CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Outposts</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/o/outposts.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/judges/7-11.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/o/outposts.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Outposts</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/o/outpost.htm" title="Outpost">◄</a> Outposts <a href="/topical/o/outpoured.htm" title="Outpoured">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#cnc" title="Multiversion Concordance">Concordance</a> • <a href="#thes" title="Bible Thesaurus">Thesaurus</a> • <a href="#heb" title="Strong's Hebrew Concordance">Hebrew</a> • <a href="#lib" title="Library">Library</a> • <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div>In biblical times, outposts served as strategic locations for military, communication, and trade purposes. These sites were often established on elevated terrain or near significant routes to provide surveillance, protection, and control over surrounding areas. The concept of outposts is evident throughout the Scriptures, reflecting the need for security and vigilance in ancient societies.<br><br><b>Military Outposts</b><br><br>Outposts were crucial in military strategy, serving as the first line of defense against potential threats. They were often manned by soldiers who kept watch for enemy movements and provided early warnings to fortified cities. In the Old Testament, the Israelites frequently utilized outposts during their military campaigns. For instance, during the conquest of Canaan, Joshua sent spies to scout the land, effectively using them as an advance outpost to gather intelligence (<a href="/joshua/2.htm">Joshua 2:1</a>).<br><br>The Philistines also employed outposts to maintain control over the Israelites. In <a href="/1_samuel/13-3.htm">1 Samuel 13:3</a>, Jonathan, the son of King Saul, attacked a Philistine outpost at Geba, which led to a larger conflict between the two nations. This incident highlights the strategic importance of outposts in maintaining territorial dominance.<br><br><b>Communication and Trade</b><br><br>Outposts were not solely military in nature; they also facilitated communication and trade. Positioned along trade routes, these sites enabled the exchange of goods and information between distant regions. The presence of outposts along the King's Highway, a major trade route mentioned in <a href="/numbers/20-17.htm">Numbers 20:17</a>, underscores their role in economic activities. These outposts ensured the safety of travelers and merchants, promoting commerce and cultural exchange.<br><br><b>Spiritual and Symbolic Significance</b><br><br>In a spiritual context, outposts can be seen as symbols of vigilance and readiness. The Bible frequently uses the imagery of watchmen stationed at outposts to convey the importance of spiritual alertness. <a href="/isaiah/21-6.htm">Isaiah 21:6</a> states, "For this is what the Lord says to me: 'Go, post a lookout and have him report what he sees.'" This metaphorical use of outposts emphasizes the need for constant spiritual watchfulness and preparedness against moral and spiritual threats.<br><br><b>Prophetic and Eschatological Themes</b><br><br>Outposts also appear in prophetic and eschatological themes within the Bible. The watchmen on the walls, as described in <a href="/isaiah/62-6.htm">Isaiah 62:6</a>, serve as a metaphor for those who intercede and remain vigilant in prayer for the fulfillment of God's promises. "On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have posted watchmen; they will never be silent day or night." This imagery reinforces the role of outposts as places of anticipation and hope for divine intervention and the coming of God's kingdom.<br><br><b>Conclusion</b><br><br>Outposts in the Bible represent more than mere military installations; they embody the principles of vigilance, readiness, and strategic foresight. Whether in the context of warfare, trade, or spiritual watchfulness, outposts serve as a reminder of the need for preparedness and the importance of maintaining a vigilant stance in both physical and spiritual realms.<a name="heb" id="heb"></a><div class="vheading2">Strong's Hebrew</div><a href="/hebrew/7097a.htm"><span class="l">7097a. qatseh -- end, extremity</span></a><br><b>...</b> 5), extreme (1), extreme end (2), extremity (2), frontiers (1), last one (1), most<br> remote part (1), mouth (2), other (1), other* (3), <b>outposts</b> (1), outskirts (6 <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/hebrew/7097a.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 5k</font><a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><p><a href="/library/kent/the_making_of_a_nation/study_xii_a_nations_struggle.htm"><span class="l">A Nation's Struggle for a Home and Freedom.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> As the population increased, the Canaanites pushed their <b>outposts</b> along<br> the broad valleys that penetrated the uplands of Palestine. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../kent/the making of a nation/study xii a nations struggle.htm</font><p><a href="/library/irenaeus/against_heresies/introductory_note_to_irenaeus_against.htm"><span class="l">Introductory Note to Iren??us against Heresies</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Iren??us Against Heresies. Footnotes: [ad 120-202.] This history introduces<br> us to the Church in her Western <b>outposts</b>. We reach the <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../irenaeus/against heresies/introductory note to irenaeus against.htm</font><p><a href="/library/pamphilius/church_history/chapter_vi_the_famine_which_oppressed.htm"><span class="l">The Famine which Oppressed Them.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> 12. And when any one crept out of the city by night as far as the <b>outposts</b> of the<br> Romans to collect wild herbs and grass, they went to meet him; and when he <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter vi the famine which oppressed.htm</font><p><a href="/library/jackson/the_message_and_the_man/chapter_iii_the_need_for.htm"><span class="l">The Need for Certainty.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> calm, waits and trusts, knowing "that in the end his position will be stronger than<br> ever for the surrender of a few defenceless <b>outposts</b>." By preaching such as <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../jackson/the message and the man/chapter iii the need for.htm</font><p><a href="/library/pullan/the_books_of_the_new_testament/chapter_xiii_the_epistle_of.htm"><span class="l">The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans</span></a> <br><b>...</b> and Jerusalem. Roman soldiers kept their watch on the blue Danube, and<br> were planting <b>outposts</b> on the far-off grey Euphrates. The <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter xiii the epistle of.htm</font><p><a href="/library/arnold/the_christian_life/lecture_xvii_1_corinthians_ii.htm"><span class="l">1 Corinthians ii. 12</span></a> <br><b>...</b> ourselves at all. It has been but a skirmishing at the <b>outposts</b>; not a sword<br> had been drawn in the main battle. Take younger persons <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../arnold/the christian life/lecture xvii 1 corinthians ii.htm</font><p><a href="/library/maclaren/expositions_of_holy_scripture_g/an_unwalled_city.htm"><span class="l">An Unwalled City</span></a> <br><b>...</b> be war to the end, and war for ever; but He will 'keep our heads in the day of battle';<br> and though often we may be driven from the walls, and <b>outposts</b> may be <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/an unwalled city.htm</font><p><a href="/library/maclaren/expositions_of_holy_scripture_e/the_living_dead.htm"><span class="l">The Living Dead</span></a> <br><b>...</b> impotence and silence? Is not the soul only self-centring itself, retiring<br> from, the <b>outposts</b>, but not touched in the citadel? Is it <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the living dead.htm</font><p><a href="/library/maclaren/expositions_of_holy_scripture_ephesians_peter/the_purifying_influence_of_hope.htm"><span class="l">The Purifying Influence of Hope</span></a> <br><b>...</b> It is a war of <b>outposts</b>, like the last agonies of that Franco-Prussian war, when<br> the Emperor had abdicated, and the country was really conquered, and Paris had <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../the purifying influence of hope.htm</font><p><a href="/library/kleiser/fifteen_thousand_useful_phrases/section_v_prepositional_phrases.htm"><span class="l">Prepositional Phrases</span></a> <br><b>...</b> ornaments of eloquence. outbreak of hostilities. outburst of tears. outflow of sympathy.<br> <b>outposts</b> of morality. overflow of vitality. P. page of desolation. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section v prepositional phrases.htm</font><a name="thes" id="thes"></a><div class="vheading2">Thesaurus</div><a href="/topical/o/outposts.htm"><span class="l"><b>Outposts</b> (2 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Multi-Version Concordance <b>Outposts</b> (2 Occurrences). Judges 7:11 and you<br> shall hear what they say, and afterward your hands shall <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/o/outposts.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/o/outpost.htm"><span class="l">Outpost (7 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 1 Samuel 10:5 After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where are the <b>outposts</b><br> of the Philistines; and it shall come to pass, when thou comest thither <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/o/outpost.htm - 9k</font><p><a href="/topical/p/patrol.htm"><span class="l">Patrol (2 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> along the chain of sentinels and between the posts, by a guard, usually consisting<br> of three or four men, to insure greater security from attacks on the <b>outposts</b><b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/p/patrol.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/o/outpoured.htm"><span class="l">Outpoured (3 Occurrences)</span></a><br><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/o/outpoured.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/e/en-dor.htm"><span class="l">En-dor (3 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Coming hither from Gilboa, eluding the Philistine <b>outposts</b> under cover of the darkness,<br> Saul would cross the Vale of Jezreel, and pass round the eastern base <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/e/en-dor.htm - 11k</font><p><a href="/topical/e/endor.htm"><span class="l">Endor (3 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Coming hither from Gilboa, eluding the Philistine <b>outposts</b> under cover of the darkness,<br> Saul would cross the Vale of Jezreel, and pass round the eastern base <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/e/endor.htm - 12k</font><p><a href="/topical/s/semites.htm"><span class="l">Semites</span></a><br><b>...</b> the land. The Hittite also was in the land, holdling <b>outposts</b> from his northern<br> empire, even in the extreme south of Palestine. If <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/s/semites.htm - 27k</font><p><a href="/topical/s/semitic.htm"><span class="l">Semitic</span></a><br><b>...</b> the land. The Hittite also was in the land, holdling <b>outposts</b> from his northern<br> empire, even in the extreme south of Palestine. If <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/s/semitic.htm - 28k</font><p><a href="/topical/s/saul.htm"><span class="l">Saul (371 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 13:6 f), until he was left with only 600 (1 Samuel 14:2). In spite of this, Jonathan<br> precipitated hostilities by a reckless attack upon one of the <b>outposts</b>. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/s/saul.htm - 76k</font><p><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-vigilante.html">Should a Christian be a vigilante? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/dreams-visions-Bible.html">How did God use dreams and visions in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Kingdom-of-Jerusalem.html">What was the Kingdom of Jerusalem? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://clyx.com/term/outposts.htm">Outposts: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com</a><br /><br /><a href="/concordance/">Bible Concordance</a> • <a href="/dictionary/">Bible Dictionary</a> • <a href="/encyclopedia/">Bible Encyclopedia</a> • <a href="/topical/">Topical Bible</a> • <a href="/thesaurus/">Bible Thesuarus</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="cnc" id="cnc"></a><div class="vheading2">Concordance</div><span class="encheading">Outposts (2 Occurrences)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/judges/7-11.htm">Judges 7:11</a></span><br />and you shall hear what they say, and afterward your hands shall be strengthened to go down against the camp." Then he went down with Purah his servant to the <span class="boldtext">outposts</span> of the armed men that were in the camp.<br /><span class="source">(DBY NAS RSV NIV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/1_samuel/14-15.htm">1 Samuel 14:15</a></span><br />There was a trembling in the camp, in the field, and among all the people; the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled; and the earth quaked: so there was an exceeding great trembling.<br /><span class="source">(See NIV)</span><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/o/outposts.htm">Outposts</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/o/outpouring.htm">Outpouring (3 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/o/outposts.htm">Outposts (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/d/drink.htm">Drink (414 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/spiritual.htm">Spiritual (42 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/trinity.htm">Trinity</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/covenant.htm">Covenant (309 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/n/new.htm">New (1850 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/o/outpost.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Outpost"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Outpost" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/o/outpoured.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Outpoured"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Outpoured" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div> <div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></div></td></tr></table></div></div></div> <br /><br /> <div align="center"> <div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>