Bible Dictionary
Engine
An engine in biblical usage was a military machine used in siege warfare, such as a device for throwing missiles or a battering ram used against city walls.
Definition
An engine was a military machine used in siege warfare. Biblical examples include devices for propelling missiles and the battering ram used against fortified walls.
Biblical Usage
The engines mentioned in connection with fortified cities were designed for military attack, including the throwing of missiles and the breaking of walls.
Historical Background
The term is applied in Scripture exclusively to military affairs. The battering ram was known among the Hebrews and was also used by the Egyptians and Assyrians.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Smith's Bible Dictionary
a term applied exclusively to military affairs in the Bible. The engines to which the term is applied in (2 Chronicles 26:15) were designed to propel various missiles from the walls of the besieged town. One, with which the Hebrews were acquainted, was the battering ram, described in (Ezekiel 26:9) and still more precisely in (Ezekiel 4:2; 21:22)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>en'-jin (2Ch 26:15; Eze 26:9; /APC 1Macc 6:51; 13:43 f).</p><p>See SIEGE.</p>