In biblical terms, "fortifying" often refers to the act of strengthening or securing a place, person, or spiritual state. This concept is prevalent throughout the Scriptures, both in a literal and metaphorical sense. The Bible provides numerous examples of fortification, emphasizing the importance of preparation, protection, and reliance on God's strength.

Physical Fortification

1. Cities and Walls: The Old Testament frequently mentions the fortification of cities as a means of protection against enemies. For instance, the city of Jericho was known for its formidable walls. Joshua 6:1 describes Jericho as "tightly shut up because of the Israelites." The Israelites' conquest of Jericho, as narrated in Joshua 6, demonstrates that while human fortifications can be strong, they are ultimately subject to God's will.

2. Nehemiah's Rebuilding Efforts: Nehemiah's leadership in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem is a significant example of fortification. Nehemiah 4:6 states, "So we rebuilt the wall until all of it was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work." This effort was not only a physical fortification but also a spiritual and communal strengthening of the Jewish people.

Spiritual Fortification

1. Armor of God: Ephesians 6:10-18 provides a metaphorical framework for spiritual fortification. Believers are encouraged to "put on the full armor of God" (Ephesians 6:11) to stand firm against spiritual adversaries. This passage highlights the importance of truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, and the Word of God as essential components of spiritual defense.

2. Strength in the Lord: The Bible frequently emphasizes reliance on God's strength for fortification. Psalm 18:2 declares, "The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge." This verse underscores the belief that true fortification comes from trusting in God's power and protection.

3. Building on a Firm Foundation: Jesus' parable of the wise and foolish builders in Matthew 7:24-27 illustrates the importance of a strong spiritual foundation. Those who hear and act on Jesus' words are likened to a wise man who built his house on the rock, which withstood storms. This teaching emphasizes the necessity of grounding one's life in Christ's teachings for spiritual fortification.

Moral and Ethical Fortification

1. Guarding the Heart: Proverbs 4:23 advises, "Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life." This verse highlights the need for moral fortification by protecting one's heart and mind from corrupting influences.

2. Community and Fellowship: The early church's practice of communal living and mutual support, as seen in Acts 2:42-47, serves as a model for ethical fortification. Believers are encouraged to strengthen one another through fellowship, prayer, and the sharing of resources.

Conclusion

The concept of fortifying in the Bible encompasses both physical and spiritual dimensions. Whether through the literal building of walls or the metaphorical donning of spiritual armor, the Scriptures teach that true strength and security are found in God. Believers are called to actively participate in their fortification by adhering to God's Word, relying on His strength, and supporting one another in faith.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Fortify.1129. banah -- to build
... 112), build* (1), builders (10), building (16), builds (8), built (177), construct
(1), constructed (1), fashioned (1), fortified (3), fortifying (2), have ...
/hebrew/1129.htm - 6k

How Titus Marched to Jerusalem, and How He was in Danger as He was ...
... immediately, and ran out upon the tenth legion, and fell upon the Romans with great
eagerness, and with a prodigious shout, as they were fortifying their camp. ...
/.../chapter 2 how titus marched.htm

From the Death of Bishop Asbury to the Close of the General ...
... of the Presbyterians and Congregationalists of America " while Wesley and his brother
Charles hoisted the flag of Arminius, fortifying themselves with the ...
/.../chapter 3 from the death.htm

Treatise i. On the Unity of the Church.
... And First of All, Fortifying Them Against the Deceits of These, He Exhorts Them
to Constancy, and Instructs Them that Heresies Exist Because Christ, the Head ...
/.../cyprian/the treatises of cyprian/treatise i on the unity.htm

Brother Hugh
... He injured his health by over-abstinence, one effect of which was to cause him to
grow fat, Nature thus revenging herself by fortifying his frame against such ...
/.../marson/hugh bishop of lincoln/chapter ii brother hugh.htm

Importance of the Time of Youth; Difficulties and Dangers that ...
... sin that doleful experience, that premature craftiness, which, far from enlightening
the mind, obscures and blinds it,"which, far from fortifying the will ...
/.../sainte-foi/serious hours of a young lady/chapter i importance of the.htm

Thus, Look at Every Free People, from the Mountains of Helvetia to ...
... and Democracy mutually respect each other, and balance each other by an exchange
of kindnesses and services which sanctify society while fortifying it. ...
/.../lamartine/atheism among the people/xvii thus look at every.htm

Of the Prohibition of Adultery in the Decalogue.
... a religious regard toward parents second (only to that) toward God, (that Law) laid,
as the next substratum in strengthening and fortifying such counts, no ...
/.../tertullian/on modesty/chapter v of the prohibition of.htm

Trinity Sunday the Doctrine of the Trinity.
... John has been subjected to attack, which was written for the special purpose of
fortifying this dogma against the attacks of Cerinthus the heretic, who in the ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/trinity sunday the doctrine of.htm

On Filthy Speaking.
... It is on this account, as appears to me, that the Instructor does not permit us
to give utterance to aught unseemly, fortifying us at an early stage against ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter vi on filthy speaking.htm

That the Christian Miracles are not Recited, or Appealed To, by ...
... rules of public order, admonitions against certain prevailing corruptions, against
vice, or any particular species of it, or in fortifying and encouraging the ...
/.../paley/evidences of christianity/chapter v that the christian.htm

Fortifying (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Fortify. Multi-Version
Concordance Fortifying (3 Occurrences). Judges 9:31 and he ...
/f/fortifying.htm - 7k

Fortify (6 Occurrences)

/f/fortify.htm - 8k

Fortification (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of fortifying; the art or science
of fortifying places in order to defend them against an enemy. ...
/f/fortification.htm - 40k

Jehoshaphat (79 Occurrences)
... After fortifying his kingdom against Israel (2 Chronicles 17:1, 2), he set
himself to cleanse the land of idolatry (1 Kings 22:43). ...
/j/jehoshaphat.htm - 51k

Fortitude (5 Occurrences)

/f/fortitude.htm - 8k

Deceitfully (22 Occurrences)
... he sendeth messengers unto Abimelech deceitfully, saying, 'Lo, Gaal son of Ebed
and his brethren are coming into Shechem, and lo, they are fortifying the city ...
/d/deceitfully.htm - 13k

Rehoboam (42 Occurrences)
... 4. Rehoboam's Prosperity: Rehoboam next occupied himself in strengthening the territory
which still remained to him by fortifying a number of cities (2 ...
/r/rehoboam.htm - 34k

Ahab (85 Occurrences)
... as well. He no doubt began his military policy by fortifying the cities
of Israel (1 Kings 16:34; 1 Kings 22:39). Benhadad (the ...
/a/ahab.htm - 52k

Hezekiah (124 Occurrences)
... early years of his reign were notable, not only for mild and just administration
throughout his realm, but for measures looking to the fortifying and defense ...
/h/hezekiah.htm - 72k

Armenia (2 Occurrences)
... themselves kings. Artaxias, king of Armenia Major, used Hannibal's aid
in fortifying his capital Artaxata (189 BC). Artaxias was ...
/a/armenia.htm - 21k

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