Encyclopedia entry
War
The Israelites had to take possession of the Promised Land by conquest. They had to engage in a long and bloody war before the Canaanitish tribes were finally subdued. Except in the case of Jericho and Ai, the war did not become aggressive till after the death of Joshua. Till then the attack was always first made by the Canaanites. Now the measure of the iniquity of the Canaanites was full, and Israel was employed by God to sweep them away from off the face of the earth. In entering on this new stage of the war, the tribe of Judah, according to divine direction, took the lead.
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In the days of Saul and David the people of Israel engaged in many wars with the nations around, and after the division of the kingdom into two they often warred with each other. They had to defend themselves also against the inroads of the Egyptians, the Assyrians, and the Babylonians. The whole history of Israel from first to last presents but few periods of peace.
The Christian life is represented as a warfare, and the Christian graces are also represented under the figure of pieces of armour (Eph. 6:11-17; 1 Thess. 5:8; 2 Tim. 2:3, 4). The final blessedness of believers is attained as the fruit of victory (Rev. 3:21).
Also from Smith's (1884) +−
The most important topic in connection with war is the formation of the army which is destined to carry it on. [Army] In (1 Kings 9:22) at a period (Solomon’s reign) when the organization of the army was complete, we have apparently a list of the various gradations of rank in the service, as follows:
“Men of war” = privates ; “servants,” the lowest rank of officers—lieutenants ; “princes” = captains ; “captains,” perhaps = staff officers ; “rulers of the chariots and his horsemen” = cavalry officers . Formal proclamations of war were not interchanged between the belligerents. Before entering the enemy’s district spies were seat to ascertain the character of the country and the preparations of its inhabitants for resistance. (Numbers 13:17; Joshua 2:1; Judges 7:10; 1 Samuel 26:4) The combat assumed the form of a number of hand-to-hand contests; hence the high value attached to fleetness of foot and strength of arm. (2 Samuel 1:23; 2:18; 1 Chronicles 12:8) At the same time various strategic devices were practiced, such as the ambuscade, (Joshua 8:2,12; Judges 20:36) surprise, (Judges 7:16) or circumvention. (2 Samuel 5:23) Another mode of settling the dispute was by the selection of champions, (1 Samuel 17; 2 Samuel 2:14) who were spurred on to exertion by the offer of high reward. (1 Samuel 17:25; 18:25; 2 Samuel 18:11; 1 Chronicles 11:6) The contest having been decided, the conquerors were recalled from the pursuit by the sound of a trumpet. (2 Samuel 2:28; 18:16; 20:22) The siege of a town or fortress was conducted in the following manner: A line of circumvallation was drawn round the place, (Ezekiel 4:2; Micah 5:1) constructed out of the trees found in the neighborhood, (20:20) together with earth and any other materials at hand. This line not only cut off the besieged from the surrounding country, but also served as a base of operations for the besiegers. The next step was to throw out from this line one or more mounds or “banks” in the direction of the city, (2 Samuel 20:15; 2 Kings 19:32; Isaiah 37:33) which were gradually increased in height until they were about half as high as the city wall. On this mound or bank towers were erected, (2 Kings 25:1; Jeremiah 52:4; Ezekiel 4:2; 17:17; 21:22; 26:8) whence the slingers and archers might attack with effect. Catapults were prepared for hurling large darts and stones; and the crow, a long spar, with iron claws at one end and ropes at the other, to pull down stones or men from the top of the wall. Battering-rams, (Ezekiel 4:2; 21:22) were brought up to the walls by means of the bank, and scaling-ladders might also be placed on it. The treatment of the conquered was extremely severe in ancient times. The bodies of the soldiers killed in action were plundered, (1 Samuel 31:8) 2 Macc 8:27; the survivors were either killed in some savage manner, (Judges 9:45; 2 Samuel 12:31; 2 Chronicles 25:12) mutilated, (Judges 9:45; 2 Samuel 12:31; 2 Chronicles 25:12) mutilated, (Judges 1:6; 1 Samuel 11:2) or carried into captivity. (Numbers 31:26)
In the Bible
270
Verses where War is named. Berean Standard Bible (public domain).
- 1 Chronicles 5:10
During the days of Saul they waged war against the Hagrites, who were defeated at their hands, and they occupied the dwellings of the Hagrites throughout the region east of Gilead.
- 1 Chronicles 5:18
The Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh had 44,760 warriors—valiant men who carried the shield and sword, drew the bow, and were trained for battle.
- 1 Chronicles 5:19
They waged war against the Hagrites, as well as Jetur, Naphish, and Nodab.
- 1 Chronicles 5:22
and many others fell slain, because the battle belonged to God. And they occupied the land until the exile.
- 1 Chronicles 7:4
In addition to them, according to their genealogy, they had 36,000 troops for battle, for they had many wives and children.
- 1 Chronicles 7:11
All these sons of Jediael were heads of their families, mighty men of valor; there were 17,200 fit for battle.
+264 more verses naming War.
Scripture on War
185
See all 185 +−
- Joshua 81 Samuel 172 Samuel 111 Kings 221 Chronicles 51 Chronicles 20Numbers 32Deuteronomy 2Joshua 10Joshua 11Judges 11Judges 182 Kings 142 Kings 251 Chronicles 72 Chronicles 172 Chronicles 182 Chronicles 252 Chronicles 26Jeremiah 21Jeremiah 52Ezekiel 4Ezekiel 27Joshua 5Joshua 14Joshua 22Judges 3Judges 7Judges 9Judges 202 Samuel 12 Samuel 22 Samuel 32 Samuel 121 Kings 91 Kings 141 Kings 202 Kings 132 Chronicles 132 Chronicles 32Isaiah 3Isaiah 37Jeremiah 6Jeremiah 38Jeremiah 39Jeremiah 41Jeremiah 49Jeremiah 50Jeremiah 51James 4Revelation 12Revelation 13Revelation 19Genesis 14Genesis 31Exodus 1Exodus 13Exodus 15Exodus 17Exodus 32Numbers 10Numbers 13Numbers 26Deuteronomy 1Deuteronomy 3Deuteronomy 4Deuteronomy 21Deuteronomy 24Joshua 2Joshua 4Joshua 6Joshua 9Joshua 17Judges 1Judges 5Judges 211 Samuel 81 Samuel 111 Samuel 141 Samuel 161 Samuel 181 Samuel 191 Samuel 231 Samuel 261 Samuel 281 Samuel 291 Samuel 312 Samuel 52 Samuel 82 Samuel 172 Samuel 182 Samuel 202 Samuel 212 Samuel 221 Kings 21 Kings 82 Kings 62 Kings 82 Kings 162 Kings 182 Kings 192 Kings 241 Chronicles 111 Chronicles 181 Chronicles 282 Chronicles 62 Chronicles 82 Chronicles 122 Chronicles 142 Chronicles 152 Chronicles 162 Chronicles 202 Chronicles 212 Chronicles 222 Chronicles 242 Chronicles 272 Chronicles 282 Chronicles 332 Chronicles 35Job 5Job 10Job 38Job 39Psalms 18Psalms 27Psalms 55Psalms 68Psalms 76Psalms 120Psalms 140Psalms 144Proverbs 20Proverbs 24Ecclesiastes 3Ecclesiastes 8Ecclesiastes 9Song of Solomon 3Isaiah 2Isaiah 7Isaiah 13Isaiah 21Isaiah 29Isaiah 36Isaiah 41Isaiah 42Jeremiah 4Jeremiah 28Jeremiah 42Jeremiah 45Jeremiah 48Ezekiel 7Ezekiel 17Ezekiel 26Ezekiel 32Ezekiel 38Ezekiel 39Daniel 7Daniel 9Hosea 1Joel 2Joel 3Amos 1Amos 2Micah 2Micah 3Micah 4Micah 5Zechariah 9Luke 14Luke 232 Corinthians 10Ephesians 61 Thessalonians 51 Timothy 12 Timothy 21 Peter 2Revelation 2Revelation 3Revelation 11Revelation 17
Entries that reference War
5
War references
23
Voices on War
24
Surfaced by name match — accuracy varies by title clarity.
Sources · Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897) · Smith's Bible Dictionary (1884)
Public-domain text. Modernized only where archaic spelling impedes reading; original facts preserved. Verify against an authoritative modern reference before quoting.