The term "warlike" refers to a disposition or tendency towards war and conflict, often characterized by aggression, readiness for battle, and a focus on military strength. In the context of the Bible, the concept of being warlike can be seen in various narratives, characters, and divine instructions, reflecting both the historical realities of ancient Israel and the spiritual lessons conveyed through Scripture.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the Israelites often found themselves in a warlike environment, surrounded by hostile nations. The conquest of Canaan under Joshua is a prime example of a divinely sanctioned warlike campaign. God commanded the Israelites to take possession of the land, as seen in Joshua 1:6: "Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people the inheritance of the land I swore to their fathers I would give them."

The warlike nature of Israel's early history is also evident in the period of the Judges, where leaders like Gideon and Samson were raised to deliver Israel from oppression through military means. Judges 6:12-14 recounts the angel of the LORD appearing to Gideon, saying, "The LORD is with you, mighty warrior," and instructing him to save Israel from the Midianites.

King David is another prominent warlike figure. Known for his military prowess, David expanded Israel's territory and secured peace through strength. His warlike nature is highlighted in 1 Samuel 18:7, where the women sang, "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands."

Divine Warfare

The concept of divine warfare is a recurring theme, where God Himself is depicted as a warrior fighting on behalf of His people. Exodus 15:3 declares, "The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is His name." This portrayal emphasizes God's sovereignty and power in delivering His people from their enemies.

The warlike imagery extends to the prophetic literature, where God's judgment against nations is often described in terms of battle. Isaiah 42:13 states, "The LORD will march out like a mighty man, He will stir up His zeal like a warrior. He will shout; yes, He will raise a war cry. He will prevail against His enemies."

New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, the warlike imagery shifts from physical battles to spiritual warfare. Believers are called to be spiritually warlike, standing firm against the forces of evil. Ephesians 6:11-12 instructs, "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."

The Apostle Paul frequently uses military metaphors to describe the Christian life, urging believers to fight the good fight of faith (1 Timothy 6:12) and to endure hardship as good soldiers of Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 2:3).

Christ as the Conquering King

The Book of Revelation presents a warlike image of Christ as the conquering King who will ultimately defeat all evil. Revelation 19:11-16 describes Christ riding a white horse, with the armies of heaven following Him, executing judgment and establishing His reign.

Conclusion

The Bible's portrayal of warlike themes serves to illustrate the reality of conflict in a fallen world, the necessity of divine intervention, and the call for believers to engage in spiritual warfare. Through these narratives and teachings, Scripture provides insight into the nature of conflict and the ultimate victory found in God.1. (a.) Fit for war; disposed for war; as, a warlike state; a warlike disposition.

2. (a.) Belonging or relating to war; military; martial.

1441. Gidoni -- a Benjamite
... Gideoni. From gada'; warlike (compare Gid'own); Gidoni, an Israelite -- Gideoni.
see HEBREW gada'. see HEBREW Gid'own. 1440, 1441. Gidoni. 1442 . ...
/hebrew/1441.htm - 6k

2810. chishshabon -- device, invention
... engine, invention. From chashab; a contrivance, ie Actual (a warlike machine) or
mental (a machination) -- engine, invention. see HEBREW chashab. 2809, 2810. ...
/hebrew/2810.htm - 6k

Whether it is Lawful for Clerics and Bishops to Fight?
... Thus according to human laws, soldiers who are deputed to warlike pursuits are
forbidden to engage in commerce [*Cod. xii, 35, De Re Milit.]. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful for.htm

Whether it is Always Sinful to Wage War?
... But warlike exercises which take place in tournaments are forbidden by the Church,
since those who are slain in these trials are deprived of ecclesiastical ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is always sinful.htm

A Sedition against Sabinus; and How Varus Brought the Authors of ...
... Accordingly, that body of them which continued best together, and was the most warlike,
encompassed the palace, and threatened to set fire to it, and kill all ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 10 a sedition against.htm

The Death of Cyrus.
... BC530 Progress of Cyrus's conquests."The northern countries."The Scythians."Their
warlike character."Cyrus's sons."His queen."Selfish views of Cyrus ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter xii the death of.htm

The Morning. AD 1100-1250
... Germany was ruled by the Hohenstauffens, a vigorous, ambitious, warlike race, whose
dream it was to prove themselves true heirs of Charlemagne by re ...
/.../winkworth/christian singers of germany/chapter iii the morning a d.htm

How the Amalekites and the Neighbouring Nations, Made War with the ...
... They were called Amalekites, and were the most warlike of the nations that lived
thereabout; and whose kings exhorted one another, and their neighbors, to go ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 how the amalekites.htm

Whether Fortitude is Properly About Dangers of Death in Battle?
... Objection 2: Further, Ambrose says (De Offic. i) that "fortitude is applicable
both to warlike and to civil matters": and Tully (De Offic. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether fortitude is properly about.htm

Abraham's Four Surrenders
... When they got into the land that God had promised to give him, Abram found it already
inhabited by great and warlike nations"not by one nation, but by a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/men of the bible/i abrahams four surrenders.htm

The Jews Fight a Great Battle with Sabinus's Soldiers, and a Great ...
... 4. However, this destruction of the works [about the temple], and of the men,
occasioned a much greater number, and those of a more warlike sort, to get ...
/.../chapter 3 the jews fight.htm

And Since, as You Dare not Deny that These Deities of Yours once ...
... as Socrates, so renowned for his wisdom, Aristides for his justice, Themistocles
for his warlike genius, Alexander for his sublimity of soul, Polycrates for ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/apology/chapter xi and since as.htm

Warlike (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Fit for war; disposed for war; as, a warlike state;
a warlike disposition. ... Multi-Version Concordance Warlike (2 Occurrences). ...
/w/warlike.htm - 7k

Astoreth
... In Assyria, where the warlike side of the goddess was predominant, no such rites
seem to have been practiced, and, instead, prophetesses were attached to her ...
/a/astoreth.htm - 10k

Astarte (2 Occurrences)
... In Assyria, where the warlike side of the goddess was predominant, no such rites
seem to have been practiced, and, instead, prophetesses were attached to her ...
/a/astarte.htm - 11k

Ashtoreth (3 Occurrences)
... In Assyria, where the warlike side of the goddess was predominant, no such rites
seem to have been practiced, and, instead, prophetesses were attached to her ...
/a/ashtoreth.htm - 14k

Chariot (102 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary A vehicle generally used for warlike purposes. Sometimes,
though but rarely, it is spoken of as used for peaceful purposes. ...
/c/chariot.htm - 55k

Army (401 Occurrences)
... of the Hebrew Army 7. The Army in the Field 8. The Supplies of the Army 9. In the
New Testament The Israelites were not a distinctively warlike people and ...
/a/army.htm - 76k

Hammurabi
... The Capture of Rim-Sin: Pious works again occupied him until his 30th year, when
the army of Elam is referred to, possibly indicating warlike operations, which ...
/h/hammurabi.htm - 47k

War-horses (6 Occurrences)
War-horses. War-horse, War-horses. Warlike . Multi-Version Concordance
War-horses (6 Occurrences). ... (BBE). War-horse, War-horses. Warlike . Reference
/w/war-horses.htm - 8k

Pisidia (2 Occurrences)
... district is the Pisidian Mts., and the Phrygians could only have held the rich valley
between the Sultan Dagh and Egerdir Lake against the warlike tribes of ...
/p/pisidia.htm - 21k

Solomon (277 Occurrences)
... A petty nation, which for hundreds of years has with difficulty maintained a separate
existence in the midst of warlike tribes, each of which has in turn ...
/s/solomon.htm - 101k

What can we learn from the tribe of Benjamin? | GotQuestions.org

Who were the Moabites? | GotQuestions.org

Who were the Anakim / Anakites? | GotQuestions.org

Warlike: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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