Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the term "campaign" often refers to military endeavors undertaken by individuals or nations, particularly in the Old Testament. These campaigns were typically divinely sanctioned or directed, reflecting the belief that God was actively involved in the affairs of His people, guiding them to victory or allowing defeat as a means of judgment or instruction.
Old Testament Campaigns1.
Joshua's Conquest of Canaan: One of the most significant military campaigns in the Bible is Joshua's conquest of Canaan. After the death of Moses, Joshua led the Israelites into the Promised Land, as commanded by God. The campaign began with the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River and the fall of Jericho.
Joshua 6:2-5 records God's instructions for the battle: "Then the LORD said to Joshua, 'See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its mighty men of valor. March around the city with all the men of war, circling the city one time. Do this for six days. Have seven priests carry seven rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, while the priests blow the horns.'"
2.
David's Military Campaigns: King David, a central figure in the history of Israel, was known for his military prowess and numerous campaigns against surrounding nations. His campaigns were often seen as divinely guided, securing Israel's borders and establishing Jerusalem as the political and spiritual center. In
2 Samuel 5:19 , David seeks God's guidance before a campaign: "So David inquired of the LORD, 'Should I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?' The LORD replied to David, 'Go, for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hand.'"
3.
Gideon's Campaign Against the Midianites: In the Book of Judges, Gideon is called by God to deliver Israel from the oppression of the Midianites. Despite having a small army, Gideon's campaign is successful due to divine intervention.
Judges 7:7 states, "The LORD said to Gideon, 'With the three hundred men who lapped I will save you and deliver the Midianites into your hand. Let all the others go home.'"
New Testament ContextWhile the New Testament does not focus on military campaigns in the same manner as the Old Testament, the concept of spiritual warfare is prevalent. The Apostle Paul uses military imagery to describe the Christian life as a spiritual campaign against the forces of evil.
Ephesians 6:11-12 exhorts believers: "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
Theological ImplicationsThe campaigns in the Bible often illustrate the sovereignty of God in the affairs of nations and individuals. They demonstrate that victory is not solely dependent on human strength or strategy but on obedience to God's will and reliance on His power. The successes and failures of these campaigns serve as lessons in faith, obedience, and the consequences of turning away from God.
Moral and Ethical ConsiderationsThe military campaigns in the Bible raise questions about the ethics of war and divine justice. From a conservative Christian perspective, these campaigns are understood within the context of God's redemptive plan and His righteous judgment against sin. They are seen as part of God's unfolding narrative to establish a holy people and ultimately bring about salvation through Jesus Christ.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A connected series of military or political operations, forming a distinct stage.
2. (n.) Political operations preceding an election; a canvass.
3. (n.) The period during which a blast furnace is continuously in operation.
4. (v. i.) To serve in a campaign.
Greek
4752. strateia -- acampaign, expedition, hence warfare... a
campaign, expedition, hence warfare. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration:
strateia Phonetic Spelling: (strat-i'-ah) Short Definition: warfare
...497. antistrateuomai -- to make war against
... make war against. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: antistrateuomai Phonetic
Spelling: (an-tee-strat-yoo'-om-ahee) Short Definition: Icampaign against, war...
4754. strateuo -- to make war, hence to serve as a soldier
... Middle voice from the base of stratia; to serve in a militarycampaign; figuratively,
to execute the apostolate (with its arduous duties and functions), to...
Strong's Hebrew
6635. tsaba -- army, war, warfare... Organized for war (an army); by implication, a
campaign, literally or figuratively
(specifically, hardship, worship) -- appointed time, (+) army, (+) battle
...Library
Of theCampaign of Theodosius.
... Book V. Chapter V."Of thecampaign of Theodosius. Now at this time Theodosius,
on account alike of the splendour of his ancestry...
Campaign of Constantius in Sirmium, and Details Concerning...
... Book IV. Chapter IV."Campaign of Constantius in Sirmium, and Details concerning
Vetranio and Magnentius. Gallus receives the Title...
Service Unites.
... There must be simple, but thorough organization. Thecampaign should be mapped out
as thoroughly as a Presidentialcampaign is organized here in our country....
The Secondary Division or Teen Age Boys' Crusade
... The objectives around which the idea grew were acampaign for Organized Classes
in every school, an effort to reach Toronto's 10,000 non-Sunday school, teen...
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7
... The first campaigns of Assur-nazir-pal in Nairi and on the Khabur (885-882 BC):
Zamua reduced to an Assyrian province (881 BC) -- The fourthcampaign in Nairi...
The Revolt of Babylon.
... the Babylonians chose for their rebellion at last was one when the movable forces
which Darius had at command were at the west, engaged in acampaign on the...
Debate on the Proposed Invasion of Greece.
... Mardonius was much older, but he was a soldier by profession, and was eager
to distinguish himself in some great militarycampaign....
The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
... Assur-bani-pal and Shamash shumukin (668 BC)"Revolt of Egypt and death of Esarhaddon
(668 BC); accession of Assur-bani-pal; hiscampaign against Kirbit...
The Nations of the South-East
...Campaign followed uponcampaign; the City of Waters, Rabbah, the "capital" of Ammon,
was closely invested, and the Aramaic allies of Hanun were put to flight....
A Foreword
... He wrote me asking that I act as captain in the Nation-wideCampaign, and
I answered that I could not. But the next thing I remember...
Thesaurus
Campaign (3 Occurrences)... 3. (n.) The period during which a blast furnace is continuously in operation.
4. (vi) To serve in a
campaign.
...Campaign (3 Occurrences).
...Sennacherib (13 Occurrences)
... Sennacherib in his firstcampaign marched into Babylonia.... Thiscampaign was followed
by an invasion of the country of the Cassites and Iasubigalleans....
Paul (207 Occurrences)
... 1) Preparation (2) Experience (3) Effect on Paul V. WORK 1. Adjustment 2. Opposition
3. Waiting 4. Opportunity 5. The First Great MissionCampaign 6. The...
Hezekiah (124 Occurrences)
... Of Sennacherib'scampaign of 701, for instance, no fewer than six accounts are at
present known (see GA Smith, Jerusalem, II, 154, note), the most detailed...
Hammurabi
... him until his 30th year, when the army of Elam is referred to, possibly indicating
warlike operations, which paved the way for the greatcampaign of his 31st...
Army (401 Occurrences)
... ar'-mi (chayil, "army," tsabha', "host," ma`arakhah, "army in battle array" gedhudh,
"troop"): 1. The FirstCampaign of History 2. In the Wilderness 3. The...
Warfare (18 Occurrences)
... or priests who accompanied their armies that Yahweh was with them to fight their
battles (Deuteronomy 20:1-4). It was customary to open acampaign, or to enter...
Nicanor (1 Occurrence)
... Thecampaign began in 166 BC; the Syrians were defeated at Emmaus (1 Maccabees
3:57;), while Gorgias at a later stage gained a victory at Jamnia over a body of...
Cambyses
... Greek fleets. During thiscampaign Cambyses seems to have acted with good
generalship and with clemency toward the conquered. After...
Shishak (6 Occurrences)
... 3. SyrianCampaign: So it came to pass that in the 5th year of Rehoboam, Shishak
came up against Jerusalem with 1,200 chariots, and 60,000 horsemen, and people...
Resources
What did Paul mean when he said he had fought the good fight? | GotQuestions.orgWho is the king of the North in Daniel 11? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the origin of the peace sign? | GotQuestions.orgCampaign: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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