King James Bible Dictionary

The Israelites had to take possession of the Promised Land by conquest. They had to engage in a long and bloody war before the Canaanitish tribes were finally subdued. Except in the case of Jericho and Ai, the war did not become aggressive till after the death of Joshua. Till then the attack was always first made by the Canaanites. Now the measure of the iniquity of the Canaanites was full, and Israel was employed by God to sweep them away from off the face of the earth. In entering on this new stage of the war, the tribe of Judah, according to divine direction, took the lead.

In the days of Saul and David the people of Israel engaged in many wars with the nations around, and after the division of the kingdom into two they often warred with each other. They had to defend themselves also against the inroads of the Egyptians, the Assyrians, and the Babylonians. The whole history of Israel from first to last presents but few periods of peace.

The Christian life is represented as a warfare, and the Christian graces are also represented under the figure of pieces of armour (Ephesians 6:11-17; 1 Thessalonians 5:8; 2 Timothy 2:3, 4). The final blessedness of believers is attained as the fruit of victory (Revelation 3:21).

Divine approval of
2 Samuel 22:35

Civil:

General references
Judges 12:1-6; Jude 1:20; 2 Samuel 2:12-31; 2 Samuel 3:1; 2 Samuel 10:20; 1 Kings 14:30; 1 Kings 16:21; Isaiah 19:2

Forbidden
2 Chronicles 11:4

Averted
Joshua 22:11-34

Enemy harangued by general of opposing side
2 Kings 18:19-36; 2 Chronicles 13:4-12

Of extermination
Numbers 31:7-17; Deuteronomy 2:33-34; Deuteronomy 3:6; Deuteronomy 20:13-18; Joshua 6:21; Joshua 6:24; Joshua 8:24-25; Joshua 10:2-40; Joshua 11:11-23; 1 Samuel 15:3-9; 1 Samuel 27:8-11

God in
Exodus 14:13-14; Deuteronomy 1:30; Deuteronomy 3:21-22; Deuteronomy 7:17-24; Deuteronomy 20:1; Deuteronomy 20:4; Deuteronomy 31:6-8; Deuteronomy 31:23; Deuteronomy 32:29-30; Joshua 1:1; Joshua 1:5-7; Joshua 1:9; Judges 1:2; Judges 6:16; Judges 7:9; Judges 11:29; 1 Samuel 17:45-47; 1 Samuel 19:5; 1 Samuel 30:7-8; 2 Samuel 5:22-24; 2 Samuel 22:18; 1 Kings 20:28; Psalms 18:34; Psalms 76:3; Jeremiah 46:15; Amos 5:8-9; Zech 10:5

God uses, as a judgment
Exodus 23:24; Leviticus 26:17; Leviticus 26:31-39; Deuteronomy 28:25-68; Deuteronomy 32:30; Judges 2:14; 2 Kings 15:37; 1 Chronicles 5:22; 1 Chronicles 5:26; 1 Chronicles 21:12; 2 Chronicles 15:6; 2 Chronicles 12:1-12; 2 Chronicles 24:23-24; 2 Chronicles 33:11; 2 Chronicles 14:36; Job 19:29; Psalms 44:9-16; Psalms 60:1-3; Psalms 105:25; Isaiah 5:1-8; Isaiah 5:25-30; Isaiah 9:8-12; Isaiah 13:3-4; Isaiah 13:9; Isaiah 19:2; Isaiah 34:2-6; Isaiah 43:28; Isaiah 45:7; Jeremiah 12:7; Jeremiah 12:12; Jeremiah 46:15-17; Jeremiah 46:21; Jeremiah 47:6-7; Jeremiah 48:10; Jeremiah 49:5; Jeremiah 50:25; Ezekiel 23:22-25; Amos 3:6; Amos 4:11; Zephaniah 1:7-18; Zech 8:10; Zech 14:2

Repugnant to God
1 Chronicles 22:8-9; Psalms 68:30; Psalms 120:6-7; Revelation 13:10

God sends panic in
Exodus 15:14-16

God threatens defeat in
Deuteronomy 32:25; 1 Samuel 2:10; 2 Chronicles 18:12-16; Isaiah 30:15-17; Ezekiel 15:6-8; Ezekiel 21:9-17

God inflicts defeat in
Joshua 7:12-13; 2 Chronicles 12:5-8; 2 Chronicles 24:23-24; Psalms 76:3; Psalms 78:66; Psalms 79:10; Isaiah 5:25; Jeremiah 46:15-16

Counsels of
Joshua 22:10-34; Judges 7:10-11; 2 Samuel 16:20; 2 Samuel 17:1-15; Psalms 48:4-7; Proverbs 11:14; Proverbs 20:18

Wisdom required in
Proverbs 21:22; Proverbs 24:6; Ecclesiastes 9:14-18; Luke 14:31-32

Tumult of
Amos 2:2

Slain in, neglected
Isaiah 14:19; Isaiah 18:6

Evils of
2 Samuel 2:26; Psalms 46:8; Psalms 79:1-3; Psalms 137:9; Isaiah 3:5; Isaiah 3:25-26; Isaiah 5:29-30; Isaiah 6:11-12; Isaiah 9:5; Isaiah 9:19-21; Isaiah 13:15-16; Isaiah 15:1-9; Isaiah 16:9-10; Isaiah 18:6; Isaiah 19:2-16; Isaiah 32:13-14; Isaiah 33:8-9; Isaiah 34:7-15; Jeremiah 4:19-31; Jeremiah 5:16-17; Jeremiah 6:24-26; Jeremiah 7:33-34; Jeremiah 8:16-17; Jeremiah 9:10-21; Jeremiah 10:20; Jeremiah 13:14; Jeremiah 14:18; Jeremiah 15:8-9; Jeremiah 19:7-9; Jeremiah 25:33; Jeremiah 46:3-12; Jeremiah 47:3; Jeremiah 48:28; Jeremiah 48:33; Jeremiah 51:30-58; Jeremiah 25:1; Ezekiel 33:27; Ezekiel 39:17-19; Hosea 10:14; Hosea 13:16; Joel 2:2-10; Amos 1:13; Amos 6:9-10; Amos 8:3; Nahum 2:10; Nahum 3:3; Nahum 3:10; Zech 14:2; Luke 21:20-26; Revelation 19:17-18

To cease
Psalms 46:9; Isaiah 2:4; Micah 4:3

Wars and rumors of
Matthew 24:6; Mark 13:7; Luke 21:9
Armies; Arms; Fort; Soldiers; Strategy in War; Tower; Watchman

Figurative of warfare of saints:

Is not after the flesh
2 Corinthians 10:3

Is a good warfare
1 Timothy 1:18-19

Called the good fight of faith
1 Timothy 6:12

Is against:

The devil
Genesis 3:15; 2 Corinthians 2:11; Ephesians 6:12; James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 12:17

The flesh
Romans 7:23; 1 Corinthians 9:25-27; 2 Corinthians 12:7; Galatians 5:17; 1 Peter 2:11

Enemies
Psalms 38:19; Psalms 56:2; Psalms 59:3

The world
John 16:33; 1 John 5:4-5

Death
1 Corinthians 15:26; Hebrews 2:14-15

Often arises from the opposition of friends or relatives
Micah 7:6; Matthew 10:35-36

To be carried on:

Under Christ, as our Captain
Hebrews 2:10

Under the Lord's banner
Psalms 60:4

With faith
1 Timothy 1:18-19

With a good conscience
1 Timothy 1:18-19

With steadfastness in the faith
1 Corinthians 16:13; 1 Peter 5:9; Hebrews 10:23

With earnestness
Jude 1:3

With watchfulness
1 Corinthians 16:13; 1 Peter 5:8

With sobriety
1 Thessalonians 5:6; 1 Peter 5:8

With endurance of hardness
2 Timothy 2:3; 2 Timothy 2:10

With self-denial
1 Corinthians 9:25-27

With confidence in God
Psalms 27:1-3

With prayer
Psalms 35:1-3; Ephesians 6:18

Without earthly entanglements
2 Timothy 2:4

Mere professors do not maintain
Jeremiah 9:3

Saints:

Are all engaged in
Philippians 1:30

Must stand firm in
Ephesians 6:13-14

Exhorted to diligence in
1 Timothy 6:12; Jude 1:3

Encouraged in
Isaiah 41:11-12; Isaiah 51:12; Micah 7:8; 1 John 4:4

Helped by God in
Psalms 118:13; Isaiah 41:13-14

Protected by God in
Psalms 140:7

Comforted by God in
2 Corinthians 7:5-6

Strengthened by God in
Psalms 20:2; Psalms 27:14; Isaiah 41:10

Strengthened by Christ in
2 Corinthians 12:9; 2 Timothy 4:17

Delivered by Christ in
2 Timothy 4:18

Thank God for victory in
Romans 7:25; 1 Corinthians 15:57

Armor for:

A girdle of truth
Ephesians 6:14

The breastplate of righteousness
Ephesians 6:14

Preparation of the gospel
Ephesians 6:15

Shield of faith
Ephesians 6:16

Helmet of salvation
Ephesians 6:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:8

Sword of the Spirit
Ephesians 6:17

Called the armor of God
Ephesians 6:11

Called the armor of righteousness
2 Corinthians 6:7

Called the armor of light
Romans 13:12

Not carnal
2 Corinthians 10:4

Mighty through God
2 Corinthians 10:4-5

The whole, is required
Ephesians 6:13

Must be put on
Romans 13:12; Ephesians 6:11

To be on right hand and left
2 Corinthians 6:7

Victory in:

Is from God
1 Corinthians 15:57; 2 Corinthians 2:14

Is through Christ
Romans 7:25; 1 Corinthians 15:57; 2 Corinthians 12:9; Revelation 12:11

Is by faith
Hebrews 11:33-37; 1 John 5:4-5

Is over the devil
Romans 16:20; 1 John 2:14

Is over the flesh
Romans 7:24-25; Galatians 5:24

Is over the world
1 John 5:4-5

Is over all that exalts itself
2 Corinthians 10:5

Is over death and the grave
Isaiah 25:8; Isaiah 26:19; Hosea 13:14; 1 Corinthians 15:54-55

Is triumphant
Romans 8:37; 2 Corinthians 10:5

They who overcome in:

Shall eat of the hidden manna
Revelation 2:17

Shall eat of the tree of life
Revelation 2:7

Shall be clothed in white raiment
Revelation 3:5

Shall be pillars in the temple of God
Revelation 3:12

Shall sit with Christ on His throne
Revelation 3:21

Shall have a white stone, and in it a new name written
Revelation 2:17

Shall have power over the nations
Revelation 2:26

Shall have the name of God written upon them by Christ
Revelation 3:12

Shall have God as their God
Revelation 21:7

Shall have the morning star
Revelation 2:28

Shall inherit all things
Revelation 21:7

Shall be confessed by Christ before God the Father
Revelation 3:5

Shall be sons of God
Revelation 21:7

Shall not be hurt by the second death
Revelation 2:11

Shall not have their names blotted out of the book of life
Revelation 3:5

Symbolized by a red horse
Revelation 6:4

In heaven, symbolic
Revelation 12:7

The most important topic in connection with war is the formation of the army which is destined to carry it on. [ARMY] In (1 Kings 9:22) at a period (Solomon's reign) when the organization of the army was complete, we have apparently a list of the various gradations of rank in the service, as follows-

1. "Men of war" = privates ;
2. "servants," the lowest rank of officers

   lieutenants ;

3. "princes" = captains ;
4. "captains," perhaps = staff officers ;
5. "rulers of the chariots and his horsemen" = cavalry officers . Formal proclamations of war were not interchanged between the belligerents. Before entering the enemy's district spies were seat to ascertain the character of the country and the preparations of its inhabitants for resistance. (Numbers 13:17; Joshua 2:1; Judges 7:10; 1 Samuel 26:4) The combat assumed the form of a number of hand-to-hand contests; hence the high value attached to fleetness of foot and strength of arm. (2 Samuel 1:23; 2:18; 1 Chronicles 12:8) At the same time various strategic devices were practiced, such as the ambuscade, (Joshua 8:2,12; Judges 20:36) surprise, (Judges 7:16) or circumvention. (2 Samuel 5:23) Another mode of settling the dispute was by the selection of champions, (1 Samuel 17; 2 Samuel 2:14) who were spurred on to exertion by the offer of high reward. (1 Samuel 17:25; 18:25; 2 Samuel 18:11; 1 Chronicles 11:6) The contest having been decided, the conquerors were recalled from the pursuit by the sound of a trumpet. (2 Samuel 2:28; 18:16; 20:22) The siege of a town or fortress was conducted in the following manner- A line of circumvallation was drawn round the place, (Ezekiel 4:2; Micah 5:1) constructed out of the trees found in the neighborhood, (20:20) together with earth and any other materials at hand. This line not only cut off the besieged from the surrounding country, but also served as a base of operations for the besiegers. The next step was to throw out from this line one or more mounds or "banks" in the direction of the city, (2 Samuel 20:15; 2 Kings 19:32; Isaiah 37:33) which were gradually increased in height until they were about half as high as the city wall. On this mound or bank towers were erected, (2 Kings 25:1; Jeremiah 52:4; Ezekiel 4:2; 17:17; 21:22; 26:8) whence the slingers and archers might attack with effect. Catapults were prepared for hurling large darts and stones; and the crow , a long spar, with iron claws at one end and ropes at the other, to pull down stones or men from the top of the wall. Battering-rams , (Ezekiel 4:2; 21:22) were brought up to the walls by means of the bank, and scaling-ladders might also be placed on it. The treatment of the conquered was extremely severe in ancient times. The bodies of the soldiers killed in action were plundered, (1 Samuel 31:8) 2 Macc 8.27; the survivors were either killed in some savage manner, (Judges 9:45; 2 Samuel 12:31; 2 Chronicles 25:12) mutilated, (Judges 9:45; 2 Samuel 12:31; 2 Chronicles 25:12) mutilated, (Judges 1:6; 1 Samuel 11:2) or carried into captivity. (Numbers 31:26)

WAR, noun [G., to perplex, embroil, disturb. The primary sense of the root is to strive, struggle, urge, drive, or to turn, to twist.]

1. A contest between nations or states, carried on by force, either for defense, or for revenging insults and redressing wrongs, for the extension of commerce or acquisition of territory, or for obtaining and establishing the superiority and dominion of one over the other. These objects are accomplished by the slaughter or capture of troops, and the capture and destruction of ships, towns and property. Among rude nations, war is often waged and carried on for plunder. As war is the contest of nations or states, it always implies that such contest is authorized by the monarch or the sovereign power of the nation. When war is commenced by attacking a nation in peace, it si called an offensive war and such attack is aggressive. When war is undertaken to repel invasion or the attacks of an enemy, it is called defensive, and a defensive war is considered as justifiable. Very few of the wars that have desolated nations and deluged the earth with blood, have been justifiable. Happy would it be for mankind, if the prevalence of Christian principles might ultimately extinguish the spirit of war and if the ambition to be great, might yield to the ambition of being good.

Preparation for war is sometimes the best security for peace.

2. In poetical language, instruments of war

His complement of stores, and total war

3. Poetically, forces; army.

Oer the embattled ranks the waves return, and overwhelm their war

4. The profession of arms; art of war; as a fierce man of war Isaiah 2:4.

5. Hostility; state of opposition or contest; act of opposition.

6. Enmity; disposition to contention.

The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart. Psalms 55:21.

Man of war in naval affairs, a ship of large size, armed and equipped for attack or defense.

Holy war a crusade; a war undertaken to deliver the Holy Land, or Judea, from infidels. These holy wars were carried on by most unholy means.

WAR, verb intransitive

1. To make war; to invade or attack a nation or state with force of arms; to carry on hostilities; or to be in a state of contest by violence.

He teacheth my hands to war 2 Samuel 22:35.

And they warred against eh Midianites. Numbers 31:3.

Why should I war without the walls of Troy?

2. To contend; to strive violently; to be in a state of opposition.

Lusts which war against the soul. 1 Peter 2:11.

WAR, verb transitive

1. To make war upon; as, to war the Scot. [Not used.]

2. To carry on a contest.

That thou mightest war a good warfare. 1 Timothy 1:18.