Topical Encyclopedia In ancient warfare, the practice of cutting down trees to construct siege works and fortifications was a common military strategy. This tactic is documented in the Bible, reflecting the historical and cultural context of warfare in the ancient Near East. The use of timber from local forests was essential for building the necessary structures to breach city defenses and establish a stronghold during a siege.One of the most notable references to this practice is found in the account of the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem during the reign of King Hezekiah. In Isaiah 37:24 , the Assyrian king boasts of his military prowess, saying, "With the multitude of my chariots I have ascended the heights of the mountains, the far recesses of Lebanon. I have cut down its tallest cedars, the choicest of its pines." This passage highlights the Assyrian strategy of using the abundant timber resources of Lebanon, renowned for its high-quality cedar trees, to support their military campaigns. The use of trees for siege works is also implied in Deuteronomy 20:19-20 , where God instructs the Israelites regarding the conduct of warfare: "When you lay siege to a city for a long time, fighting against it to capture it, do not destroy its trees by putting an ax to them, because you can eat their fruit. Do not cut them down. Are the trees of the field human, that they should be besieged by you? But you may destroy the trees that you know do not produce food; you may cut them down to build siege works against the city that is waging war with you, until it falls." This directive underscores the importance of preserving fruit-bearing trees for sustenance while allowing the use of non-fruit-bearing trees for military purposes. The construction of siege ramps and other fortifications required significant amounts of timber. In 2 Kings 19:23 , the Assyrian king Sennacherib's conquests are described, "By your messengers you have taunted the Lord, and you have said, 'With my many chariots I have ascended the heights of the mountains, the far recesses of Lebanon. I have cut down its tallest cedars, the choicest of its pines.'" This passage reiterates the strategic importance of timber in military campaigns and the Assyrian reliance on the forests of Lebanon. The biblical accounts of tree cutting for siege works reflect the broader historical practices of ancient Near Eastern warfare. The use of natural resources, such as timber, was a critical component of military logistics, enabling armies to construct the necessary infrastructure to sustain prolonged sieges and achieve their objectives. These practices also illustrate the interplay between military necessity and environmental considerations, as seen in the divine instructions given to the Israelites regarding the preservation of fruit-bearing trees. Torrey's Topical Textbook Deuteronomy 20:20Only the trees which you know that they be not trees for meat, you shall destroy and cut them down; and you shall build bulwarks against the city that makes war with you, until it be subdued. Torrey's Topical Textbook Jeremiah 6:6 Library The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal Resources What is the significance of the olive tree in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the meanings of the various visions in the book of Zechariah? | GotQuestions.org What is the lily of the valley (Song of Solomon 2:1)? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Trees of the Life and Conversation of the Righteous Trees were Cut Down by Besieging Armies for Erecting Forts Trees were Cut Down for Building Trees were Cut Down for Making Idols Trees were Sold With the Land on Which They Grew Trees: (Casting Their Leaves Yet Retaining Their Substance) of Trees: (Dry) of the Wicked Ripe for Judgment Trees: (Dry) of Useless Persons Trees: (Duration of) of Continued Prosperity of Saints Trees: (Good and Fruitful) of Saints Trees: (Green) of the Innocence of Christ Trees: (Producing Evil Fruit) the Wicked Trees: (Shaking of the Leaves off) the Terror of the Wicked Trees: Afford an Agreeable Shade in Eastern Countries During The Trees: Designed to Beautify the Earth Trees: Different Kinds of Mentioned of the Forest Trees: Different Kinds of Mentioned of the Wood Trees: Different Kinds of Mentioned: Bearing Fruit Trees: Different Kinds of Mentioned: Deciduous or Casting the Leaves Trees: Different Kinds of Mentioned: Evergreen Trees: Each Kind Has Its own Seed for Propagating Its Species Trees: Each Kind of, Known by Its Fruit Trees: Early Custom of Planting, in Consecrated Grounds Trees: Given As Food to the Animal Creation Trees: God Increases and Multiplies the Fruit of, for his People Trees: God often Renders, Barren As a Punishment Trees: Made for the Glory of God Trees: Nourished by the Rain from Heaven Trees: Nourished: Through Their own Sap Trees: Often Propagated by Birds Who Carry the Seeds Along With Them Trees: Often Suffered From: Desolating Armies Trees: Often Suffered From: Fire Trees: Often Suffered From: Hail and Frost Trees: Often Suffered From: Locusts Trees: Originally Created by God Trees: Parts of Mentioned: The Branches Trees: Parts of Mentioned: The Fruit or Seeds Trees: Parts of Mentioned: The Leaves Trees: Parts of Mentioned: The Roots Trees: Parts of Mentioned: The Stem or Trunk Trees: Parts of Mentioned: The Tender Shoots Trees: Solomon Wrote the History of Trees: Specially Flourished Beside the Rivers and Streams of Water Trees: The Jews: Considered Trees on Which Criminals Were Executed Trees: The Jews: Often Buried Under Trees: The Jews: Often Executed Criminals On Trees: The Jews: Often Pitched Their Tents Under Trees: The Jews: Prohibited from Cutting Down Fruit Bearing, for Sieges Trees: The Jews: Prohibited from Planting in Consecrated Places Trees: when Cut Down often Sprouted from Their Roots Again Related Terms Sycamore-trees (6 Occurrences) Sycomore-trees (6 Occurrences) Mulberry-trees (4 Occurrences) |
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