Bible Dictionary
Garrison
A garrison was a military station or fortified post occupied by soldiers. The related term could also refer to a pillar or monument rather than a military post.
Definition
A garrison was a military or fortified post occupied by soldiers. Related Hebrew terms may also refer to a station, an officer or prefect, or a monumental pillar, so not every Authorized Version occurrence necessarily means a military post.
Biblical Usage
The biblical passages use the term chiefly for military stations or posts held by soldiers. In one passage the related word is better understood as pillars or obelisks rather than garrisons.
Historical Background
The underlying words derive from a root meaning to place or erect. The sources note that this root could be applied to several kinds of objects or positions.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(1.) Heb. matstsab, a station; a place where one stands (1 Sam. 14:12); a military or fortified post (1 Sam. 13:23; 14:1, 4, 6, etc.). (2.) Heb. netsib, a prefect, superintendent; hence a military post (1 Sam. 10:5; 13:3, 4; 2 Sam. 8:6). This word has also been explained to denote a pillar set up to mark the Philistine conquest, or an officer appointed to collect taxes; but the idea of a military post seems to be the correct one. (3.) Heb. matstsebah, properly a monumental column; improperly rendered pl. “garrisons” in Ezek. 26:11; correctly in Revised Version “pillars,” marg. “obelisks,” probably an idolatrous image.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
The Hebrew words so rendered in the Authorized Version are derivatives from the root natsab, to “place, erect,” which may be applied to a variety of objects.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>gar'-i-s'-n.</p><p>See WAR.</p>