In biblical times, a siege tower was a tall, mobile structure used during warfare to attack cities protected by strong, high walls. These towers were designed to help soldiers reach the same height as fortified walls so they could fight on level ground and eventually breach the city.
Historical and Practical Use
Ancient cities were often fortified with thick walls, making direct attacks nearly impossible. Defenders stood atop these walls, ready with flaming arrows and heavy stones. Attacking from the ground was dangerous and usually ended in failure.
To overcome this, armies built wooden siege towers on wheels, tall enough to reach or exceed the height of the walls. Soldiers would climb to the top of the tower, gaining equal footing with the defenders. As the tower moved closer to the wall, the soldiers would lower ladders, climb into the city, and launch their assault.
Since these towers were made of wood, they were vulnerable to fire. To prevent this, they were often covered with iron or animal hides to protect against flaming arrows.
Biblical References
The Bible mentions siege towers in several places, often in connection with warfare and destruction, but also as symbols of human strength and false security:
Isaiah 23:13 (NIV):
“Look at the land of the Babylonians—this people is now of no account! The Assyrians have made it a place for desert creatures; they raised up their siege towers, they stripped its fortresses bare and turned it into a ruin.”
This highlights how even great nations could be brought down by powerful siege tactics.
2 Chronicles 26:15 (NIV):
“In Jerusalem he made devices invented for use on the towers and on the corner defenses so that soldiers could shoot arrows and hurl large stones from the walls.”
King Uzziah’s innovations show the importance of preparation, though true success still depended on God.
Judges 9:46 (NIV):
“On hearing this, the citizens in the tower of Shechem went into the stronghold of the temple of El-Berith.”
In this case, the tower served as a place of retreat and safety for the people.
-
Other references:
Judges 9:47,49; Jeremiah 31:38; Zephaniah 3:6; Song of Songs 8:9; Nehemiah 3:8 – These passages use towers as symbols of both physical defense and spiritual metaphors.
Spiritual Application
Siege towers symbolize the effort to overcome obstacles—whether physical or spiritual. Today, we face spiritual strongholds: fear, sin, pride, and lies of the enemy that resist the truth of God.
2 Corinthians 10:4 (NIV):
“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.”
Our spiritual battles aren’t fought with human methods but with the power of God.
Proverbs 18:10 (NIV):
“The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”
Unlike man-made siege towers, the Lord Himself is our strong, unshakable tower—our place of refuge.
Joshua 6:20 (NIV):
“When the trumpets sounded, the army shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the men gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so everyone charged straight in, and they took the city.”
Jericho’s walls fell not through engineering, but through faith and obedience. This reminds us that God is the one who brings down every barrier when we trust in Him.
Conclusion
While siege towers were mighty tools of ancient warfare, they also remind us of our need for divine help in the spiritual battles we face. The Lord—not human strategy—is our true tower of strength. When we rely on Him and walk in obedience, He breaks down every wall set up against us.
May the Lord be your fortress and strength. God bless you.