Original Word: στρατόπεδον
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: stratopedon
Pronunciation: strat-OP-ed-on
Phonetic Spelling: (strat-op'-ed-on)
KJV: army
NASB: armies
Word Origin: [from the base of G4756 (στρατία - host) and the same as G3977 (πεδινός - level)]

1. a camping-ground
2. (by implication) a body of troops

army.

From the base of stratia and the same as pedinos; a camping-ground, i.e. (by implication) a body of troops -- army.

see GREEK stratia

see GREEK pedinos

Word Origin
from the same as strateuó and pedon (ground, a site)
Definition
a military camp, i.e. an army
NASB Translation
armies (1).

STRONGS NT 4760: στρατόπεδον

στρατόπεδον, στρατοπεδονου, τό (στρατός, and πέδον a plain), from Herodotus down;

a. a military camp.

b. soldiers in camp, an army: Luke 21:20.

Meaning and Semantic Field

The term denotes a military encampment or the massed forces that inhabit it. It suggests not only soldiers but the organized, strategic presence of an army poised for action—an image loaded with urgency whenever applied to the people of God or to prophetic events.

Usage in the New Testament

The word appears once, in Luke 21:20. There, Jesus warns, “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you will know that her desolation is near” (Berean Standard Bible). The single occurrence ensures every nuance is concentrated into this eschatological context: the gathered forces symbolize impending judgment and the decisive movement of divine providence in history.

Historical Setting in Luke 21:20

Luke records Jesus’ prophetic discourse during the final week before the crucifixion. The “armies” that would encircle Jerusalem point most immediately to the Roman legions led by Titus in A.D. 70. Contemporary historians such as Josephus describe a siege that perfectly matches Jesus’ prediction: Jerusalem hemmed in, travel blocked, supplies cut, and eventual devastation. The fulfilled prophecy underscores Christ’s authority and the infallibility of His word.

Old Testament Foreshadowing

1. Jeremiah 6:3–6 pictures foreign shepherds pitching their tents around Jerusalem, a clear backdrop for the encampment motif.
2. Isaiah 29:3 echoes the language: “I will camp against you all around; I will encircle you with towers.”
3. Daniel 9:26–27 anticipates a ruler whose people “will destroy the city and the sanctuary,” laying the groundwork for a siege that prefigures Christ’s words.

These passages weave the concept of an encamped army into the biblical storyline as a covenantal warning whenever Israel breaks faith with the LORD.

Prophetic Fulfilment and Eschatological Horizons

While A.D. 70 fulfils the immediate sense, the image carries forward into larger eschatological expectations:
• A type of the ultimate day when rebellious humanity will mass itself against God’s purposes (Revelation 20:9).
• A reminder that geopolitical movements remain under divine sovereignty; no earthly power besieges what God defends unless He ordains it for judgment or purification.

Theological Themes

1. Covenant Accountability—The encirclement of Jerusalem validates Deuteronomy 28:52; disobedience invites siege.
2. Christological Authority—Only the Messiah accurately foretells such precise historical detail.
3. Comfort for the Faithful—Believers are called to recognize the sign and respond in obedience, as the early church did by fleeing to Pella, demonstrating trust in Christ’s word.

Ministry and Discipleship Application

• Watchfulness: Leaders urge congregations to heed Christ’s warnings and discern the times (Luke 21:34–36).
• Trust in Prophecy: Fulfilled prediction bolsters confidence that every promise—judgment and salvation alike—stands sure.
• Holiness and Repentance: The encamped army motif warns against complacency; spiritual fortifications, not physical walls, provide real security.

Homiletical Suggestions

• Compare the physical encampment around Jerusalem with spiritual strongholds that beset the believer, drawing on 2 Corinthians 10:4.
• Use the term to illustrate God’s protective encampment around His people (Psalm 34:7) in contrast to hostile armies, highlighting the decisive difference faith makes.

Conclusion

Strong’s Greek 4760 captures a single yet potent picture: encamped forces that signal God’s active involvement in human history. Its lone New Testament appearance distills layers of covenantal warning, fulfilled prophecy, and enduring pastoral counsel, reminding every generation to submit to Christ’s lordship before the final encampment of judgment arrives.

στρατόπεδον στρατοπεδων στρατοπέδων στρεβλόν στρεβλός στρεβλού stratopedon stratopedōn stratopédon stratopédōnInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts