Topical Bible: Armies: Called The: Bands

◄ Armies: Called The: Bands ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, the term "bands" is often used to describe groups of soldiers or military units. This term is found throughout the Old Testament, where it is used to depict organized groups of warriors, often under the leadership of a commander or king. The concept of "bands" reflects the ancient Near Eastern military practices, where armies were often composed of smaller, more flexible units that could be deployed for various military campaigns or defensive purposes.

Biblical References:

1. 2 Kings 5:2 : "At that time the Arameans had gone out in bands and had taken captive a young girl from the land of Israel. She served Naaman’s wife." This passage illustrates how bands were used in raiding parties, capturing individuals and goods from enemy territories.

2. 1 Samuel 30:1 : "Now when David and his men came to Ziklag on the third day, the Amalekites had raided the Negev and Ziklag. They had attacked Ziklag and burned it down." Here, the Amalekites are described as having conducted a raid, a common activity for bands, which involved swift and strategic attacks on enemy settlements.

3. 2 Kings 13:20-21 : "Elisha died and was buried. Now Moabite raiders used to enter the country every spring. Once, while some Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a band of raiders; so they threw the man’s body into Elisha’s tomb. When the body touched Elisha’s bones, the man came to life and stood up on his feet." This account highlights the seasonal incursions by Moabite bands, emphasizing their role in ongoing regional conflicts.

4. 1 Chronicles 12:21 : "They helped David against the raiding bands, for all of them were mighty men of valor, and they were commanders in the army." This verse underscores the importance of bands in the military structure of Israel, as well as their role in supporting key figures like David.

Military Structure and Strategy:

In ancient Israel and surrounding nations, bands were integral to military strategy. They were often composed of skilled warriors who could move quickly and execute surprise attacks. These units were essential for both offensive operations, such as raids and conquests, and defensive measures, protecting territories from enemy incursions.

The use of bands allowed for a more dynamic and adaptable military force. Unlike large, cumbersome armies, bands could navigate difficult terrain and respond rapidly to threats. This flexibility was crucial in the varied landscapes of the ancient Near East, where battles could occur in deserts, mountains, or urban settings.

Spiritual and Symbolic Significance:

In a spiritual sense, the concept of bands can also be seen as a metaphor for the spiritual battles faced by believers. Just as physical bands were organized and prepared for warfare, Christians are called to be vigilant and ready to stand against spiritual adversaries. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, often uses military imagery to describe the Christian life, emphasizing the need for spiritual armor and readiness (Ephesians 6:10-18).

Overall, the term "bands" in the Bible reflects both the practical realities of ancient warfare and the deeper spiritual truths about vigilance, preparedness, and the ongoing struggle between good and evil.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Kings 24:2
And the LORD sent against him bands of the Chaldees, and bands of the Syrians, and bands of the Moabites, and bands of the children of Ammon, and sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the LORD, which he spoke by his servants the prophets.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Chronicles 7:4
And with them, by their generations, after the house of their fathers, were bands of soldiers for war, six and thirty thousand men: for they had many wives and sons.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Hussites (Ad 1418-1431)
... party among the Hussites were called Taborites, from ... and they went about in bands,
destroying everything ... trained them to encounter regular armies, and always ...
/.../chapter xxv the hussites ad.htm

Hymns for the Use of the People Called Methodists
... curling hair, the Geneva gown and cassock and bands " gave me ... You know the literary
artifice called by the grammarians chiasmus ... And drive the alien armies back ...
/.../manning/the hymns of wesley and watts five papers/hymns for the use of.htm

The Four Captive Children.
... Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, came with his armies and besieged ... image on the plain
of Dura, and called a feast ... At the first sound of the bands of music all ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxxi the four captive.htm

Palestine under Pagan Kings.
... hundred years before Christ, marched his armies against the ... other ornaments for the
head, properly called coronets, garlands, tiaras, bands, mitres, etc ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/palestine under pagan kings.htm

Approaching Doom
... and were even then bringing their besieging armies against the ... In obedience to this
command, Jeremiah called to his ... Against him were sent "bands of the Chaldees ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 35 approaching doom.htm

The Death of Cyrus.
... were several other Persian monarchs called Darius, some ... At length the armies approached
each other, and ... overpowered and beaten, the several bands, whether of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter xii the death of.htm

The Battle of Armageddon.
... His Christ, saying, Let us break Their bands asunder, and ... At the head of his armies,
the Beast marches forth ... gathered them together into a place called in the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/6 the battle of armageddon.htm

A Cloud of Witnesses.
... waxed mighty in war, turned to flight armies of aliens ... once before, when he had become
two bands, wrestled with ... womb, and in his last extremity called unto the ...
/.../the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/chapter xiii a cloud of.htm

The Introduction of the Gospel into Europe, and the Ministry of ...
... visited into a theatre of war; immense armies had been ... on which the apostles were
imprisoned, the bands of all ... spirit, it is not strange that "he called for a ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter vi the introduction of.htm

Footnotes:
... [3] "He could not tell into whose bands his wealth ... valiant in fight, turned to flight
the armies of the ... scatter what you have treasured up, and called a portion ...
//christianbookshelf.org/groves/christian devotedness/footnotes .htm