Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical literature, the term "hordes" often refers to large groups or multitudes, typically of people or armies, that are characterized by their overwhelming numbers and potential for destruction. The concept of hordes is frequently associated with invasions, conquests, and divine judgment, reflecting the tumultuous and often violent nature of human history as depicted in the Bible.
Old Testament ReferencesThe Old Testament provides several instances where hordes are mentioned, often in the context of military campaigns or divine retribution. One notable example is found in the book of Ezekiel, where the prophet describes the impending judgment on Gog and his vast army.
Ezekiel 38:9 states, "You and all your troops and the many peoples with you will go up, advancing like a storm; you will be like a cloud covering the land." Here, the imagery of a storm and a cloud emphasizes the overwhelming and fearsome nature of the invading hordes.
In the book of Joel, the prophet speaks of a locust plague as a metaphor for an invading army, describing it as a horde that devastates the land.
Joel 1:6 declares, "For a nation has invaded My land, powerful and without number; its teeth are the teeth of a lion, and it has the fangs of a lioness." This vivid imagery underscores the destructive power and relentless advance of the horde, likening it to a natural disaster.
New Testament ContextWhile the New Testament does not frequently use the term "hordes," the concept is present in the apocalyptic literature, particularly in the book of Revelation.
Revelation 9:16 describes a vast army: "The number of mounted troops was two hundred million; I heard their number." This immense horde is part of the vision of the end times, symbolizing the scale and intensity of the final battles between good and evil.
Theological ImplicationsFrom a theological perspective, the depiction of hordes in the Bible serves as a reminder of the sovereignty of God over the nations and the unfolding of His divine plan. The overwhelming nature of these multitudes often highlights human vulnerability and the need for divine intervention. In many instances, the appearance of hordes is a precursor to God's deliverance of His people, demonstrating His power and faithfulness.
Historical and Cultural ContextIn the ancient Near Eastern context, the imagery of hordes would have been familiar to the original audience of the biblical texts. The region was frequently subject to invasions and migrations by large groups of people, such as the Assyrians, Babylonians, and later, the Persians. These historical realities provided a backdrop for the biblical writers, who used the concept of hordes to convey messages of warning, judgment, and hope.
ConclusionThe biblical portrayal of hordes, whether as literal armies or symbolic representations of divine judgment, serves to communicate the themes of power, destruction, and ultimately, redemption. Through these narratives, the Bible underscores the transient nature of human power and the enduring sovereignty of God.
Strong's Hebrew
1995. hamon -- a sound, murmur, roar, crowd, abundance... from hamah Definition a sound, murmur, roar, crowd, abundance NASB Word Usage abundance
(4), commotion (2), great quantity (1), horde (2),
hordes (14), many (3
...1462. gob -- locusts
... grasshoppers. Word Origin from the same as gebeh Definition locusts NASB
Word Usagehordes of grasshoppers (1). grasshopper, great....
Library
Letter ccxx. (AD 427. )
... you might render to the churches of Christ if you pursued it with this single aim,
that they, protected from all disturbance by barbarianhordes, might live "a...
Dragged on his Way
... Seizing the opportunity, Pharetrius senthordes of monks, armed with stones and
clubs, to surround the lodging of Chrysostom, with threats that they would burn...
Severinus in Germany.
... towns on the Danube, in the then flourishing city of Lauriacum, (now Lorch,) in
order to find there a shelter from the wandering barbaroushordes, it happened...
The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... The Amorites, who had seriously suffered from the incursions of Asiatichordes,
and had been constantly harassed by the attacks of the Aramaeans, had abandoned...
Causes of the Reformation
... With the fall of the Empire, consequent upon its invasion by the barbarianhordes,
classical studies were banished to some extent to the Western Isles, Ireland...
Discipline
... But such a people, the wise Balaam saw, would not be mere conquerors, like those
savagehordes, or plundering armies, which have so often swept over the earth...
Hebrew Captives; Or, Mordecai and Esther.
... word some suppose to be derived from Madai, the son of Japheth, was the name of
a region adjacent to ancient Assyria, inhabited by warlikehordes for centuries...
Joshua's Conquest.
... to make it a suitable time for the Hebrews to enter Canaan: (a) Egypt had crushed
the Hittites and devastated their land; (b) Northernhordes from and through...
Lupus of Troyes.
... influence over the barbarous spoiler who spread terror everywhere before him"Attila,
king of the Huns, who invaded Gaul with his lawlesshordes in 451....
Acts XXIV
... which this speech is introduced were not undeserved by Felix; for he had restored
tranquility to the country, when it was disturbed, first byhordes of robbers...
Thesaurus
Hordes (24 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Hordes (24 Occurrences). Isaiah 29:5 And the army
of your attackers will be like small dust, and all the
...Horde (8 Occurrences)
... (See NAS NIV). Habakkuk 1:9 All of them come for violence. Theirhordes face the
desert. He gathers prisoners like sand. (Root in WEB NAS NIV)....
Gomer (7 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 38:6 Gomer, and all hishordes; the house of Togarmah in the uttermost parts
of the north, and all hishordes; even many peoples with you....
Togarmah (4 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 38:6 Gomer, and all hishordes; the house of Togarmah in the uttermost parts
of the north, and all hishordes; even many peoples with you....
Remote (17 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Ezekiel 38:6 Gomer, and all hishordes; the house of Togarmah in the
uttermost parts of the north, and all hishordes; even many peoples with you....
Beth-togar'mah (2 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Ezekiel 38:6 Gomer, and all hishordes; the house of Togarmah in the
uttermost parts of the north, and all hishordes; even many peoples with you....
Beth-togarmah (2 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Ezekiel 38:6 Gomer, and all hishordes; the house of Togarmah in the
uttermost parts of the north, and all hishordes; even many peoples with you....
Troops (92 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 38:6 Gomer, and all hishordes; the house of Togarmah in the uttermost parts
of the north, and all hishordes; even many peoples with you....
Advance (33 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 38:9 You shall ascend, you shall come like a storm, you shall be like a
cloud to cover the land, you, and all yourhordes, and many peoples with you....
Horeb (17 Occurrences)
Resources
If angels and demons can't die, what is the point of their engaging in battle? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the different names of God, and what do they mean? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are all the different judgments in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgHordes: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
