In biblical terms, the concept of being "routed" refers to a decisive defeat or a disorderly retreat of an army, often as a result of divine intervention or judgment. The term is used to describe situations where forces are overwhelmed and scattered, leading to a complete and often humiliating defeat. This concept is prevalent throughout the Old Testament, where the outcomes of battles are frequently attributed to the will and power of God.

Old Testament Instances

1. The Defeat of the Canaanites: One of the most notable instances of routing in the Bible is found in the Book of Joshua. When the Israelites, under Joshua's leadership, fought against the Canaanite kings, the Lord intervened to ensure their victory. Joshua 10:10 states, "And the LORD threw them into confusion before Israel, who defeated them in a great slaughter at Gibeon, chased them along the road to Beth-horon, and struck them down as far as Azekah and Makkedah." This passage highlights the divine role in routing the enemy, emphasizing that the confusion and subsequent defeat were orchestrated by God.

2. Gideon's Victory over the Midianites: In Judges 7, Gideon leads a small army against the Midianites. Despite being vastly outnumbered, Gideon's forces achieve victory through God's guidance. Judges 7:21-22 describes the scene: "Each man stood in his place around the camp, and the entire Midianite army fled, crying out as they ran. When the three hundred trumpets sounded, the LORD set the swords of each man against his neighbor throughout the camp, and the army fled to Beth-shittah toward Zererah as far as the border of Abel-meholah near Tabbath." This account underscores the miraculous nature of the routing, as confusion and panic lead to the Midianites' self-destruction.

3. The Philistines Routed by Israel: In 1 Samuel 7, the Israelites, led by Samuel, face the Philistines. As the Israelites cry out to the Lord, He responds with a mighty act. 1 Samuel 7:10 records, "As Samuel was offering the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to fight against Israel. But that day the LORD thundered loudly against the Philistines and threw them into such confusion that they fled before Israel." The divine intervention through thunder illustrates God's direct involvement in routing the enemy.

Theological Significance

The concept of routing in the Bible often serves to demonstrate God's sovereignty and power over nations and armies. It reinforces the belief that victory in battle is not solely dependent on human strength or strategy but on divine will. The routings described in Scripture are frequently accompanied by signs and wonders, underscoring the miraculous nature of these events and the faithfulness of God to His people.

Moral and Spiritual Lessons

From a moral and spiritual perspective, the routings in the Bible serve as reminders of the importance of faith and obedience to God. They illustrate that reliance on God can lead to victory against overwhelming odds. These narratives encourage believers to trust in God's providence and to seek His guidance in times of conflict and adversity.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not always provide detailed military strategies, the accounts of routing emphasize the role of divine intervention in the affairs of men. These accounts serve as powerful testimonies to God's ability to deliver His people and to bring about His purposes, often in unexpected and miraculous ways.(imp. & p. p.) of Rout.2000. hamam -- to make a noise, move noisily, confuse, discomfit
... to make a noise, move noisily, confuse, discomfit. Transliteration: hamam Phonetic
Spelling: (haw-mam') Short Definition: routed. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/2000.htm - 6k

5062. nagaph -- to strike, smite
... root Definition to strike, smite NASB Word Usage beaten (1), defeated (17), hurts
(1), plagued (1), routed (4), smite (3), smites (1), smote (3), strike (7 ...
/hebrew/5062.htm - 6k

2729. charad -- to tremble, be terrified
... 2), come trembling (2), disturb (2), frighten (3), frighten them away (1), make
him afraid (1), make them afraid (3), quaked (1), routed (1), startled (1 ...
/hebrew/2729.htm - 6k

A Stubborn Foe Routed.
... The Great Outside Hindrance A Stubborn Foe Routed. That is the parable teaching.
Now a look at a plain out word from the Master's lips. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on prayer/a stubborn foe routed.htm

The New Song
... In after times, when Deborah and Barak had routed the hosts of Sisera, they did
not borrow Miriam's song; but they had a new psalm for the new event. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/the new song.htm

The Life of Captain John Paton.
... England. To oppose him Montrose marched southward, but was shamefully routed
by Leslie at Philiphaugh upon the 13th of Sept. Many ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of captain john.htm

To Master Raimondo of Capua
... The field is left free to us by that virtue and power which routed the devil who
possessed the human race; who was routed, not in the strength of humanity, but ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to master raimondo of capua.htm

The Coming of the Pharaoh
... But when the marauder was overthrown and routed, and his generals turned toward
Memphis with their captives in chains, Meneptah hastened to meet them, decked ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xiii the coming of.htm

Christian Conversation
... Now, Christian, when you speak of the glory of your Master's kingdom, you must tell
something of his great victories;"how he routed Pharaoh, and cut the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 46 1900/christian conversation.htm

Tales by the Way
... The Goths of Arbogast routed those under Ga??nas and slew 10,000 of them. ... We rushed
upon them in the track of the storm, and utterly routed them. ...
/.../chapter xvi tales by the.htm

Refutation of the Gentiles --Continued
... let him use the sign of the cross which they all mock at, and but speak the Name
of Christ, and he shall see how through Him demons are routed, oracles cease ...
/.../athanasius/on the incarnation of the word/chapter 8 refutation of the.htm

The War of Truth
... But this is not all. Joshua might have fought; but he would have been routed, had
it not been for Moses on the brow of the hill. They were both necessary. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the war of truth.htm

Ebenezer!
... Twenty years before on that field Israel was routed. ... The Philistines were
not routed except by prayer. Samuel prayed unto the Lord. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/ebenezer.htm

Routed (25 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Rout. Multi-Version Concordance
Routed (25 Occurrences). Hebrews 11:34 quenched the power ...
/r/routed.htm - 13k

Gibeon (39 Occurrences)
... before the city. It was completely routed, and only broken remnants of their
great host found refuge in the fenced cities. The five ...
/g/gibeon.htm - 31k

Nahash (9 Occurrences)
... The grievous insult which was put upon these ambassadors led to a war against the
Ammonites, who, with their allies the Syrians, were completely routed in a ...
/n/nahash.htm - 14k

Ebenezer (3 Occurrences)
... stone set up by Samuel to commemorate the divine assistance to Israel in their great
battle against the Philistines, whom they totally routed (1 Samuel 7:7-12 ...
/e/ebenezer.htm - 9k

Eben-ezer (3 Occurrences)
... stone set up by Samuel to commemorate the divine assistance to Israel in their great
battle against the Philistines, whom they totally routed (1 Samuel 7:7-12 ...
/e/eben-ezer.htm - 9k

Hadadezer (18 Occurrences)
... Then followed another battle with the Syrian army thus recruited, which resulted
in its being totally routed at Helam (2 Samuel 10:17). ...
/h/hadadezer.htm - 15k

Route (7 Occurrences)

/r/route.htm - 8k

David (1052 Occurrences)
... David pursued after the raiders, the Amalekites, and completely routed them. ... Again
they invaded the land, and were a second time routed by him. ...
/d/david.htm - 93k

Zeeb (3 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary The wolf, one of the two leaders of the great Midianite
host which invaded Israel and was utterly routed by Gideon. ...
/z/zeeb.htm - 10k

Ziklag (13 Occurrences)
... expedition against the Israelites (29:11), it was destroyed by the Amalekites
(30:1, 2), whom David, however, pursued and utterly routed, returning all the ...
/z/ziklag.htm - 13k

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