In the context of the Bible, "raiders" refers to groups or bands of people who engaged in sudden attacks or incursions, often for the purpose of plundering or capturing goods, livestock, or people. These raiding parties were a common feature in the ancient Near East and are frequently mentioned in the Old Testament narratives.

Biblical References and Context

1. Amalekites and Other Nomadic Tribes: One of the most notable groups of raiders in the Bible were the Amalekites. They were a nomadic tribe that frequently attacked the Israelites. In 1 Samuel 30:1, the Amalekites raided Ziklag, a town where David and his men had settled: "Now when David and his men came to Ziklag on the third day, the Amalekites had raided the Negev and Ziklag. They had attacked Ziklag and burned it down."

2. Midianites: The Midianites also conducted raids against Israel. In Judges 6:3-4, it is recorded: "Whenever the Israelites planted crops, the Midianites, Amalekites, and other eastern peoples invaded the country. They camped on the land and ruined the crops all the way to Gaza and did not spare a living thing for Israel, neither sheep nor cattle nor donkeys."

3. Philistines: The Philistines were another group known for their raiding activities. They were a constant threat to Israel during the time of the Judges and the early monarchy. In 1 Samuel 13:17, it is noted: "And raiders came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies. One company turned toward Ophrah, to the land of Shual."

4. Chaldeans and Sabeans: In the Book of Job, raiders are mentioned in the context of Job's trials. The Sabeans and Chaldeans conducted raids that resulted in the loss of Job's livestock and servants. Job 1:15-17 describes these events: "and the Sabeans swooped down and took them away. They put the servants to the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you!... While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, 'The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels, and took them away. They put the servants to the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you!'"

Cultural and Historical Significance

Raiders in biblical times were often nomadic or semi-nomadic groups who relied on raiding as a means of survival and economic gain. The frequent mention of raiders in the Bible highlights the instability and danger of the ancient Near Eastern world, where settled communities were often at risk from these marauding bands.

The presence of raiders also served as a test of faith and resilience for the Israelites. The biblical narratives often depict God delivering His people from the hands of raiders, emphasizing His protection and sovereignty. For instance, in 1 Samuel 30, after the Amalekite raid on Ziklag, David sought the Lord's guidance and was able to recover all that had been taken.

Moral and Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the accounts of raiders in the Bible can be seen as a reflection of the consequences of sin and disobedience. The Israelites' failure to fully obey God's commands often left them vulnerable to such attacks. However, these narratives also underscore God's faithfulness and His willingness to deliver and restore His people when they turn back to Him in repentance and faith.

The accounts of raiders and their interactions with the Israelites serve as a reminder of the spiritual battles believers face and the need for reliance on God's strength and protection.1416. gedud -- a band, troop
... Word Origin from gadad Definition a band, troop NASB Word Usage band (6), band of
raiders (1), Bandits (1), bands (7), divisions (1), marauding band (2 ...
/hebrew/1416.htm - 6k

7843. shachath -- perhaps to go to ruin
... 7), destroys (5), destruction (2), devastate (1), felled (2), go to ruin (1), harm
(2), jeopardize (1), laid waste (1), polluted (1), raiders (2), ravage (1 ...
/hebrew/7843.htm - 6k

Oracles on the Scythians. (With Some Others: iv. 5-vi. 29. )
... Jerusalem is named twice in the song, and naturally, since the whole land is threatened
with waste and the raiders come up to the suburbs of the capital. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/2 oracles on the scythians.htm

Call for Volunteers.
... When the crops were almost ready to harvest, these raiders swooped in in great numbers
and destroyed all the crops and drove away all the stock. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on service/call for volunteers.htm

God's Covenant with Abram
... 15:5-18. 1. Abram had exposed himself to dangerous reprisals by his victory
over the confederate Eastern raiders. In the reaction ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/gods covenant with abram.htm

The Secret of Courage
... Everything else was gone; his property was carried off by raiders, his home was
smouldering embers. But the Amalekites had not stolen God from him. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the secret of courage.htm

The Holy See and the Wandering of the Nations.
... life through various countries depopulated or barbarous, infused into the whole
mass one spirit, so that Arians became Catholics, Teuton raiders issued into ...
/.../allies/the formation of christendom volume vi/chapter i the holy see.htm

A Cultivated Conservative Friend of Mine once Exhibited Great ...
... to individual life and love, in their base belief in mere numbers, in their pessimistic
courage and their atheistic patriotism, the riders and raiders of the ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 42 a cultivated conservative.htm

Events During the War
... prayed for their success. After their return, my father overheard him
and one of the raiders talking. Father overheard this man ...
/.../cole/trials and triumphs of faith/chapter iv events during the.htm

The Early Life of Malachy. Having Been Admitted to Holy Orders He ...
... This king therefore seeing what had been done, was filled with wrath; and indignant,
on the one hand, at the freedom of the raiders and the insolence of the ...
/.../chapter i the early life.htm

The Rise of the Assyrian Empire
... They still continued, however, to pay visits to these localities"sometimes in the
guise of merchants and at others as raiders, according to their ancient ...
/.../chapter iithe rise of the.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... at the call of the trumpet, Jerubbaal chose from among them three hundred of the
strongest, with whom he came down unexpectedly upon the raiders, put them to ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Raiders (12 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Raiders (12 Occurrences). Genesis 49:19 "A troop will
press on Gad, but he will press on their heel. (See NAS RSV NIV). ...
/r/raiders.htm - 9k

Raided (6 Occurrences)

/r/raided.htm - 8k

Raiding (11 Occurrences)

/r/raiding.htm - 10k

David (1052 Occurrences)
... burnt during his brief absence. David pursued after the raiders, the Amalekites,
and completely routed them. On his return to Ziklag ...
/d/david.htm - 93k

Dan (71 Occurrences)
... Sidon. Its inhabitants, pursuing the ends of peaceful traders, were
defenseless against the onset of the Danite raiders. Having ...
/d/dan.htm - 41k

Who was Gad in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What is the significance of Ziklag in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Elisha in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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