Artillery, as understood in modern military terms, refers to large-caliber guns used in warfare on land. However, in the context of the Bible, the concept of artillery would be more closely associated with ancient siege engines and projectile weapons used in warfare. The Bible, particularly the Old Testament, provides several references to the use of such weapons in the context of battles and sieges.

Biblical References and Context

1. Siege Engines and Battering Rams: The Bible makes mention of siege engines, which were used to break down the walls of fortified cities. In Ezekiel 21:22 , the prophet speaks of the king of Babylon using battering rams against Jerusalem: "In his right hand is the divination for Jerusalem: 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."

2. Catapults and Stone Throwers: While not explicitly named as catapults, the concept of throwing large stones is present in the biblical narrative. In 2 Chronicles 26:15 , King Uzziah is credited with inventing machines for warfare: "In Jerusalem he made skillfully designed devices to shoot arrows and hurl large stones from the towers and corners. So his fame spread far and wide, for he was helped marvelously until he became strong."

3. Archery and Slinging: Although not artillery in the modern sense, archery and slinging were significant components of ancient warfare. The use of bows and arrows is frequently mentioned, as in 1 Samuel 31:3 , where Saul is critically wounded by archers: "The battle intensified against Saul, and the archers overtook him and wounded him critically."

4. Symbolic Use: Artillery and siege warfare are sometimes used symbolically in the Bible to describe God's judgment or the destruction of cities. In Jeremiah 6:6 , the Lord commands the destruction of Jerusalem: "This is what the LORD of Hosts says: 'Cut down the trees and raise a siege ramp against Jerusalem. This city must be punished; there is nothing but oppression in her midst.'"

Historical and Cultural Insights

In the ancient Near East, warfare was a common occurrence, and cities were often fortified to withstand sieges. The development of siege technology, such as battering rams and stone throwers, was crucial for conquering these fortified cities. The biblical accounts reflect the historical reality of warfare during the times of the Israelites, where such technology played a pivotal role in military strategy.

The Israelites, like their neighbors, would have been familiar with these technologies, either through their own use or through encounters with other nations. The biblical narrative often highlights the reliance on divine intervention over military might, as seen in accounts like the fall of Jericho (Joshua 6), where the walls fell not by siege engines but by the power of God.

Theological Implications

The use of artillery and siege warfare in the Bible often serves to illustrate the futility of relying solely on human strength and technology in the face of divine will. The narratives emphasize that ultimate victory and protection come from God, not from the might of armies or the sophistication of their weapons. This theme is echoed in passages like Psalm 20:7 : "Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God."

In summary, while the Bible does not describe artillery in the modern sense, it provides a rich tapestry of references to ancient military technology, reflecting both the historical context of the times and the theological message of reliance on God over human strength.1 Samuel 20:40, (Hebrews keli, meaning "apparatus;" here meaning collectively any missile weapons, as arrows and lances. In Revised Version, "weapons"). This word is derived from the Latin artillaria = equipment of war. 1. (n.) Munitions of war; implements for warfare, as slings, bows, and arrows.

2. (n.) Cannon; great guns; ordnance, including guns, mortars, howitzers, etc., with their equipment of carriages, balls, bombs, and shot of all kinds.

3. (n.) The men and officers of that branch of the army to which the care and management of artillery are confided.

4. (n.) The science of artillery or gunnery.

ARTILLERY

ar-til'-er-i (keli): In 1 Samuel 20:40 (the King James Version) of Jonathan's bow and arrows, replaced in the Revised Version (British and American) by WEAPONS; and in 1 Maccabees 6:51 (the King James Version) where the Greek words are translated in the Revised Version (British and American) "instruments for casting fire and stones."

3627. keli -- an article, utensil, vessel
... yokes (1). armour bearer, artillery, bag, carriage, furnish, furniture,
instrument, jewel,. From kalah; something prepared, ie Any ...
/hebrew/3627.htm - 6k

January the Thirtieth Irresistible Artillery
... JANUARY The Thirtieth IRRESISTIBLE ARTILLERY. "When I cry unto Thee, then shall
mine enemies turn back." "Psalm 56.p> But it must be a real "cry"! ...
/.../january the thirtieth irresistible artillery.htm

The Outbreak at Benares.
... the event of a rising. Our European force consisted of thirty artillery-
men in charge of a battery of three guns. At the fort of ...
/.../life and work in benares and kumaon 1839-1877/chapter xvii the outbreak at.htm

A Sermon Made by M. Hugh Latimer, at the Time of the Insurrection ...
... Yea, he is a crafty warrior, and also of great power in this world; he hath great
ordnance and artillery; he hath great pieces of ordnance, as mighty kings and ...
/.../latimer/sermons on the card and other discourses/a sermon made by m.htm

My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year
... JANUARY The Twenty-ninth NOBLE REVENGE. JANUARY The Thirtieth IRRESISTIBLE
ARTILLERY. JANUARY The Thirty-first UNDER HIS WINGS. FEBRUARY ...
//christianbookshelf.org/jowett/my daily meditation for the circling year/

A Prefatory Letter.
... mathematical sciences, which, repeated and expanded elsewhere, brought upon me,
during the meeting of the British Association at Exeter, the artillery of our ...
/.../huxley/lay sermons addresses and reviews/a prefatory letter.htm

Peace on Earth through Righteousness
... Long before the pretext of war was provided by the murder of the Austrian
Crown-Prince in Serajevo, I saw the troops, the artillery, the mountains of ammunition ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/van dyke/what peace means/ii peace on earth through.htm

The Mediator --The Interpreter
... to indicate this, it was made public with accompaniments of fear and death: the
battalions of Omnipotence marshaled upon the scene; the dread artillery of God ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 35 1889/the mediatorthe interpreter.htm

Synopsis. --The Present Net Results of the Discussion of the ...
... of the former evidential value of miracles."Further insistence on this value a logical
blunder."The transfer of miracles from the artillery to the baggage ...
/.../miracles and supernatural religion/ii synopsis the present net results.htm

The Doctrines of Grace do not Lead to Sin
... Straightway the unrenewed man seeks out artillery with which to fight against the
gospel of the grace of God, and one of the biggest guns he has ever brought ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 29 1883/the doctrines of grace do.htm

The Cocal
... At which quite unexpected artillery they fled precipitately; and have had
some rational respect for a steamer's quarter ever since. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter xiii the cocal.htm

Artillery (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (n.) The men and officers of that branch of the army to which the care and
management of artillery are confided. ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ARTILLERY. ...
/a/artillery.htm - 7k

Park (2 Occurrences)
... ammunition, ordnance stores, hospital stores, provisions, etc., when brought together;
also, the objects themselves; as, a park of wagons; a park of artillery. ...
/p/park.htm - 9k

Line (131 Occurrences)
... 31. (n.) The regular infantry of an army, as distinguished from militia, guards,
volunteer corps, cavalry, artillery, etc. 32. (n.) A trench or rampart. 33. ...
/l/line.htm - 43k

Troop (28 Occurrences)
... Formerly, also, a company of horse artillery; a battery. 4. (n.) A company of
stageplayers; a troupe. 5. (n.) A particular roll of the drum; a quick march. ...
/t/troop.htm - 16k

Regiment (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A body of troops, either horse, foot, or artillery, commanded by a colonel,
and consisting of a number of companies, usually ten. ...
/r/regiment.htm - 7k

Exclusive (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (a.) Not taking into the account; excluding from consideration; -- opposed
to inclusive; as, five thousand troops, exclusive of artillery. ...
/e/exclusive.htm - 7k

Discharge (30 Occurrences)
... cargo. 15. (vt) Firing off; explosive removal of a charge; explosion;
letting off; as, a discharge of arrows, of artillery. 16. ...
/d/discharge.htm - 18k

Artisan (1 Occurrence)

/a/artisan.htm - 7k

Artificial (1 Occurrence)

/a/artificial.htm - 7k

Assail (4 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To attack with violence, or in a vehement and hostile manner; to assault;
to molest; as, to assail a man with blows; to assail a city with artillery. ...
/a/assail.htm - 7k

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