In biblical terms, the concept of a "rout" refers to a disorderly retreat or defeat of an army, often characterized by panic and confusion. This term is used to describe instances where God intervenes on behalf of His people, leading to the disarray and defeat of their enemies. The idea of a rout is closely associated with divine intervention and the fulfillment of God's promises to protect and deliver His chosen people.

Old Testament Instances

One of the most notable examples of a rout in the Old Testament is found in the account of Gideon. In Judges 7, God instructs Gideon to reduce his army to just 300 men to face the Midianites. Despite the overwhelming odds, God causes confusion among the Midianite camp, leading to their defeat. Judges 7:22 states, "When the three hundred trumpets sounded, the LORD set the sword of one man against another throughout the camp, and the army fled to Beth-shittah toward Zererah as far as the border of Abel-meholah near Tabbath."

Another significant instance is the defeat of the Philistines by Jonathan and his armor-bearer. In 1 Samuel 14, Jonathan trusts in the Lord's ability to save "by many or by few" (1 Samuel 14:6). The Lord causes panic among the Philistines, leading to their rout. 1 Samuel 14:15 describes the scene: "Then panic struck the whole Philistine army—the camp and the field, and those in the outposts and raiding parties—and the ground shook. It was a panic sent by God."

Divine Intervention and Faith

The concept of a rout often underscores the theme of divine intervention in the battles faced by the Israelites. It highlights the importance of faith and obedience to God's commands. The Israelites' victories in these instances are not attributed to their military prowess but to their reliance on God. This is evident in the account of Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20, where the Moabites and Ammonites are defeated without the Israelites having to fight. 2 Chronicles 20:22 states, "As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir who had come against Judah, and they were defeated."

New Testament Perspective

While the New Testament does not explicitly use the term "rout," the concept can be seen in the spiritual victories achieved through Christ. The defeat of sin and death through Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection can be viewed as a rout of the spiritual forces of evil. Colossians 2:15 reflects this victory: "And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross."

Theological Implications

Theologically, the concept of a rout serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and power over all earthly and spiritual forces. It reassures believers of God's ability to deliver and protect His people, often in unexpected and miraculous ways. The routs described in the Bible encourage believers to trust in God's plan and timing, even when circumstances seem insurmountable.1. (v. i.) To roar; to bellow; to snort; to snore loudly.

2. (n.) A bellowing; a shouting; noise; clamor; uproar; disturbance; tumult.

3. (v. t.) To scoop out with a gouge or other tool; to furrow.

4. (v. i.) To search or root in the ground, as a swine.

5. (n.) A troop; a throng; a company; an assembly; especially, a traveling company or throng.

6. (n.) A disorderly and tumultuous crowd; a mob; hence, the rabble; the herd of common people.

7. (n.) The state of being disorganized and thrown into confusion; -- said especially of an army defeated, broken in pieces, and put to flight in disorder or panic; also, the act of defeating and breaking up an army; as, the rout of the enemy was complete.

8. (n.) A disturbance of the peace by persons assembled together with intent to do a thing which, if executed, would make them rioters, and actually making a motion toward the executing thereof.

9. (n.) A fashionable assembly, or large evening party.

10. (v. t.) To break the ranks of, as troops, and put them to flight in disorder; to put to rout.

11. (v. i.) To assemble in a crowd, whether orderly or disorderly; to collect in company.

1287. diaskorpizo -- generally to separate, spec. to winnow, fig. ...
... From dia and skorpizo; to dissipate, ie (genitive case) to rout or separate; specially,
to winnow; figuratively, to squander -- disperse, scatter (abroad ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1287.htm - 7k5086. nadaph -- to drive, drive asunder
... root Definition to drive, drive asunder NASB Word Usage drive away (1), driven
(2), driven away (2), drives away (1), fleeting (1), rout (1). ...
/hebrew/5086.htm - 6k

A Retreat, or a Rout?
... TALK TWENTY-FOUR. A RETREAT, OR A ROUT? Armies often suffer defeat, but
there is a great difference in the way they take defeat. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk twenty-four a retreat or.htm

Moreover, --To Touch Briefly Some of the More Recondite Topics ...
... had set over mankind, having become contumacious and tyrannical, took in hand to
assail the men who had been committed to their charge and to rout them utterly ...
/.../15 moreoverto touch briefly some.htm

For There were Even in the Apostles' Times Some who Preached the ...
... Why then do we not rout out heretics, in order to their being caught, by the flesh
committing lasciviousness in adultery, and yet think right to rout them out ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/against lying/section 16 for there were.htm

The Son of the Murket
... The tables had been removed; the musicians and tumblers common to such occasions
were not present, for the rout was small and sufficient unto itself for ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xvii the son of.htm

On all the Saints.
... And even as Goliath had his head cut off with his own sword, so also is the devil,
who has been the father of death, put to rout through death; and he finds ...
/.../dubious or spurious writings of gregory thaumaturgus/on all the saints.htm

At the Well
... countrymen. Next, descending with a volley of yells, a rout of the nomad
tribes, mounted on horses, came from the southwest. They ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxxvii at the well.htm

Sin Slain
... picture to you the sinner growing uneasy in his bondage and thinking about rebellion
against his oppressors; secondly, the sinner putting to rout his sins and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/sin slain.htm

The Best Things Work for Good to the Godly
... How easily can He rout all the forces of the wicked! "It is nothing for thee, Lord,
to help" (2 Chronicles 14:11). God's power is on the side of His church. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a divine cordial/the best things work for.htm

The Invasion of Greece and the Battle of Marathon.
... State of Athens."The Greek army."Miltiades and his colleagues."Position of the
armies."Miltiades's plan of attack."Onset of the Greeks."Rout of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter xi the invasion of.htm

Introduction, by the American Editor.
... "God of our fathers what is man? Nor do I name of men the common rout,. That,
wandering loose about,. Grow up and perish as the summer fly,. ...
/.../the prescription against heretics/introduction by the american editor.htm

Rout (6 Occurrences)
... of an army defeated, broken in pieces, and put to flight in disorder or panic; also,
the act of defeating and breaking up an army; as, the rout of the enemy ...
/r/rout.htm - 9k

Discomfiture (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The act of discomfiting, or the state of being
discomfited; rout; overthrow; defeat; frustration; confusion and dejection. Int. ...
/d/discomfiture.htm - 101k

Discomfit (6 Occurrences)
... 3. (a.) Discomfited; overthrown. 4. (n.) Rout; overthrow; discomfiture.
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. DISCOMFIT; DISCOMFITURE. ...
/d/discomfit.htm - 9k

Benhadad (24 Occurrences)
... of the people, and acting on the counsel of a prophet, Ahab made a sortie and falling
upon the carousing Syrians put them so completely to rout that Benhadad ...
/b/benhadad.htm - 28k

Route (7 Occurrences)

/r/route.htm - 8k

Zobah (15 Occurrences)
... Damascus, however, came to the rescue and fresh resistance was made, but a complete
rout followed and great spoil fell to the victor, as well as access to the ...
/z/zobah.htm - 15k

Nebuchadnezzar (90 Occurrences)
... 1:1). The Egyptians met him at Carchemish, where a furious battle was fought, resulting
in the complete rout of the Egyptians, who were driven back (Jeremiah 46 ...
/n/nebuchadnezzar.htm - 57k

Judith (1 Occurrence)
... The 8th and following chapters of the book describe her actions which resulted in
the cutting off of the head of Holofernes, the rout of the Assyrian army, and ...
/j/judith.htm - 27k

Rousing (3 Occurrences)

/r/rousing.htm - 7k

Drum
... 8. (n.) See Drumfish. 9. (n.) A noisy, tumultuous assembly of fashionable people
at a private house; a rout. 10. (n.) A tea party; a kettledrum. 11. ...
/d/drum.htm - 9k

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