In the context of the Bible, "detachments" often refer to groups of soldiers or military units that are assigned specific tasks or missions. These detachments play significant roles in various biblical narratives, particularly in the historical and prophetic books of the Old and New Testaments.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, detachments are frequently mentioned in the context of Israel's military campaigns and defenses. The organization of the Israelite army often involved dividing forces into smaller units or detachments to achieve strategic objectives. For instance, during the conquest of Canaan, Joshua employed strategic military tactics that likely involved the use of detachments to capture key cities (Joshua 6-12).

The concept of detachments is also evident in the account of Gideon. In Judges 7, God instructs Gideon to reduce his army to 300 men, effectively creating a small detachment to defeat the Midianites. This narrative highlights the importance of faith and divine intervention over sheer numbers in military engagements.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, detachments are mentioned in the context of Roman military presence in Judea. The Roman Empire maintained control over its provinces through the deployment of military detachments, which were responsible for maintaining order and enforcing Roman law.

One notable mention of a detachment is found in the account of Jesus' arrest. In John 18:3 , it is recorded: "So Judas brought a band of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees. They arrived there with lanterns, torches, and weapons." The term "band of soldiers" refers to a Roman cohort or detachment, illustrating the collaboration between Jewish authorities and Roman forces in the arrest of Jesus.

Additionally, in Acts 10, Cornelius, a centurion of the Italian Regiment, is described as a devout man who feared God. His position as a centurion indicates his leadership over a detachment of Roman soldiers stationed in Caesarea. This narrative underscores the presence and influence of Roman military detachments in the daily life of the region.

Symbolic and Theological Implications

Detachments in the Bible can also carry symbolic and theological implications. They often represent the organized power of human authority and military might. However, biblical narratives frequently emphasize that true victory and deliverance come from God rather than human strength or military prowess. This is evident in accounts like that of Gideon, where a small detachment achieves victory through divine guidance.

Furthermore, the presence of Roman detachments in the New Testament serves as a backdrop to the life and ministry of Jesus, highlighting the tension between earthly kingdoms and the Kingdom of God. The arrest and crucifixion of Jesus, facilitated by Roman soldiers, ultimately lead to the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan, demonstrating that God's purposes transcend human authority and military power.

In summary, detachments in the Bible are significant both in their historical context and in their symbolic representation of human authority contrasted with divine sovereignty.

Some Associated Questions
... In AD.69, Syrian detachments to the number of 13,000 men swelled the army which
Mucianus, governor of Syria, led westwards to support Vespasian in his struggle ...
/.../ramsay/was christ born in bethlehem/chapter 12 some associated questions.htm

The Restoration.
... The return from Babylon covered a long period of time and consisted of three
separate detachments under as many different leaders. ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xvi the restoration.htm

Vanished Hopes
... Others were hauled into place; fresh detachments of Romans seized upon the
scaling-ladders or mounted to the towers, and the roar of the conflict never abated. ...
/.../miller/the city of delight/chapter xxii vanished hopes.htm

Letter xxix (AD 1132) to Henry, King of England
... "The Abbot of Clairvaux, Bernard, had sent detachments of his army of invasion to
take possession of the most distant regions; they won brilliant triumphs over ...
/.../some letters of saint bernard abbot of clairvaux/letter xxix a d 1132 to.htm

The Massacre
... Ga??nas said, I will pray for the recovery of my health.' He gave secret orders to
his army to join him there, not in one body, but by detachments of ten ...
/.../chapter xxxiii the massacre.htm

At the Front or the Base
... some of the available strength has to be taken to guard the camp, the place where
the supplies are, the base of operations, and pickets and detachments have to ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/at the front or the.htm

The Bohemian Confessions after the Reformation. AD 1535 and 1575.
... Against them dragonades were employed. Detachments of soldiers were sent into the
various districts to torment the heretics till they were converted. ...
/.../ 73 the bohemian confessions.htm

The Ascension
... of relation between the two movements, the ascent of Jesus, and the evangelization
of the world, such as exists, for example, between detachments of an army ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 16 19-20 the ascension.htm

Letter xvii. --Conduct During Trials.
... harder to bear, but they are also more meritorious and purifying, and after having
been made to endure these purifications and detachments, everything else ...
/.../abandonment to divine providence/letter xvii conduct during trials.htm

Saint Isaac, the Monk, Predicts the Death of Valens. Valens in his ...
... and made known the news with a shout to those companions who were in advance of
them; and thus the news was conveyed till it reached the detachments which were ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of sozomenus/chapter xl saint isaac the monk.htm

Detachments (7 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Detachments (7 Occurrences). Judges 7:16 And
he divideth the three hundred men 'into' three detachments...
/d/detachments.htm - 8k

Detachment (6 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 13:17 And the destroyer goeth out from the camp of the Philistines -- three
detachments; the one detachment turneth unto the way of Ophrah, unto the ...
/d/detachment.htm - 8k

Divideth (20 Occurrences)
... Judges 7:16 And he divideth the three hundred men 'into' three detachments, and
putteth trumpets into the hand of all of them, and empty pitchers, and lamps ...
/d/divideth.htm - 12k

Pushed (28 Occurrences)
... Judges 9:44 And Abimelech and the detachments who 'are' with him have pushed on,
and stand at the opening of the gate of the city, and the two detachments have ...
/p/pushed.htm - 15k

Riseth (165 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Judges 9:34 And Abimelech riseth, and all the people who 'are' with him,
by night, and they lay wait against Shechem -- four detachments; (YLT). ...
/r/riseth.htm - 37k

Detail (19 Occurrences)

/d/detail.htm - 12k

Putteth (182 Occurrences)
... Judges 7:16 And he divideth the three hundred men 'into' three detachments, and
putteth trumpets into the hand of all of them, and empty pitchers, and lamps ...
/p/putteth.htm - 38k

Layeth (76 Occurrences)
... Judges 9:43 and he taketh the people, and divideth them into three detachments,
and layeth wait in a field, and looketh, and lo, the people are coming out from ...
/l/layeth.htm - 28k

Elim (5 Occurrences)
... The form of expression in Exodus 16:1 seems to imply that the people proceeded in
detachments or companies from Elim, and only for the first time were ...
/e/elim.htm - 9k

Destroyer (23 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 13:17 And the destroyer goeth out from the camp of the Philistines -- three
detachments; the one detachment turneth unto the way of Ophrah, unto the ...
/d/destroyer.htm - 16k

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