Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, "defense" encompasses both physical protection and spiritual safeguarding. The concept of defense is woven throughout Scripture, illustrating God's role as a protector, the believer's responsibility to stand firm in faith, and the use of wisdom and righteousness as a means of defense.
God as DefenderThe Bible frequently portrays God as the ultimate defender of His people. In the Old Testament, God is depicted as a shield and fortress for those who trust in Him.
Psalm 18:2 declares, "The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." This imagery emphasizes God's strength and reliability as a protector against both physical and spiritual threats.
In the New Testament, the theme of God as a defender continues.
Romans 8:31 states, "What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" This assurance of divine protection is foundational for believers, encouraging them to trust in God's sovereignty and care.
Human Responsibility in DefenseWhile God is the ultimate source of defense, Scripture also calls believers to take an active role in their own defense, particularly in spiritual matters.
Ephesians 6:11-13 instructs believers to "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. Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand."
This passage highlights the importance of spiritual preparedness and the use of divine resources—truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, the Word of God, and prayer—as means of defense against spiritual adversaries.
Wisdom and Righteousness as DefenseThe Bible also teaches that wisdom and righteousness serve as forms of defense.
Proverbs 2:7-8 states, "He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk with integrity, to guard the paths of justice and protect the way of His saints." Here, wisdom and integrity are depicted as protective measures that align with God's will and provide safety.
Moreover, righteousness is portrayed as a defense in
Isaiah 54:17 : "No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication is from Me, declares the LORD." Righteous living, in accordance with God's commands, offers a defense against accusations and spiritual attacks.
Defense in Warfare and ConflictIn historical narratives, the Bible records instances of physical defense in warfare. The Israelites often relied on God's guidance and intervention in battles. For example, in
2 Chronicles 20:15 , during the reign of King Jehoshaphat, the Lord reassures the people, "Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s." This underscores the belief that God fights on behalf of His people, providing victory and protection.
Defense of the FaithThe New Testament also emphasizes the defense of the Christian faith.
1 Peter 3:15 exhorts believers, "But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you to explain the hope you have, but do so with gentleness and respect." This call to apologetics highlights the importance of being ready to articulate and defend one's faith in a respectful and thoughtful manner.
In summary, the biblical concept of defense encompasses divine protection, personal responsibility in spiritual warfare, the protective power of wisdom and righteousness, and the defense of the faith. Through these various aspects, Scripture provides a comprehensive understanding of defense as both a divine provision and a human responsibility.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) Alt. of Defence.
2. (v. t.) To furnish with defenses; to fortify.
Greek
627. apologia -- a speech indefense... a speech in
defense. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: apologia Phonetic
Spelling: (ap-ol-og-ee'-ah) Short Definition: a verbal
defense Definition
...626. apologeomai -- to give an account of oneself, hence to defend...
... to defend oneself. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: apologeomai Phonetic Spelling:
(ap-ol-og-eh'-om-ahee) Short Definition: I give adefense, defend myself...
379. anapologetos -- without excuse
... Phonetic Spelling: (an-ap-ol-og'-ay-tos) Short Definition: indefensible, inexcusable
Definition: without (ground of)defense, indefensible, inexcusable....
3794. ochuroma -- a stronghold, fortress
... fortress. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: ochuroma Phonetic Spelling:
(okh-oo'-ro-mah) Short Definition: a fortress, strongdefense Definition: a...
1557. ekdikesis -- vengeance, vindication
... vindication. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: ekdikesis Phonetic
Spelling: (ek-dik'-ay-sis) Short Definition: adefense, vengeance, full...
Strong's Hebrew
4535. massach -- perhaps repulse,defense... 4534, 4535. massach. 4536 . perhaps repulse,
defense. Transliteration: massach
Phonetic Spelling: (mas-sawkh') Short Definition:
defense.
...6110. atsumah -- perhapsdefense
... 6109, 6110. atsumah. 6111 . perhapsdefense. Transliteration: atsumah
Phonetic Spelling: (ats-tsoo-maw') Short Definition: strong....
4693. Matsor -- a country Southwest of the Red Sea
... besieged places,defense, fortified. The same as matsowr in the sense of a limit;
Egypt (as the border of Palestine) -- besieged places,defense, fortified....
4692. matsor -- siege enclosure, siege, entrenchment
... Word Origin from tsur Definition siege enclosure, siege, entrenchment NASB Word
Usage besieged (3),defense (1), fortified (1), fortress (1), rampart (1...
4686. matsuwd -- net, prey
... tsood') Short Definition: castle. castle,defense, fortress, strong hold,
be hunted, net, snare, strong place Or (feminine) mtsuwdah...
5526. cakak -- to overshadow, screen, cover
... saw-kak') Short Definition: cover. cover,defense, defend, hedge in, join
together, set, shut up Or sakak (Exod. 33:22) {saw-kak'}; a...
1220. betser -- precious ore, an ingot
... golddefense. From batsar; strictly a clipping, ie Gold (as dug out) -- gold defence.
see HEBREW batsar. 1219, 1220. betser. 1221 . Strong's Numbers.
4539. masak -- a covering, screen
... Word Origin from sakak Definition a covering, screen NASB Word Usage covering
(2),defense (1), screen (16), screening (1), veil (5)....
4043. magen -- a shield
... 1), scales (1), shield (41), shields (16). armed, buckler,defense, ruler,
scale, shield. Also (in plural) feminine mginnah {meg-in...
2646. chuppah -- a canopy, chamber
... chamber, closet,defense. From chaphah; a canopy -- chamber, closet, defence. see
HEBREW chaphah. 2645, 2646. chuppah. 2647 . Strong's Numbers.
Library
Defense of Eusebius Pamphilus.
... Book II. Chapter XXI."Defense of Eusebius Pamphilus. But since some have
attempted to stigmatize even Eusebius Pamphilus himself...
The Apologists that Wrote inDefense of the Faith During the Reign...
... Book IV. Chapter III."The Apologists that wrote inDefense of the Faith
during the Reign of Adrian. 1. After Trajan had reigned...
Quotations from Athanasius'Defense of his Flight. '
... Book III. Chapter VIII."Quotations from Athanasius'Defense of his Flight.'.
On this occasion Athanasius read to those present...
Whether it is Lawful to Kill a Man in Self-Defense?
... OF MURDER (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether it is lawful to kill a man in self-defense?
Objection 1: It would seem that nobody may lawfully kill a man in self-defense....
Paul Having Been Sent Bound from Judea to Rome, Made hisDefense...
... Book II. Chapter XXII."Paul having been sent bound from Judea to Rome, made
hisDefense, and was acquitted of every Charge. 1. Festus...
How During Antipater's Abode at Rome, Herod Brought Alexander and...
... Before Caesar And Accused Them. Alexander'sDefense Of Himself Before Caesar
And Reconciliation To His Father. 1. And now what happened...
An Account of the Organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church...
... 1773, TO THE ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH IN 1784 CHAPTER 3 An account of the
organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with some arguments in itsdefense....
The Preparations of the Greeks forDefense.
... CHAPTER VII. THE PREPARATIONS OF THE GREEKS FORDEFENSE. BC480... A thousand different
plans ofdefense were proposed and eagerly discussed....
How Alexander, Upon the League of MutualDefense which Cleopatra...
... How Alexander, upon the League of MutualDefense Which Cleopatra Had Agreed with
Him, Made an Expedition Against Coelesyria, and Utterly Overthrew the City of...
When the Bishops Will not Listen to Athanasius'Defense on the...
... Book I. Chapter XXXI."When the Bishops will not listen to Athanasius'Defense
on the Second Charge, he betakes himself to the Emperor....
Thesaurus
Defense (49 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Defense (49 Occurrences).
... Alexander beckoned with his hand,
and would have made a
defense to the people. (WEB ASV WBS NAS RSV NIV).
...Answer (2099 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) To speak indefense against; to reply to indefense; as, to answer a charge;
to answer an accusation.... 19. (n.) A reply to a change; adefense. 20....
Fence (12 Occurrences)
... Amos 5:19). Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) That which fends off attack or
danger; adefense; a protection; a cover; security; shield....
Stephen (13 Occurrences)
... His Character and Activity 3. His Teaching 4. His Arraignment before the Sanhedrin
5. His Defence before the Sanhedrin (1) Personal Defence (2)Defense of His...
Wall (227 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A work or structure of stone, brick, or other materials, raised to some
height, and intended fordefense or security, solid and permanent inclosing...
Motioned (7 Occurrences)
... putting him forward. Alexander beckoned with his hand, and would have made
adefense to the people. (See NAS RSV NIV). Acts 21:40...
Protection (19 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The act of protecting, or the state of being protected; preservation from
loss, injury, or annoyance;defense; shelter; as, the weak need protection....
Arm (110 Occurrences)
... 12. (n.) A weapon of offense ordefense; an instrument of warfare; -- commonly in
the pl. 13. (vt) To take by the arm; to take up in one's arms. 14....
Defence (48 Occurrences)
... 1. (n. & vt) SeeDefense.... 6. (n.) Act or skill in makingdefense; defensive plan
or policy; practice in selfdefense, as in fencing, boxing, etc....
Gideon (45 Occurrences)
... of sustenance became a serious problem (Judges 6:4). The multitude of these desert
hordes and the cruelty of their depredation rendereddefense difficult, and...
Resources
What does the Bible say about self-defense? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is Plantinga's free will defense, and how does it address the problem of evil? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the principle of double effect? | GotQuestions.orgDefense: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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