Bible Dictionaries
Legion

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

The number in a Roman legion varied at different periods, from three thousand to more than twice that number. In the time of Christ a legion contained six thousand, besides the cavalry. There were ten cohorts in each legion; which were divided each into three maniples or bands, and these into two centuries containing one hundred men each. In the Bible a legion means a number indefinitely large. The Savior cured a demoniac who called himself "Legion" as if possessed my myriads of demons, Mark 5:9 . The expression, "twelve legions of angels," Matthew 26:53 , illustrate the immensity of the heavenly host, and their zealous devotion to Christ.

Bibliography Information
Rand, W. W. Entry for 'Legion'. American Tract Society Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​ats/​l/legion.html. 1859.