Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical contexts, the term "gutter" refers to a channel or conduit for water, often associated with fortifications or structures. The concept of a gutter is mentioned in the Bible in relation to military strategy and urban infrastructure, highlighting its practical importance in ancient times.
Biblical References:1.
2 Samuel 5:8 : "On that day David said, 'Whoever wants to conquer the Jebusites must use the water shaft to reach those 'lame and blind' who are despised by David.' That is why it is said, 'The blind and the lame will never enter the palace.'" In this passage, the term "water shaft" is often understood to refer to a gutter or tunnel used to access the city of Jerusalem. David's men used this strategic entry point to capture the Jebusite stronghold, demonstrating the significance of such structures in military conquests.
2.
1 Chronicles 11:6 : "Now David had said, 'Whoever is the first to strike down the Jebusites will become chief commander.' And Joab son of Zeruiah went up first, and he became the chief." This parallel account to
2 Samuel 5:8 also implies the use of a water shaft or gutter as a means of entry, underscoring its role in the successful capture of Jerusalem.
Historical and Cultural Context:In ancient cities, gutters were essential for managing water flow, particularly in urban areas with significant rainfall or where water needed to be channeled from one location to another. These structures could be part of a city's defensive system, as controlling water access was crucial for both daily life and military strategy.
The use of a gutter or water shaft in the capture of Jerusalem by David's forces illustrates the ingenuity and resourcefulness of ancient military tactics. By exploiting the city's infrastructure, David's men were able to overcome the Jebusites, who had believed their city to be impregnable.
Theological Implications:The mention of the gutter in the context of David's conquest of Jerusalem can be seen as a testament to God's providence and the fulfillment of His promises. David's success in capturing the city, which would later become the political and spiritual center of Israel, aligns with God's covenantal promises to establish David's throne and lineage.
Furthermore, the strategic use of the gutter highlights the importance of wisdom and discernment in achieving God's purposes. It serves as a reminder that God often works through ordinary means and human ingenuity to accomplish His divine plans.
Conclusion:The biblical references to gutters, particularly in the context of David's conquest of Jerusalem, provide insight into the practical and strategic significance of these structures in ancient times. They also offer a deeper understanding of how God orchestrates events to fulfill His promises and establish His kingdom.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Hebrews tsinnor, (
2 Samuel 5:8). This Hebrew word occurs only elsewhere in
Psalm 42:7 in the plural, where it is rendered "waterspouts." It denotes some passage through which water passed; a water-course.
InGenesis 30:38, 41 the Hebrew word rendered "gutters" is rahat, and denotes vessels overflowing with water for cattle (Exodus 2:16); drinking-troughs.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A channel at the eaves of a roof for conveying away the rain; an eaves channel; an eaves trough.
2. (n.) A small channel at the roadside or elsewhere, to lead off surface water.
3. (n.) Any narrow channel or groove; as, a gutter formed by erosion in the vent of a gun from repeated firing.
4. (v. t.) To cut or form into small longitudinal hollows; to channel.
5. (v. t.) To supply with a gutter or gutters.
6. (v. i.) To become channeled, as a candle when the flame flares in the wind.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
GUTTERgut'-er.
SeeHOUSE.
Strong's Hebrew
6794. tsinnuwr -- modest... 6793c, 6794. tsinnuwr. 6794a . modest. Transliteration: tsinnuwr Phonetic Spelling:
(tsin-noor') Short Definition:
gutter.
gutter, water-spout
...7298. rahat -- a trough
... 7297, 7298. rahat. 7298a . a trough. Transliteration: rahat Phonetic Spelling:
(rah'-hat) Short Definition: gallery. gallery,gutter, trough...
Library
Grace and Truth Coupled.
... It's something like this. Here's a man in thegutter, the moralgutter. It may
be the actualgutter.... But morally and in spirit, it's agutter....
Chapter twelve
... And the Rectangle from its windows, its saloon steps, its filthy sidewalk,gutter
and roadway, paused, and with undisguised wonder stared at the two girls....
Outside the Eden Gate.
... with reluctant hand, one who knows Paul's tender heart can well believe, the curtain
is drawn aside for the last two stages; the grosser,gutter, animal stages...
La Brea
... so named after the old sea-hero, who was, in his lifetime, full of projects for
utilising this same pitch"and up a pitch road, with a pitchgutter on each...
Introduction
... A child is snatched from pinching hunger, fluttering rags, and all the squalor of
gutter life; from a creeping existence in the noisome pool of slum society is...
Talmage -- a Bloody Monster
... Did not an exquisite poet, from the very top of his fame, fall a gibbering sot,
into thegutter, on his way to be married to one of the fairest daughters of...
Forgiveness and Retribution.
... He was a wretched, drunken sot in thegutter when his mother died; the
poor woman couldn't stand it, and died of a broken heart....
The Eternal Revolution
... architecture in that hour when nervous and respectable people (such people as now
object to barrel organs) objected to the shouting of thegutter-snipes of...
Chapter twenty-eight
... He cleared the space in front of the Settlement and even went out into thegutter
and swept that. He took off his hat and rubbed his sleeve over his face....
In Short, the New Education is as Harsh as the Old...
... wise. Without going to school at all, thegutter-boy would be educated.
Without going to school at all, he would be over-educated....
Thesaurus
Gutter (3 Occurrences)... 3. (n.) Any narrow channel or groove; as, a
gutter formed by erosion in the vent
of a gun from repeated firing.
... 5. (vt) To supply with a
gutter or gutters.
...House (20110 Occurrences)
... STONE-BUILT AND MUD/bRICK-BUILT HOUSES 1. Details of Plan and Construction (1)
Corner-Stone (2) Floor (3)Gutter (4) Door (5) Hinge (6) Lock and Key (7...
Gust (1 Occurrence)
Gutters (2 Occurrences)
Getteth (11 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 5:8 And David said on that day, Whosoever getteth up to thegutter, and
smiteth the Jebusites, and the lame and the blind that are hated of David's...
Watercourse (6 Occurrences)
... conduit," "the conduit of the upper pool" (2 Kings 18:17 Isaiah 7:3; Isaiah 36:2).
(5) tsinnor, "watercourse," the King James Version "gutter" (2 Samuel 5:8...
Waterfall
... It occurs also in 2 Samuel 5:8, translated "watercourse," the King James Version
"gutter." Compare (tsanteroth), "spouts" (Zechariah 4:12)....
Channel (3 Occurrences)
... was conveyed to us by different channels. 5. (n.) Agutter; a groove,
as in a fluted column. 6. (n.) Flat ledges of heavy plank...
Apron (1 Occurrence)
... 9. (n.) The piece that holds the cutting tool of a planer. 10. (n.) A strip of lead
which leads the drip of a wall into agutter; a flashing. 11....
Shoe (13 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) A trough-shaped or spout-shaped member, put at the bottom of the water leader
coming from the eavesgutter, so as to throw the water off from the...
Resources
What is the origin and meaning of gargoyles? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about venting? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Billy Sunday? | GotQuestions.orgGutter: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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