AMBUSCADE and AMBUSH, in military phraseology, are terms used promiscuously, though it is understood that the first more properly applies to the act, and the second to the locality, of a stratagem which consists mainly in the conceal ment of an army, or of a detachment, where the enemy, if he ventures, in ignorance of the measure, within the sphere of its action, is suddenly taken at a disadvantage, and liable to be totally defeated. The principles which must guide the contrivers of an ambuscade have been nearly the same in all ages ; embracing concealment from the observation of an enemy so as to create no suspicion ; a position of advantage in case of being attacked by superior forces, and having the means of retreating, as well as of issuing forth to attack, without impediment, when the proper moment is arrived. The example of Joshua at the capture of Ai shews the art to have been practised among the Jews on the best possible principles. The failure of a first attempt was sure to produce increased confidence in the assailed, who, being the armed, but not disciplined, inhabitants of a strong place, were likely not to be under the control of much caution. Joshua, en camping within sight, but with a valley intervening, when he came up to make a false attack, necessarily appeared to disadvantage, the enemy being above him, and his retreat towards his own camp rendered difficult by its being likewise above him on the other side, and both sides no doubt very steep, as they are in general in the hills of these parts. His men therefore fled, as directed, not towards the north, where the camp was, but eastward, towards the plain and desert ; while in the hills, not behind, but on the west side, lay the ambuscade, in sufficient force alone to vanquish the enemy. This body of Israelites had not therefore the objectionable route to take from behind the city, a movement that must have been seen from the walls, and would have given time to close the gates, if not to warn the citizens back ; but, rising from the woody hills, it had the shortest distance to pass over to come down directly to the gate ; and, if an accident had caused failure in the army of Joshua, the detach ment could not itself be intercepted before reaching the camp of the main body ; while the citizens of Ai, pursuing down hill, had little chance of returning up to the gates in time, or of being in a condition to make an effectual onset. This example,
as a military operation, may be cited as perfect in all its details. In the attempt to surprise Shechem (Judg. ix. 3o, sqq.) the operation, so far as it was a military manceuvre, was unskilfully laid, although ultimately successful in consequence of the party spirit within, and the intelligence which Abimelech maintained in the fortress.—C. H. S.
AMEN ()/Qt.t ; New Test. 'Aboiv). This word is strictly an adjective, signifying 'firm,' and meta phorically, faithful.' Thus in Rev. iii. 14, our Lord is called the amen, the faithful and true witness.' In Is. lxv. 16, the Heb. has the God of amen,' which our version renders the God of truth,' i.e., of fidelity. In its adverbial sense amen means certainly, truly, surely. It is used in the beginning of a sentence by way of emphasis—rarely in the Old Test. (Jer. Mill. 6), but often by our Saviour in the New, where it is commonly translated ` verily.' In John's gospel alone it is often used by him in this way, double, 4, verily, verily.' In the end of a sentence it often occurs singly or repeated, especially at the end of hymns or prayers, as amen and amen' (Ps. xli. 14 ; lxxii. 19 ; lxxxix. 53). The proper signification of it in this position is to confirm the words which have preceded, and invoke the fulfilment of them : so be it,' fiat; Sept. Hence in oaths, after the priest has repeated the words of the covenant or impreca tion, all those who pronounce the amen bind themselves by the oath (Num. v. 22 ; Dent. xxvii. 15, 17 ; Neh. v. 13 ; viii. 6 ; I Chron. xvi. 36 ; comp. Ps. cvi. 48).—J. K.