An "outpost" in biblical terms refers to a military or strategic position established to provide early warning, defense, or a base of operations. While the term "outpost" itself is not explicitly used in the Bible, the concept is evident in various passages that describe military encampments, watchtowers, and fortified cities. These served as protective measures for the Israelites and other ancient Near Eastern peoples.

Biblical Context and Examples

1. Watchtowers and Fortified Cities: In ancient Israel, watchtowers were often built in vineyards or on city walls to serve as lookout points. These structures functioned similarly to outposts by providing early warning of approaching enemies. Isaiah 5:2 mentions a watchtower in a vineyard: "He dug it up, cleared out its stones, and planted the finest vines. He built a watchtower in the middle of it and dug out a winepress as well. He expected it to yield good grapes, but it produced only worthless ones."

2. Military Encampments: The Israelites frequently established military encampments during their wilderness wanderings and conquests in Canaan. These encampments can be seen as temporary outposts. For example, in Numbers 33, the Israelites' journey is described with a series of encampments, each serving as a temporary base of operations as they moved toward the Promised Land.

3. Strategic Locations: Certain cities and locations served as strategic outposts due to their geographical significance. For instance, the city of Jericho was a fortified city that acted as a gateway to the interior of Canaan. Its capture by the Israelites, as described in Joshua 6, was crucial for their subsequent military campaigns.

4. David's Strongholds: King David utilized natural fortifications as outposts during his time fleeing from Saul. The stronghold of En Gedi, mentioned in 1 Samuel 23:29, served as a refuge and strategic base for David and his men: "And David went up from there and lived in the strongholds of En Gedi."

5. Nehemiah's Wall: The rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls under Nehemiah can be seen as establishing a fortified outpost to protect the city and its inhabitants from surrounding threats. Nehemiah 4:17-18 describes the workers who rebuilt the wall while armed, highlighting the defensive nature of their efforts: "Those who were rebuilding the wall and those who carried burdens did their work with one hand and held a weapon with the other. Each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked."

Theological Significance

The concept of outposts in the Bible underscores the importance of vigilance, preparedness, and strategic planning in the face of spiritual and physical threats. Just as ancient Israel relied on outposts for protection and early warning, believers are called to be watchful and ready in their spiritual lives. Ephesians 6:11-12 exhorts Christians to "put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

In summary, while the term "outpost" is not directly mentioned in the Bible, the concept is woven throughout the narrative of Israel's history, serving as a reminder of the need for vigilance and strategic defense in both physical and spiritual realms.1. (n.) A post or station outside the limits of a camp, for observation of the enemy.

2. (n.) The troops placed at such a station.

5440. phulakterion -- an outpost, fortification, an amulet
... an outpost, fortification, an amulet. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration:
phulakterion Phonetic Spelling: (foo-lak-tay'-ree-on) Short Definition: a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5440.htm - 7k

Introduction
... It was the outpost of western Asia on the side of the Mediterranean, as England
is the outpost of Europe on the side of the Atlantic; and just as the Atlantic ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/introduction.htm

About the Book
... We had come from the eastern side of this South Indian district, to work for awhile
in the south of the South, the farthest southern outpost of the CMS in India ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter i about the book.htm

An Unwalled City
... We can picture to ourselves some little garrison holding a lonely outpost against
lurking savages ready to attack if ever the defenders slacken their vigilance ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/an unwalled city.htm

The Breach with Gregory of Nazianzus.
... for Basil is that just possibly he was consulting for the interest of the Church,
and meaning to honour his friend, by placing Gregory in an outpost of peril ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/vii the breach with gregory of.htm

The Conflict with Evil.
... reminding us that, no matter how pleasant or attractive the temptation may seem
to be, or how trifling the sin that it suggests, it is in fact an outpost of a ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/percival/sermons at rugby/xv the conflict with evil.htm

Narrative Concerning John the Apostle.
... me, and let some one show me the way.' He rode away from the church just as he was,
and coming to the place, he was taken prisoner by the robbers' outpost. 15. ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xxiii narrative concerning john the.htm

Early Battles
... showing how the people listened and obeyed God's word. After the meeting, saw the
soldiers, who were on outpost duty, going off in the best of spirits. ...
/.../carpenter/the angel adjutant of twice born men/iv early battles.htm

Introduction
... And this is the task to which the Greek Church addresses herself, to carry the
blessings of Christianity to the farthest Russian outpost, and to keep the flame ...
//christianbookshelf.org/brownlie/hymns from the morningland/introduction.htm

Sermon at the Second Annual Meeting of the Missionary Council in ...
... to take in all the poor and the sorrowful of his diocese; Harris, every whit a great
leader in our Israel; Dunlop, the soldier on the outpost, often debarred ...
//christianbookshelf.org/whipple/five sermons/iii sermon at the second.htm

The Foreign Missions and their Influence.
... He began his labours at a military outpost in the Sweet-Milk Valley, about fifty
miles east of Cape Town; but finding the company of soldiers dangerous to the ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter vi the foreign missions.htm

Outpost (7 Occurrences)
...Outpost (7 Occurrences). ... (Root in DBY NIV). 1 Samuel 13:3 And Jonathan smote the
outpost of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. ...
/o/outpost.htm - 9k

Gezer (14 Occurrences)
... The hill stands, like an outpost, projecting into the great plain, and is connected
with the low hills behind it, part of the Shephelah, with but a narrow neck ...
/g/gezer.htm - 27k

Jonathan (109 Occurrences)
... Midway between the two camps was a Philistine outpost at Geba, facing Michmash across
the pass of that name, a valley with steep sides, now the Wady Suweinit. ...
/j/jonathan.htm - 59k

Out-places (22 Occurrences)
Out-places. Out-place, Out-places. Outpost . Multi-Version Concordance
Out-places (22 Occurrences). ... (YLT). Out-place, Out-places. Outpost . Reference
/o/out-places.htm - 13k

Outposts (2 Occurrences)

/o/outposts.htm - 7k

Cappadocia (2 Occurrences)
... and Sayce, show that in the era of Khammurabi (see HAMMURABI) this extensive ruin
on the ox-bow of the Halys and near Caesarea Mazaca, was an outpost of the ...
/c/cappadocia.htm - 10k

Solomon (277 Occurrences)
... 8:2-6). Among his great undertakings must also be mentioned the building of Tadmor
(qv) in the wilderness as a commercial depot, as well as a military outpost. ...
/s/solomon.htm - 101k

Saul (371 Occurrences)
... his armour-bearer went down into the wady, and on their hands and knees climbed
to the top of the narrow rocky ridge called Bozez, where was the outpost of the ...
/s/saul.htm - 76k

Damascus (58 Occurrences)
... Afterward, under the early Byzantine emperor, Damascus, though important as an outpost
of civilization on the edge of the desert, continued to be second to ...
/d/damascus.htm - 45k

What is the significance of Jericho in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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Outpost: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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