Bible Encyclopedia: Alliance

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International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ALLIANCE

a-li'-ans. 1. In the Patriarchal Stories:

Frequent references are made to alliances between the patriarchs and foreigners. Abraham is reported to have had "confederates" among the chiefs of the Canaanites (Genesis 14:13). He also allied with Abimelech, king of Gerar (Genesis 21:22-34). Isaac's alliance with Abimelech (Genesis 26:26-34), which is offered as an explanation of the name Beer-sheba (Genesis 26:33), appears to be a variant of the record of alliance between Abraham and Abimelech. Jacob formed an alliance with Laban, the Syrian (Genesis 31:44-54), by which Gilead was established as a boundary line between Israel and Aramaic. These treaties refer, in all probability, to the early period of Israel's history, and throw a good deal of light upon the relation between Israel and the Philistines and the Syrians immediately after the conquest of Canaan.

2. In Pre-Canaanitic History:

The only reference to an alliance between Israel and foreign people prior to the conquest of Canaan, that might be regarded as historical, is that made between Israel and the Kenite tribes at the foot of Sinai, the precise nature of which, however, is not very clearly indicated. Such alliances led to intermarriages between the members of the allied tribes. Thus Moses married a Kenite woman (Judges 1:16; Judges 4:11). The patriarchal marriages refer to the existing conditions after the conquest. Possibly one more alliance belonging to that period is that between Israel and Moab (Numbers 25:1-3). According to the narrative, Israel became attached to the daughters of Moab, at Shittim, and was led astray after Baal-peor. Its historicity is proven from the prophetic allusions to this event (compare Hosea 9:10 Micah 6:5).

3. During the Conquest:

The invading hordes of Israel met with strong opposition on the part of the natives of Palestine (Judges 1:21, 27-36). In time, alliances were formed with some of them, which generally led, as might be expected, to considerable trouble. One concrete illustration is preserved in the story of the Gibeonites (Joshua 9). Intermarriages were frequent. The tribe of Judah thus became consolidated through the alliance and the amalgamation with the Kenites and Calebites (Judges 1:10-16). These relations between Israel and the Canaanites threatened the preservation of Yahwism.

4. The Monarchy:

Prohibitory measures were adopted in the legal codes with a view to Jewish separateness and purity (Exodus 23:32; Exodus 34:12, 15 Deuteronomy 7:2; compare Judges 2:2, 3 Leviticus 18:3, 4; Leviticus 20:22).

But at a very early date in the history of the Jewish kingdom the official heads of the people formed such alliances and intermarried. David became an ally to Achish of Gath (1 Samuel 27:2-12) and later on with Abner, which led to the consolidation of Judah and Israel into one kingdom (2 Samuel 3:17-21; 2 Samuel 5:1-3). It appears likewise that Toi, king of Hamath, formed an alliance with David (2 Samuel 9:10) and that Hiram of Tyre was his ally (1 Kings 5:12 a). Alliances wrath foreign nations became essential to the progress of trade and commerce during the reign of Solomon. Two of his treaties are recorded: one with Hiram of Tyre (1 Kings 5:12-18; 1 Kings 9:11-14) and one with Pharaoh, king of Egypt (1 Kings 9:16).

5. The Divided Kingdom:

After the disruption, Shishak of Egypt invaded Judea, and probably also Israel. This meant an abrogation of the treaty existing between Israel and Egypt during the reign of Solomon. In consequence of the war between the two kingdoms, Asa formed an alliance with Benhadad of Syria (1 Kings 15:18-20). Later on Ahab sought an alliance with Ben-hadad (1 Kings 20:31-34). Friendly relations ensued between Israel and Judah, during the reign of Jehoshaphat, which continued to the close of the dynasty of Omri (1 Kings 22:2-4, 50 2 Kings 3:7). With the accession of Jehu, hostilities were resumed. In the Syro-Ephraimitic war, Israel was allied with Syria, and Judah with Assyria (2 Kings 16:6-9 Isaiah 7). This opened the way to the Assyrian power into both kingdoms. Relief against Assyria was sought in Egypt; Hoshea rebelled against Shalmaneser, and allied with So (Sevechus, the Shabaka of the 25th Dynasty) and thus brought about the fall of Samaria.

6. The Kingdom of Judah:

Hezekiah likewise sought an alliance with So, but derived no assistance from him. He is recorded to have formed friendly relations with Berodach-baladan of Babylon (2 Kings 20:12-18). These alliances resulted in the introduction of foreign cults into Jerusalem (2 Kings 16:10, 11). During the reign of Manasseh, Yahwism was seriously threatened by foreign religious practices (2 Kings 21:2-9). The protesting spirit against the prevailing conditions found expression in the Deuteronomic code, which emphasizes the national policy. Josiah fought against Pharaoh-necoh as an ally of Assyria (2 Kings 23:29). Jehoahaz continued the Assyrian alliance and was dethroned in consequence by Pharaoh-necoh (2 Kings 23:33). Jehoiakin was disposed to be friendly with Egypt, and even after his subjection to Nebuchadnezzar, he remained loyal to the Pharaoh (2 Kings 23:35). Zedekiah came to the throne as an ally of Babylon. When he broke this alliance, the destruction of Jerusalem resulted (2 Kings 25).

7. In Post-exilic Times:

Judas Maccabeus sought an alliance with the Romans (1 Maccabees 8; Josephus, Ant, XII, x, 6) which was renewed by Jonathan (1 Maccabees 12:1; Ant, XIII, v, 8) and by Simon (1 Maccabees 15:17; Ant, XIII, vii, 3). Treaties were concluded with the Spartans (1 Maccabees 12:2; 14:20; Ant, XII, iv, 10; XIII, v, 8). The Roman alliance was again renewed by Hyrcanus about 128 B.C. (Ant., XIII, ix, 2). This alliance proved to be of fatal consequence to the independence of the Jews (Ant., XIV, iv, 4; and xiv, 5). For the rites connected with the formation of the earlier alliances, see COVENANT.

Samuel Cohon

Greek

4783. sugkatathesis -- a putting down together, ie agreement
... Transliteration: sugkatathesis Phonetic Spelling: (soong-kat-ath'-es-is) Short
Definition: assent, agreement Definition: assent, agreement, concord, alliance. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4783.htm - 6k

Strong's Hebrew

8002. shelem -- a sacrifice for alliance or friendship, peace ...
... shelem. 8003 . a sacrifice for alliance or friendship, peace offering.
Transliteration: shelem Phonetic Spelling: (sheh'-lem) Short Definition: offerings. ...
/hebrew/8002.htm - 6k

2266. chabar -- to unite, be joined, to tie a magic knot or spell ...
... root Definition to unite, be joined, to tie a magic knot or spell, to charm NASB
Word Usage alliance is made (1), allied (4), attached (1), attaching (1), came ...
/hebrew/2266.htm - 6k

2859. chathan -- make oneself a daughter's husband
... make oneself a daughter's husband NASB Word Usage allied himself by marriage (1),
become the son-in-law (4), formed a marriage alliance (1), intermarry (4 ...
/hebrew/2859.htm - 6k

4541a. massekah -- a libation, molten metal or image
... Word Origin from nasak Definition a libation, molten metal or image NASB Word Usage
alliance (1), image (2), molten (5), molten image (8), molten images (9 ...
/hebrew/4541a.htm - 5k

7195. qesher -- conspiracy
... confederacy, conspiracy, treason. From qashar; an (unlawful) alliance -- confederacy,
conspiracy, treason. see HEBREW qashar. 7194, 7195. qesher. 7196 . ...
/hebrew/7195.htm - 6k

3772. karath -- to cut off, cut down
... A primitive root; to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume;
specifically, to covenant (ie Make an alliance or bargain, originally ...
/hebrew/3772.htm - 6k

Library

The Articles of the Evangelical Alliance.
... EIGHTH CHAPTER. MODERN PROTESTANT CREEDS. 114. The Articles of the Evangelical
Alliance. Literature. ... CHARACTER AND AIM OF THE ALLIANCE. ...
/.../ 114 the articles of.htm

The Doctrinal Basis of the Evangelical Alliance, 1846.
... THE DOCTRINAL BASIS OF THE EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE, 1846. Adopted at the Organization
of the American Branch of the Evangelical Alliance, in January, 1867. ...
/.../the doctrinal basis of the.htm

Mention of the Heretic Colarbasus; Alliance Between Heresy and the ...
... Book IV. Chapter XIII."Mention of the Heretic Colarbasus; Alliance Between
Heresy and the Pythagorean Philosophy. Certain, adhering ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter xiii mention of the heretic.htm

Church Alliances and Federations of Churches.
... They began with the Alliance of the Reformed Churches, which held its first meeting
in Edinburgh, 1876, and are the following: 1. The Baptist World Alliance ...
/.../iv church alliances and federations.htm

Appendix I.
... And then it was not for some years that Cyaxares felt himself strong enough by his
alliance with Nabopolassar for a third Median invasion of Assyria which ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/appendix i.htm

The Harvest of a Godless Life
... 17:10, 11. The original application of these words is to Judah's alliance
with Damascus, which Isaiah was dead against. He saw that ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the harvest of a godless.htm

"The Prophets of God Helping Them"
... They realized that help gained through an alliance with these men would be as nothing
in comparison with the blessing they might expect to receive by following ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 46 the prophets of.htm

Bands of Love; Or, Union to Christ. "I Drew them with Cords of a ...
... union, but never does it display its force so well as when we see it bringing the
Creator into oneness with the creature, the divine into alliance with the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/till he come/bands of love or union.htm

The Divided Kingdom.
... reign of Jehoshaphat whose judicial, military and educational or religious reforms
introduce a new and good day in Judah and whose unhappy alliance with Ahab ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xiii the divided kingdom.htm

The Conquest of Lydia.
... The first measure which he adopted was to form an alliance with the most powerful
of the states of Greece, as he had been directed to do by the oracle. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter vii the conquest of.htm

Easton's Bible Dictionary

A treaty between nations, or between individuals, for their mutual advantage.

Abraham formed an alliance with some of the Canaanitish princes (Genesis 14:13), also with Abimelech (21:22-32). Joshua and the elders of Israel entered into an alliance with the Gibeonites (Joshua 9:3-27). When the Israelites entered Palestine they were forbidden to enter into alliances with the inhabitants of the country (Leviticus 18:3, 4; 20:22, 23).

Solomon formed a league with Hiram (1 Kings 5:12). This "brotherly covenant" is referred to 250 years afterwards (Amos 1:9). He also appears to have entered into an alliance with Pharaoh (1 Kings 10:28, 29).

In the subsequent history of the kingdoms of Judah and Israel various alliances were formed between them and also with neighbouring nations at different times.

From patriarchal times a covenant of alliance was sealed by the blood of some sacrificial victim. The animal sacrificed was cut in two (except birds), and between these two parts the persons contracting the alliance passed (Genesis 15:10). There are frequent allusions to this practice (Jeremiah 34:18). Such alliances were called "covenants of salt" (Numbers 18:19; 2 Chronicles 13:5), salt being the symbol of perpetuity. A pillar was set up as a memorial of the alliance between Laban and Jacob (Genesis 31:52). The Jews throughout their whole history attached great importance to fidelity to their engagements. Divine wrath fell upon the violators of them (Joshua 9:18; 2 Samuel 21:1, 2; Ezek. 17:16).

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (n.) A union or connection of interests between families, states, parties, etc., especially between families by marriage and states by compact, treaty, or league; as, matrimonial alliances; an alliance between church and state; an alliance between France and England.

2. (n.) Any union resembling that of families or states; union by relationship in qualities; affinity.

3. (n.) The persons or parties allied.

4. (v. t.) To connect by alliance; to ally.

Thesaurus

Alliance (12 Occurrences)
... Abraham formed an alliance with some of the Canaanitish princes (Genesis
14:13), also with Abimelech (21:22-32). Joshua and the ...
/a/alliance.htm - 21k

Benhadad (24 Occurrences)
... BENHADAD II 1. Hadad-'idri of the Monuments 2. Expeditions against Israel 3. Alliance
with Ahab 4. Biblical History Confirmed by the Monuments 5. Alliance...
/b/benhadad.htm - 28k

Lacedaemonians
... with whom the Jews claimed some kinship and formed alliances (1 Maccabees 12:2,
5, 6, 20, 21; 14:20, 23; 15:23; 2 Maccabees 5:9). The alliance mentioned in 1 ...
/l/lacedaemonians.htm - 8k

Jehoshaphat (79 Occurrences)
... The great mistake of his reign was his entering into an alliance with Ahab, the
king of Israel, which involved him in much disgrace, and brought disaster on ...
/j/jehoshaphat.htm - 51k

Ahaziah (34 Occurrences)
... 4. His Maritime Alliance: According to 1 Kings 22:48 Ahaziah attempted to form an
alliance with Jehoshaphat of Judah to revive the ancient maritime traffic ...
/a/ahaziah.htm - 28k

Jezebel (20 Occurrences)
... This was the "first time that a king of Israel had allied himself by marriage with
a heathen princess; and the alliance was in this case of a peculiarly ...
/j/jezebel.htm - 26k

Ahab (85 Occurrences)
... Ahab, recognizing the advantages that would accrue to his kingdom from an alliance
with the foremost commercial nation of his time, renewed the old relations ...
/a/ahab.htm - 52k

Macedonia (23 Occurrences)
... In 215 King Philip V, son of Demetrius II and successor of Antigonus Doson
(229-220 BC), formed an alliance with Hannibal, who had defeated the Roman forces ...
/m/macedonia.htm - 40k

Tyre (59 Occurrences)
... In the time of David a friendly alliance was entered into between the Hebrews and
the Tyrians, who were long ruled over by their native kings (2 Samuel 5:11; 1 ...
/t/tyre.htm - 45k

Asmoneans
... In this hour of hope and fear Judas was led to seek a Roman alliance whose
consummation he never saw. From that day his fortune changed. ...
/a/asmoneans.htm - 27k

Bible Concordance

Alliance (12 Occurrences)

2 Samuel 3:12 Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, "Whose is the land?" and saying, "Make your alliance with me, and behold, my hand shall be with you, to bring all Israel around to you."
(WEB)

1 Kings 3:1 And Solomon became allied to Pharaoh king of Egypt by marriage, and took Pharaoh's daughter, and brought her into the city of David, until he had made an end of building his own house, and the house of the LORD, and the wall of Jerusalem round about.
(See NAS RSV NIV)

2 Chronicles 18:1 Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance; and he allied himself with Ahab by marriage.
(See RSV)

2 Chronicles 20:35 After this did Jehoshaphat king of Judah join himself with Ahaziah king of Israel; the same did very wickedly:
(See NIV)

2 Chronicles 20:37 Then Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, Because you have joined yourself with Ahaziah, Yahweh has destroyed your works. The ships were broken, so that they were not able to go to Tarshish.
(See NIV)

Psalms 83:5 For they have conspired together with one mind. They form an alliance against you.
(WEB DBY NIV)

Isaiah 30:1 "Woe to the rebellious children," says Yahweh, "who take counsel, but not from me; and who make an alliance, but not with my Spirit, that they may add sin to sin,
(WEB NAS NIV)

Jeremiah 50:9 For, lo, I will stir up and cause to come up against Babylon an assembly of great nations from the north country; and they shall set themselves in array against her, from thence she shall be taken; their arrows shall be as of a mighty man that maketh childless; none shall return in vain.
(See NIV)

Daniel 11:6 And at the end of years they shall join themselves together; and the daughter of the king of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement; but she shall not retain the strength of her arm; neither shall he stand, nor his arm; but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he that begot her, and he that obtained her in those times.
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Daniel 11:17 And it will be his purpose to come with the strength of all his kingdom, but in place of this he will make an agreement with him; and he will give him the daughter of women to send destruction on it; but this will not take place or come about.
(See NIV)

Daniel 11:23 And from the time when they make an agreement with him, he will be working falsely: for he will take up arms suddenly with a small force,
(See NAS RSV)

Obadiah 1:7 All the men of your alliance have brought you on your way, even to the border. The men who were at peace with you have deceived you, and prevailed against you. Friends who eat your bread lay a snare under you. There is no understanding in him."
(WEB)

Subtopics

Alliance

Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God are a Proof of Folly

Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God are Defiling

Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God are Degrading

Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God are Enslaved

Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God are Ensnaring

Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God are Ruinous to Moral Character

Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God are Ruinous to Spiritual Interest

Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: A Call to Come out From

Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Ahaziah

Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Blessedness of Avoiding