Lectionary Calendar
Monday, October 7th, 2024
the Week of Proper 22 / Ordinary 27
Attention!
StudyLight.org has pledged to help build churches in Uganda. Help us with that pledge and support pastors in the heart of Africa.
Click here to join the effort!

Bible Dictionaries
Army

Holman Bible Dictionary

Search for…
or
1 2 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
Prev Entry
Arms and Armor
Next Entry
Arnan
Resource Toolbox
Additional Links
A nation's military personnel organized for battle. Thus in Egypt, Israel could be referred to as having “armies” even when they did not have a political organization (Exodus 6:26; Exodus 7:4; Exodus 12:17 ). Goliath learned that to defy God's people was to defy the “armies of the living God” (1Samuel 17:26,1 Samuel 17:36 ), for God was the “God of the armies of Israel” (1 Samuel 17:45 ). In face of God, humans can only confess, “Is there any number of his armies?” (Job 25:3 ). Israel recognized God's anger when God did not go out with their armies (Psalm 44:9 ). To announce salvation, the prophet proclaimed the fury of God upon all armies (Isaiah 34:2 ). In the New Testament the writer of Hebrews looked back on the heroes of faith and proclaimed that through faith they “turned to flight the armies of the aliens” (Hebrews 11:34 ). John's vision of the end time included the armies of heaven following the King of kings to victory over the beast and the false prophet (Revelation 19:11-21 ).

Armies were organized in different ways during Israel's history. The patriarchs called upon servants and other members of the household (Genesis 14:1 ). In the wilderness Joshua led men he had chosen to defend against the Amalekites (Exodus 17:9-10 ). In the conquest Joshua led the tribes of Israel into battle after being commissioned by the “captain of the host of the Lord” (Joshua 5:14 ). At times tribes joined together to take territory (Judges 1:3; Judges 4:6 ).

Deborah summoned many of the tribes to battle, but some did not answer (Judges 5:1 ). Other judges summoned clans (Judges 6:34 ) and tribes (Judges 6:35; Judges 7:29 ). Saul first established a standing, professional army in Israel (1 Samuel 13:2 ), at first leading it himself with his son but then appointing a professional commander (1 Samuel 17:55 ). David apparently hired foreign troops loyal to him personally (2 Samuel 9:18; 2 Samuel 15:18 ). Solomon enhanced the foot soldiers with a chariot corps and calvary (1 Kings 10:26 ). The army was organized into various units with officers over each, but the precise chain of command cannot be determined (2 Chronicles 25:5 ). Humanitarian laws determined who was excused from military service and how war was conducted (Deuteronomy 20:1 ).

Bibliography Information
Butler, Trent C. Editor. Entry for 'Army'. Holman Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​hbd/​a/army.html. 1991.
 
adsfree-icon
Ads FreeProfile