Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical terms, a "league" refers to a formal agreement or covenant between two or more parties, often nations or tribes, for mutual benefit or protection. The concept of a league is rooted in the ancient Near Eastern practice of forming alliances to ensure security, peace, and cooperation. In the Bible, leagues are often depicted as solemn and binding agreements, sometimes made with divine oversight or approval.
Old Testament References1.
Joshua and the Gibeonites: One of the most notable instances of a league in the Bible is found in the book of Joshua. The Gibeonites, fearing the advancing Israelites, resorted to deception to secure a treaty.
Joshua 9:15 states, "And Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore an oath to them." Despite the deceit, the Israelites honored the league due to the sacredness of the oath made before God.
2.
Abraham and Abimelech: In
Genesis 21:27 , Abraham and Abimelech, the king of Gerar, formed a league. "So Abraham brought sheep and cattle and gave them to Abimelech, and the two men made a covenant." This agreement was made to ensure peaceful coexistence and mutual respect for each other's rights and properties.
3.
Israel and Foreign Nations: The Israelites were often warned against forming leagues with pagan nations, as these alliances could lead them away from their covenant with God. In
Exodus 23:32 , God commands, "You shall make no covenant with them or with their gods." Such leagues were seen as compromising Israel's distinctiveness and faithfulness to Yahweh.
Theological ImplicationsLeagues in the Bible often carry significant theological weight. They are not merely political or social contracts but are seen as covenants that involve moral and spiritual obligations. The making and breaking of leagues can have profound consequences, as they reflect one's faithfulness to God and His commandments.
Moral and Ethical ConsiderationsThe biblical narrative emphasizes the importance of integrity and faithfulness in the making of leagues. The account of the Gibeonites highlights the ethical dilemma faced by the Israelites when confronted with a league made under false pretenses. Despite the deception, the Israelites chose to honor their oath, demonstrating the high value placed on keeping one's word.
Prophetic and Eschatological ContextIn prophetic literature, the concept of a league can also be seen in the context of eschatological events. Alliances and treaties among nations are often depicted as part of the unfolding of God's divine plan. For instance, in
Daniel 11, various leagues and alliances play a role in the prophetic vision of future conflicts and the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom.
ConclusionThe concept of a league in the Bible serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness, integrity, and the serious nature of covenants. Whether between individuals, nations, or with God Himself, these agreements are to be honored and respected, reflecting the character of a people set apart for God's purposes.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
A treaty or confederacy. The Jews were forbidden to enter into an alliance of any kind (1) with the Canaanites (
Exodus 23:32, 33;
34:12-16); (2) with the Amalekites (
Exodus 17:8, 14;
Deuteronomy 25:17-19); (3) with the Moabites and Ammonites (
Deuteronomy 2:9, 19). Treaties were permitted to be entered into with all other nations. Thus David maintained friendly intercourse with the kings of Tyre and Hamath, and Solomon with the kings of Tyre and Egypt.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A measure of length or distance, varying in different countries from about 2.4 to 4.6 English statute miles of 5.280 feet each, and used (as a land measure) chiefly on the continent of Europe, and in the Spanish parts of America. The marine league of England and the United States is equal to three marine, or geographical, miles of 6080 feet each.
2. (n.) A stone erected near a public road to mark the distance of a league.
3. (n.) An alliance or combination of two or more nations, parties, or persons, for the accomplishment of a purpose which requires a continued course of action, as for mutual defense, or for furtherance of commercial, religious, or political interests, etc.
4. (v. i.) To unite in a league or confederacy; to combine for mutual support; to confederate.
5. (v. t.) To join in a league; to cause to combine for a joint purpose; to combine; to unite; as, common interests will league heterogeneous elements.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
LEAGUEleg.
SeeCONFEDERACY.
Strong's Hebrew
7194. qashar -- to bind,league together, conspire... qashar. 7195 . to bind,
league together, conspire. Transliteration: qashar Phonetic
Spelling: (kaw-shar') Short Definition: conspired. Word Origin a prim.
...2275a. Chebron -- "association,league," a city in S. Judah
... 2275, 2275a. Chebron. 2275b . "association,league," a city in S. Judah.
Transliteration: Chebron Short Definition: Hebron. Word...
2275. Chebrown -- "association,league," a city in S. Judah
... Chebrown. 2275a . "association,league," a city in S. Judah. Transliteration:
Chebrown Phonetic Spelling: (kheb-rone') Short Definition: Hebron. Hebron...
1285. berith -- a covenant
... Origin from an unused word Definition a covenant NASB Word Usage allied (1), allies*
(1), covenant (275), covenants (1), El-berith* (1),league (2), treaty (4...
2266. chabar -- to unite, be joined, to tie a magic knot or spell...
... compact, couple together, have fellowship with, heap up, join self, together,
league. A primitive root; to join (literally or figuratively...
4541. maccekah -- a libation, molten metal or image
... From nacak; properly, a pouring over, ie Fusion of metal (especially a cast image);
by implication, a libation, ieLeague; concretely a coverlet (as if poured...
3772. karath -- to cut off, cut down
... between the pieces) -- be chewed, be con-(feder-)ate, covenant, cut (down, off),
destroy, fail, feller, be freed, hew (down), make aleague ((covenant)), X lose...
Library
How Antiochus Made aLeague with Ptolemy and How Onias Provoked...
... CHAPTER 4. How Antiochus Made ALeague With Ptolemy And How Onias Provoked Ptolemy
Euergetes To Anger; And How Joseph Brought All Things Right Again, And...
How Scaurus Made aLeague of Mutual Assistance with Aretas; and...
... CHAPTER 5. How Scaurus Made ALeague Of Mutual Assistance With Aretas; And What
Gabinius Did In Judea, After He Had Conquered Alexander, The Son Of Aristobulus...
How Alexander, Upon theLeague of Mutual Defense which Cleopatra...
... How Alexander, upon theLeague of Mutual Defense Which Cleopatra Had Agreed with
Him, Made an Expedition Against Coelesyria, and Utterly Overthrew the City of...
How, after the Death of Antiochus, Hyrcanus Made an Expedition...
... CHAPTER 9. How, After The Death Of Antiochus, Hyrcanus Made An Expedition
Against Syria, And Made ALeague With The Romans. Concerning...
How the Angles, Being Invited into Britain, at First Drove Off the...
... XV. How the Angles, being invited into Britain, at first drove off the enemy; but
not long after, making aleague with them, turned their weapons against their...
How Alexander Honored Jonathan after an Extraordinary Manner; and...
... 4. How Alexander Honored Jonathan After An Extraordinary Manner; And How Demetrius,
The Son Of Demetrius, Overcame Alexander And Made ALeague Of Friendship...
Hyrcanus Receives the High Priesthood, and Ejects Ptolemy Out of...
... Ptolemy Out Of The Country. Antiochus Makes War Against Hyrcanus And
Afterwards Makes ALeague With Him. 1. So Ptolemy retired to...
Healing of the Deaf and Dumb Demoniac. --The Charge of aLeague...
... Section 161. Healing of the Deaf and Dumb Demoniac."The Charge of aLeague
with Beelzebub: a Visible Sign demanded."The Charge refuted....
How David Brought under the Philistines, and the Moabites, and the...
... The Philistines, And The Moabites, And The Kings Of Sophene And Of Damascus, And
Of The Syrians As Also The Idumeans, In War; And How He Made ALeague With The...
How Simon Confederated Himself with Antiochus Pius, and Made War...
... He also sent ambassadors to Simon the Jewish high priest, about aleague of friendship
and mutual assistance; who readily accepted of the invitation, and sent...
Thesaurus
League (20 Occurrences)... America. The marine
league of England and the United States is equal to
three marine, or geographical, miles of 6080 feet each.
...Confederate (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) One who is united with others in aleague, treaty,
or alliance.... 5. (vt) To unite in aleague or confederacy; to ally....
Achaia (11 Occurrences)
... and formed a confederation of smaller communities, which in the last century of
the independent history of Greece attained to great importance (AchaeanLeague...
Treaty (25 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) An agreement so made; specifically, an agreement,league, or contract between
two or more nations or sovereigns, formally signed by commissioners...
Decapolis (3 Occurrences)
... de-kap'-o-lis (Dekapolis): The name given to the region occupied by aleague of
"ten cities" (Matthew 4:25 Mark 5:20; Mark 7:31), which Eusebius defines (in...
Confederacy (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Aleague or compact between two or more
persons or states; an alliance. 2. (n.) The persons, bodies...
Baasa (26 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 15:19 There is aleague between me and thee, between my father and thy father:
behold, I have sent unto thee a present of silver and gold; go, break...
Withdraw (52 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 15:19 There is aleague between me and thee, between my father and thy father;
behold, I have sent unto thee a present of silver and gold; go, break...
Gibeon (39 Occurrences)
... their allies from three other cities (Joshua 9;17), visited the camp at Gilgal,
and by false representations induced Joshua to enter into aleague with them...
Jotham (26 Occurrences)
... 4. The SyrianLeague: During Jotham's regency, a formidable combination of the Northern
Kingdom and the Syrian state, with Damascus as capital, began to show...
Resources
What can we learn from church softball? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to bind the strong man? | GotQuestions.orgDoes the Bible say the United Nations will have a role in the end times? | GotQuestions.orgLeague: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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