An organised military force for the defence or expansion of national borders. Israel's national life was characterised by many battles with foreign nations such as Egypt, Philistia, Assyria and Babylon and by Roman occupation.

Exodus 14:5-9,23-25

Examples of armies in conflict with Israel

The Egyptian army when Israel left Egypt

Joshua 3:10; 12:1,7; 23:9
Judges 3:1-3

The inhabitants of Canaan when Israel entered the promised land

1 Samuel 13:5; 14:20-23; 17:1-3; 31:1,7

The Philistines, a constant enemy

2 Kings 15:29; 17:5-6

pp 1Ch 10:7

Isaiah 36:1

Assyria, defeating the northern kingdom of Israel

2 Kings 24:1; 25:1
Jeremiah 39:1

Babylon, defeating the southern kingdom of Judah

2 Kings 25:10-11

pp Jer 52:4

pp 2Ch 36:17

Luke 2:1

Palestine occupied by the Roman army in NT times

John 18:28

Roman law in force at the time of Jesus Christ

Matthew 8:5

Roman military personnel in the life of Jesus Christ and in the lives of the first Christians

Matthew 27:54

pp Lk 7:3

Acts 10:1; 21:31

pp Lk 23:47

Numbers 1:3; 26:2

Development of Israel's army from the time of the exodus to the reign of Solomon

A military census taken after the exodus

Deuteronomy 7:1-2
Joshua 1:10-11; 12:1

Fighting men to possess the promised land

Judges 4:1-6

The army as a tribal militia assembled in times of crisis

Judges 20:16
1 Chronicles 12:2,8,24-37

Certain tribes gaining reputations for proficiency in particular forms of combat

1 Samuel 13:2
2 Samuel 15:18; 23:8-12

Saul and David having regular contingents of special forces

1 Chronicles 27:1

pp 1Ch 11:10-14

Forces divided into twelve battalions, each serving for a month at a time

2 Samuel 8:3-4
1 Kings 4:26; 10:26

Chariot forces hardly known in David's time, but much used by Solomon

Joshua 5:13-15

God's sovereignty over the armies of Israel and over his spiritual armies

1 Samuel 17:45
1 Kings 22:19
2 Kings 6:17
Revelation 19:14,19

In the final battle between good and evil, Jesus Christ appearing as the leader of the armies of heaven

Psalms 89:8

God as the commander of armies

See also

1 Kings 19:10

The term here, and in the following verses, translated as "LORD God Almighty" may also be translated "LORD God of hosts" or "LORD God of armies".

Jeremiah 5:14
Hosea 12:5
Amos 4:13

See also

5206 archers
5209 armour
5261 commander
5266 conscription
5407 merchants
5434 officer
5529 sieges
5544 soldiers
5546 speech
5605 warfare
5612 weapons
8482 spiritual warfare