Topical Encyclopedia
Assailing, in the biblical context, refers to the act of attacking or confronting with force or hostility. This concept is often depicted in the Scriptures as both a physical and spiritual confrontation, where individuals or groups face opposition or aggression. The Bible provides numerous examples of assailing, illustrating the challenges faced by God's people and the divine deliverance that often follows.
Old Testament InstancesIn the Old Testament, the Israelites frequently encountered assailants as they journeyed to the Promised Land and established their nation. One notable instance is found in the book of Exodus, where the Amalekites attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. Moses instructed Joshua to choose men and fight against Amalek, while he stood on the hill with the staff of God in his hand. As long as Moses held up his hands, Israel prevailed (
Exodus 17:8-13).
The Psalms also reflect the theme of assailing, often portraying the psalmist's cry for deliverance from enemies.
Psalm 3:1-2 states, "O LORD, how my foes have increased! How many rise up against me! Many say of me, 'God will not deliver him.'" Here, the psalmist acknowledges the overwhelming nature of the assailants but also expresses trust in God's protection.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the concept of assailing takes on a spiritual dimension. Believers are often depicted as being under spiritual attack from the forces of evil. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, exhorts believers to "put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes" (
Ephesians 6:11). This passage highlights the spiritual nature of the battle and the need for divine armor to withstand the assailants.
Jesus Himself faced assailants throughout His ministry. The Gospels recount numerous instances where religious leaders and others sought to challenge or harm Him. In
Luke 4:28-30 , after Jesus spoke in the synagogue in Nazareth, the people were filled with wrath and attempted to throw Him off a cliff. However, He passed through the crowd and went on His way, demonstrating His authority and divine protection.
Spiritual WarfareThe theme of assailing is closely linked to the broader biblical concept of spiritual warfare. Believers are called to be vigilant and prepared for the attacks of the enemy.
1 Peter 5:8 warns, "Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." This verse underscores the reality of spiritual assailants and the need for constant vigilance and reliance on God's strength.
Divine DeliveranceThroughout Scripture, the response to assailing is often divine intervention and deliverance. The Bible reassures believers that God is a refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (
Psalm 46:1). The accounts of deliverance from assailants serve to strengthen the faith of believers, reminding them of God's sovereignty and faithfulness.
In summary, the concept of assailing in the Bible encompasses both physical and spiritual confrontations. It serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by God's people and the assurance of His protection and deliverance.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Assail.
Greek
1945. epikeimai -- to lie on... Word Origin from epi and keimai Definition to lie on NASB Word Usage am under (1),
assailing (1), imposed (1), insistent (1), lying (1), placed (1), pressing
...Library
In what Follows, Celsus,Assailing the Mosaic History, Finds Fault...
... Chapter XVII. In what follows, Celsus,assailing the Mosaic history, finds
fault with those who give it? In what follows, Celsus...
Immediately after This, Celsus,Assailing the Contents of the...
... Chapter XXXIII. Immediately after this, Celsus,assailing the contents
of the first book of Moses? Immediately after this, Celsus...
Whether the Heavens Should have Been Opened unto Christ at his...
... man needs to pray continually, in order to enter heaven: for though sins are remitted
through baptism, there still remain the fomes of sinassailing us from...
How, I Ask, Can You, Seeing that Your Commentaries Contain Such...
... thing in my writings, imagine how many heads of accusation he would have set down,
how many volumes he would have compiled, how he would beassailing me with...
Matt. x. 16
... Let the dove be ever so harmless, what will it profit, when so many hawks areassailing
it?" In the brutes indeed, not at all: but in you as much as possible....
It is a Little Remarkable That, While Some Classes of Christians...
... immediate excitement; an excitement, increased by the presence of those who are
speaking on the opposite side of the question, and inassailing or answering...
The Church under the Roman Empire
... Errors of a more subtle class followed, amounting in reality to unbelief in our
Saviour's Godhead, but expressing that unbelief byassailing the teaching of...
Introductory Note
... not be tolerated as one of the faithful, without giving to the heathen new grounds
for the malignant slanders with which they were everassailing the Christians...
The Wonderful Skill with which Origen Prepares Gregory and...
... in its uncultured luxuriance and native wildness, he cut out and thoroughly removed
by the processes of refutation and prohibition; sometimesassailing us in...
Conclusion
... to be observed in ascertaining the genuine sense of the Holy Scriptures, and may
furnish insolent sophists with a just pretext for violentlyassailing, or even...
Thesaurus
Assailing (1 Occurrence)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Assail. Multi-Version
Concordance
Assailing (1 Occurrence). Acts 27:20 When neither
...Gog (12 Occurrences)
... in Ezek. 38,39, as coming from the "north country" andassailing the people
of Israel to their own destruction. This prophecy has...
Assailed (3 Occurrences)
Assails (2 Occurrences)
Nineveh (23 Occurrences)
... The appearance of the ruins shows that the destruction of the city was due not only
to theassailing foe but also to the flood and the fire, thus confirming...
Epistles (2 Occurrences)
... The Epistle suggests nothing else than that the same spirit of error which isassailing
the faith of the church (1 John 4:6) is also a peril to the moral...
John (154 Occurrences)
Resources
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