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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comFausset Bible Dictionary: War
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Israel at its Exodus from Egypt went up "according to their armies," "harnessed," literally, "arranged in five divisions," van, center, two wings, and rearguard (Ewald): ; ; ; . Pharaoh's despotism had supplied them with native officers whom they obeyed (-21). Moses had in youth all the training which a warlike nation like Egypt could give him, and which would enable him to organize Israel as an army not a mob. Jehovah as "a man of war" was at their head (; ; -22); under Him they won their first victory, that over Amalek (-16). The 68th Psalm of David takes its starting point from Israel's military watchword under Jehovah in marching against the enemy (-36). In -6;.
Jehovah manifests Himself in human form as "the Captain of the host of the Lord." Antitypically, the spiritual Israel under Jehovah battle against Satan with spiritual arms (-5; -17; ; ; ; ; ). By the word of His mouth shall He in person at the head of the armies of heaven slay antichrist and his hosts in the last days (; -21). The Mosaic code fostered a self defensive, not an aggressive, spirit in Israel. All Israelites (with some merciful exemptions, -8) were liable to serve from 20 years and upward, thus forming a national yeomanry (; ; ). The landowners and warriors being the same opposed a powerful barrier to assaults from without and disruption from within.
The divisions for civil purposes were the same as for military (, compare ); in both cases divided into thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens, and the chiefs bearing the same designation (sariy). In Vulgate, Syriac, etc., translated "the captains at the head of the people shall array them." But if "captains" were subject to the verb and not, as KJV object, the article might be expected. In KJV the captains meant are subordinate leaders of smaller divisions. National landholders led by men already revered for civil authority and noble family descent, so long as they remained faithful to God, formed an army ensuring alike national security and a free constitution in a free country. Employed in husbandry, and attached to home, they had no temptation to war for conquest. The law forbidding cavalry, and enjoining upon all males attendance yearly at the three great feasts at Jerusalem, made war outside Palestine almost impossible.
Religion too treated them as polluted temporarily by any bloodshed however justifiable (-16; ; ; ). A standing army was introduced under Saul (; -52; ). (See ARMY.) Personal prowess of individual soldiers determined the issue, as they fought hand to hand (; ; ; -16), and sometimes in single combat (1 Samuel 17; -17). The trumpet by varied notes sounded for battle or for retreat (; ; ; ).
The priests blew the silver trumpets (; ). In sieges, a line of circumvallation was drawn round the city, and mounds were thrown out from this, on which towers were erected from whence slingers and archers could assail the defenders (; ; ; ). The Mosaic law mitigated the severities of ancient warfare. Only males in arms were slain; women and children were spared, except the Canaanites who were doomed by God (-14; -14).
Israel's mercy was noted among neighbouring nations (; -23; ; contrast ; ; ). Abimelech and Menahem acted with the cruelty of usurpers (; ). Amaziahacted with exceptional cruelty (). Gideon's severity to the oppressor Midian (Judges 7-8), also Israel's treatment of the same after suffering by Midian's licentious and idolatrous wiles, and David's treatment of Moab and Ammon (probably for some extraordinary treachery toward his father and mother), are not incompatible with Israel's general mercy comparatively speaking.