In the biblical context, "defenses" often refer to the means by which individuals, cities, or nations protect themselves from physical, spiritual, or moral threats. The concept of defense is multifaceted, encompassing both divine protection and human efforts to safeguard against adversaries.

Divine Protection

The Bible frequently emphasizes that God is the ultimate source of protection for His people. In the Old Testament, God is depicted as a fortress and shield for those who trust in Him. Psalm 18:2 declares, "The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." This imagery underscores the belief that God provides a secure defense against all forms of danger.

The Israelites experienced divine protection throughout their history, particularly during their exodus from Egypt and their conquest of Canaan. In Exodus 14:14 , Moses reassures the Israelites, "The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still." This highlights the idea that God Himself intervenes to defend His people, often requiring them to rely on faith rather than physical might.

Human Efforts and Fortifications

While divine protection is paramount, the Bible also acknowledges the role of human efforts in defense. The construction of walls, fortresses, and other fortifications is a recurring theme, especially in the context of ancient cities. Nehemiah's rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem is a notable example. Nehemiah 4:9 states, "So we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat." This passage illustrates the balance between trusting in God and taking practical steps to ensure security.

The city of Jerusalem itself is often described as a fortified city, with its walls symbolizing strength and protection. In Isaiah 26:1 , the prophet declares, "We have a strong city; salvation is established as its walls and ramparts." Here, the physical defenses of the city are paralleled with spiritual salvation, indicating that true security comes from God.

Spiritual and Moral Defenses

Beyond physical defenses, the Bible also addresses the need for spiritual and moral protection. Ephesians 6:11-17 describes the "armor of God," a metaphorical set of defenses that believers are encouraged to "put on" to stand against spiritual adversaries. This armor includes the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, and the helmet of salvation, among others. These elements represent virtues and divine truths that protect believers from spiritual deception and moral failure.

Proverbs 4:23 advises, "Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life." This verse emphasizes the importance of internal defenses, urging individuals to protect their hearts and minds from corrupting influences.

Conclusion

In summary, the concept of defenses in the Bible encompasses both divine and human elements. While God is portrayed as the ultimate protector, believers are also called to take active steps in safeguarding themselves physically, spiritually, and morally. The interplay between divine sovereignty and human responsibility is a recurring theme, highlighting the comprehensive nature of biblical defenses.7973. shelach -- a missile, weapon, sprout
... Word Origin from shalach Definition a missile, weapon, sprout NASB Word Usage
defenses (1), Sheol (1), shoots (1), weapon (3), weapons (1). ...
/hebrew/7973.htm - 6k

1354. gab -- a back
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition a back NASB Word Usage back (1), backs
(1), base (1), defenses (2), eyebrows* (1), massive* (1), rims (3), shrine (2 ...
/hebrew/1354.htm - 6k

The Acts of the Apostles
... it contains several discourses of these apostles, as Peters sermon on the day of
Pentecost, 2:14-36; and in the temple, 3:12-26; his defenses before the Jewish ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the acts of the apostles.htm

The Builders on the Wall
... Painful reflections filled the mind of the Jewish patriot as with sorrow-stricken
heart he gazed upon the ruined defenses of his beloved Jerusalem. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 53 the builders on.htm

Our Strong City
... And the consciousness of the fact and the sense of possessing it, is for our poor
hearts, one of our best defenses against both the evil of sin and the evil of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/our strong city.htm

The Revolt of Babylon.
... They strengthened their defenses, and accumulated great stores of provisions, and
took measures for diminishing that part of the population which would be ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter vii the revolt of.htm

The Death of Darius.
... destroyed. The Parians rejected the demand, and engaged energetically in
the work of completing and strengthening their defenses. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter xii the death of.htm

Religion and Amusement.
... Correspondingly with this mistake, the tendency has grown to strengthen the
defenses of character, rather than to foster its growth. ...
/.../vincent/amusement a force in christian training/religion and amusement.htm

From the Death of Bishop Asbury to the Close of the General ...
... His masterly defenses of Wesleyan theology remain unanswered, and, it is believed,
unanswerable, and will long remain as a monument of his piety, of his ...
/.../chapter 3 from the death.htm

The Tangled Web
... citizens and soldiers rushed upon a threatened gate or segment of the wall and lent
strength to keep the Romans out; at other times the defenses were forsaken ...
/.../miller/the city of delight/chapter xvii the tangled web.htm

Introduction
... of the gospel. By the middle of the second century attacks on Christianity
as well as defenses of it were in circulation. A work ...
//christianbookshelf.org/richardson/early christian fathers/introduction 6.htm

D. The Arrest of Jesus. Ch. 22:47-53
... position of his Lord. However well intended, such rash defenses weaken the
cause they are designed to promote. Jesus turned to rebuke ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/d the arrest of jesus.htm

Defenses (8 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Defenses (8 Occurrences). ... (See NIV). Job 13:12 Your memorable
sayings are proverbs of ashes, Your defenses are defenses of clay. ...
/d/defenses.htm - 8k

Memorable (3 Occurrences)
... See RSV). Job 13:12 Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes, Your defenses
are defenses of clay. (WEB ASV DBY NAS). Ezekiel 39 ...
/m/memorable.htm - 7k

Maxims (2 Occurrences)
... backs on the truth. (WEY). Job 13:12 Your memorable sayings are proverbs
of ashes, Your defenses are defenses of clay. (See RSV NIV). ...
/m/maxims.htm - 6k

Uzziah (27 Occurrences)
... tribute to Uzziah, and "his name spread abroad even to the entrance to Egypt; for
he waxed exceeding strong" (2 Chronicles 26:8). 3. Home Defenses: Uzziah next ...
/u/uzziah.htm - 27k

Azariah (47 Occurrences)
... tribute to Uzziah, and "his name spread abroad even to the entrance to Egypt; for
he waxed exceeding strong" (2 Chronicles 26:8). 3. Home Defenses: Uzziah next ...
/a/azariah.htm - 36k

Clay (50 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Job 13:12 Your memorable sayings
are proverbs of ashes, Your defenses are defenses of clay. ...
/c/clay.htm - 25k

Defer (7 Occurrences)

/d/defer.htm - 9k

Ashes (44 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Job 13:12 Your memorable sayings
are proverbs of ashes, Your defenses are defenses of clay. ...
/a/ashes.htm - 24k

Jostle (3 Occurrences)
... Joel 2:8 Neither does one jostle another; they march everyone in his path, and they
burst through the defenses, and don't break ranks. (WEB RSV NIV). ...
/j/jostle.htm - 7k

Rear (46 Occurrences)
... 7. (vt) To erect by building; to set up; to construct; as, to rear defenses
or houses; to rear one government on the ruins of another. ...
/r/rear.htm - 21k

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