Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical narratives, ambushes are strategic military tactics used by individuals or groups to surprise and overpower their enemies. The concept of an ambush involves lying in wait to attack unexpectedly, often resulting in a decisive victory. Throughout the Bible, ambushes are depicted as both divinely sanctioned strategies and as methods employed by adversaries against God's people.
Old Testament Examples1.
Joshua's Conquest of Ai: One of the most notable examples of an ambush in the Bible is found in the Book of Joshua. After an initial defeat, Joshua receives divine instructions to set an ambush against the city of Ai.
Joshua 8:2 states, "And you shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king, except that you may carry off their plunder and livestock for yourselves. Set an ambush behind the city." This ambush leads to a significant victory for the Israelites, demonstrating the effectiveness of following God's guidance in military strategy.
2.
The Battle of Gibeah: In
Judges 20, the Israelites set an ambush against the tribe of Benjamin during the civil conflict over the crime committed in Gibeah.
Judges 20:29 records, "So Israel set an ambush around Gibeah." This tactic ultimately leads to the defeat of the Benjamites, highlighting the use of ambushes in internal conflicts among the tribes of Israel.
3.
David and the Philistines: David, known for his military prowess, also utilized ambush tactics. In
2 Samuel 5:23-25 , God instructs David not to attack the Philistines directly but to circle around and come upon them in front of the balsam trees. This divinely directed ambush results in a victory for David, emphasizing the importance of seeking God's guidance in warfare.
New Testament ContextWhile the New Testament does not focus on military tactics, the concept of ambush can be metaphorically applied to spiritual warfare. Believers are warned to be vigilant against the schemes of the devil, who may use deceit and surprise to lead them astray.
Ephesians 6:11 advises, "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes."
Moral and Ethical ConsiderationsThe use of ambushes in the Bible raises questions about the morality of such tactics. In the context of divine instruction, ambushes are portrayed as legitimate and effective means of achieving victory. However, when used deceitfully or against God's people, ambushes are condemned.
Proverbs 1:11 warns against joining those who say, "Come, let us lie in wait for blood, let us ambush the innocent without cause."
ConclusionAmbushes in the Bible serve as a reminder of the importance of strategy, obedience to divine guidance, and the moral implications of warfare. They illustrate the balance between human initiative and reliance on God's direction in achieving victory over adversaries.
Strong's Hebrew
693. arab -- to lie in wait... root Definition to lie in wait NASB Word Usage ambush (15),
ambushes (2), lay in
wait (3), lie in ambush (1), lie in wait (7), lies in wait (1), lurked (1
...Library
Whether it is Lawful to LayAmbushes in War?
... OF WAR (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether it is lawful to layambushes in war? Objection
1: It would seem that it is unlawful to layambushes in war....
That the Judges who Succeeded Gideon Made War with the Adjoining...
... fruit with safety; and when they were at supper in several companies, they then
ventured to curse Abimelech openly; and the magistrates laidambushes in places...
Whether Command is the Chief Act of Prudence?
... Now Augustine (De Trin. xiv, 9) states that it is an act of prudence "to avoid
ambushes." Therefore command is not the chief act of prudence....
Whether an Advocate Sins by Defending an Unjust Cause?
... Yet it is seemingly lawful for an advocate to make use of such underhand means,
even as it is lawful for a soldier to layambushes in a battle....
The Parthians Bring Antigonus Back into Judea, and Cast Hyrcanus...
... killing them, attacked and slew many of the people, till one party made incursions
on the other by turns, day by day, in the way ofambushes, and slaughters...
1 Cor. xv. 1, 2
... Therefore such snares on his part being continually detected, and these his crafty
ambushes hunted out by this admirable and mighty man, he said, "For we are...
How Herod and Sosius Took Jerusalem by Force; and what Death...
... 2. Now as for the robberies which were committed, the king contrived thatambushes
should be so laid, that they might restrain their excursions; and as for the...
How the Jews were Crucified Before the Walls of the City...
... He then sent a party of horsemen, and ordered they should layambushes
for those that went out into the valleys to gather food....
How Simon Confederated Himself with Antiochus Pius, and Made War...
... sent his sons before among the most hardy of his soldiers, and he himself marched
on with his army another way, and laid many of his men inambushes in the...
How Herod Sailed Out of Italy to Judea, and Fought with Antigonus...
... 2. Herod had now a strong army; and as he marched on, Antigonus laid snares and
ambushes in the passes and places most proper for them; but in truth he thereby...
Thesaurus
Ambushes (7 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Ambushes (7 Occurrences). Judges
... Abimelech. (YLT).
Judges 20:29 Israel set
ambushes all around Gibeah. (WEB).
...Ambush (39 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah calls upon the Medes to "set up a standard against the walls of Babylon,
make the watch strong, set the watchmen, prepare theambushes" (Jeremiah 51:12...
Innocent (97 Occurrences)
... Psalms 10:8 He lies in wait near the villages. Fromambushes, he murders the
innocent.... Psalms 64:4 to shoot innocent men fromambushes....
Victims (12 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Psalms 10:8 He lies in wait near the villages. Fromambushes, he murders
the innocent. His eyes are secretly set against the helpless. (See NIV)....
Unfortunate (4 Occurrences)
... Psalms 10:8 He lies in wait near the villages. Fromambushes, he murders the innocent.
His eyes are secretly set against the helpless. (See NAS)....
Fearlessly (10 Occurrences)
... what can man do to me?" (WEY). Psalms 64:4 to shoot innocent men fromambushes.
They shoot at him suddenly and fearlessly. (WEB)....
Reinforce (2 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 51:12 Set up a standard against the walls of Babylon, make the watch strong,
set the watchmen, prepare theambushes; for Yahweh has both purposed and...
Murders (7 Occurrences)
... Psalms 10:8 He lies in wait near the villages. Fromambushes, he murders the innocent.
His eyes are secretly set against the helpless. (WEB RSV NIV)....
Concealment (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Concealment (1 Occurrence). Psalms 64:4 to shoot innocent
men fromambushes. They shoot at him suddenly and fearlessly. (See NAS)....
Ambushment (3 Occurrences)
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