The concept of invasion is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, often serving as a manifestation of divine judgment, a test of faith, or a catalyst for change among the people of God. Invasions in the biblical narrative are typically characterized by foreign powers entering and exerting control over the land of Israel or other territories, often resulting in significant social, political, and spiritual consequences.

Old Testament Instances

1. Assyrian Invasion of Israel: One of the most significant invasions recorded in the Old Testament is the Assyrian conquest of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. In 2 Kings 17:5-6, the Assyrian king Shalmaneser besieged Samaria and captured it after three years, leading to the exile of the Israelites. This event is seen as a direct consequence of Israel's persistent idolatry and disobedience to God: "Then the king of Assyria invaded the whole land, marched up to Samaria, and besieged it for three years. In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and deported the Israelites to Assyria" (2 Kings 17:5-6).

2. Babylonian Invasion of Judah: The Babylonian invasion and subsequent exile of Judah is another pivotal event. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon invaded Judah, destroyed Jerusalem, and carried the people into exile. This is detailed in 2 Kings 24-25 and is attributed to Judah's unfaithfulness to the covenant with God. Jeremiah 25:9 proclaims, "I will summon all the families of the north,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will send for My servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, whom I will bring against this land and its residents and against all the surrounding nations."

3. Philistine Incursions: The Philistines frequently invaded Israelite territory during the period of the Judges and the early monarchy. These invasions often served as a test of Israel's faithfulness and reliance on God. In 1 Samuel 4, the Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant, a significant spiritual and military defeat for Israel.

New Testament Context

While the New Testament does not focus on military invasions in the same way as the Old Testament, the concept of spiritual invasion is present. The New Testament emphasizes the invasion of sin and evil into the world and the hearts of individuals, countered by the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Ephesians 6:12 speaks to this spiritual battle: "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

Theological Implications

Invasions in the Bible often serve as instruments of divine judgment or discipline, calling God's people to repentance and renewal. They highlight the sovereignty of God over nations and history, demonstrating that even foreign powers are under His control and can be used to fulfill His purposes. The invasions also underscore the importance of faithfulness to God's covenant and the consequences of turning away from His commandments.

Prophetic and Eschatological Views

Prophetic literature often uses the imagery of invasion to describe future judgments or the coming of God's kingdom. For instance, the book of Joel describes a locust invasion as a metaphor for the Day of the Lord, a time of divine judgment and restoration. In eschatological terms, the ultimate invasion is seen in the return of Christ, who will establish His kingdom and defeat all forces of evil.

In summary, the theme of invasion in the Bible serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty, the reality of spiritual warfare, and the call to remain faithful to His covenant.(imp. & p. p.) of Invade.935. bo -- to come in, come, go in, go
... 246), bring it to pass (1), bringing (21), brings (9), brought (255), brought it
to pass (2), came (590), came and brought (2), came and invaded (1), came to ...
/hebrew/935.htm - 8k

6584. pashat -- to strip off, make a dash, raid
... root Definition to strip off, make a dash, raid NASB Word Usage dashed (2), invaded
(1), made a raid (5), made...raid (1), put off (1), raid (2), raided (2 ...
/hebrew/6584.htm - 6k

5927. alah -- to go up, ascend, climb
... 6), going (8), gone (18), gone away (2), got back (1), grew (3), grow (2), grow
back (1), grows (1), imported* (2), incite (1), included (1), invaded (2), jump ...
/hebrew/5927.htm - 8k

1234. baqa -- to cleave, break open or through
... 2), broken (3), burst (2), burst open (1), cleaved (1), dashed to pieces (1), divide
(1), divided (4), forth (1), hatch (2), hews (1), invaded (1), make for ...
/hebrew/1234.htm - 6k

The Contribution of the Natural and Social Sciences
... Both of these had invaded areas of fact to which their methods had no
application and uttered dicta which had no relation to truth. ...
/.../chapter v the contribution of.htm

North and South
... At this moment, my brethren and sisters, we who follow the footsteps of King
Jesus are soldiers of an army which has invaded this world. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/north and south.htm

The Blessings, and Also the Curse, Pronounced by Noah were ...
... For you, who have derived your lineage from Shem, invaded the territory of
the sons of Canaan by the will of God; and you possessed it. ...
/.../chapter cxxxix the blessings and also.htm

Of Rebaptisms, Reordinations, and Translations of Bishops.
... For Cresconius, bishop of Villa Regis, left his own people and invaded the Church
of Tubinia and having been admonished down to this very day, to leave ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xlviii greek lii of.htm

The Mysteries of the Brazen Serpent
... Our first figure represents MEN IN THE ESTATE OF SIN; and the figure is borrowed
from the children of Israel in the wilderness, when they were invaded by the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the mysteries of the brazen.htm

The Opinion of the Peripatetics and Stoics About Mental Emotions.
... the soul by external objects which they call phantasi??, and that it is not in the
power of the soul to determine whether or when it shall be invaded by these. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 4 the opinion of the.htm

On the Government of God
... Belgae invaded by Vandals, 204. Bellarmine, 27. Benedad, king of Syria, 198. ... Gepids,
characteristics of, 123, 127. Germany, invaded by Vandals, 204. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/index 2.htm

The Twelve Minor Prophets.
... From the fact that Joel does not mention as among the enemies of Judah the Syrians
who invaded Judah in the reign of Joash, the grandfather of Uzziah, some ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxiii the twelve minor.htm

Nineveh.
... He invaded Judea, took forty-six cities, and besieged Jerusalem, raising a mound
to overtop the walls; but on receiving large gifts from Hezekiah, he returned ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson ix nineveh.htm

St. Malachy Becomes Bishop of Connor; He Builds the Monastery of ...
... Donegal, the residence of the kings of the northern Ui Neill) in 1121, and the next
year he invaded the northern part of Ulaid, the district in which Bangor is ...
/.../chapter iii st malachy becomes.htm

Invaded (20 Occurrences)
...Invaded (20 Occurrences). ... 1 Samuel 23:27 But there came a messenger unto Saul, saying,
Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land. ...
/i/invaded.htm - 12k

Invade (15 Occurrences)
... vt) To enter with hostile intentions; to enter with a view to conquest or plunder;
to make an irruption into; to attack; as, the Romans invaded Great Britain. ...
/i/invade.htm - 11k

Jehoram (27 Occurrences)
... The Edomites revolted from under his yoke, and the Philistines and the Arabians
and Cushites invaded the land, and carried away great spoil, along with ...
/j/jehoram.htm - 30k

Zerah (22 Occurrences)
... With an enormous army, the largest we read of in Scripture, he invaded the
kingdom of Judah in the days of Asa (2 Chronicles 14:9-15). ...
/z/zerah.htm - 19k

Jehoiakim (37 Occurrences)
... Shallum, Jeremiah 22:11), who favoured the Chaldeans against the Egyptians, was
made king by the people; but the king of Egypt, Pharaoh-necho, invaded the land ...
/j/jehoiakim.htm - 33k

Tiglathpileser (3 Occurrences)
... days of Pekah who had usurped the throne of Menahem's son and successor, Pekahiah,
the king of Assyria is known as Tiglath-pileser, who invaded Naphtali and ...
/t/tiglathpileser.htm - 11k

Tiglath-pileser (6 Occurrences)
... days of Pekah who had usurped the throne of Menahem's son and successor, Pekahiah,
the king of Assyria is known as Tiglath-pileser, who invaded Naphtali and ...
/t/tiglath-pileser.htm - 12k

Captivity (141 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary. (1.) Of Israel. The kingdom of the ten tribes
was successively invaded by several Assyrian kings. Pul ...
/c/captivity.htm - 79k

Socho (1 Occurrence)
... 11:7; RV, Soco), Sho'cho (2 Chronicles 28:18; RV, Soco), a city in the plain or
lowland of Judah, where the Philistines encamped when they invaded Judah after ...
/s/socho.htm - 8k

Joram (26 Occurrences)
... perhaps more in the nature of plundering robber bands than invasions by a regular
army (2 Kings 6). Finally, however, Ben-had in person invaded the country and ...
/j/joram.htm - 27k

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