, often engaged in warfare to conquer the Promised Land and defend it against surrounding enemies. The formation and organization of Israel's army are first detailed in the Pentateuch, where God instructs Moses to take a census of all men able to serve in the army (Numbers 1:2-3). The most notable leader of Israel's army was King David, who was both a warrior and a man after God's own heart. Under his leadership, Israel experienced significant military victories, expanding its territory and securing peace. David's reliance on God for victory is exemplified in his confrontation with Goliath, where he declares, "The battle is the LORD’s, and He will give you into our hands" (1 Samuel 17:47). The Old Testament also records instances where God Himself intervenes in battles, demonstrating His sovereignty over the nations. In 2 Kings 19:35, the angel of the LORD strikes down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers, delivering Jerusalem from destruction. This event underscores the belief that ultimate victory belongs to God, not human might. New Testament In the New Testament, the concept of armies takes on a more spiritual dimension. Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, teaches His followers to love their enemies and turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:39, 44). However, the imagery of armies is still present, particularly in the apocalyptic literature of Revelation. Revelation describes the final battle between the forces of good and evil, where Christ returns as a conquering King. Revelation 19:14 depicts the armies of heaven following Christ on white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. This imagery symbolizes the ultimate triumph of Christ over Satan and his forces, culminating in the establishment of God's eternal kingdom. Spiritual Warfare The New Testament also introduces the concept of spiritual warfare, where believers are called to put on the "full armor of God" to stand against the schemes of the devil (Ephesians 6:11). This metaphorical language emphasizes the spiritual nature of the Christian's battle, which is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil (Ephesians 6:12). Divine Protection and Judgment Throughout Scripture, armies are often seen as instruments of God's protection for His people or as agents of His judgment against sin. In Exodus 14:14, Moses assures the Israelites, "The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still" , highlighting God's role as a divine warrior who defends His covenant people. Conversely, God uses foreign armies to execute judgment on Israel when they turn away from Him. The Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem and the subsequent exile are seen as fulfillment of prophetic warnings, demonstrating God's justice and the consequences of disobedience. Conclusion The biblical portrayal of armies reflects the complex interplay between divine sovereignty, human agency, and spiritual realities. Whether as physical forces in historical battles or as spiritual entities in the cosmic struggle between good and evil, armies in the Bible ultimately serve to advance God's purposes and reveal His glory. Greek 4519. sabaoth -- Sabaoth, ie armies ... Sabaoth, ie armies. Part of Speech: Hebrew Form (Indclinable) Transliteration: sabaoth Phonetic Spelling: (sab-ah-owth') Short Definition: hosts, armies ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4519.htm - 7k 3925b. parembole -- an insertion, an army in battle array ... 4760. stratopedon -- a military camp, ie an army 1039. bussinos -- fine linen 4753. strateuma -- an expedition, an army, a company of soldiers Strong's Hebrew 2428. chayil -- strength, efficiency, wealth, army... Word Origin from chul Definition strength, efficiency, wealth, army NASB Word Usage able (5), armies (3), army (82), army* (1), capability (1), capable (3 ... /hebrew/2428.htm - 6k 1143. benayim -- champion 4264. machaneh -- an encampment, camp 6635. tsaba -- army, war, warfare 4634. maarakah -- row, rank, battle line Library The King and his Armies. A Description of the Roman Armies and Roman Camps and of Other ... Defeat of Maxentius's Armies in Italy. The Armies Thus Approaching Each Other, Seemed on the Eve of a ... So the Two Armies Drew Nigh; the Trumpets Gave the Signal... How Judas Overthrew the Forces of Apollonius and Seron and Killed ... And if Celsus Would have us to Lead Armies in Defence of Our ... The Final Conflict. The Armour of God Of the Union of Man's Will with God's in those Inspirations which ... Thesaurus Armies (361 Occurrences)...Armies (361 Occurrences). Matthew 22:7 When the king heard that, he was angry, and sent his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. ... /a/armies.htm - 38k Divisions (92 Occurrences) Companies (38 Occurrences) Sabaoth (2 Occurrences) Almighty (242 Occurrences) Standard (42 Occurrences) Defied (20 Occurrences) Mesha (4 Occurrences) Champion (7 Occurrences) Abased (17 Occurrences) Resources What does the Bible mean when it calls God the “LORD of hosts”? | GotQuestions.orgWho was David in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Surviving the end times - what do I need to know? | GotQuestions.org Armies: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Armies (361 Occurrences)Matthew 22:7 Luke 21:20 Romans 9:29 Hebrews 11:34 James 5:4 Revelation 9:16 Revelation 17:15 Revelation 19:14 Revelation 19:19 Genesis 32:10 Exodus 6:26 Exodus 7:4 Exodus 12:17 Exodus 12:41 Exodus 12:51 Exodus 14:4 Exodus 14:17 Exodus 14:24 Numbers 1:3 Numbers 1:52 Numbers 2:3 Numbers 2:10 Numbers 2:17 Numbers 2:18 Numbers 2:25 Numbers 10:14 Numbers 10:18 Numbers 10:22 Numbers 10:25 Numbers 10:28 Numbers 10:35 Numbers 33:1 Deuteronomy 20:1 Deuteronomy 20:9 Deuteronomy 20:19 Deuteronomy 28:52 Joshua 5:14 Joshua 10:5 Joshua 11:4 Judges 8:10 1 Samuel 1:3 1 Samuel 1:11 1 Samuel 4:4 1 Samuel 14:6 1 Samuel 15:2 1 Samuel 17:1 1 Samuel 17:4 1 Samuel 17:8 1 Samuel 17:10 1 Samuel 17:23 1 Samuel 17:26 1 Samuel 17:36 1 Samuel 17:45 1 Samuel 23:3 1 Samuel 28:1 1 Samuel 29:1 2 Samuel 5:10 2 Samuel 6:2 2 Samuel 6:18 2 Samuel 7:8 2 Samuel 7:26 2 Samuel 7:27 1 Kings 2:5 1 Kings 15:20 1 Kings 15:27 1 Kings 18:15 1 Kings 19:10 1 Kings 19:14 1 Kings 20:29 2 Kings 3:14 2 Kings 3:17 2 Kings 18:9 2 Kings 19:31 2 Kings 23:29 2 Kings 24:10 2 Kings 25:23 2 Kings 25:26 1 Chronicles 11:9 1 Chronicles 11:26 1 Chronicles 12:20 1 Chronicles 17:7 1 Chronicles 17:24 2 Chronicles 16:4 Nehemiah 9:6 Job 10:17 Job 19:12 Job 25:3 Psalms 24:10 Psalms 44:9 Psalms 46:7 Psalms 46:11 Psalms 48:8 Psalms 59:5 Psalms 60:10 Psalms 68:12 Psalms 69:6 Psalms 80:4 Psalms 80:7 Psalms 80:14 Psalms 80:19 Subtopics Armies in Latter Ages Received Pay Armies of Different Nations often Confederated Armies were Composed of Bowmen and Slingers Armies were Composed of Cavalry Armies were Composed of Spearmen or Heavy Troops Armies were Composed of War Chariots Armies were Led by Experienced Captains Armies were Led by Kings in Person Armies: Accompanied by Beasts of Burden and Wagons for Baggage Armies: Ancient, often Numerous Armies: Began Their Campaigns in the Spring Armies: Called The: Power of Kings Armies: Called The: Wings of a Nation Armies: Commenced Battles With a Shout Armies: Compared to Caterpillars Armies: Compared to Grasshoppers Armies: Compared to Overflowing Torrents Armies: Compared to Waters of a River Armies: Compared to Whirlwinds Armies: Devastation Occasioned By Armies: Employed in Assaulting Cities Armies: Employed in Besieging Cities Armies: Employed in Fighting Battles Armies: Encamped in the Open Fields Armies: Encamped: Before Cities Armies: Enumeration of Israel's Military Forces Armies: Exercised Savage Cruelties on the Vanquished Armies: Frequently the Instrument of God's Vengeance Armies: Furnished With Standards Armies: Generally in Three Divisions Armies: Generals of Corps and Divisions Armies: How officered: Commander-In-Chief Armies: March in Ranks by Jehoshaphat Armies: March in Ranks in Siege of Jericho Armies: March in Ranks of Beth-El Armies: March in Ranks of Jericho Armies: March in Ranks of Jerusalem Armies: March in Ranks of Laish Armies: March in Ranks of Samaria Armies: March in Ranks with Dancing Armies: March in Ranks with Music Armies: March in Ranks with Songs Armies: March in Ranks: "Engines" Used Armies: March in Ranks: A Promotion Armies: March in Ranks: A Share the Spoils Armies: March in Ranks: Abraham, in Pursuit of Chedorlaomer Armies: March in Ranks: Ambushes at Gibeah Armies: March in Ranks: Ambushes at Shechem Armies: March in Ranks: Ambushes at Zemaraim Armies: March in Ranks: Ambushes, at Ai Armies: March in Ranks: Among the Midianites Armies: March in Ranks: Among the Philistines Armies: March in Ranks: Among the Syrians Armies: March in Ranks: Angel of the Lord Smites the Assyrians Armies: March in Ranks: Ark Taken to Battle Armies: March in Ranks: Army Choir and Songs Armies: March in Ranks: Battle Shouts Armies: March in Ranks: Captains (R. V. Margin, Military Tribunes) of Armies: March in Ranks: Centurions Armies: March in Ranks: Champions Fight Instead of Armies: March in Ranks: Check Roll-Call Armies: March in Ranks: Children Instructed in Military Arts Armies: March in Ranks: Composed of Insurgents Armies: March in Ranks: Confederated Armies: March in Ranks: Confidence In, Vain Armies: March in Ranks: David's Attack Upon the Philistines Armies: March in Ranks: Determine Royal Succession Armies: March in Ranks: Divided Into "Bands" (R. V. Margin, Cohorts) Armies: March in Ranks: Escort Duty Performed By Armies: March in Ranks: Exhorted Before Battle Armies: March in Ranks: Flanks Called Wings Armies: March in Ranks: Forced Marches Armies: March in Ranks: Fortifications Armies: March in Ranks: Gideon's Victory Armies: March in Ranks: Holiness Enjoined Armies: March in Ranks: Insubordination In, Punished, Achan Armies: March in Ranks: Jehoshaphat's Victories Armies: March in Ranks: Joshua, Against the Amorites Armies: March in Ranks: Margin Note) Armies: March in Ranks: Margin); Armies: March in Ranks: Mercenaries Armies: March in Ranks: Move, in Attack, in Three Divisions Armies: March in Ranks: Night Attacks Armies: March in Ranks: Officers Consecrate Themselves to God Armies: March in Ranks: Orders Delivered With Trumpets Armies: March in Ranks: Panics Armies: March in Ranks: Purifications Armies: March in Ranks: Sacrifices Armies: March in Ranks: Samaria's Deliverances Armies: March in Ranks: Seeking Counsel from God Before Battle Armies: March in Ranks: Sieges Armies: March in Ranks: Soldiers Destroy Each Other to Escape Captivity Armies: March in Ranks: Standards Armies: March in Ranks: Standing Armies Armies: March in Ranks: Sun Stands Still Armies: March in Ranks: The Confederated Kings Armies: March in Ranks: The General offers his Daughter in Marriage Armies: March in Ranks: The King offers his Daughter Armies: March in Ranks: Uniforms of Armies: March in Ranks: Unusual Winter Campaign Armies: March in Ranks: when Aaron and Hur Held up Moses' Hands Armies: Marched with Noise and Tumult Armies: Marched with Order and Precision Armies: Marched: Often in Open Line Armies: Numerous and Heavy Afflictions Armies: Often Consisted of the Whole Effective Strength of Nations Armies: Often Destroyed by Brought Their Idols With Them Armies: Often Destroyed by Supernatural Means Armies: Often Destroyed by Their Enemies Armies: Often Destroyed by Themselves Through Divine Intervention Armies: Often Surprised Their Enemies Armies: Often Went on Foreign Service Armies: Refusal to Obey the Summons, Instance of Armies: Rendezvous of Cutting Oxen in Pieces, and Sending the Pieces Throughout Israel Armies: Rendezvous of Sounding a Trumpet Armies: Sent out Foraging Parties Armies: Toil and Fatigue often Endured By Armies: Troops often Hired For Armies: Who of the Israelites Were Subject to Service In Armies: Who Were Exempt from Service In The Armies of Israel with the Aid of God All-Powerful The Armies of Israel without God Easily Overcome The Armies of Israel: Ark of God Frequently Brought With The Armies of Israel: Attended by Priest With Trumpets The Armies of Israel: Before Going to War were Numbered and Reviewed The Armies of Israel: Before Going to War: Consulted the Lord The Armies of Israel: Before Going to War: Encouraged by Their Commanders The Armies of Israel: Before Going to War: Required to Keep from Iniquity The Armies of Israel: Bravery and Fidelity In, Rewarded The Armies of Israel: Called: Composed of Infantry The Armies of Israel: Called: Horsemen and Chariots Introduced Into, After David's Reign The Armies of Israel: Called: The Armies of the Living God The Armies of Israel: Called: The Host The Armies of Israel: Collected by Extraordinary Means The Armies of Israel: Collected by Sound of Trumpets The Armies of Israel: Collected by Special Messengers The Armies of Israel: Commanded by the Captain of the Host The Armies of Israel: Congratulated on Returning Victorious The Armies of Israel: Directed in Their Movements by God The Armies of Israel: Disbanded After War The Armies of Israel: Divided Into: Companies of Thousands The Armies of Israel: Divided Into: Three Divisions The Armies of Israel: Divided Into: Van and Rear The Armies of Israel: Educated in the Art of War The Armies of Israel: Enroled by the Chief Scribe The Armies of Israel: First Mention of The Armies of Israel: Inferior officers of, Appointed by The Captain of the Host The Armies of Israel: Inferior officers of, Appointed by The Chief officers The Armies of Israel: Inferior officers of, Appointed by The King The Armies of Israel: Men Selected From, for Difficult Enterprises The Armies of Israel: Mode of Supplying by Presents The Armies of Israel: Mode of Supplying: Contribution Levied The Armies of Israel: Mode of Supplying: Food Brought by Themselves The Armies of Israel: Mode of Supplying: Food Sent by Their Families The Armies of Israel: Often Disposed to Battle With Judgment The Armies of Israel: Often Led by the King in Person The Armies of Israel: Often Supplied With Arms from Public Armouries The Armies of Israel: Part of, Retained in Times of Peace by the Kings The Armies of Israel: Persons Exempted from Serving in Who had Built a House The Armies of Israel: Persons Exempted from Serving in Who had Planted a Vineyard The Armies of Israel: Persons Exempted from Serving in Who Were Lately Betrothed The Armies of Israel: Persons Exempted from Serving in Who Were Newly Married The Armies of Israel: Persons Liable to Serve In The Armies of Israel: Praises of God often Sung Before The Armies of Israel: Purified on Returning from War The Armies of Israel: Refusing to Join, often Punished The Armies of Israel: Refusing to Join, Stigmatised The Armies of Israel: Sometimes Consisted of the Whole Nation The Armies of Israel: Strict Discipline Observed In The Armies of Israel: The Fearful Allowed to Leave Related Terms |