στρατόπεδον

an encamped army

Definition

The Greek word στρατόπεδον (stratopedon) primarily means 'an encamped army' or 'a military camp.' It refers to a body of soldiers organized in a temporary settlement for a campaign, emphasizing both the people and their stationed location. In the New Testament, its sole occurrence in Luke 21:20 uses it metaphorically to describe the Roman armies surrounding Jerusalem, foretelling its destruction. While the term can denote a literal army in a camp in broader Greek literature, its biblical usage focuses on this prophetic, besieging force as a sign of divine judgment.

Biblical Usage

Στρατόπεδον is used only once in the New Testament, in Luke 21:20. Here, Jesus employs it in an eschatological discourse, warning that when Jerusalem is surrounded by 'encamped armies' (στρατόπεδα), its desolation is near. The context is prophetic and judicial, linking the military presence directly to the fulfillment of divine warning. This singular usage patterns with Luke's emphasis on Jerusalem's fate and the signs of the times.

Etymology

Στρατόπεδον is a compound noun from στρατός (stratos, meaning 'army') and πέδον (pedon, meaning 'ground' or 'plain'). Literally, it means 'army-ground'—the place where an army is pitched. This construction highlights the dual idea of the military force and its encampment. It is cognate with the English word 'strategy,' which derives from the related Greek στρατηγός (stratēgos, 'general').

Semantic Range

In Luke 21:20, στρατόπεδον is theologically significant as the specific sign Jesus gives for Jerusalem's impending destruction. It connects the historical event of the Roman siege (c. AD 70) with prophetic fulfillment, underscoring God's judgment on unfaithfulness. Understanding this Greek term enriches reading by clarifying that Jesus pointed to a literal military encirclement, not a vague symbol, anchoring the prophecy in tangible history and divine sovereignty over nations.

In the first-century Roman world, an encamped army (στρατόπεδον) was a common and feared sight, representing imperial power, discipline, and siege warfare. For Jewish listeners, a foreign army surrounding Jerusalem would evoke memories of past invasions (e.g., Babylon) and prophecies of judgment (e.g., Jeremiah). The term thus carried immediate cultural weight, signaling not just conflict but a catastrophic breach of the city's security and a potential fulfillment of covenantal curses.

στρατιά (stratia, G4756) — a more general term for an army or host, often used for heavenly armies (e.g., Luke 2:13). παρεμβολή (parembolē, G3925) — specifically a military camp or barracks; used for both Roman camps (Acts 21:34) and the Israelite camp in the wilderness (Hebrews 13:11).

Word Details

Scripture References