Information, Knowledge, Wisdom, Intelligence and Misleading in Old Testament Thinking and Biblical Warfare

Abstract

Information warfare is considered the most characteristic form of modern military strategy. Certain elements of the doctrine are present in biblical military strategy. Old Testament literature attributes central role to wisdom and knowledge and creates a whole genre: „wisdom literature”. Great military leaders are described as cautious, with a foresight. Intelligence and psychological operations – not using the modern terminology, of course – are depicted as important elements of biblical battles. Wisdom and knowledge seem to be the key motives in the battles analyzed here, e. g. the battles of Joshua preceding the settlement of Canaan and the military efforts of Josephus Flavius in the Jewish War.