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League

Culture & Society

What is the meaning of League in the Bible?

A league represents a formal covenant or confederacy established between nations, tribes, or individuals, a concept frequently documented in the Old Testament to describe alliances formed for mutual protection and defense.

SIGNIFICANCE

Recognizing the nature of these leagues clarifies the complex political alliances and diplomatic structures that shaped interactions between Israel and its neighbors in the ancient Near East, providing essential context for interpreting biblical narratives.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to League. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
  • Why did the biblical author mention League in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does League clarify?

Source Attribution

Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.

How to Cite This Entry

"League." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/league/
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