An organised military force for the defence or expansion of national borders. Israel's national life was characterised by many battles with foreign nations such as Egypt, Philistia, Assyria and Babylon and by Roman occupation.
Examples of armies in conflict with Israel
The Egyptian army when Israel left Egypt
Exodus 14:5–9, Exodus 14:23–25
The inhabitants of Canaan when Israel entered the promised land
Joshua 3:10, Joshua 12:1, Joshua 12:7, Joshua 23:9; Judges 3:1–3
The Philistines, a constant enemy
1 Samuel 13:5, 1 Samuel 14:20–23, 1 Samuel 17:1–3, 1 Samuel 31:1, 1 Samuel 31:7 parallel 1 Chronicles 10:7
Assyria, defeating the northern kingdom of Israel
2 Kings 15:29, 2 Kings 17:5–6; Isaiah 36:1
Babylon, defeating the southern kingdom of Judah
2 Kings 24:1, 2 Kings 25:1; Jeremiah 39:1 parallel Jeremiah 52:4; 2 Kings 25:10–11 parallel 2 Chronicles 36:17
Palestine occupied by the Roman army in NT times
Roman law in force at the time of Jesus Christ
Roman military personnel in the life of Jesus Christ and in the lives of the first Christians
Matthew 8:5 parallel Luke 7:3; Matthew 27:54 parallel Luke 23:47; Acts 10:1, Acts 21:31
Development of Israel's army from the time of the exodus to the reign of Solomon
A military census taken after the exodus
Fighting men to possess the promised land
Deuteronomy 7:1–2; Joshua 1:10–11, Joshua 12:1
The army as a tribal militia assembled in times of crisis
Certain tribes gaining reputations for proficiency in particular forms of combat
Judges 20:16; 1 Chronicles 12:2, 1 Chronicles 12:8, 1 Chronicles 12:24–37
Saul and David having regular contingents of special forces
1 Samuel 13:2; 2 Samuel 15:18, 2 Samuel 23:8–12 parallel 1 Chronicles 11:10–14
Forces divided into twelve battalions, each serving for a month at a time
Chariot forces hardly known in David's time, but much used by Solomon
2 Samuel 8:3–4; 1 Kings 4:26, 1 Kings 10:26
God's sovereignty over the armies of Israel and over his spiritual armies
Joshua 5:13–15; 1 Samuel 17:45; 1 Kings 22:19; 2 Kings 6:17
In the final battle between good and evil, Jesus Christ appearing as the leader of the armies of heaven
Revelation 19:14, Revelation 19:19
God as the commander of armies
Psalm 89:8 The term here, and in the following verses, translated as “LORD God Almighty” may also be translated “LORD God of hosts” or “LORD God of armies”. See also 1 Kings 19:10; Jeremiah 5:14; Hosea 12:5; Amos 4:13
O LORD God of Hosts, who is like You? O mighty LORD, Your faithfulness surrounds You.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.