Topical Encyclopedia
The term "mustered" in the context of the Bible generally refers to the assembling or gathering of troops or people for a specific purpose, often for military action or a census. This concept is seen throughout the Old Testament, where leaders and kings would muster their forces in preparation for battle or to organize the people for various tasks.
Old Testament References1.
Military Context: The act of mustering is frequently associated with military preparations. In
1 Samuel 15:4, we read, "So Saul summoned the troops and mustered them at Telaim—200,000 foot soldiers and 10,000 men of Judah." Here, King Saul gathers his forces to fight against the Amalekites, demonstrating the importance of mustering as a strategic military action.
2.
Census and Organization: Mustering also occurs in the context of taking a census or organizing the people. In
Numbers 1:3, God commands Moses, "You and Aaron are to number those who are twenty years of age or older by their divisions—everyone who can serve in Israel’s army." This census was a form of mustering to determine the number of men available for military service.
3.
Leadership and Authority: The act of mustering often underscores the authority of a leader. In
2 Samuel 24:2, King David instructs Joab, "Go through all the tribes of Israel from Dan to Beersheba and muster the fighting men, so that I may know their number." This reflects David's role as a leader who exercises control over the nation's military resources.
Theological ImplicationsFrom a theological perspective, the concept of mustering can be seen as a reflection of divine order and preparation. God often directed the mustering of His people for specific purposes, whether for protection, judgment, or fulfillment of His promises. The act of mustering signifies readiness and obedience to God's commands, as seen in the various instances where leaders followed divine instructions to gather the people.
Symbolic MeaningIn a broader sense, mustering can symbolize the gathering of God's people for spiritual purposes. Just as troops are mustered for battle, believers are called to be spiritually prepared and united in their faith. This concept is echoed in the New Testament, where the church is often described as the body of Christ, called to be ready and equipped for spiritual warfare.
ConclusionThe term "mustered" in the Bible carries significant weight, illustrating themes of preparation, leadership, and divine order. Whether in the context of military action or census-taking, mustering serves as a reminder of the importance of readiness and obedience to God's will.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Muster.
Strong's Hebrew
2923. Telaim -- a place where Saulmustered his forces... 2922, 2923. Telaim. 2924 . a place where Saul
mustered his forces. Transliteration:
Telaim Phonetic Spelling: (tel-aw-eem') Short Definition: Telaim.
...6633. tsaba -- to wage war, serve
... root Definition to wage war, serve NASB Word Usage gone to war (2), made war (1),
mustered (2), perform (2), served (1), serving women served (1), wage war (4...
6485. paqad -- to attend to, visit, muster, appoint
... 1), longed (1), look (1), made him overseer (2), made them overseers (1), miss
(2), missed (3), misses me at all (1), missing (5),mustered (6), mustering (1...
Library
Book Six Turmoil in the Twenties. ...
... By this time my mother had come to me, havingmustered the courage of piety, following
over sea and land, secure in thee through all the perils of the journey....
Copiousness of Words
... This is of little or no use, for it is only a crowd that ismustered together, out
of which the first at hand is taken indifferently, whereas the copiousness...
The Races --A Letter
... He bawled about island horses and Barbadian horses"for the Barbadiansmustered strong,
and a fight was expected, which, however, never came off; he sang songs...
Death or Deep Water.
... Muster the crew." The crew was quicklymustered, and the pilot told the danger in
a few short words, and then said sharply, "Boys, it's death or deep water...
Putting on the Armour
... His back was at the wall, and hemustered up courage to say 'No!' That provoked
a bit of blustering bravado from the enemy, who sent back a message, 'The gods...
Two Young Men.
... But at last one of themmustered up a little courage, and with burning blushes,
as if he was about to do something wrong and wicked, he sunk down on his knees...
While the Emperor Theodosius is Engaged in Military Preparations...
... embassy of Maximus: but unable to endure tyrannical domination over the Roman empire,
under the assumption of an imperial name, he hastilymustered his forces...
Of the Removal of the Remains of John and of the Faith of...
... succeeded in advancing as many furlongs. Meanwhile the generals returned
andmustered their troops. In the former war, too, these...
Of the Reign of Julianus; How from a Child He was Brought
... In his campaign against Magnentius he oncemustered the whole of his army, and
counselled them to take part all together in the divine mysteries, "for," said he...
Of the Siege of the City of Nisibis, and the Apostolic...
... Jacobus. On war being waged against the Romans by Sapor King of Persia,
Constantiusmustered his forces and marched to Antioch....
Thesaurus
Mustered (28 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Muster. Multi-Version Concordance
Mustered (28 Occurrences). Numbers 21:23 Sihon would not
...Muster (9 Occurrences)
... vi) To be gathered together for parade, inspection, exercise, or the like; to come
together as parts of a force or body; as, his supportersmustered in force....
Marched (51 Occurrences)
... (WEB NAS RSV NIV). Joshua 8:10 Joshua rose up early in the morning,mustered the
people, and went up, he and the elders of Israel, before the people to Ai....
232 (1 Occurrence)
... 232 (1 Occurrence). 1 Kings 20:15 Then hemustered the young men of the princes
of the provinces, and they were two hundred and thirty-two....
Gib'e-ah (45 Occurrences)
... Judges 20:15 And the Benjaminitesmustered out of their cities on that day
twenty-six thousand men that drew the sword, besides the inhabitants of Gib'e-ah...
Governors (43 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 20:15 Then hemustered the young men of the princes of the provinces,
and they were two hundred and thirty-two. After them...
Thirty-two (15 Occurrences)
... (WEB BBE DBY NAS RSV NIV). 1 Kings 20:15 Then hemustered the young men of the princes
of the provinces, and they were two hundred and thirty-two....
Districts (22 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 20:15 Then hemustered the young men of the princes of the provinces,
and they were two hundred and thirty-two. After them...
Provinces (40 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 20:15 Then hemustered the young men of the princes of the provinces,
and they were two hundred and thirty-two. After them...
Benjaminites (32 Occurrences)
... Judges 20:15 And the Benjaminitesmustered out of their cities on that day
twenty-six thousand men that drew the sword, besides the inhabitants of Gib'e-ah...
Resources
What is the Book of the Wars of the Lord? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is Christian Socialism? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Og king of Bashan? | GotQuestions.orgMustered: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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