Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJames Hastings Dictionary of the Bible: Alliance
Subjects in this Topic:
ALLIANCE.—In the patriarchal age alliances between the Chosen People and foreign nations were frequent. Many of the agreements between individuals recorded in Genesis implied, or really were, treaties between the tribes or clans represented (Gen_21:22 ff; Gen_31:44 ff.). ‘During the period of the Judges confederations between the more or less isolated units of which the nation was composed were often made under the pressure of a common danger (Jdg_4:10; Jdg_6:35). When Israel became consolidated under the monarchy, alliances with foreigners were of a more formal character, e.g. Solomon’s treaty with Hiram (1Ki_5:1-18; 1Ki_9:1-28). His marriage with Pharaoh’s daughter probably had a political significance (1Ki_3:1; 1Ki_9:16). The policy of alliance between Israel and Phœnicia was continued by Omri and Ahab (1Ki_16:31); Amo_1:9 speaks of it as a ‘covenant of brethren’; it rested, no doubt, on reciprocal commercial interests (cf. Act_12:20). Asa and Baasha contended for alliance with Benhadad (1Ki_15:19), and Judah and Israel themselves are allied during the reigns of Jehoshaphat and Ahab. Such a friendship is denounced in 2Ch_25:1-28, Pekah and Rezin are united against Judah (2Ki_16:5, Isa_7:1-25). With the appearance of Assyria, relations with foreign nations become important and complicated. The temptation is to stave off the danger from the east by alliance with Damascus or Egypt. Sennacherib assumes that this will be the policy of Hezekiah (2Ki_18:21; 2Ki_18:24). The prophets from the first set their faces against it (Deu_17:16, Hos_8:9, Is 20, 30, Jer_2:18; Jer_2:36). It is ‘the hiring of lovers’ in place of J″ [Note: Jahweh.] , leading to sin and idolatry (2Ki_16:1-20), and is politically unsound, resting ‘on a broken reed.’ The parties being so unequal, the ally easily becomes the tributary (2Ki_16:7). After the Return, Ezra and Nehemiah oppose any alliance with ‘the people of the land.’ In later times, for a short period only, did the nation gain sufficient independence to make an alliance; in this case it was with Rome (1Ma_8:17; 1Ma_15:16).
C. W. Emmet.