Structures erected as part of a defence policy. Fortifications protected the inhabitants and their possessions, and also guarded the trade routes. Scripture sees God as the secure fortification of his people in times of danger.
City fortifications
Fortified cities
Numbers 13:28 See also Numbers 32:17; Deuteronomy 3:4–5, Deuteronomy 28:52; Joshua 14:12, Joshua 19:35–38; 2 Kings 18:13; 2 Chronicles 8:5, 2 Chronicles 11:5–12, 2 Chronicles 11:23; Nehemiah 9:25; Isaiah 36:1; Jeremiah 4:5, Jeremiah 34:7; Ezekiel 21:20; Zephaniah 1:16
Nevertheless, the people living in the land are strong, and the cities are large and fortified. We even saw the descendants of Anak there.
Walled cities
Joshua 6:5 See also Deuteronomy 1:28, Deuteronomy 9:1; Joshua 6:20; 1 Samuel 31:10, 1 Samuel 31:12; 1 Kings 3:1; 2 Chronicles 36:19; Nehemiah 1:3, Nehemiah 2:8, Nehemiah 2:17; Jeremiah 49:27, Jeremiah 51:44; Ezekiel 26:4
And when there is a long blast of the ram’s horn and you hear its sound, have all the people give a mighty shout. Then the wall of the city will collapse and all your people will charge straight into the city.”
Fortification systems
Garrisons
2 Samuel 8:6 See also 2 Samuel 8:14, 2 Samuel 23:14; 1 Chronicles 11:16, 1 Chronicles 18:6, 1 Chronicles 18:13; 2 Chronicles 1:14, 2 Chronicles 8:6, 2 Chronicles 9:25, 2 Chronicles 17:2
Then he placed garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became subject to David and brought him tribute. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.
Towers
2 Chronicles 26:10 See also Judges 9:46, Judges 9:50–52; 2 Kings 9:17; 2 Chronicles 27:4
Since he had much livestock in the foothills and in the plain, he built towers in the desert and dug many cisterns. And since he was a lover of the soil, he had farmers and vinedressers in the hill country and in the fertile fields.
Regional outposts
1 Kings 9:17–19 parallel 2 Chronicles 8:3–6 See also 1 Samuel 22:4, 1 Samuel 23:14; 2 Samuel 5:17, 2 Samuel 23:14; 2 Chronicles 1:14, 2 Chronicles 9:25, 2 Chronicles 17:2, 2 Chronicles 27:3–4
So Solomon rebuilt Gezer, Lower Beth-horon, Baalath, and Tamar in the Wilderness of Judah, as well as all the store cities that Solomon had for his chariots and horses — whatever he desired to build in Jerusalem, Lebanon, and throughout the land of his dominion.
Peoples at risk without fortifications
Ezekiel 38:11 See also Jeremiah 49:31
You will say, ‘I will go up against a land of unwalled villages; I will come against a quiet people who dwell securely, all of them living without walls or bars or gates—
God and fortresses
God as a fortress for his people
Psalm 18:2 parallel 2 Samuel 22:2–3 See also Psalm 9:9, Psalm 37:39, Psalm 46:1, Psalm 61:3, Psalm 71:3, Psalm 73:28, Psalm 91:2, Psalm 91:9–10; Proverbs 14:26
The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
God warns against trusting in human fortifications
Deuteronomy 28:52 See also Isaiah 2:12–18; Jeremiah 5:17; Hosea 8:14; Joel 2:7–9; Zephaniah 1:14–16
They will besiege all the cities throughout your land, until the high and fortified walls in which you trust have fallen. They will besiege all your cities throughout the land that the LORD your God has given you.
God's judgment against fortresses
Amos 5:9–10 See also Isaiah 17:3, Isaiah 25:2, Isaiah 25:12; Lamentations 2:2; Hosea 10:14; Amos 1:3–2:5; Micah 5:11
He flashes destruction on the strong, so that fury comes upon the stronghold. There are those who hate the one who reproves in the gate and despise him who speaks with integrity.
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.