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G4760 · Greek · New Testament
στράτευμα
strateuma
Noun Neuter
army / military force

Definition

Strateuma (G4760) refers to an army or military force — from strateia (military service) and the root stratos (army). It is used for the Roman soldiers who escorted Paul (Acts 23:10, 27), and most powerfully, for the armies of heaven in Revelation.

Usage & Theological Significance

The armies (strateuma) of heaven in Revelation 19:14 are one of Scripture's most majestic images: 'The armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses.' Note what is absent: no weapons are described for the army. The weapon is the Rider's sword from his mouth (Rev 19:15) — the Word of God. The heavenly strateuma follows, but it is the Logos, not the legion, that defeats the beast. This inverts all military logic. Paul's 'weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power' (2 Cor 10:4) is the epistle's version of Revelation's army. The soldiers of Christ follow the Commander but He fights the battle.

Key Bible Verses

Revelation 19:14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses.
Acts 23:10 And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away by force.
Revelation 19:19 And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him.
2 Corinthians 10:4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
Luke 23:11 Herod with his soldiers (strateumata) treated him with contempt.

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