Topical Encyclopedia
Millo is a term found in the Old Testament, referring to a structure or fortification associated with ancient Jerusalem and other biblical locations. The exact nature and function of Millo have been subjects of scholarly debate, but it is generally understood to be a significant architectural feature in the context of Israelite history.
Biblical References:1.
Millo in the City of David: Millo is first mentioned in connection with King David's conquest of Jerusalem. In
2 Samuel 5:9 , it is recorded, "So David took up residence in the fortress and called it the City of David. He built up the area around it, from the supporting terraces inward." The term "supporting terraces" is often translated as "Millo," indicating a structure that fortified the city.
2.
Solomon's Construction: King Solomon is noted for his extensive building projects, which included the repair and expansion of Millo. In
1 Kings 9:15 , it states, "This is the account of the forced labor that King Solomon conscripted to build the house of the LORD, his own palace, the supporting terraces, the wall of Jerusalem, Hazor, Megiddo, and Gezer." Here, Millo is again associated with significant construction efforts, underscoring its importance in the defense and infrastructure of Jerusalem.
3.
Hezekiah's Refortification: During the reign of King Hezekiah, Millo was part of the fortifications strengthened in anticipation of an Assyrian attack.
2 Chronicles 32:5 records, "Then Hezekiah worked resolutely to rebuild all the broken sections of the wall and raised towers on it. He built another wall outside that one and reinforced the supporting terraces of the City of David. He also made large numbers of weapons and shields."
4.
Millo in the Northern Kingdom: Millo is also mentioned in the context of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. In
1 Kings 16:24 , it is noted that King Omri "bought the hill of Samaria from Shemer for two talents of silver and built a city on the hill, calling it Samaria, after Shemer, the owner of the hill." While Millo is not explicitly named here, the concept of fortification and construction is similar to its use in Jerusalem.
Archaeological and Historical Insights:The term "Millo" is believed to derive from a Hebrew root meaning "to fill" or "to be filled," suggesting that it may have been a type of earthwork or terraced structure filled with stones or earth to provide stability and support. Archaeological excavations in Jerusalem have uncovered stepped stone structures and terraces that some scholars associate with the biblical Millo.
Theological Significance:From a theological perspective, Millo represents the efforts of Israel's leaders to fortify and protect the city of Jerusalem, which held both political and spiritual significance as the center of worship and the location of the Temple. The construction and maintenance of Millo reflect the broader biblical theme of God's provision and protection for His people, as well as the human responsibility to steward and safeguard the blessings and resources given by God.
Conclusion:While the precise nature of Millo remains a topic of study, its repeated mention in the context of significant biblical events underscores its importance in the history of Israel. As a symbol of strength and security, Millo serves as a reminder of the enduring legacy of Jerusalem as a city chosen by God and central to His redemptive plan.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Millofullness
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Millo(a rampart, mound) a place in ancient Jerusalem. Both name and place seem to have been already in existence when the city was taken from the Jebusites by David. (2 Samuel 5:9;1 Chronicles 11:8) Its repair or restoration was one of the great works for which Solomon raised his "levy," (1 Kings 9:15,24;11:27) and it formed a prominent part of the fortifications by which Hezekiah prepared for the approach of the Assyrians. (2 Chronicles 32:5) The last passage seems to show that "the Milo" was part of the "city of David," that is, of Zion. Comp. (2 Kings 12:20)
ATS Bible Dictionary
Millo1. Probably a bastion of the citadel of Zion, at Jerusalem, mentioned in the history of David and Solomon,2 Samuel 5:92 Kings 12:201 Chronicles 11:82 Chronicles 32:5.
2. The name of a family or of a fortress at Shechem; in the latter case, the "house of Millo" would mean the garrison of that fortress, Jud 9:6.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(Hebrews always with the article, "the" Millo).
(1.) Probably the Canaanite name of some fortification, consisting of walls filled in with earth and stones, which protected Jerusalem on the north as its outermost defence. It is always rendered Akra i.e., "the citadel", in the LXX. It was already existing when David conquered Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:9). He extended it to the right and left, thus completing the defence of the city. It was rebuilt by Solomon (1 Kings 9:15, 24;11:27) and repaired by Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 32:5).
(2.) InJudges 9:6, 20 it is the name of a rampart in Shechem, probably the "tower of Shechem" (9:46, 49).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
MILLOmil'-o. (millo generally interpreted to mean a "filling," e.g. a solid tower or an earth embankment; inJudges 9:6, 202 Kings 12:20, we get beth millo', translated in English Versions of the Bible "House of Millo," which Winckler thinks may have been the original Jebusite temple-shrine of Jerusalem (see BETH-MILLO); Septuagint reads Bethmaalon, also Maalon and oikos Maallon):
1. Old Testament References
It is generally supposed that "The Millo" was some kind of fortress or other defense, but many speculations have been made regarding its position. In2 Samuel 5:9, we read that David built round about from the Millo and inward, or (in the Septuagint, Septuagint) "he fortified it, the city, round about from the Millo and his house" (compare1 Chronicles 11:8). In connection with Solomon's strengthening of the fortifications, there are several references to Millo. In1 Kings 9:15, Solomon raised a levy "to build the house of Yahweh, and his own house, and Millo, and the wall of Jerusalem," etc.; in 9:24, "Pharaoh's daughter came up out of the city of David unto her house which Solomon had built for her: then did he build Millo"; in1 Kings 11:27, Solomon "built Millo, and repaired the breach of the city of David his father." At a later time Hezekiah "took courage, and built up all the wall that was broken down, and raised it up to the towers, and the other wall without, and strengthened Millo in the city of David" (2 Chronicles 32:52 Kings 12:20); Joash was slain by his servants "at the house of Millo, on the way that goeth down to Silla," but possibly this may have been in Shechem (compareJudges 9:6).
2. Identical with the Akra Site:
The mention of the site in the days of David and the reference to it in connection with the city of David (1 Kings 11:27) point to some part of the southeastern hill South of the temple. It is suggestive that Millo is in Septuagint always translated by "Akra." It seems to the present writer very probable that it was a fortress crowning the hill on which at a later time stood the Syrian Akra, which hill, if we are to believe Josephus (BJ, V, iv, 1, etc.), was cut down because its commanding situation dominated the temple. This hill cannot have been the site of Zion afterward known as "David's Burg" (City of David), because the tombs of the Judean kings were within its walls, and that alone would have made the complete leveling of the site impossible, but whereas the Jebusite fortress was probably not far from Gihon, this fortified summit may have been, as Watson suggests for the Akra, as far north as where the present Al Aqsa mosque is situated. In David's time it may have been an isolated and detached fort guarding the north approach, but if it was originally a Jebusite high place (Winckler) partly of sun-dried brick like similar constructions in Babylonia, the account of its being leveled would be much more credible. The importance of this site in the days of Solomon is fully explicable if this was the citadel guarding the newly built temple and royal palaces.
Dr. G.A. Smith is inclined to think that Millo may have been a fortress "off the south end of Ophel, to retain and protect the old pool," and Vincent suggests that the site of Millo is that now occupied by the great causeway connecting the Western and Eastern hills along which runs the Tariq bab es silsileh.
E. W. G. Masterman
Strong's Hebrew
4407.Millo -- a place near Shechem, also a citadel in Jer.Millo or
Millo. 4406, 4407.
Millo or
Millo. 4408 . a place near Shechem,
also a citadel in Jer. Transliteration:
Millo or
Millo...1037. BethMillo -- "house of earthwork," a place near Shechem...
BethMillo. 1036, 1037. BethMillo. 1038 . "house of earthwork," a
place near Shechem, also a citadel in Jer. Transliteration...
Library
Some Buildings in Acra. Bezeiha.Millo.
... Bezeiha.Millo.... Interpreters differ aboutMillo. There is one, who supposes it to
be a large place, appointed for public meetings and assemblies....
The Crowning of Abimelech
... And all the men of Shechem assembled themselves together, and all the house ofMillo,
and went and made Abimelech king, by the oak of the pillar that was in...
Jeroboam
... Book of Kings, this remarkable man first appears as an ordinary workman, or possibly
as a foreman of the masons who were engaged in building FortMillo, one of...
From the Talmud and Hebraica
... Chapter 24 Some buildings in Acra. Bezeiha.Millo. Chapter 25 Gihon, the same with
the Fountain of Siloam. Chapter 26 The Girdle of the City. Nehemiah 3....
Deliverance from Assyria
... "Also he strengthened himself, and built up all the wall that was broken, and raised
it up to the towers, and another wall without, and repairedMillo in the...
One Fold and one Shepherd
... And David built round about fromMillo and inward.10. And David went on,
and grew great, and the Lord God of hosts was with him.11....
The New Garment Bent
... And this was the cause that he lifted up his hand against the king: Solomon built
Millo, and repaired the breaches of the city of David his father.28....
Judas and his Band.
... men were to be stationed at the gates and in the streets of Ophel, a part of the
town situated to the south of the Temple, and along the valley ofMillo as far...
Jesus is Arrested.
... After passing this, they followed a westerly direction down a steep street called
Millo, at the end of which a turn to the south brought them to the house of...
The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... ten persons, upon one stone." The massacre having been effected, "all the men of
Shechem assembled themselves together, and all the house ofMillo,* and made...
Thesaurus
Millo (9 Occurrences)... Easton's Bible Dictionary (Hebrews always with the article, "the"
Millo).
(1.) Probably
... 49). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
MILLO. mil
...Beth-millo (3 Occurrences)
Beth-millo. Bethmillo, Beth-millo. Bethnimrah . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BETH-MILLO. beth-mil'-o. See JERUSALEM. Multi-Version Concordance...
Terraces (9 Occurrences)
... Terraces (9 Occurrences). 2 Samuel 5:9 David lived in the stronghold, and called
it the city of David. David built around fromMillo and inward. (See NIV)....
Supporting (31 Occurrences)
... (BBE). 2 Samuel 5:9 David lived in the stronghold, and called it the city of
David. David built around fromMillo and inward. (See NIV)....
Townsmen (18 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Judges 9:6 And all the townsmen of Shechem and all Beth-millo came together
and went and made Abimelech their king, by the oak of the pillar in Shechem....
Repaired (46 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 11:27 This was the reason why he lifted up his hand against the king: Solomon
builtMillo, and repaired the breach of the city of David his father....
Citizens (28 Occurrences)
... Judges 9:6 And all the citizens of Shechem came together, and all Beth-millo, and
they went and made Abim'elech king, by the oak of the pillar at Shechem....
Silla (1 Occurrence)
... sil'-a (cilla'; Codex Vaticanus Galla; Codex Alexandrinus Gaallad): Joash was
assassinated by his servants "at the house ofMillo, on the way that goeth down...
Abim'elech (58 Occurrences)
... Judges 9:6 And all the citizens of Shechem came together, and all Beth-millo, and
they went and made Abim'elech king, by the oak of the pillar at Shechem....
Masters (59 Occurrences)
... Judges 9:6 And all the masters of Shechem are gathered together, and all the house
ofMillo, and come and cause Abimelech to reign for king at the oak of the...
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