In the context of the Bible, a war-cry is a vocal expression used by armies or groups to rally troops, instill courage, and invoke divine assistance during battle. The war-cry serves as both a psychological tool and a spiritual invocation, reflecting the belief that God is actively involved in the affairs of His people, especially in times of conflict.

Old Testament Instances

The concept of the war-cry is prevalent in the Old Testament, where it is often associated with the Israelites' battles against their enemies. One of the most notable instances is found in the account of Jericho. In Joshua 6:16, the Israelites, following God's instructions, let out a loud shout as the priests blew the trumpets, leading to the miraculous collapse of the city's walls: "After the seventh time around, the priests blew the trumpets, and Joshua commanded the people, 'Shout! For the LORD has given you the city!'"

Another significant example is found in the account of Gideon. In Judges 7:20, Gideon's 300 men blew their trumpets and broke the jars in their hands, shouting, "A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!" This war-cry, combined with God's intervention, caused confusion and panic among the Midianites, leading to their defeat.

The war-cry is also evident in the account of David and Goliath. In 1 Samuel 17:52, after David's victory over Goliath, the men of Israel and Judah raised a shout and pursued the Philistines, demonstrating the power of a collective cry in rallying the troops and turning the tide of battle.

Spiritual Significance

The war-cry in the Bible is not merely a battle tactic but also a declaration of faith and reliance on God. It signifies the belief that victory is not achieved by human strength alone but through divine intervention. In 2 Chronicles 13:15, during the reign of King Abijah, the men of Judah raised a war-cry, and as they shouted, God struck down Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah.

The war-cry also serves as a reminder of God's promises and past deliverances. In Psalm 47:5, the psalmist declares, "God has ascended amid shouts of joy, the LORD with the sound of trumpets." This verse highlights the celebratory aspect of the war-cry, acknowledging God's sovereignty and His role as the ultimate warrior who fights on behalf of His people.

New Testament Perspective

While the New Testament does not explicitly mention war-cries in the context of physical battles, the concept can be seen in the spiritual warfare imagery used by the Apostle Paul. In Ephesians 6:10-18, believers are encouraged to put on the full armor of God and stand firm against the schemes of the devil. The call to spiritual readiness and the proclamation of the gospel can be likened to a war-cry, rallying believers to engage in the spiritual battle with confidence in God's power.

Conclusion

The war-cry in the Bible is a multifaceted expression that encompasses both physical and spiritual dimensions. It is a powerful tool for rallying troops, invoking divine assistance, and declaring faith in God's promises. Through the war-cry, the people of God are reminded of His presence and power, both in historical battles and in the ongoing spiritual warfare faced by believers.214. alalazo -- to raise a war cry
... to raise a war cry. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: alalazo Phonetic Spelling:
(al-al-ad'-zo) Short Definition: I cry aloud, a clanging or clashing cymbal ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/214.htm - 6k6873. tsarach -- to cry, roar
... cries. Word Origin a prim. root Definition to cry, roar NASB Word Usage
cries (1), raise a war cry (1), war cry (1). cry, roar. A ...
/hebrew/6873.htm - 5k

7321. rua -- to raise a shout, give a blast
... give a blast NASB Word Usage battle cry (1), cry (1), cry aloud (1), crying (1),
jubilant shouting (1), raise your battle cry (1), raised a war cry (1), raised ...
/hebrew/7321.htm - 6k

8643. teruah -- a shout or blast of war, alarm, or joy
... 1), shout (10), shout of alarm (1), shout of joy (1), shouted (1), shouting (4),
shouts of joy (1), signal (1), trumpet blast (1), war cries (2), war cry (1). ...
/hebrew/8643.htm - 6k

Salvation Army Publications
... The General's Letters. Remarkable series of Letters published in 'The War Cry' of
1885, dealing with Neutrality, Courage, Realities, etc.204 pages. ...
/.../howard/standards of life and service/salvation army publications.htm

A Battle Without a Sword
... If Gideon had put himself first in his warcry, or had put his own name only in it ...
If we boldly lift up our voices in the ancient war-cry, and let that word peal ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/a battle without a sword.htm

Off Duty
... 'Yes,' said the corps cadet, 'and I have come to ask you to buy a "War Cry."'. ... Here
sat a military man drinking with his wife. 'Will you buy a "War Cry"'? ...
/.../carpenter/the angel adjutant of twice born men/xiv off duty.htm

In the Homes of the People
... police were glad to see her, and willingly allowed her to interview the detained
prisoners, with whom she prayed and left a copy of 'The War Cry,' for Sunday's ...
/.../carpenter/the angel adjutant of twice born men/ix in the homes of.htm

The New Song
... Mark you, this, I say, is the point of the battle, and by that ye shall be able
to judge on which side you are. What is your war-cry? What is your war-cry? ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/the new song.htm

The Creed of Jerusalem: Doctrine of the Holy Trinity.
... Was Cyril to be blamed, ought he not rather to be commended, for not introducing
such a war-cry into the exposition of an ancient Creed, in which it had no ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/chapter x the creed of jerusalem .htm

The Adventure of the Three Sons of Saint George.
... With the war-cry of their father's name, they rushed on the marauders, and, as none
would yield, they slew them all, and then loosed the lady and her attendants ...
/.../the seven champions of christendom/chapter fourteen the adventure of.htm

Against "The Roaring Lions"
... Soon they appeared, brandishing their clubs and bellowing their war cry: Deo
laudes!""Praise be to God." "Your shout," said Augustin to them, "is more ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/iv against the roaring lions.htm

Peace.
... cease. 4 Then let the war-cry ne'er be rung Beneath the smiling sky, Nor
to the clouds the banner flung That tells of victory. 5 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/adams/hymns for christian devotion/810 peace.htm

Choosing Her Course
... training. These exercises included house-to-house visitation, open-air meetings,
and 'War Cry' selling in the streets and the saloons. ...
/.../carpenter/the angel adjutant of twice born men/ii choosing her course.htm

War-cry (5 Occurrences)
War-cry. War-cries, War-cry. Ward . Multi-Version Concordance
War-cry (5 Occurrences). 1 Samuel 17:20 And David got ...
/w/war-cry.htm - 8k

Ward (27 Occurrences)

/w/ward.htm - 19k

Lines (42 Occurrences)
... keeper, took the things and went as Jesse had said; and he came to the lines where
the carts were, when the army was going out to the fight giving their war-cry...
/l/lines.htm - 19k

Gideon (45 Occurrences)
... and trumpets, rushed in from three different points on the camp of Midian at midnight,
in the valley to the north of Moreh, with the terrible war-cry, "For the ...
/g/gideon.htm - 36k

Growls (2 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 5:29 The sound of their armies will be like the voice of a lion, and their
war-cry like the noise of young lions: with loud cries they will come down on ...
/g/growls.htm - 7k

War-cries (1 Occurrence)
War-cries. War-club, War-cries. War-cry . Multi-Version Concordance War-cries
(1 Occurrence). ... (BBE). War-club, War-cries. War-cry . Reference Bible.
/w/war-cries.htm - 6k

Ripened (8 Occurrences)
... Heshbon and Elealeh! For they are sounding the war-cry over your summer fruits
and the getting in of your grain; (See NIV). Jeremiah 48 ...
/r/ripened.htm - 9k

Earthworks (10 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 21:22 At his right hand was the fate of Jerusalem, to give orders for
destruction, to send up the war-cry, to put engines of war against the doors ...
/e/earthworks.htm - 9k

Engines (4 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Ezekiel 21:22 At his right hand was the fate of Jerusalem, to give orders
for destruction, to send up the war-cry, to put engines of war against the doors ...
/e/engines.htm - 8k

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