Topical Encyclopedia The term "beseigeth" is an archaic form of the word "besiege," which refers to the act of surrounding a city or stronghold with armed forces in order to capture it or force its surrender. This term is often used in the context of warfare and military strategy in the Bible, particularly in the Old Testament, where it describes the sieges of cities and fortresses by various armies.Biblical Context and Usage In the Bible, besieging was a common military tactic employed by nations to conquer cities and expand their territories. The act of besieging a city involved cutting off supplies, bombarding the city walls, and waiting for the inhabitants to surrender due to starvation or lack of resources. This tactic is mentioned numerous times throughout the Scriptures, illustrating both the physical and spiritual battles faced by the people of God. Old Testament References One of the earliest references to a siege in the Bible is found in the account of the conquest of Jericho by the Israelites under Joshua's leadership. Although the term "beseigeth" is not used directly, the concept is evident as the Israelites encircle the city for seven days before its miraculous fall (Joshua 6:1-20). Another significant instance of besieging is the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem during the reign of King Hezekiah. The Assyrian king Sennacherib laid siege to the city, but through divine intervention, the city was delivered. The angel of the Lord struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers, forcing Sennacherib to withdraw (2 Kings 19:32-36; Isaiah 37:33-37). The Babylonian siege of Jerusalem, which led to the destruction of the city and the temple in 586 BC, is another pivotal event. This siege, led by King Nebuchadnezzar, resulted in the exile of the Jewish people to Babylon. The prophet Jeremiah vividly describes the horrors of the siege and the subsequent fall of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 39:1-10; Lamentations 2:20-22). Spiritual Implications In addition to its literal meaning, the concept of besieging can also have spiritual implications. The Bible often uses military imagery to describe spiritual warfare and the struggles faced by believers. Just as a city under siege is surrounded by enemies, Christians may feel besieged by spiritual forces and temptations. The Apostle Paul encourages believers to put on the full armor of God to stand firm against such spiritual sieges (Ephesians 6:10-18). Prophetic and Eschatological Significance The theme of besieging also appears in prophetic and eschatological contexts. In the book of Daniel, the vision of the ram and the goat includes a reference to the "beautiful land" being trampled, which can be interpreted as a form of spiritual siege (Daniel 8:9-10). In the New Testament, Jesus speaks of the future siege of Jerusalem, which occurred in AD 70 when the Romans destroyed the city (Luke 21:20-24). Conclusion The concept of besieging in the Bible serves as a powerful reminder of the physical and spiritual battles faced by God's people throughout history. It underscores the importance of reliance on divine intervention and the necessity of spiritual preparedness in the face of adversity. Concordance Beseigeth (1 Occurrence)1 Chronicles 20:1 Thesaurus Beseigeth (1 Occurrence)... Multi-Version Concordance Beseigeth (1 Occurrence). 1 Chronicles 20:1 And it cometh to pass, at the time of the turn of the year ... /b/beseigeth.htm - 6k Beset (16 Occurrences) Leadeth (42 Occurrences) Destroyeth (38 Occurrences) Breaketh (49 Occurrences) Beseemeth (2 Occurrences) Abiding (40 Occurrences) Resources Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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