Meaning
A siege is a military operation in which an army surrounds or blocks a fortified place to capture it, force its surrender, or prevent supplies and assistance from reaching it.
Biblical Usage
In Scripture, a siege is used in warfare against cities and fortified places. Besieging forces may surround a city, construct earthworks, and attack its walls to gain entry.
The Bible records sieges during conflicts involving Israel and other nations. Jerusalem was besieged by Babylon before its fall (2 Kings 25:1-4). Siege imagery also appears in prophetic passages and in Jesus’ description of the coming encirclement of Jerusalem (Luke 19:43).
Key References
- Deuteronomy 20:19-20 — Instructions concerning trees during a siege.
- 2 Samuel 20:15 — Joab’s forces besiege Abel of Bethmaachah.
- 2 Kings 6:24-25 — Samaria is besieged.
- 2 Kings 25:1-4 — Jerusalem is besieged by the Babylonian army.
- Ezekiel 4:2 — Ezekiel is instructed to portray a siege.
- Luke 19:43 — Jesus describes enemies surrounding Jerusalem.
Related Terms
- Battle — An armed conflict between opposing forces.
- Fortress — A fortified place designed for defence.
- Stronghold — A secure or defensible place.
- Army — An organized military force.