ALLIANCE

ALLI'ANCE, noun [Gr.; Latin ]1. The relation or union between families, contracted by marriage.2. The union between nations, contracted by compact, treaty or league.3. The treaty, league, or compact, which is the instrument of confederacy; sometimes perhaps the act of confederating.4. Any union or connection of interests between persons, families, states or corporations; as, an alliance between church and state.5. The persons or parties allied; as, men or states may secure any alliances in their power.

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alliance. (fr) alliance, kindred, or league.

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Alliance. Alliance
A treaty between nations, or between individuals, for their mutual advantage.

Abraham formed an alliance with some of the Canaanitish princes (Gen. 14:13), also with Abimelech (21:22-32). Joshua and the elders of Israel entered into an alliance with the Gibeonites (Josh. 9:3-27). When the Israelites entered Palestine they were forbidden to enter into alliances with the inhabitants of the country (Lev. 18:3, 4; 20:22, 23).

Solomon formed a league with Hiram (1 Kings 5:12). This “brotherly covenant” is referred to 250 years afterwards (Amos 1:9). He also appears to have entered into an alliance with Pharaoh (1 Kings 10:28, 29).

In the subsequent history of the kingdoms of Judah and Israel various alliances were formed between them and also with neighbouring nations at different times.

From patriarchal times a covenant of alliance was sealed by the blood of some sacrificial victim. The animal sacrificed was cut in two (except birds), and between these two parts the persons contracting the alliance passed (Gen. 15:10). There are frequent allusions to this practice (Jer. 34:18). Such alliances were called “covenants of salt” (Num. 18:19; 2 Chr. 13:5), salt being the symbol of perpetuity. A pillar was set up as a memorial of the alliance between Laban and Jacob (Gen. 31:52). The Jews throughout their whole history attached great importance to fidelity to their engagements. Divine wrath fell upon the violators of them (Josh. 9:18; 2 Sam. 21:1, 2; Ezek. 17:16).

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alliance. Alliance, n. an union by treaty or marriage

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Al‐li″ance (�), n. [[OE. aliaunce, OF. aliance, F. alliance, fr. OF. alier, F. allier. See Ally, and cf. LL. alligantia.]] 1. 1. The state of being allied; the act of allying or uniting; a union or connection of interests between families, states, parties, etc., especially between families by marriage and states by compact, treaty, or league; as, matrimonial alliances; an alliance between church and state; an alliance between France and England.
2. 2. Any union resembling that of families or states; union by relationship in qualities; affinity.
The alliance of the principles of the world with those of the gospel. C. J. Smith. The alliance . . . between logic and metaphysics. Mansel. 3. 3. The persons or parties allied. Udall.
Syn. — Connection; affinity; union; confederacy; confederation; league; coalition.